Perhaps the best part of NFL draft season: finding the underrated players. While the draft process takes many twists and turns with workouts, interviews and injury concerns, games haven't been played since early January and the most important part of a player's résumé is still the game tape.
So while players are moving up and down hypothetical draft boards, the on-field performance still hasn't changed, and Pro Football Focus' play-by-play grading of every snap during the FBS season is here to help sort out the most underrated players in the 2016 draft.
Rashard Higgins, WR, Colorado State
In a deep wide receiver class, Higgins can fly under the radar, but his two-year body of work is excellent. His plus-32.0 receiving grade ranked third in the nation in 2014, trailing only Amari Cooper and Tyler Lockett, who are both coming off solid rookie seasons in the NFL. He took a step back in 2015 and ranked 12th in the nation due to a subpar quarterback situation. Higgins is a savvy route runner, capable of creating separation against man coverage while showing a knack for getting open against zones. He also has great feel and vision after the catch, as evidenced by his averaging over 16 yards per reception on screen passes alone.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma
There are various styles of receiver in this draft, and Shepard is the best slot wideout and one of the best route runners overall. He's slippery in and out of breaks, and he tracks the deep ball well, catching an impressive 64.7 percent of his deep (20-plus yards in air) targets, fourth best in the nation. It all added up to the best wide receiver grade in the FBS. He now has to fight the stigma attached to a slot receiver's value. He plays like a first-round prospect -- he can win just enough on the outside that he should be valued as more than a typical slot receiver.