NFL Draft Agrees 2016 Washington Huskies Defensive Secondary Was Historically Great
By Bret Stuter
If you judge the Washington Huskies by their results, the 2017 NFL Draft agrees the 2016 Washington Huskies was one for the ages
The 2016 Washington Huskies captured the attention of the nation when they surprisingly competed in the NCAA playoffs for a national championship. But the Huskies captured the eyes of the NFL as well.
The NFL is not so easily swayed. Filled with scouts and general managers, all of whom have jobs that depend on their decisions. Decisions like who to choose early, and who to choose late, in the NFL Draft.
Washington is the first school to have 3 defensive backs taken in the 2nd round of the same draft in the common draft era (since 1967).
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 29, 2017
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Only True Way To Measure
Now, you may claim that this is not a true vote by the NFL, but which way is the most objective? Former USC Alumni will lean to USC players in a true up award ceremony. East coast scouts will lean to east coast player in the same way. In no risk scenarios, biases play a role in decision making.
The only true objective way to gauge NFL interest is to judge who they select in the NFL Draft. In turn, the NFL selected Kevin King, Budda Baker, and Sidney Jones early in round two. In fact, if uninjured, Jones would have been selected in the top ten. That would have placed three Washington Huskies defensive backs in the top 40.
The Green Bay Packers, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Philadelphia Eagles all know a little bit about what it takes to win games in the NFL. Ultimately, the talent on their roster must be better than the talent on other teams rosters.
Next: Washington Huskies Sidney Jones IV and Elijah Qualls Make NFL Synergy
As all three teams selected defensive backs from the University of Washington Huskies, they voted with their careers that the Huskies outplayed and outhustled players from other schools.
In the end, I agree.