5. WR Cecil Shorts » He was a Division III standout at Mount Union, but that usually doesn’t translate into an NFL career (though it has for Pierre Garcon). His 40-yard dash time at the combine wasn’t impressive (4.59 seconds), but he has good size and is still expected to go as high as the third round.
4. WR Edmund Gates » The Division II star at Abilene Christian got noticed because of his speed (4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash). If nothing else he could provide immediate help in the return game. His strength — or lack thereof — will keep him in the third- to fourth-round range.
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3. RB Taiwan Jones » Nobody has generated the buzz Jones has in the past week or so thanks to a 4.27 time in the 40 at his pro day last week. But his narrow frame likely means he won’t provide much between the tackles. And he fumbled 17 times in his last two seasons at Division II Eastern Washington. He’s a middle-round pick.
2. G Will Rackley » He dominated at Lehigh in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA), and he fared well in the East-West Shrine Game. Some reports called him the best linemen in that all-star game. Rackley isn’t considered mobile. He’s likely a third-round pick.
1. OT Ben Ijalana » Though he played tackle at Villanova, he likely will play guard in the NFL. A sports hernia limited him in the offseason, lowering his draft stock. If healthy, he could go early in the second round. He’s 6-foot-4, 320 pounds and fairly agile, but he must adjust to facing top-level competition every game.
