Washington Huskies Defensive backs are all highly regarded NFL prospects. But could some NFL Team emerge from the 2017 NFL Draft with Sidney Jones, Kevin King, and Budda Baker?
The possibilities of the 2017 NFL Draft can boggle the mind. For example, we know that the trio of safety Budda Baker and cornerbacks Kevin King and Sidney Jones were incredibly effective during their time at the University of Washington. In fact, they were probably a significant reason that the Washington Huskies appeared in the 2016 NCAA Playoffs.
Now those same young men face an uncertain future as they brace for their NFL debut. Some may remain on the west coast. Some may set up their lives on the east coast. For the truly “don’t want to move far” individuals, there is even a chance they will remain in the Seattle area and play for the Seattle Seahawks.
But posing the obvious question, what is the likelihood of their remaining together?
Effective Strategy
The benefits of such an outcome are pronounced: both to the players development and to the NFL team that can pull off such a coup. After all, defensive backs who have played together in their college careers already have a built-in trust and anticipation for what the other does. Those skills define highly effective defensive backfields.
In terms of needs, the New Orleans Saints have holes at both safety and cornerback per FanSided’s NFLMocks.com. To be fair, the Saints hold picks at 11, 32, 42, 76, and 103. But do those spots give the Saints the opportunity to select all three prospects?
Players on Defense
Safety Budda Baker– Projected Round 2
Cornerback Sidney Jones – Projected Rounds 2-3
Cornerback Kevin King – Projected Rounds 1-2
Now, the trick is to pick each player when they are still available, but not at a point where you “overreach” for their talents. While Kevin King is projected to be a player who may slide into the second round, you can bet he will not get past the Seattle Seahawks at 26. If the goal for the New Orleans Saints was simply to land three Huskies in their defensive backfield, the obvious strategy is to pick Kevin King at 11, Budda Baker at 32, and Sidney Jones at 42. However, that may be an overreach for King so early.
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To Err Is Human, To Trade Back Is Saintly
If a mid to late first round team wishes to trade up, the Saints would be wise to listen to an offer. The Saints, just by trading back, could land an additional second or third round pick. That would allow the team to slip an additional pick into their 2017 Draft troves. That would allow the team to commit 50 percent of their first six picks to non-DB positions.
Is it a “pipe dream” to imagine one NFL team emerging with all three Washington Huskies defensive backs? Probably yes. But the resonance of having defensive backs from the same university landing on the same team has incredible synergy potential.
Next: Washington Huskies 2017 NFL Draft Is Recruiting Tool
Only one NFL team has projected needs at both safety or cornerback. But in the world of analytics and best player available, it’s not unheard of for a team to select a player whose projected value exceeds the current selection value. In the end, it’s not likely that three Washington Huskies defensive backs land on the same team.