Chris Polk, Alameda Ta’amu, and UW in NFL Mocks
By Mark Knight
Washington could have a handful of players drafted in this year’s NFL draft; Chris Polk, Alameda Ta’amu, Senio Kelemete, and Jermaine Kearse.
Each will be awaiting their destiny this weekend to see if they are drafted onto an NFL roster or will need to sign an undrafted free agent contract to continue to pursue their professional football dream.
The NFL draft is unpredictable it almost never goes as planned. Figuring out exactly how the draft will play out is no walk in the park, yet there are many experts that work at it every day. One of those experts is Jesse Bartolis of NFLmocks.com.
The last time we checked in with him was shortly after the combine and today we will peruse his work and then have a Q&A with him featured tomorrow. Below is his projections for each Husky player that could be drafted.
Chris Polk
Polk’s draft stock has been slipping and it is no difference on NFL Mocks. The reason is simply because he is a running back and his combine wasn’t overwhelming. There is still a shot that he could go in the first or second round but many experts have him in the third.
NFL Mocks Projection: 3rd round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
"The Buccaneers get a complement to the talented Legarette Blount. Polk is one of the best three down running backs in this draft. Polk lacks elite speed, but can run well and also catch the football out of the backfield-he played a little bit of WR at Washington. The buzz is that Greg Schiano wants to build a team around a terrific running game and the Buccaneers addressed their WR need in free agency."
NFL Mocks Big Board: 39
Alameda Ta’amu
Ta’amu has held pretty firm to his second round projections. There are a few that have him above that and a few that have him below that. For Ta’amu it is all about the fit. He has a very specific skill-set.
NFL Mocks Projection: 2nd round to the New York Jets.
"The Jets don’t see a pass rusher worth taking at this spot so they go ahead with Ta’amu to fill the need for a nose tackle on their team. Ta’amu was utterly brilliant in college, but also at times invisible. The Jets will look to get consistent play out of Ta’amu who has a lot of ability and a good risk here in the second round."
NFL Mocks Big Board: 86
Senio Kelemete
Kelemete projects well at the next level but he isn’t going to “wow” anyone. He will most likely get drafted in the later rounds, the fourth or fifth.
NFL Mocks Projection: 4th round to the Baltimore Ravens
"Kelemete has a lot of physical ability and with his intriguing skill set, Kelemete could develop into a very good starting guard after he sits for a year or two. I also think the Ravens will be looking to add youth to their secondary, but I don’t see the great value available right here."
NFL Mocks Big Board: 143
Jermaine Kearse
Kearse may be the most likely of these four to find himself on the outside looking in on draft day. He is in a position (wide-receiver) that tends to be loaded in the draft but at the same time a bunch come out of the undrafted free agents circles and find success in the NFL. He could go in the later round but may not make it on a roster this weekend.
NFL Mocks Projection: 7th round to the Atlanta Falcons
"Jermaine Kearse has plenty of physical ability, but was inconsistent at Washington Huskies. He’s great pickup here for the Falcons."
NFL Mocks Big Board: 305
Check back tomorrow on TheHuskyHaul.com for more on Huskies in the NFL Draft and check out NFLmocks.com for more NFL Draft information.