Four University of Washington Huskies have Joined the NFL, Four Await their opportunity. Meanwhile, these Washington Huskies Are Making History
On one hand, the 2017 NFL Draft is 2/3rd of the way complete if you look at a calendar. On the other hand, in terms of the 2017 NFL Draft rounds completed, we are 3/7ths of the way there. But in terms of the Washington Huskies? We are 1/2 way there.
Day one found 32 NCAA prospects hearing their names called in round one. Of that group, Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross III heard his name at the ninth pick. The Cincinnati Bengals selected Ross, and in doing so, filled a huge need in their offense.
Friday evening was home to rounds two and three. For as little activity in round one, the NFL Draft appeared to make up for it in round two. In fact, for the first 11 picks of round two, three Washington Huskies were selected:
Cornerback Kevin King joined the Green Bay Packers at 33,
Safety Budda Baker joined the Arizona Cardinals at 36 and
Cornerback Sidney Jones IV found a home with the Philadelphia Eagles at 46.
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It was particularly nice to see Kevin King selected early in round two, as he chose to remain in the NFL Green Room despite no selection in round one. However, it was clear that the Seattle Seahawks wanted to choose King at 34. After the Packers selected King, the Seahawks traded back from the 34th pick of the NFL Draft.
Everything trending up for @UW_Football.
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) April 29, 2017
In the last 5 yrs, its 11 draftees in the first 2 rounds are 4 more than any other Pac-12 team. pic.twitter.com/zFZNWwcZB3
Four down, four to go. The Washington Huskies are landing throughout the NFL so far.
Players on Offense
Wide Receiver John Ross – 9th by Cincinnati Bengals
Tight End Darrell Daniels – UDFA
Offensive Guard Jake Eldrenkamp – UDFA
Players on Defense
Defensive Tackle Elijah Qualls – 214th by Philadelphia Eagles
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker JoJo Mathis _UDFA
Safety Budda Baker – 36th by Arizona Cardinals
Cornerback Sidney Jones – 43rd by Philadelphia Eagles
Cornerback Kevin King -33rd by Green Bay Packers
The NFL Draft is now through 107 picks and by the end of day three, 253 players will have heard their names called by the NFL. Even still, it doesn’t end there.
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UDFA
Immediately upon the conclusion of the NFL Draft, NFL teams will scour the nation for NFL caliber talent. It is there and then where the NCAA prospects actually have a say. Now is the time for all unpicked prospects to do their homework. Which team is the best fit in terms of scheme? Which team has the greatest opportunity to earn a start? Which team has a proven track record of developing undrafted players into NFL starters?
So for the four remaining Washington Huskies, this is both an anxious time, and a time to do real work.
Plenty of NFL Shopping remaining
Thankfully, their moment will come too. It may not happen amidst bright lights, stages, nor headliners, but it will happen.
Who Dat Dish
Offensive guard Jake Eldrenkamp could join teammate Budda Baker on the Arizona Cardinals or Kevin King on the Green Bay Packers. Defensive end JoJo Mathis could join teammate Sidney Jones on the Philadelphia Eagles or John Ross on the Cincinnati Bengals. Defensive tackle Elijah Qualls could join teammate Sidney Jones on the Philadelphia Eagles, John Ross on the Cincinnati Bengals, or even JoJo Mathis on a different NFL team altogether. And tight end Darrell Daniels could land on the Buffalo Bills or the Carolina Panthers.
For those of you hoping for Washington Huskies to stay in Seattle? All four Washington Huskies could find a home with the Seattle Seahawks.
Day Three of the NFL Draft is not for the feint of heart. The slope to the trail into the NFL increases ever so slightly with each round. It becomes even steeper for UDFA prospects.
YOU SHOULD READ THIS: Washington Huskies 2016 NFL Draft Review
But a dream only needs hope. Hope only needs opportunity. Four Washington Huskies seek opportunity in this NFL, and they deserve it.