With the college football season over and the NFL season down to the final four, for many the focus is beginning to shift to next season, including the NFL draft. Over the past two days ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. and USA Today’s Draft Wire have released mock drafts and positional rankings. Their evaluations contain good news for several former Indiana stars.
It should be noted that it is still very early in the process. While the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft has passed, NFL teams still need to get through the free agency process before they can fully contemplate their draft needs.
Moreover, there are still several post-season bowl games to be played where prospects can showcase their talent. Former IU quarterback Richard Lagow and defensive back Tony Fields played in the Tropical Bowl last weekend. Lagow completed 7 for 9 for 62 yards with a TD. Fields led his team with 4 tackles. The following Hoosiers are participating in bowl games in the next 10 days:
- EAST WEST SHRINE GAME: Tegray Scales (January 20)
- SENIOR BOWL: Ian Thomas (January 27)
- NFLPA COLLEGIATE BOWL: Chris Covington (January 20)
Here’s a summary of the early projections from Kiper and Draft Wire as it relates to former Indiana players:
SIMMIE COBBS
Draft Wire: 10th ranked WR; 3rd round pick
Kiper: 10th ranked WR
TEGRAY SCALES
Draft Wire: 6th ranked LB; 3rd round pick
Kiper: unranked
IAN THOMAS
Draft Wire: 4th ranked TE; 3rd round pick
Kiper: 4th ranked TE
Several other former Indiana stars also have professional football aspirations. Players such as Rashard Fant and Chris Covington may also be drafted in the later rounds. Other players, if they aren’t drafted, are good candidates to be signed as free agents after the draft and/or end up on NFL practice squads.
A few weeks ago we took a look at what some of the lesser known draft sites were saying about a broader spectrum of former Indiana players. You can see that summary here to get a more complete picture of who might end up with a NFL opportunity at camps this summer.
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