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Apr. 23—For those watching the NFL Draft with New Mexico-tinted glasses, Thursday's first round will almost assuredly be a quiet night.
(And for that matter, Friday's second and third rounds, too.)
But Saturday? While this might be the most unpredictable draft in recent memory, it seems like a safe bet that two prospects with ties to the Land of Enchantment will be selected in the late rounds. And one has received considerable interest as a potential undrafted free agent.
Three prospects to watch for during (and after) the late rounds:
Prospect rankings and draft slots are from Dane Brugler of The Athletic's draft guide, The Beast.
OL Bryce Cabeldue (Kansas)
Positional ranking: 12/140
Projected draft slot: Fourth round
Analysis: There's a good chance the first player with New Mexico ties off the board won't be a product of either of the state's Division I programs. That's because Cabeldue, a Clovis native and Clovis High School graduate, is listed as Brugler's 178th overall prospect after four years as a starting tackle at Kansas.
More strong than long, Cabeldue's 6-foot-4, 308-pound frame sets him up for a likely move to guard at the next level. He never played the position at the college level, but a "comfortable" tryout at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January and some strong testing numbers helped his case in the pre-draft cycle.
Cabeldue's 4.95-second 40-yard-dash is tied with Arizona's Jonah Savaiinaea for the best of any projected guard this draft, and his 10-yard split was clocked at 1.73 seconds — the eighth-fastest among his position. If he isn't the youngest prospect, there's a reason why his stock has risen throughout this year's draft cycle.
"Cabeldue is quick out of his stance as a pass blocker and gets his hands on rushers early, although his average range and length can leave him compromised on an island," Brugler wrote. "His movement skills are an asset for him in the run game, along with his heavy latch hands to turn and bury his target."
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Arizona)
Positional ranking: 24/216
Projected draft slot: Fifth round
Analysis: After rushing for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns two seasons ago at New Mexico, Croskey-Merritt transferred to Arizona and played in just one game (ironically, a 61-39 win over the Lobos) before eligibility concerns effectively ended his college career. But the 5-11, 208-pound back ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the East-West Shrine Bowl, earning a spot on most major mock drafts since.
The biggest factor working against Croskey-Merritt is the depth of this year's running back class. In most years, the former second team All-Mountain West selection could probably bank on a slightly higher draft slot; this year, he'll have to hope a productive (if short-lived) career at the FBS level, rock-solid testing numbers and a "helter-skelter" approach seals the deal for interested teams.
"There is an unpredictability to his run style that keeps both defenders and his own coaches on the edge of their seat, but you'll live with the volatility because of his electric plant and burst to naturally string moves together and create chunk plays," Brugler wrote. "He projects as an offense's change-of-pace weapon."
RB Andrew Henry (New Mexico)
Positional ranking: 53/216
Projected draft slot: Undrafted free agent
Analysis: The 5-10, 200-pound Dallas native won't be the only player with New Mexico ties (see: former UNM and UTSA center C.J. James) to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent in the days ahead. But like Croskey-Merritt, Henry lost nearly the entirety of his last season to an eligibility concern and made the most of a late callup to the East-West Shrine Bowl, rushing for 68 yards on limited preparation and no practice.
Since then, he's been in contact with the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and his hometown Dallas Cowboys, even receiving an invitation to the latter's local pro day. But Henry isn't projected to be drafted in most mocks, a product of his shortened season and this year's running back class — bank on him to get scooped as priority free agent.
"There's a high possibility they call my name," Henry told the Journal on Thursday. "It's just kinda in the air right now. Just leave it up to God and see what happens."
Continue reading...
(And for that matter, Friday's second and third rounds, too.)
But Saturday? While this might be the most unpredictable draft in recent memory, it seems like a safe bet that two prospects with ties to the Land of Enchantment will be selected in the late rounds. And one has received considerable interest as a potential undrafted free agent.
Three prospects to watch for during (and after) the late rounds:
Prospect rankings and draft slots are from Dane Brugler of The Athletic's draft guide, The Beast.
OL Bryce Cabeldue (Kansas)
Positional ranking: 12/140
Projected draft slot: Fourth round
Analysis: There's a good chance the first player with New Mexico ties off the board won't be a product of either of the state's Division I programs. That's because Cabeldue, a Clovis native and Clovis High School graduate, is listed as Brugler's 178th overall prospect after four years as a starting tackle at Kansas.
More strong than long, Cabeldue's 6-foot-4, 308-pound frame sets him up for a likely move to guard at the next level. He never played the position at the college level, but a "comfortable" tryout at the East-West Shrine Bowl in January and some strong testing numbers helped his case in the pre-draft cycle.
Cabeldue's 4.95-second 40-yard-dash is tied with Arizona's Jonah Savaiinaea for the best of any projected guard this draft, and his 10-yard split was clocked at 1.73 seconds — the eighth-fastest among his position. If he isn't the youngest prospect, there's a reason why his stock has risen throughout this year's draft cycle.
"Cabeldue is quick out of his stance as a pass blocker and gets his hands on rushers early, although his average range and length can leave him compromised on an island," Brugler wrote. "His movement skills are an asset for him in the run game, along with his heavy latch hands to turn and bury his target."
RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Arizona)
Positional ranking: 24/216
Projected draft slot: Fifth round
Analysis: After rushing for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns two seasons ago at New Mexico, Croskey-Merritt transferred to Arizona and played in just one game (ironically, a 61-39 win over the Lobos) before eligibility concerns effectively ended his college career. But the 5-11, 208-pound back ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the East-West Shrine Bowl, earning a spot on most major mock drafts since.
The biggest factor working against Croskey-Merritt is the depth of this year's running back class. In most years, the former second team All-Mountain West selection could probably bank on a slightly higher draft slot; this year, he'll have to hope a productive (if short-lived) career at the FBS level, rock-solid testing numbers and a "helter-skelter" approach seals the deal for interested teams.
"There is an unpredictability to his run style that keeps both defenders and his own coaches on the edge of their seat, but you'll live with the volatility because of his electric plant and burst to naturally string moves together and create chunk plays," Brugler wrote. "He projects as an offense's change-of-pace weapon."
RB Andrew Henry (New Mexico)
Positional ranking: 53/216
Projected draft slot: Undrafted free agent
Analysis: The 5-10, 200-pound Dallas native won't be the only player with New Mexico ties (see: former UNM and UTSA center C.J. James) to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent in the days ahead. But like Croskey-Merritt, Henry lost nearly the entirety of his last season to an eligibility concern and made the most of a late callup to the East-West Shrine Bowl, rushing for 68 yards on limited preparation and no practice.
Since then, he's been in contact with the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and his hometown Dallas Cowboys, even receiving an invitation to the latter's local pro day. But Henry isn't projected to be drafted in most mocks, a product of his shortened season and this year's running back class — bank on him to get scooped as priority free agent.
"There's a high possibility they call my name," Henry told the Journal on Thursday. "It's just kinda in the air right now. Just leave it up to God and see what happens."
Continue reading...
