Kiper Jr. lists Ryan, Bennett as potential late-round impact rookies

When it comes to the NFL Draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. knows his stuff.

[ MORE: See all 20 of the Big Ten's picks from Rounds 4 through 7 ]

The well-known NFL Draft guru recently put together a list of possible early-impact performers from Rounds 4 through 7.

Kiper Jr. lists former Big Ten defensive standouts Jake Ryan (Michigan) and Michael Bennett (Ohio State) on the list.

Ryan was selected in the fourth round with the No. 129 pick by the Green Bay Packers.

"I could see (Jake) Ryan challenging to move into one of the inside linebacker roles before the season is over," Kiper Jr. said of Ryan. "His growth will allow them more flexibility with Clay Matthews. Ryan has shown NFL-starter talent when fully healthy (he tore an ACL in spring practice in 2013) and he has the ability to shoot into the backfield and make plays."

Bennett took a bit of a slide in the draft, falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round.

"I think size questions dropped Bennett, so a guy we once saw as a likelier second-round pick instead landed in the sixth," Kiper Jr. said of Bennett. "And while the Jags have bolstered the interior of their D-line, Bennett has shown the ability to penetrate and could see snaps particularly in pass-rushing situations."

Kiper Jr. also listed former Ohio State cornerback Doran Grant in the "notables" section of his list, saying Grant "often outplayed 2014 first-round pick Bradley Roby when they were in the Ohio State secondary together," and that he could "help early as Pittsburgh gets younger."