When might these Fresno State players hear their names in the 2020 NFL Draft?
Just like other NFL Draft hopefuls, former Fresno State standout linebacker Mykal Walker never had a chance to meet with general managers and coaches for a second time.
The coronavirus pandemic put a halt to face-to-face meetings, changing the landscape of the NFL Draft that begins Thursday.
“Zoom chat with GMs, coaches and assistants,” Walker said this week. “I talked to so many different teams.”
He’s hoping one of them liked enough of what it heard to pick him this week. Round 1 is Thursday, Rounds 2-3 on Friday and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday, on NFL Network, ESPN and ABC.
Walker and former Bulldogs teammate Netane Muti are on many team’s draft boards, and other former Fresno State players are hopeful of signing free-agent deals after the draft ends.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein projects Walker to get drafted in Round 6.
Walker said he felt he had a productive combine in late February in Indianapolis, where he was listed at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds.
At Fresno State, Walker finished with 91 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and five pass deflections.
Walker said he hasn’t had time to think about his early football career because “I’m still getting calls from different teams.
“I have tremendous family that’s been with me from the start. I just know when I get my name called I’m going to have that chance and really reflect and remember the past. For me it’s remembering where I came from and just be grateful that I’m here now.”
Muti could go in early rounds
Despite injuries at Fresno State, offensive lineman Netane Muti is rated as a draft prospect.
Nevermind the Achilles (2018) and Lisfranc (2019) injuries, Muti proved his worth when he started 14 games at left guard in 2017.
Muti went to the combine and did 44 reps of 225 pounds.
Zierlein wrote, “Muti has future starter potential for a downhill team, but his history of injuries could make buying in difficult on his draft slotting.”
Muti reportedly met with 27 teams; the Las Vegas Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cincinnati Bengals showed the most interest.
During the 2019 season, Pro Football Focus rated Muti as the top-rated interior offensive lineman.
Most mock drafts have Muti going in Rounds 3 or 4.
Other Bulldogs could get NFL looks
At least six other former Fresno State players expect to get an NFL opportunity even if they’re not drafted: cornerback Jaron Bryant, defensive back Juju Hughes, tight end Jared Rice, defensive tackle Ricky McCoy, tight end Cam Sutton and punter Blake Cusick.
Watch the draft
Channels: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Round 1: Thursday, April 23, 5-8:30 p.m.
Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 24, 4-8:30 p.m.
Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 25 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 11:50 AM.
