NFL Draft – UConn Hopefuls

WIth the second night of the draft about to take place, I wonder if this could be the night that two UConn Huskies get selected.  Yawin Smallwood & Shamar Stephen are bound to be selected, whether it’s tonight or tomorrow.  Hopefully these two guys are selected by a team where they can step in and play right away.

Yawin Smallwood – ILB

Seems like a better fit for a 4-3 scheme than a 3-4, but honestly I think he’ll ball out wherever he lands.  I really believe whoever drafts this guy is getting a starter. The hamstring is what hampered him at the combine and pro-day, and probably is what will cause him to slide.  Scouts aren’t crazy about his size and the way he uses it, but I feel within the right system, Yawin will produce.

Teams to watch to select Smallwood:

Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins, NY Giants, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders

Best Fit:

Cincinnati, NY Giants, Detroit, New Orleans, Jacksonville

Hope: New Orleans (Round 3 – Pick #91)

Prediction: Detroit (Round 6 – Pick 189)

Shamar Stephen – DT

I feel Shamar needs to land and will land with a team who runs a 4-3 scheme, since that’s primarily what he played in at UConn.  Shamar could end up being a key contributor to any NFL defensive line. Shamar won’t be a sack guy, but he’ll be expected to clog holes to let his LB’s do the work.  He’s got good size for the NFL, and I think he potentially could have an impact in his rookie season.  The thing he also has going for him is the position he plays.  Teams will reach for potential on the defensive line.

Teams to watch to select Stephen:

NY Giants, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

Best Fit:

NY Giants, Seattle, San Diego, Baltimore

Hope: San Diego (Round 2: Pick #57)

Prediction: Baltimore (Round 3: Pick #99)

In the end, I know nothing.  These thoughts are just for fun.  Hopefully both guys end up in a spot where they can let their talents shine.  Regardless of the spot they get picked, it’s more important in my mind to end up on a team that values them.  They were both model student-athletes during their time at UConn, and I sure enjoyed watching them play over these past few years.  Good luck and congrats to both men and their families!

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