It is officially NFL Draft week, with the festivities for the 2023 NFL Draft starting on Thursday evening. The draft is always a fun event for fans at both the professional and collegiate levels.
Spartan fans were able to have a fun draft in 2022, seeing Kenneth Walker get selected in the second round, while Jalen Nailor and Connor Heyward got selected in the sixth round and AJ Arcuri rounded it out with a 7th round selection.
The Spartans will look to have similar success in the 2023 draft.
Check out which five Spartans could hear their names called in this year’s NFL Draft:
WR Jayden Reed
The one “lock” to get drafted this year would be Jayden Reed. Reed has been projected to go as high as the second round or as low as the fifth round.
P Bryce Baringer
It is almost certain that Bryce Baringer will get an opportunity at an NFL roster spot, being arguably the best punter in this draft class. Will Baringer’s big boot get him drafted? Time will tell, but my bet is on yes.
LB Ben VanSumeren
Ben VanSumeren may have had the best pro day of anyone in the nation. A man who did not necessarily perform like an NFL draft pick on the field, his pro day measurables, and athletic numbers, may just be enough for a team to take a late round flyer on him.
DT Jacob Slade
Jacob Slade recently showed up in the 7th round of ESPN and CBS’s latest mock drafts. Slade had a strong career on MSU’s defensive line, and it could be enough for a late round selection.
S Xavier Henderson
A fan favorite, Spartan fans would love to see the leader of their defense selected in the NFL draft. In CBS’s latest mock draft, Henderson was selected in the seventh round.