2015 Mississippi State NFL Draft Recap: Day 3
It’s the final day of the 2015 NFL Draft, and many Bulldogs were available following Day 2 that saw Preston Smith and Benardrick McKinney get drafted early in the Second Round. The NFL has always been kind to Bulldogs during the draft, and Saturday was no different as we saw three Bulldogs get drafted by NFL teams. This 5-player year for the Bulldogs ties 1995 as the most players selected in a single NFL Draft in school history. Since all were selected by the end of the 6th round, this is the quickest that five Bulldogs were selected in the NFL Draft. Mississippi State is the only school in Mississippi to have five players drafted in the same year, having done it twice.
Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Matthew Wells (22) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Auburn Tigers 38-23. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
OLB. Mississippi State. Matthew Wells. 178. player. 47. Height: 6′ 2″<p class=
With the second pick in the sixth round, the New England Patriots selected Matthew “Cheetah” Wells to join a linebacker corps already featuring two Bulldogs (Deontae Skinner and Chris White). His speed and ability to cover quick slot receivers will be valuable for the Patriots as they look to defend their World Championship season. Look for him to be brought in on special team coverage and downs featuring a quick passing attack. Wells’ speed and instincts showed well for the Patriots as they worked him out during the MSU Pro Day that saw Wells have a 4.41 seconds 40-yard dash time (fastest of the day) and a 35.5 inch vertical leap.
Oct 11, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Malcolm Johnson (6) catches the ball against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Malcolm Johnson. 195. player. 53. Height: 6′ 2″<p>Weight: 231 lbs.</p><p>Career Statistics: 79 catches, 1148 yards, 14.5 yards per catch, 10 Touchdowns</p>. TE. Mississippi State
As the first offensive player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft for the Bulldogs, the Cleveland Browns selected Tight End Malcolm Johnson to join the Browns’ ranks. He is the first Bulldog tight end to be selected in the NFL Draft since Donald Lee in 2003. He may not be used right away, but Johnson can get the job done for the Browns if he touches the field.
Nov 1, 2014; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Josh Robinson (13) pushes away Arkansas Razorbacks cornerback Jared Collins at Davis Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
46. Height: 5′ 9″<p>Weight: 215 lbs</p><p>Career Statistics: 323 Rushes, 1997 yards, 6.2 Yards per Carry, 43 Receptions, 493 yards, 11.5 Yards per Catch, 16 Touchdowns (15 Rushing)</p>. RB. Mississippi State. Josh Robinson. 205. player
10 picks after Malcolm Johnson was selected by the Browns, running back Josh Robinson was selected by the Indianapolis Colts. With the Colts, he will join fellow Mississippi State running back Vick Ballard in a physical running back corps. His ability to break through tackles will help him in the NFL some, but he will need to get the breakaway speed that he showed flashes of during the season. Sure, he may not be able to do the amazing escape of tackles like he did in Kentucky, but he is a bull to bring down and will produce some problems for NFL tacklers. As one NFL scout perfectly described him, he is “a poor man’s Maurice Jones Drew.” That’s about as accurate of a description as you could ever ask for Josh.
Next: Mississippi State Seniors Leave DNF on a Positive Note