Getting a handle on who might get drafted in 2019
BuffZone.com
Yet another NFL draft has come and gone, with the Colorado Buffaloes having a small part in the weekend.
Cornerback Isaiah Oliver, a second-round selection of the Atlanta Falcons, was the only player from CU selected.
That’s not too much of a surprise, although there was plenty of hope going into the weekend that running back Phillip Lindsay would also hear his name.
With the exception of 2017, the NFL hasn’t taken a chance on many CU players in recent years.
A total of six Buffs have been drafted in the past five years, with four of them going in 2017. That’s quite a change from the days not too long ago when CU annually had a handful of players drafted.
Could the trend change in 2019?
While it’s still very early, and knowing that plenty of things could change between now and April, let’s look at CU top draft candidates for next year.
This list includes mainly seniors, but also a couple of juniors and a sophomore who could declare early with a great season.
This list is in order of draft potential (purely opinion and speculation at this point):
1. S Evan Worthington (6-foot-2, 205 pounds): He hasn’t been the ball hawk that Tedric Thompson (2017 fourth-round pick) was at CU, but Worthington might be a better athlete and has proven himself to be good against the run and in pass coverage. If Worthington can take his game to another level this year, he should be the next CU defensive back drafted and possibly CU’s top prospect next year.
2. WR Juwann Winfree (6-3, 210): CU had a talented trio of receivers that went undrafted this year, but Winfree is more physically gifted than all of them. He’s a big, strong and fast receiver who is possibly CU’s best pro prospect at the position since Paul Richardson was a secondround pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2014.
3. ILB Drew Lewis (6-2, 225): Arguably the best athlete on the team, Lewis was highly productive in his first season as a starter last fall, and even flashed his ability to rush the passer. A much more consistent season from Lewis this year would not only help the Buffs, but also his draft stock. He’s sure to put up some impressive workout numbers next spring.
4. RB Travon McMillian (6-0, 210): Not a Buff until he arrives on campus this summer as a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech, he’s got a good shot to start at tailback. CU hasn’t had a tailback drafted since Chris Brown in 2003, but McMillian could end that drought. At his size, he fits the NFL mold better than Lindsay. The NFL loves big backs, and if McMillian even has a solid season (700-plus yards, around 5 yards per carry), he could get the call.
NT Javier Edwards (6-3, 340), WR Kabion Ento (6-3, 190), S Nick Fisher (6-0, 190), ILB Rick Gamboa (6-0, 240), P Alex Kinney (6-1, 205), G/C Tim Lynott, Jr. (6-3, 300), QB Steven Montez (6-5, 230), DL Chris Mulumba (6-4, 275), PK James Stefanou (6-1, 195).