The 2019 NFL Draft begins this Thursday, April 25 with the first round and concludes Saturday, April 27 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. This will be the second year that the draft is broadcast in its entirety on broadcast television. Last year, the draft attracted over 45 million viewers as 256 players were selected across the seven rounds.
This year, seven former Missouri Tigers will have the fate of their NFL dreams decided in the draft. Six received invites to the NFL Combine, the second-largest combine class Missouri has had — it sent seven in 2014. Missouri’s group of seven potential draftees includes quarterback Drew Lock, wideout Emanuel Hall, offensive lineman Paul Adams, defensive lineman Terry Beckner Jr., tight end Kendall Blanton, linebacker Terez Hall and running back Damarea Crockett.
####Drew Lock###
NFL Draft analysts have Lock going anywhere from second to No. 32 pick overall in the draft. The quarterback is one of 23 prospects traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, to attend the draft, as he is projected to go in the first round. The list also includes former Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman winner Kyler Murray, former Ohio State edge rusher Nick Bosa and Ole Miss wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
Lock posted a 4.69 second 40-yard dash at the combine, as well as a 31-inch vertical and 112-inch broad jump. His dash time ranked fifth among quarterbacks.
Since the combine, Lock has visited with the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos and Washington, among others.
Lock finished his career at MU with 12,193 passing yards, the second most in SEC history after four years starting at quarterback. He also threw for the third-most touchdowns at 99, which is also the second-most in the SEC. He set several other school and SEC records during his time at Mizzou.
####Emanuel Hall####
Hall posted a 5.81 prospect rating after the combine, classified as “chance to become an NFL starter” on a scale of one to 10 according to NFL.com.
The wide receiver missed most of his senior season at MU with a groin injury, and also dealt with the death of his father, which kept him out of the Oct. 20 Homecoming game against Memphis. Despite this, Hall recorded 828 receiving yards across eight games, his most of four seasons with the Tigers. He also scored six touchdowns.
Hall has met with the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and his home-state Tennessee Titans, with whom he missed a workout last week due to strep throat.
At the combine, Hall tied the record for second-longest broad jump in NFL Combine history at 141 inches. He also ran a 4.39 second 40-yard dash, the fourth-fastest among wideouts.
####Paul Adams####
Adams’ strengths as listed on NFLDraft.com include “carries decent pop into initial contact” and “above-average pull quickness.” His weaknesses center around a lack of quickness and balance.
He sat in the middle of the offensive line combine class, running a 5.18 second 40-yard dash, broad jumping 103 inches, benching 16 reps and recording a 27-inch vertical.
However, the lineman is still generating attention from teams, having visited with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks. Sports Illustrated listed Adams No. 40 in a list of all 70 offensive line prospects.
####Terry Beckner Jr.####
Beckner Jr. is projected as a Round 7-priority free agent with a 4.99 prospect rating.
Season-ending knee injuries in 2015 and 2016 are cited as weaknesses in his profile, with an undisclosed NFC team national scout who commented “he just can’t do what he used to be able to because of his knees.” He was also seen as out-of-shape this season.
Beckner Jr. benched 28 reps and ran a 5.18 40 at the combine.
The defensive lineman returned to Missouri for his senior season after a junior campaign that saw him record a career-high 38 tackles. Beckner Jr. also recorded a 49-yard pick-6 in the Tigers’ 2017 bowl-clinching win over Vanderbilt.
####Kendall Blanton####
Blanton is listed at the same prospect rating as Beckner Jr., as he recorded one of the slowest 40-yard dash times among tight ends with a 4.95.
The Blue Springs, Missouri native appeared in 10 games this season. Blanton made just 22 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns. He recorded 476 yards on 44 receptions across four years at Missouri.
Blanton has visited with the Seahawks and has been considered as a potential late pick for the New York Jets.
####Terez Hall####
Despite sitting out most of the combine with a strained pectoral muscle, Hall has a 5.29 prospect rating, third highest of the Missouri group. He’s still projected as a Round 7-Priority Free Agent.
Hall is cited as admitting that he was a selfish player early in his career, having since grown out of that mentality. The linebacker started playing football later than most, focusing on basketball up until his junior year of high school.
In his senior season, Hall posted 46 solo tackles along with 28 assists. In his career, he recorded 111 solo tackles, 75 assists and six sacks for 35 yards, five of which came in his final season.
####Damarea Crockett####
Crockett surprised MU fans by opting out of his senior season of eligibility to declare for the NFL Draft. The running back announced his decision via Twitter on Jan.7, one week after Missouri ended its season with a loss to Oklahoma State in the Liberty Bowl.
Crockett did not receive an invite to the combine. However, he did participate in Missouri’s Pro Day on March 21, where some scouts had him at a 4.38 40-yard dash time.
_Edited by Adam Cole | acole@themaneater.com_