STARKVILLE — While the bright lights of the Bellagio fountain in Las Vegas won’t greet prospects at this year’s as was originally scheduled, the 2020 NFL Draft should mark the beginning of a number of former Mississippi State players’ professional football careers.
And though MSU likely won’t match the three first-round picks it boasted a season ago, there’s ample NFL talent in the Starkville contingent eligible for this year’s event.
That said, here’s a look at where MSU’s most draftable prospects could fall this weekend:
Cameron Dantzler — Cornerback
Mock Draft: No. 68 – NY Jets (The Athletic); No. 52 – Los Angeles Rams (CBS Sports) No. 68 – New York Jets (SI.com)
Expert analysis: “Very long, stringy cornerback with surprising strength and a competitive mindset that had quarterbacks looking for easier battles elsewhere. He looks to suffocate and contest the route from start to finish and does an excellent job of maintaining phase in the vertical plane. His cover style will draw attention from NFL game officials early on, but the athleticism and length should allow him to trust his technique. He won’t give up many explosive plays through the air, but is a high-risk tackler in run support and needs to do a better job of wrapping and finishing. Dantzler can play in a variety of coverages but is a future starter as a confident press-man corner with early starting potential.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Willie Gay Jr. — Linebacker
Mock Draft: No. 78 – Denver Broncos (The Athletic); No. 65 – Cincinnati Bengals (CBS Sports) No. 72 – Arizona Cardinals (SI.com)
Expert analysis: “The interview process has been paramount for Gay after his junior year went sideways, missing eight games. And for a lot of these team interviews, he has been saying the right things and helping himself. Teams want to believe in him because he is super explosive with 4.4 speed and the range to cover both sidelines. He is somewhat undisciplined on the field as well and needs to better sort through the action, but he plays with urgency and closing speed. As a talent, he is in the top-50 picks. And he might still go that high.” — Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Tyre Phillips — Offensive Lineman
Mock Draft: No. 148 – Carolina Panthers (The Athletic); No. 133 – Seattle Seahawks (CBS Sports); No. 173 – Miami Dolphins (SI.com)
Expert Analysis: “Tyre Phillips may end up scoring as a power tackle for some teams, he’s got uncoachable length and the necessary reach to deter pass rushers off the edge. He will thrive best as a power guard on the interior, where his gravitational pull will make it difficult for interior defenders to work around his wingspan. Phillips has the anchor ability and functional power to bang heads with powerful tackles; but he’s a scheme specific prospect who won’t do well if charged with playing in space.” — Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network.
Darryl Williams — Offensive Lineman
Mock Draft: No. 194 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (The Athletic), No. 186 (CBS Sports) No. 196 – Chicago Bears (SI.com)
Expert analysis: “Team captain and three-year starter who is short on traits and athleticism but plays with savvy and determination. He wasn’t asked to do much move-blocking in Mississippi State’s rushing attack and could struggle with that request as a pro, but he has upper-body power to wall and seal down-blocks and stalemate opponents as a drive-blocker. Athleticism and balance concerns could show themselves in NFL pass protection, but he does find ways to hang in and recover. He has center/guard roster flexibility and could compete for a backup role.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Brian Cole II — Defensive Back
Mock Draft: No. 197 – Indianapolis Colts (The Athletic); No. 251 – Miami Dolphins (CBS Sports); No. 217 – San Francisco 49ers (SI.com)
Expert analysis: “Brian Cole II is a green safety prospect who will need to undergo a dramatic shift in development if he is going to see the field on a regular basis at the pro level. Cole II brings impressive physicality and is one of the most physical safeties in the class — but he’s overly limited in coverage and still new to keys and feel for navigating the box in run support. Furthermore, he’s fairly linear as an athlete and loses his appeal when put in open space. Developmental player with ST potential.” — Kyle Crabbs, The Draft Network.
Chauncey Rivers — Defensive End
Mock Draft: UDFA (The Athletic); No. 228 – Atlanta Falcons (CBS Sports); UDFA (SI.com)
Expert analysis: “Rivers played his best football as a senior at MSU, leading the team in sacks and tackles for loss. And he has put himself on the draftable radar. He looks the part and uses his length to power his way through blocks. He doesn’t have the elite speed or creativity to win in diverse ways, which is why he is more of a late round option. His interviews are important after his checkered past, primarily at Georgia. But he has a chance to hear his name called late.” — Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Undrafted Free Agents
– QB Tommy Stevens
– WR Stephen Guidry
– WR Isaiah Zuber
– TE Farrod Green
– DT Lee Autry
– S Jaquarius Landrews
– S Maurice Smitherman
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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