NFL Draft Predictions for Mississippi State players

Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott throws a pass during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NFL Draft starts Thursday night with the 1st round. 2nd and 3rd rounds are Friday night and rounds 4-7 on Saturday.

Here are my own predictions for how things will unfold in the NFL Draft for Mississippi State’s handful of players expected to be drafted:

Dak Prescott: 2nd round – honestly, I initially thought he would get pigeon-holed and drop to the 4th or 5th round but all the scouts and analysts seem to be raving over him right now. He had the biggest hands of any quarterback at the combine and of course his maturity and mental game are impressive. I could definitely see a team who maybe has an aging QB or has just signed a journeyman QB to be their starter taking Dak in the 2nd round. He will need to adjust to the NFL game but he has the athleticism and IQ to do it, perhaps ready to go by year two in the league with some decent playing time as a rookie.

Chris Jones: 2nd round – if it weren’t for an influx of defensive line talent in this year’s draft he’d be higher. Unfortunately, Chris did not put up great stats or show a propensity to go all out on every play while at MSU. He has all the measurables and the skills to get it done, the question is just how bad he wants it. He’s too good to pass on in the 2nd round, but maybe not a sure-fire thing for a 1st round pick.

Will Redmond: 3rd round – the torn ACL will hurt Redmond because he wasn’t able to get more time on the field. All in all, his career was basically two years, and he didn’t actually start until his senior year which was cut short. The talent is there, however, and pro scouts will place him high in their CB rankings….so he goes in the 3rd round.

Beniquez Brown: 5th round – some folks were scratching their head with Brown’s decision to go pro. I think a lot of it had to do with him feeling like he was ready mentally and he wasn’t going to improve his speed or any God-given abilities so he might as well go after being at MSU for four years (redshirted 2012). He was known as the brains of the Bulldog defense, and that will help him. Out of every MSU player that gets drafted, I think Brown is the best bet for a productive NFL career – be it as a starter or back-up LB.

More bulldogs: Could MSU have a 1st round draft pick?

De’Runnya Wilson: 6th round – Bear had a really bad day at the combine. He was slow and didn’t jump high – two bad signs for a WR. But I think he’s faster than 4.85 in the 40 and he’ll proved at MSU’s pro day with a 4.7. No matter what he runs, he’s a possession receiver in the NFL, which isn’t going to command a first or second round pick. He could possibly work his way into being a starter but most likely he’ll be a backup unless he continues to get even stronger and is just a force to be reckoned with.

Taveze Calhoun: 7th round – Taveze has been underrated his entire career at MSU and I may be selling him short here, but to just get drafted is quite an accomplishment an no guarantee. He’s always been a player in the mold of Johnthan Banks and he’s got the size and skills to play in the NFL.

Undrafted MSU players who I predict will pick up a contract: Darrian Hutcherson, Rufus Warren, Justin Malone and Ryan Brown.