NFL Draft 2022: 5 late-round gems to watch out for 

NFL Draft 2022: late-round gems to keep an eye on

#3 - WR Alec Pierce is projected to be a third-round starter

Cincinnati wide receiver #12 Alec Pierce -2022 NFL Draft

Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce has the ideal frame and route-running that NFL teams love, but he has major room for improvement. He's quick but doesn't often make defenders miss with his agility or strength. Being a red zone threat helps his value, though. Pierce averaged 17.4 yards in his career, only 2.2 yards less than Alabama's Jameson Williams.

His stats in 2021 include 884 yards and eight touchdowns, which is not blowing anyone away, but he's a consistent contributor who can give a team a solid No. 3 receiver. The Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions are hunting for quality wide receivers, and some may even trade up for Alec Pierce.

#4 - QB Carson Strong will slide in the NFL Draft

Nevada quarterback Carson Strong - 2022 NFL Draft Prospect

Nevada's Carson Strong was once seen as a first-round pick, but he has dropped in the NFL Draft over the past year or so. He's intelligent and can process concepts quickly on the field and thrives as an old-fashioned pocket-passer. His accuracy lacks something to be desired, and his injury history is a bit of a red flag.

The third round is likely to be the highest Strong will go, but the comparisons to Trevor Siemian are a little bit too harsh. He might end up as a long-term backup, but he has all the tools to be a starter for a team like the Washington Commanders or the Indianapolis Colts down the line.

#5 - DT Neil Farrell Jr. could be the biggest defensive gem in the NFL Draft

Defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr - LSU Tigers - 2022 NFL Draft Prospect

Versatile nose tackles are a hot commodity in the NFL, and Neil Farrell Jr. from LSU could be highly targeted on Day 2 of the draft. He has superior upper-body strength and can play literally any spot on the defensive line despite being 6-foot-four and 325 pounds. He's not the most efficient edge-rusher, but he can stuff the run at the line of scrimmage and plug a gap all by himself.

By being a nose guard, Farrell is going to draw attention to himself in the third round of the draft. A slew of teams will be after him, including the Los Angeles Chargers, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. You can expect Farrell to be a long-time contributor to any defense.