The AFL's national talent manager believes Lachie Weller, originally from Burnie but living in Queensland, and Lauderdale defender Josh McGuinness, are the state's best chances.

Midfielder Weller is expected to go between picks 10 and 20, while 189 centimetre, 70 kilogram defender McGuinness could be anywhere from a mid to a late in what is a very even draft.

"Weller's greatest asset is that he's a gifted user of the football, he's an elite kick, elite decision maker and a very good athlete," Sheehan told The Examiner.

"He gets great separation from stoppages and was impressive on the MCG for the Allies on grand final day, and recruiters will keep that in mind.

"Josh has also had an outstanding year, highlighted by his form at the national championships [when he made the All-Australian team], when he had it on a string and averaged 26 [possessions].

"He just reads the ball so well when it is coming in and is able to cut the angles and rebound well on the way out and is a clean decision-maker."

Sheehan was also full of praise for Western Storm midfield duo Tim Jones and Matt Hanson, who could both go as a late pick.

"You couldn't do much more than Tim Jones, who is just a prolific inside-ball winner in the mould of Sammy Mitchell.

"Hanson tested so well with his endurance and just showed that he's a real pro in the way that he prepared himself and he is just a great ball winner that clubs may go for."

Burnie midfielder Caleb Hislop and Glenorchy tall defender Josh Watts and Mitch Rainbird are the other Tasmanians in the contention.

"Because the draft is so open and even at the back end, and there should be about 70 choices and 35 rookie choices later on, these guys are all a chance," he said.

"There is tremendous depth in this draft, but I've got all these boys as genuine contenders and they've shown they've got the potential to get picked up."

However, the state is unlikely to reach the heights of 2013, when six Tasmanians were added on national draft night, and another three via the rookie draft.

"The program in Tasmania is fantastic and there is enough opportunities with the national championships and the statewide league," Sheehan said.

"While there have been a number of [academy] picks out of New South Wales and Queensland, and that will impact, it is really an ebb and flow thing [for Tasmania]."

TASSIE DRAFT HOPES:

Lachie Weller [Queensland/Burnie];

Josh McGuinness [Lauderdale];

Matt Hanson [Western Storm];

Tim Jones [Western Storm];

Caleb Hislop [Burnie Dockers];

Josh Watts [Glenorchy];

Mitch Rainbird [Glenorchy].