NFL Draft 2022: 5 late-round gems to watch out for
In the 2022 NFL Draft, everyone is focused on who will go in the first round and where the quarterbacks will be drafted.
The first round of the draft is crucial to your team's future, as this is where you land your "instant impact" players. But the late rounds of the draft are where teams dig up gems and quality depth pieces. After all, it takes 53 men to win a championship, not 11.
There have been some amazing steals in the late rounds of the draft, with the most notable being quarterback Tom Brady in the sixth round back in the year 2000. Bart Starr and Roger Staubach were also late-round gems who went on to become some of the best quarterbacks in the league. Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, Richard Sherman, Antonio Brown, and David Bakhtiari were also selected late in the draft. To win the NFL Draft, you have to find quality starters on Day 2 and Day 3.
Here are five players projected to be drafted late in the 2022 NFL Draft that could end up being star players.
NFL Draft 2022: late-round gems to keep an eye on
#1 - QB Bailey Zappe could be the Ryan Fitzpatrick of the 2022 NFL Draft
This year's draft class has been labeled as having a rather weak group of quarterbacks. Very few believe any of them belong to a top-ten pick, but Bailey Zappe from Western Kentucky could be a great developmental guy in the late rounds.
Zappe played for a pass-heavy offense in college and can easily be coached up to become a starter or star backup in the league.
Most passing yards last season…
WKU Bailey Zappe - 5,967
ALA Bryce Young - 4,872
MSST Will Rogers - 4,739
UVA Brennan Armstrong - 4,449
OSU CJ Stroud - 4,435 https://t.co/Z526UVttnX
His arm strength and pocket presence aren't quite up to par, which is why he will likely get drafted around the fourth round.
However, he broke the FBS record for the most passing touchdowns and yards in a single season and threw for 62 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions in 2021. The Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints could be in the market for a journeyman bridge quarterback.
#2 - TE Isaiah Likely could grow into a starting lineup
The NFL tends to lack star tight ends, and many teams run with a committee. This year's NFL Draft doesn't seem to have a Travis Kelce or a George Kittle at the tight end position, but there are several prospects who can be versatile athletes. Coastal Carolina's Isaiah Likely is one of those guys, and he is projected to go early on Day 3 of the draft.
Isaiah Likely is going to be a stud TE at the next level. Surprisingly good blocking ability shows up, too.
Man, I wish the #Panthers had a Day 2 pick... https://t.co/aYhl4sz4uX
Likely has skills as a pass-catcher and a blocker, which makes him a solid draft gem. He could be a three-down tight end, but he won't be a stand-alone starter. With 912 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2021, Likely can give a team like the Tennessee Titans or the Cincinnati Bengals a great addition to the offense.