Despite no Gators being selected on day one of the NFL Draft, there are still plenty of draft hopefuls. These players are ready for their big day after the NFL Combine and the Gators’ Pro Day. Rounds two and three will occur on Friday, April 25th, whereas rounds four through seven start midday Saturday, April 26th. There is a plethora of talent still available, including 18 Gators who have declared. While all 18 will assuredly not hear their names called, there are a few standouts who should see their dreams realized early on Saturday. Over the years, the Gators have sent many former players to the draft, and this year is no different. Although there is no elite talent, this is a deeper Gators draft class than last year. Fans will be eager to see which team their favorite player will play for next season.
Who Will Hear Their Name Called?
Double Trouble
After an impressive NFL Combine workout, the Gators could see two of their top receivers drafted. The former Wisconsin Badger, Chimere Dike, surprised many scouts with his 40-yard dash time. Clocking in a blistering 4.34 time, he showed off his pure speed. Adapting well into this Gators offense, he was used by quarterback DJ Lagway as a security blanket. A dynamic player, he thrived in the short receiving game. Doubling as the Gators’ punt returner, he showed his ability to alter the game in more ways than one. Before his workout, he was thought of as a fringe seventh-round pick. He has shown that he has the skillset to latch on to an NFL roster. Look for Dike to hear his name called sometime in the late fifth or early sixth round.
Not to be outshone by Dike, Elijhah Badger had quite the productive season in Gainesville. Despite only spending a year with the Gators, he became the go-to target in crunch time. The former Arizona State Sun Devil did not take a step back when playing against higher-tier competition. Badger also put together a solid combine, with a 4.43 40-yard dash. A versatile player, he has shown the ability to make a big play when he has the ball in his hands. Racking up over 800 yards receiving on 39 catches, he had an impressive 20.7 yards per catch. Coming on during the late period of the season, he was playing his best ball as the year wrapped up. Truly underrated throughout this draft process, his expected draft position is a mystery. He could go as high as round four, or he could fail to hear his name called.
Top Talent
Former five-star Jason Marshall Jr. has finally left the Florida Gators after an impactful career. Despite not always living up to his recruiting grade, Marshall showed improvement every year. Playing at his best this season, he unfortunately suffered an injury which forced him to miss the last seven games. In the first six games of the season, he deflected four passes, showing his above-average ball skills. This is a very strong defensive back class, with loads of talent still on the board. A veteran at the college level, Marshall has shown over the years that he can make it in the NFL. Don’t be surprised if he is the first Gator taken early on day three.
Most fans expect Cam Jackson to be the first Gator selected in this draft class. With some mocks having him as high as the beginning of the fourth, he will no doubt hear his name called. The 6-foot-6 senior accounted for 37 tackles and two sacks this season. The former Memphis Tiger showed that he can play at a high level in the SEC. Adding two pass deflections, Jackson has active hands at the line of scrimmage. With five years of college experience, Jackson can contribute to an NFL franchise early in his career. If he can ensure his conditioning is up to par, he can become a rotational piece from day one.
Underrated Weapons
Coming as a surprise to many Gators fans, running back Montrell Johnson Jr. is not a surefire draft pick. A fringe draftable prospect, many seven-round mock drafts do not have him listed. A talented running back, he battled injuries in his senior season. He missed four games this season, yet he still rushed for six touchdowns. Spending three seasons in Gainesville, the former Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajun contributed early. This past season was the only one in which he did not eclipse 800 yards rushing. A good blocker, Johnson could carve out a role similar to Rachaad White on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He needs to work on his vision and cuts, as he often processes the field too slowly. Even if he does not hear his name called, Johnson will be quickly picked up by an NFL team.
Quarterback Graham Mertz unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury against the Tennessee Volunteers. A true leader of the locker room, fans were sad to see his hard work end in heartbreak. A true competitor, he was never the most talented player, but his grit and toughness were never questioned. Mertz spent two seasons in Gainesville after transferring in from Wisconsin. A smart player with the ball, he only threw five interceptions in two seasons with the Gators. Entering the draft process with injury concerns, his draft fate is unknown. Teams will be looking at him as a possible late-day-three selection.
Predictions
Although there are 18 draft-eligible Gators, it is believed that we will see somewhere in the range of six to nine drafted. Jackson should be the first Gator off the board, sometime in the fourth round. Following Jackson, players like Marshall and Dike will hear their names throughout the fifth round. Badger and offensive lineman Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson will be gone by the end of the sixth round. Linebacker Shemar James has also shown scouts enough to almost assuredly hear his name called. That leaves Mertz, Johnson, and punter Jeremy Crashaw as the true wildcards. All three players are on the fence, and their draft fate is a true unknown. The NFL Draft weekend is a special time for all the players involved. Gators fans will be interested to see how it all unfolds.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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