Pro Day 2021
Each Spring it's fun to think about where the next wave of players will end up.
Amongst the many, many oddities this year is that there are only three guys set to workout today.
The third member of the Trison, Jabril Cox, would have been a fourth but that's still an unusually low number of participants compared to recent years.
But what they lack in volume is more than made up for in quality.
Since NDSU found him and groomed, Cox will included in the prognostication.
The big three could all be among the top 32 picks. They will almost certainly be gone by pick 64. That's great for an FBS team and is unthinkable from the lower level!
Just another feather in the programs crown.
Bridges, on the other hand, is just trying to keep his pro dream alive.
Since every team needs more cornerbacks, he may be able to turn this showing into another training camp experience. There are four teams that currently have CB as the highest need and one already showed a willingness to take a chance with a Bison.
Prediction: He'll be covering the backend of Derrek Tuszka's defense in Denver
Even though he went to the reigning champs in the Bayou, Cox may be the least likely to get a call during the first 32 picks. With the coverage skills that he showed for years he'd be best served ending up with a defensive coordinator that will use him as a hybrid linebacker/safety. Las Vegas, New England, Atlanta, Philly & Miami all have needs at both positions. The best scenario would be for him to join the East for either New England or Miami. South Florida's team may be closer to competing but it would be foolish to count out Belichick off one down year.
Prediction: Cox will need to get sunscreen & flip-flops for the Fins
As with CB, every team needs more offensive line, as Kansas City proved in the championship. Great left tackles can be the toughest to find, which works in Dillon Radunz favor. More to the point, 17 of the 32 teams have tackle amongst their primary needs. Pick 31 could be one to watch for Radunz but I think there's a spot some picks earlier that could make even more sense. It will depend on how they divvy-up their $46,000,000 free dollars but Indianapolis could add Radunz as a long-term answer at LT even if they sign a veteran for the upcoming season.
Prediction: He will don the horseshoe
And then there's the phenom.
The prediction was already made about quarterbacks being drafted so that pigeon holes this somewhat. Everyone who gets paid big bucks has already practically penned in Trevor Lawrence to Jacksonville. This year's Joe Burrow, Zach Wilson, has become the steamy pick at 2 for the broken down planes. After that things become more opaque. Miami, Atlanta, Detroit, Carolina & Denver could all go QB in the first nine picks. Could also throw Philadelphia into that mix even though the owner is reported to want Jalen Hurts to get the chance. Ever heard of a smokescreen? So the prediction above feels pretty safe but Justin Fields, Trey Lance & Mac Jones all just have to twist in the wind of rumors.
With the way the draft process is happening this year today's event is more important for Lance than any of the three. What he shows during his throws could propel him past Wilson, Fields & Jones or could solidify him behind some or all of them.
That's a lot of pressure
The 7/8/9 cluster of Detroit, Carolina & Denver may be his backstop. If he does well though, he could also end up on South Beach since they ripped off Houston. Of all the spots in the top 10, Atlanta could be the best for his development since Matt Ryan is entrenched for one more year but could be supplanted after that.
These are all points that have been made ad-nauseam because of their importance to the future of the young man. But needed to made one more time before the prediction.
Onto that
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