Three NFL Draft prospects who could fall out of first round

In the end, the NFL Draft is nearly upon us, with the primary spherical set to start Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. 

Annually, we see a handful of notable prospects whom the “specialists” take into account to be a lock to go off the board early however find yourself falling to the second spherical. In 2023, Titans quarterback Will Levis — a second-round choose who was projected to be chosen as excessive as fourth total — endured the largest draft-day slide. 

Though there won’t be a prospect on this yr’s class whose inventory drops as dramatically as Levis’ did, a couple of sudden gamers will probably fall out of the primary spherical. With that in thoughts, listed below are three projected first-rounders who may get up Friday morning with out an NFL residence. 

Huge receiver Adonai Mitchell | Texas

Mitchell isn’t any stranger to creating clutch and highlight-worthy performs, however he is removed from an ideal prospect, which may make him an afterthought within the first spherical, particularly contemplating how extremely regarded this yr’s wideout class is. 

Though the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder set profession highs throughout the board in 2023, he wasn’t all that productive over his profession, ending with 93 receptions for 1,405 yards and 18 landing catches throughout three seasons. 

As Professional Soccer Focus’ Jonathon Macri famous, Mitchell has ranked within the thirteenth percentile amongst wideout prospects since 2019 in profession yards per route run with 1.68. It is a significantly regarding statistic, as there hasn’t been a large receiver chosen within the first spherical since 2016 who posted a sub-2.00 profession yards-per-route run whole. 

The Georgia switch additionally is not a refined receiver, with NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein noting that Mitchell’s “route operating presently lacks focus and consistency.” This may very well be partly because of the truth Mitchell did not begin taking part in vast receiver till his junior yr of highschool — one other issue groups would possibly discover regarding sufficient to not choose him.  

Quarterback Bo Nix | Oregon

The previous Duck is in rivalry to be the fifth QB chosen within the draft, having been linked to a number of QB-needy groups with little likelihood of touchdown a prime prospect on the place. Nix is sensible for the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders to a point, however deciding on him within the first spherical could be a transfer that probably will get a normal supervisor fired. 

As essentially the most skilled beginning quarterback in faculty soccer historical past (61 profession begins), Nix has given NFL groups all they should find out about him. However he would not look like a future star. Regardless that he is arguably essentially the most correct passer within the class, Nix would not have significantly nice arm strength, which can be a difficulty within the execs. And since he is already 24, it is onerous to think about there’s a lot, if any, room for enchancment. 

Even so, Nix’s floor is excessive sufficient to warrant a second-round choose, provided that he’ll be a stop-gap choice at finest within the NFL. 

Cornerback Nate Wiggins | Clemson

As a result of inflow of gifted vast receivers getting into the NFL annually, cornerback is a crucial place to take a position excessive draft capital in. Nevertheless, whereas Wiggins — Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN’s Twenty fifth-ranked prospect — is a stable participant who may in the end take pleasure in a profitable profession, may he be considered one of this yr’s shocking draft-day fallers? 

Regardless of permitting simply 18 receptions for 176 yards final season and clocking a 4.28-second 40-yard sprint on the NFL Scouting Mix, it is not possible to miss the questions concerning Wiggins’ body and sturdiness. Though his peak (6-foot-2) is a plus, Wiggins is barely 173 kilos, 20 kilos lighter than the average NFL cornerback. 

Accidents have plagued Wiggins, who missed two video games in 2023 with a hyperextended knee and suffered a hip flexor damage throughout his 40-yard sprint try on the Mix, including to considerations about whether or not his physique is NFL-ready. 

Moreover, Wiggins is a poor tackler, which could not be straightforward to right on the subsequent stage. His 13.3% missed-tackle price final season was the bottom of his profession however greater than that of fellow projected first-round CBs Kool-Aid McKinstry of Alabama (8.1%) and Cooper DeJean or Iowa (12.2%).