The NFL draft is composed of two distinct parts. Teams have to master both if they are going to be successful. And if consistency is the goal, they must string strong drafts together.
The first part of the draft takes part in the first and second rounds. Teams need to find their core players who have a chance to become stars or superstars. Missing on these picks will turn any team into a mess that sees its playoff dreams disappear shortly after midseason.
Teams such as the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and New York Jets generally fall into that category.
But those first two rounds don't tell the story. Teams that win regularly also do so because they find depth in rounds 3 through 7. Players who can play key roles and occasionally make big plays are needed to keep a team in contention for four quarters.
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Scouts who can find these players are invaluable to an organization.
These players get selected every year. Here's a look at some sleepers the Jets' and Giants' division rivals drafted last week:
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
Phillips was selected in the third round, and he has a chance to give the Bills an anchor in the middle of the defensive line. At 6-foot-3, 307 pounds, Phillips is a willing combatant who can take on powerful centers and guards and win the battle.
Phillips has to overcome some of his habits if he is going to be successful at the next level. He will occasionally make himself vulnerable by playing too upright. He is a very active player, but he is not as athletic as some at his position, and that could be an issue.
However, when Phillips hunkers down and attacks the run, he can be a difference maker.
Miami Dolphins: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
I wrote Tuesday about the need for pass catchers in Adam Gase's offense when I called tight end Mike Gesicki the Dolphins' best overall pick. Ballage has the same receiving qualities and instincts out of the backfield.
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Ballage has 4.62 speed, and that's an impressive number for a big back who checks in at 6-2, 228 pounds. He has the quickness to get away from coverage and the hands to take advantage of his status as an open receiver. He has also shown that he doesn't need a perfect pass to make a play. He is adept at catching an off-target pass, reeling it in and making an important play.
Ballage also runs with a burst, but he can frustrate his coaches because he doesn't always find the open lane.
New England Patriots: Braxton Berrios, WR, Miami
While Bill Belichick is the braintrust behind the Patriots' success, their scouting staff is the backbone.
New England's scouts deliver expert information as the team can find hard-nosed, competitive and smart players in the late rounds who make a difference. In the case of Berrios, a sixth-round selection, the Pats are getting a sharp player who displayed significant improvement in 2017.
At 5-9, 184 pounds, he looks like he could step in for the departed Danny Amendola. Berrios caught 55 passes for 679 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and he can also return punts.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Schultz, TE, Stanford
The Cowboys have a huge need at tight end because Jason Witten appears headed for the "Monday Night Football" broadcast booth.
Schultz, a fourth-round draft pick, is a 6-6, 244-pounder who excels as a blocker. He has a chance to make life much easier for running back Ezekiel Elliott, who can use a blocker to punish opponents at the line of scrimmage or downfield.
Schultz is a fine target on short- and medium-range passes, but his strength is as a powerful blocker who is known for his consistency
Philadelphia Eagles: Avonte Maddox, CB, Pittsburgh
It's difficult for a fourth-round draft pick to make an impact on the roster of a Super Bowl team, but Maddox is going to get a real opportunity to make the roster and gain some key playing time.
Maddox is small at 5-9 and 184 pounds, but he runs a 4.39 40 and is a big hitter for a player of his stature. With the Panthers last year, Maddox had 49 tackles, eight pass breakups and three interceptions.
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Maddox has an aggressive nature that should make him a favorite in the Philadelphia lockerroom.
Washington Redskins: Trey Quinn, WR, SMU
Quinn was the last pick in the draft, making him "Mr. Irrelevant."
At 6 feet, 203 pounds, he has decent size, and his 40 time of 4.55 is not terrible. However, Quinn had a monstrous 2017 season with 114 receptions for 1,236 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Mustangs.
While he did not face the most outstanding defenses in the American Athletic Conference, he has excellent hands and will not drop the ball.
Follow Steve on Twitter at @Profootballboy
