Draft 2007

After a weekend hiatus to take finals, My 3 Cents is now back in full swing. I believe I found a way to get through these doldrums that enter every college football fan's life between May and July, so keep checking back. On a side note, you can sign up for the daily updates sent out from this site on the right hand side of the page. Back to football...

This weekend, April 28-29, a bunch of 20-somethings are finally going to get paid for their on-field exploits. What BYU football players are most likely to make a paycheck playing football?

Draft locks

1. Aaron Wagner (6'3, 245 LB): It is too bad Aaron won't be on the field to play with his brother Jaden who just returned from a mission. Wagner is currently the only Cougar that is guaranteed to play professional football: He was drafted before the 2006 season by the Toronto Argonauts as the 14th overall selection. He was a hot commodity in the CFL because each team is required to have half their roster be "non-import" (their wording, not mine.)

2. John Beck (6'2, 215 QB): Beck has slowly solidified himself as a top 5 QB, with many saying he is likely to go as the 3rd QB. The talking heads started off with Beck as a top 10 QB and have started to see the writing on the wall (aka opinions of people who will be signing Beck's paycheck) that he may be a real deal. The main question about John Beck by above mentioned talking heads is his arm strength. Any Cougar fan that watched Beck playing under Crowton will gladly attest that arm strength is the least of the worries. Beck had the second highest ball velocity at the combine which put that to rest (to a degree.) Beck's ability to execute several different offensive schemes while at BYU will really help come draft day.

Late Rounds/FA

1. Daniel Coats (6'3, 257, TE): Coats is more likely to be drafted of the two TE's because he fits the mold better of a blocking TE. Coats actually had a much better combine than Harline. He did an amazing 34 lifts on the bench press, more than most offensive linemen. Coats is a great short range target and looks to see time pretty soon as a 3rd TE in short distance situations in the NFL.

2. Johnny Harline (6'4, 248, TE): Harline did not show as well as many expected him to at the Combine. He did 15 bench press reps, the lowest of all TE's at the combine. After seeing him elude defensive backs all season many BYU fans expected a 40 faster than the 4.9 (4.76 on campus) he posted. Harline will probably be a late day 2 pick, similar to Watkins last year. Teams will have a hard time ignoring his on field accomplishments and may take him as a H-back/TE hybrid as he excels in getting open and making the catch as a short to mid-range receiving threat.

3. Jake Kuresa (6'4, 322, OT): Kuresa surprised many by showing up to BYU's pro-day trimmer than he played during his 4 years at BYU. The fact he played 4 years at BYU means he will likely be drafted on the second day, it is hard to pass up on a big man that is durable.

4. Eddie Keele (6'5, 312, OT): Keele was a 2 year starter before getting injured during the Boston College game. He worked hard during his rehabilitation time and posted the best bench reps of all draft prospects at 43, a full 3 more than the top 2 at the combine. His injury probably made him drop several rounds, but will still likely be drafted towards the end of day 2 due to his size and strength.


Likely to not be drafted

1. Cameron Jensen (6'2, 230, LB): I have yet to see any mock drafts that list Jensen as being drafted. However, he will probably get a shot at a camp to prove himself. Jensen has the knack to make plays and be around the ball, so hopefully he will make a roster and get to prove himself on special teams.

2. Curtis Brown (6'0, 205, RB): Curtis Brown may be one of the best running backs BYU will ever have, so it's sad he might never set foot on an NFL field. His ability to make the first tackler miss and iron-grip on the ball make him a good 3rd down option. However, he lacks the elite speed (4.6) to turn heads and struggled against several BCS teams (but had an amazing final romp against Oregon.) He might get a shot to play special teams at the next level or as a change-up back for short yardage situations, but his days as #1 RB are probably over.

3. Justin Robinson (5'7, 160 CB): Did anyone think after the 2005 season he'd even be mentioned as a starter for BYU? Robinson improved greatly for 2006 and led the team in interceptions. His size will make it nearly impossible for him to sniff an NFL field anywhere but the stands, but he posted remarkable 40 times (one was sub 4.3) and a long jump of 10'4. Highly doubt he is even invited to a camp, but you never know.