Missouri, Kansas, and Kansas State Players Ready For NFL Draft
By Ben Nielsen
The 2013 NFL Draft kicks off tonight and several players from local schools will be waiting for their name to be called. Here is a quick rundown of the players with the best chance to get drafted and what day they may hear their name called.
September 22, 2012; Columbia, SC, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson (34) jogs off the field against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
MISSOURI TIGERS
Sheldon Richardson enters the draft certain lock to go in the first round, the question is more or less where? Some have mocked him as high as the top 10 while others have him going in the lower third of the first round. Either way, Richardson shouldn’t have to wait beyond Thursday to find out where he is going.
Zaviar Gooden has the best chance at going some time on Friday. Gooden is graded quite well by scouts and had a great combine, finishing with the best performance in the 40-yard dash, bench press, broad jump, three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and the 60 TD shuttle. His problem is that he is a bit of a niche player and can be too aggressive at times. But Gooden has some excellent tools to work with should a 4-3 team be looking for a weakside outside linebacker.
Defensive end Brad Madison, wide receiver T.J. Moe, and cornerback Kip Edwards will likely have their names called on Saturday, withMadison and Moe having the best chances to be drafted. Madison is a rotational defensive end who can set the edge and provide a good secondary pass rush. Moe is a quicker-than-fast receiver who could end up being a very solid slot receiver in the NFL. Edwards is probably going to go undrafted but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sign with a team quickly after the draft.
Oct 6, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Arthur Brown (4) during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
Arthur Brown is probably a first round talent that is going to fall to the second round because of his size. He is small for the position but he is very tough and very smart, and, when healthy, one of the best athletes in the draft. Brown was key for the Wildcats Big XII championship run last season, which matters to teams who value looking for “winners.” Brown certainly is a winner.
Chris Harper may be one of the most underrated receivers in the draft even though he will go some time in the second or third round. Harper has a rare combination of size and speed, running a 4.5 40-yard dash at 229 pounds. He has very strong hands, is tough, and versatile. He’s not an elite athlete and but he can make plays and could develop into a very solid number two wide receiver in the NFL.
Cornerback Nigel Malone and “quarterback” Collin Klein will probably go on Saturday. Malone will probably be drafted in round five or six and potential nickel or dime cornerback in the future. How NFL teams view Klein – tight end, quarterback, wide receiver – will determine where Klein is taken. The Heisman Trophy finalist will get some love from somebody in the draft it just hard to figure out who it will be at the moment.
Sep 1, 2012; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks safety Bradley McDougald (24) runs back an interception against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Kansas won the game 31-17. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS JAYHAWKS
Offensive lineman Tanner Hawkinson and free safety Bradley McDougald are likely seventh round draft picks but do have very good chances at making an NFL roster. Hawkinson could use a year on an NFL weight training program to get stronger. If he’s given the opportunity he could be a very good reserve lineman in the NFL. McDougald bounced around from receiver to safety at Kansas but could impress an NFL team looking for a safety with ball skills.