INDIANAPOLIS – One year after the Longhorns failed to have a single player selected in the NFL draft, five Texas players will participate in the league’s Combine starting on Friday. More than five Texas players have professional football aspirations but only Malcolm Brown, Malcom Brown, Quandre Diggs, Jordan Hicks, and Cedric Reed received invitations to compete in Indianapolis.
On Thursday, HornSports correspondent Corey Elliot talked to ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay to get his opinion on where each of the Longhorns might be selected and what they bring to an NFL roster.
RB Malcolm Brown
McShay: He’s got some power and runs hard. Not exceptional skill set. I think he’s going to have to earn his spot on a roster and work hard on special teams.
McShay’s Projection: Day 3/ Undrafted
Defensive Tackle – Malcom Brown
McShay: Malcom Brown, I really like. I actually think he could be the second best defensive tackle in this class behind Danny Shelton from Washington. He finally kind of started putting it together this year. I saw him line up 3-technique, 5-technique, nose tackle, all over the defensive line. His Oklahoma tape was really good, TCU was just OK, but as the season progressed, I watched four games and three of the four games he was all over the field making plays.
McShay’s Projection: Potential late 1st round.
Defensive Back – Quandre Diggs
McShay: Good player, better ball skills this year, better instincts. Doesn’t have elite size, doesn’t have elite top end speed – Most of the Texas defenders this year had their best year in couple years – I thought he performed well at the senior bowl. I think he has a chance to make it as a number 3, or number 4 corner.
Draft Projection: Day 3 draft pick
Linebacker – Jordan Hicks
McShay: The one positive is, when you get to the league you get more time, flexibility for nutrition and all those things. You hope that a guy like that is able to do some things to help prevent injury. I like Hicks. Every time I turn on the tape he’s making a play. He’s good in coverage, he’s got instincts. He doesn’t have exceptional measurables – he probably won’t wow anyone here – but he’s the type of guy that it won’t surprise me seven years from now contributing on special teams, a really good back up that comes in and plays in certain situations. I think he’s a good football player and I hope he stays healthy.
McShay’s Projection: Round 4-5
Defensive End – Cedric Reed
No comments made by McShay
Draft Projection: Day 3 draft prospect
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