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Tomahawk Nation readers, this will be your spot to follow along with the NFL draft Saturday to see if any Florida State players are drafted in the fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh rounds. The whole deal kicks off at Noon EST.
Maybe as many as six Florida State players (but probably not six!) are in contention to be drafted in the final four rounds. Let's look at each with the help of Brendan Bures' draft preview:
Telvin Smith | LB | 6-foot-3 | 218 pounds
Reported Team Visits: Broncos, Saints, Falcons, Buccaneers, Panthers
The failed drug test aside, all anyone can discuss when it comes to Smith is his size—he’s not big enough and he knows it. Here’s how he described his daily routine to the Tallahassee Democrat: “A normal day is 6:30 waking up, eatin’, workout, eatin’, speed training, eatin’, snack, eatin.’ A lot of eatin’ going on, that’s about it.”
Some have suggested a move to safety due to his frame, but Smith’s instincts, anticipation and fluid movement to the ball should keep him at linebacker. He’s a leader on and off the field and has good lateral speed. But if he doesn’t bulk up, Smith will be abused by tight ends like Jimmy Graham and a healthy Rob Gronkowski. With Smith, more so than other FSU prospects, his NFL success is contingent upon the correct team drafting him to fit a scheme that best displays his strengths.
Devonta Freeman | RB | 5-foot-8 | 206 pounds
Reported Team Visits: Dolphins, Vikings, Patriots, Falcons, Steelers
Freeman has always projected better as an NFL running back than a college running back. He’s a workhorse-type back, can pass-block efficiently, has great hands out of the backfield, and runs “like his hair is on fire,” writes ESPN’s Todd McShay. He may not have breakaway acceleration, which is likely why he’s not considered a first-round pick. Analysts consider Freeman as close to a sure thing a team could draft in the running back position and holds little risk and almost no surprises.
Christian Jones | LB | 6-foot-3 | 240 pounds
While the failed drug test may knock Jones down a round, he remains an intriguing prospect because of his size and position versatility. Some critics have pointed out that such a nomadic college career presents ceilings for a player’s NFL capabilities, but as a “hybrid” player, Jones could fit with either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, as seen during his time at FSU. While he’s not the most dynamic linebacker prospect, and doesn’t have the ceiling Telvin Smith does, Jones could see a long NFL career as a role player.
Remaining FSU prospects: RB James WIlder, Jr., C Bryan Stork, DL Demonte McAllister, DL Jacobbi McDaniel, FB Chad Abram, WR Kenny Shaw