As expected the Syracuse football NFL Draft drought continued in the 2018 NFL Draft. ITLH breaks down some recent history, plus who could be drafted.
No real big shocker here, but it’s official no Syracuse football player was selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Orange are in the midst of a five-year drought, the last player selected was Justin Pugh back in the 2013 NFL Draft. Heck there’s only been five SU players selected this century in the first round.
Things haven’t been great for the Orange program, that’s no surprise, but it is a sad and harsh reality. Dino Babers can hopefully shift the conversation, but that’s a pipe dream until proven otherwise.
But from the depressing fetal position to the happy-happy joy-joy, let’s talk about WHO can be drafted in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Likely day two is out of the picture (rounds two and three are on Friday). I was at the Syracuse Football Pro Day and while there was over 20 NFL Scouts represented, I just don’t think there’s enough meat on the bone from any of the potential Syracuse prospects.
But I think day three will be the day we’re talking about. That will encompass rounds four through seven.
In my mind, there are four prospects from Syracuse who have the best chance to be taken in the NFL Draft. In order they’re: Steve Ishmael, Zaire Franklin, Parris Bennett, and Erv Philips.
Here’s why I say that. Ishmael was one of the most prolific receivers in the country this past year and quite frankly one of the most prolific in program history. His ability to fight for the ball, the intensity and physicality he plays the game with is going to serve him well. You have to play with a chip on your shoulder and that’s going to get bigger the longer he waits in the NFL Draft.
The other top name for SU is easily Zaire Franklin. The biggest knock against him is his size, but that’s more noise than reality. Franklin stands in at 6-0, but another similiar size linebacker went top-10 in Roquan Smith out of Georgia.
I’m not saying that Franklin is better than Smith, but I am saying that size is overrated.
While the other two players being seriously considered are wildcards. First let’s go with the other wide receiver in Erv Philips. Philips often lived in the shadows of the Carrier Dome, but Philips quietly is the all-time reception leader at Syracuse.
He has that Brisly Estime type body, but with better production. He could fall anywhere in that sixth through seventh round range. Philips is versatile and that could be the reason he gets selected.
Next: Syracuse Football: Ranking every SU first round pick in NFL Draft history
Speaking of versatility, that’s a perfect segue to our last Orange player up for consideration. Parris Bennett can play inside, outside, and everywhere between. Guys at this point in the draft are more attractive when they can do a lot of things. He’s a dark horse guy that could sneak his way as one of the final picks in the draft.