2016 NFL Draft Picks to Watch: Vernon Hargreaves & Leonard Floyd
By Jason McIntyre
We’ve been doing this for a few years now: Each Friday or early Saturday before the best college football games of the weekend begin, we’ll break down some players to watch with an eye on the 2016 NFL Draft. Yes, we already have a 2016 NFL Mock Draft.
Ole Miss at Florida, 7 pm, ESPN
We already covered two of the best Rebels, Laquon Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche. Perhaps the team’s best prospect, Laremy Tunsil, is being held out due an NCAA issue.
FLORIDA
Vernon Hargreaves III, junior CB: Is he the top cornerback prospect in the country? I guess it depends if you want to put FSU’s Jalen Ramsey at safety in the pros. Either way, Hargreaves is one of the best. His matchup with Treadwell will be must-see TV. Hopefully, CBS can devote ample camera time to their battle. I had Hargraves (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) as the 6th pick in my last mock draft. QBs rarely throw in his direction, but Hargraves has two interceptions this season, He had three as a freshman and three as a sophomore, and as a 3rd year starter, it’ll be difficult to see him sticking in school if he has another solid season.
Demarcus Robinson, junior WR: If Florida is going to manage to upset the Rebels, they’ll need a lot of offense, and against a loaded defense, Robinson may be their best option. He leads the Gators with 20 catches this season, and led them last year with 53 receptions (and seven TDs). Is said to have run a 4.4 40, which would put him in the 2nd-3rd round mix. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound receiver was suspended for the season two years ago for “violation of team rules.”
Alabama at Georgia, 3:30 pm, CBS
ALABAMA
We already covered four stars on the Tide, linebacker Reggie Ragland, tight end OJ Howard, running back Derrick Henry and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson.
GEORGIA
Leonard Floyd, junior LB: Has been playing like a 1st round talent for two years now. Last season in the season opener vs Clemson, Floyd was outstanding – two sacks, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and six (!) QB hurries. At 6-foot-3, 230-pounds and probably plays on the outside in the pros, but I think there’s a chance he could play on the inside in a 3-4.
Notre Dame at Clemson, 8 pm ABC
We already covered Irish stars Jaylon Smith Sheldon Day earlier this season, and after they beat Clemson, Notre Dame will be featured again later in the season, so be patient, Will Fuller lovers.
Shaq Lawson, junior DE: The Tigers have had several standout pass rushers in recent years advance to the pros – Bowers, Branch, Goodman, Merling and Beasley – and Lawson probably falls somewhere in the middle of that group. So far, Lawson’s rep is one of showing up against inferior opponents and then not really producing against top competition. This is a great opportunity to dispel that notion. How often will he go head-to-head with Irish star Ronnie Stanley, who is a 1st round talent?