2020 NFL Draft Profiles: Best Of The Rest From The Mountain West
These players may be long shots to hear their name called in the draft, but here’s what you need to know about what they bring to the pros.
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You never know who will pop up.
The Mountain West Conference was flush with talent last fall but, much as we’d like, there are a lot of athletes who may get passed over during the three-day NFL Draft process. For those who didn’t receive full draft profiles from us here at Mountain West Wire, these “quick hits” will tell you a little bit about the best of the rest from the Mountain West.
Air Force
Offensive lineman Scott Hattok was a key part of one of college football’s best units last fall, earning first-team honors from both the conference media and Pro Football Focus, but he’s undersized among tackle prospects in this year’s class and may end up taking a more traditional post-graduate career path after leaving the Academy.
Jake Koehnke was one of just two FBS kickers to finish the year perfect on field goal attempts, converting 13-of-13 tries and 5-of-5 from 40-plus yards, but he’ll need work improving his kickoff distance and, like Hattok, may ultimately choose to serve in the Air Force despite NFL interest.
Boise State
Defensive lineman Chase Hatada isn’t receiving quite as much buzz as Curtis Weaver, but he quietly finished in the top five among Mountain West defenders in tackles for loss last fall and possesses enough speed and strength that he definitely belongs in an NFL camp off a free agent deal.
Jaylon Henderson will always have a place in Broncos lore after leading the team to another Mountain West championship, but he will need to add some size to his frame to overcome a relatively brief college track record and be more than a camp arm.
Defensive lineman Sonatane Lui proved he could be disruptive at the point of attack, but being undersized as an interior lineman at the next level could work against him.
Kekoa Nawahine definitely has the size to play safety in the NFL and he had a knack for making plays throughout his three years as a starter, so it’ll be interesting to see whether he comes to a more traditional role in the pros or sees work among the new class of safety/linebacker hybrids.
Colorado State
Cornerback Anthony Hawkins might be on the smaller end among defensive back prospects, but he makes up for that with special teams prowess, especially as a returner, which may be his path toward carving out a larger role in the future at the pro level.
Fresno State
The most important aspect about Blake Cusick‘s college career is that he improved his on-field punting production year after year, earning a Ray Guy semifinalist nod and second-team all-conference honors in 2018, so while he probably won’t hear his name during the NFL Draft, someone is going make a bet on that continued growth.
Josh Hokit made his name as an athlete who could do it all, starring for Fresno State’s wrestling team and spending time at running back and linebacker during his college football career, so it’s not inconceivable that, as he noted himself, he follows the Kyle Juszczyk career path.
Juju Hughes was one of the first Central Valley recruits to pay dividends in Jeff Tedford’s re-emphasis on local products. His instincts and football IQ helped limit big passing plays throughout his college career and, combined with his willingness to mix things up while defending the run and contribute on special teams, give him a chance to stick as a depth piece in the NFL.
Hawaii
Dayton Furuta wasn’t the Warriors’ primary running back last fall, but he found new utility as a fullback. Even if that position isn’t quite in vogue at the NFL level anymore, a savvy team might know how to get creative with Hawaii’s battering ram.
Cornerback Rojesterman Farris II is one of the most experienced prospects out of the Mountain West this fall, was deemed one of the standout performers from January’s NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, and has proven a willingness to go the extra mile in this year’s unique pre-draft process, so it won’t be a shock if an NFL team decides to take a Day Three flyer on him.
Kicker Ryan Meskell has a strong leg but had a substantial drop-off in accuracy last fall. He could be a camp leg with the potential for more if he can fix that issue.
Nevada
After Pro Football Focus anointed him as the Mountain West’s highest-graded returning cornerback ahead of 2019, Daniel Brown had an uneven year last fall which was punctuated by a suspension that stemmed from a post-game fight after a season-ending loss to UNLV. His size may ultimately box him into a role as a slot corner.
New Mexico
At 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds, offensive tackle Javon Mosley certainly has the size to compete in the pros, but it’s the athleticism he flashed at New Mexico’s pro day that could help him play his way into a rotation at some point.
San Diego State
Brandon Heicklen may have been overlooked among the glut of Mountain West specialist standouts last fall, but no one in the conference was busier in 2019 and perhaps no one had more year-to-year improvement over the last three seasons. It isn’t likely that he gets drafted, but he definitely deserves a free agent deal and a chance to win a job down the line.
San Jose State
Defensive tackle Sailosi Latu is definitely one of the biggest prospects in this year’s draft class, checking in at 6-foot-3 and 334 pounds, and he saw plenty of work in the middle of a front seven that often struggled to defend the run, but don’t sleep on the athleticism he hides underneath his massive frame.
Linebacker Jesse Osuna knows how to play fast and physical, but his biggest concern might be playing undisciplined football. He was called for multiple targeting calls over the last couple of years, so reining in that style of play will be crucial for his future.
UNLV
After suffering an ACL injury in 2017, center Sid Acosta returned to the Rebels starting lineup and became the kind of glue guy that may not possess high-end tools but is nonetheless effective. It may not be enough to get drafted, but he should make it to a practice squad later this year.
Linebacker Rayshad Jackson made his one year in Vegas count, leading the Rebels in tackles and tackles for loss while sharing the team lead in sacks, but it’s the athleticism on display at his virtual pro day brought the type of speed and strength numbers that should make an NFL team sit up and take notice if they weren’t already.
Justin Polu spent the last four years building a reputation as a punishing run-blocking guard and he has the kind of size that you can’t teach, but improving his balance will be key to reaching his ceiling.
Darren Woods Jr. has always looked the part of a NFL receiver, but injuries and erratic quarterback play kept him from consistently flashing all of his tools. Chances are he signs a free agent deal, but he’ll have work to do in camp to make a roster.
Utah State
Cornerback D.J. Williams proved himself to be an able tackler and a man coverage beast in his two years as a starter but, at just 5-foot-8 and 182 pounds, his immediate NFL future may be as a slot corner and special teams contributor.
Wyoming
Safety Alijah Halliburton spent last fall as one of the busiest athletes at his position, leading the Mountain West in tackles, but it’s his work to add weight ahead of Wyoming’s pro day and the athleticism comparable to a lot of this year’s top safety prospects that could make him a late-round selection.
Cassh Maluia is the less heralded linebacker prospect out of Laramie this fall, but he may have helped himself with a fine pro day showing of his own despite lingering questions about the refinement of his aggressive play and coverage skills.
