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The Guys Behind The Guys

Kony Ealy's not the only 2014 prospect who may have been overlooked because of hype about a teammate. Here are four sleepers who operated in the shadows

Kelcy Quarles DT, South Carolina

Did Quarles benefit from lining up next to Jadeveon Clowney? > Absolutely. But the reverse is true as well, and a good number of Clowney's biggest hits came because Quarles was doubled. Quarles has the size (6'4", 297 pounds), the stats (13½ TFLs, 9½ sacks last season) and the ability to exploit gaps created by attention elsewhere. Projected: mid-to-late round 3

Martavis Bryant WR, Clemson

Few 6'4" receivers can beat a corner at the line and then blow past a safety, but that's where Bryant does his best work, as a straight-line deep threat (4.42 in the 40 at the combine). His height and leaping ability also make him dangerous in the red zone (seven TDs in 2013). Teammate Sammy Watkins > will be a top five pick, but Bryant won't last past Day 2. Projected: late round 2

Storm Johnson RB, Central Florida

Johnson complemented QB Blake Bortles > with 1,139 rushing yards and 14 TDs last season. He also hauled in 30 passes for three more scores, and that dual-threat viability will serve him well as a pro. The main knock on the 6-foot, 209-pound Johnson is his carelessness with the football, but NFL teams are likely to feel that part of his game can be easily improved. Projected: Early round 5

Michael Schofield RT, Michigan

There's a huge gap between Wolverines left tackle Taylor Lewan, > one of the top three linemen in this draft, and Schofield, who ably held down the right side. But Schofield's no slouch: He's 6'6" and 301 pounds, with 34-inch arms, and those numbers alone should buy him time as a developmental/swing tackle at the next level. He also has experience at guard. Projected: round 4 or 5

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DARRON CUMMINGS/AP

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JIM DEDMON/ICON SMI (QUARLES)

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MARK LOMOGLIO/ICON SMI (CLOWNEY)

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STREETER LECKA/GETTY IMAGES (BRYANT)

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TOM DIPACE (WATKINS)

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JAMIE RHODES/USA TODAY SPORTS (JOHNSON)

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ANDY LYONS/ GETTY IMAGES (BORTLES)

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RAY CARLIN/ICON SMI (SCHOFIELD)

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JOSE MARIN/MARINMEDIA/CSM (LEWAN)