NFL Draft: ‘Noles To Have 3 Players Taken In First Round In 2018?
By Kelvin Hunt
The ‘Noles had four players selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. One 2018 mock draft has three ‘Noles going in the first round.
FSU football didn’t have any players selected in the first round of the NFL first the first time since 2012. However, CBS Sport writer Will Brinson has three ‘Noles being selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
- Derwin James-No. 6
- Tarvarus McFadden-No. 22
- Josh Sweat-No. 27
There’s no question Derwin James will be a first round selection if he’s able to play injury free in the 2017 season. He’ll easily be the first safety taken off the board and could start for NFL teams right now.
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Tarvarus McFadden would be the second cornerback taken in Brinson’s mock draft behind Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 12. I’ll have to respectfully disagree with Brinson here.
McFadden is the bigger of the two players and was higher rated coming out of high school. He was also tied for the national lead with eight interceptions in his first year as a starter while playing against a much tougher slate of NFL caliber quarterbacks.
Josh Sweat going in the first round might be a bit of a stretch, but this could be the first year he’s 100 percent healthy after his horrific leg injury in high school.
He did come on strong towards the end of his sophomore season and finished the year with seven sacks. If he has a monster junior season, maybe just maybe the former No.1 overall player coming out of high school could sneak into the first round.
The ‘Noles last had three players taken in the first round when EJ Manuel, Bjoern Werner and Xavier Rhodes were selected in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Must Read: Who Could FSU Lose Early In 2018 NFL Draft?
Both Manuel and Werner have been classified as draft busts, but Rhodes has turned into a pro bowl caliber cornerback.