ESPN's 5 Underrated Draft Choices

We started thinking about other candidates who could earn the title of "most underrated player in the draft" and came up with five possibilities. For this discussion, the notion of underrated implies that the player won't be drafted as highly as he should be but could deliver strong returns in his first two or three seasons. Here now, ideas:

• Tyler Hansbrough: The logic here is based on this: People always seem to bash "Psycho T," but he did string together one of the most impressive ACC careers ever and finally won that elusive national title. He seems to be an extremely hard worker. Although his pure physical skills don't measure up to the skills of others in the draft, he graded out quite well at the combine and could be a good fit in the right system. Expect to read the same debate for the 2010 NFL draft regarding a dude named Tim Tebow.

• DeJuan Blair: His current mock draft "slide" -- he's at No. 21, to the Hornets, in Ford's latest version -- seems to based on health concerns and the fact that he measured shorter than 6-foot-6 without shoes at the combine. Blair may go in the 20s, which could be a steal for some team. He's a monster. He owned the probable No. 2 pick, Hasheem Thabeet, in Storrs, Conn., this past season.

• DaJuan Summers: At one point near the beginning of this past college basketball season, people thought Georgetown -- which ended up having a putrid season -- could have two top-15 picks in Greg Monroe and Summers. In Ford's latest mock draft, Summers lands at No. 24 to the Blazers. Granted, his performance was disappointing this past season, but he still has potential. And considering that he can play both the 3 and the 4 and already has an NBA body, he could be a steal late in the first round.

• Toney Douglas: The Florida State combo guard had an amazing ACC tournament on top of a great regular season and left opposing coaches (such as Mike Krzyzewski) singing his praises. There's a chance Ben Gordon will leave Chicago this summer, so Douglas, a good scorer and defender, could be a fit for the Bulls at No. 26, which is exactly where Ford has him.

• Eric Maynor: Everyone remembers his cold-blooded shot against Duke in the 2007 NCAA tournament, but what he really brings to the table is lockdown D and more seasoning than most prospects. Granted, the D.R.A.F.T. Initiative will tell you that experience doesn't necessarily matter. But that's not a reason to sleep on him, nor is the fact that he played at VCU.