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Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a large percentage of us to remain home, the 2020 NFL Draft will proceed in a fully virtual format in less than two weeks. Thursday the league released a list of 58 prospects who will virtually participate in this year’s proceedings. Among them is Colorado Buffaloes star receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. The big question if you’re a Colorado fan is, will he go off the board in round one?
Tackle Nate Solder, the 17th overall pick by the New England Patriots and defensive back Jimmy Smith, who went 27th overall to the Baltimore Ravens, were the last Buffaloes to be selected in the first round. That was back in 2011. You’d have to go all the way back to the 1990s to find the last Buffaloes wideouts selected in the opening round. Mike Pritchard (1991), Charles Johnson (’94), Michael Westbrook (’95) and Rae Carruth (’97) were all first round selections.
The 6’1”, 227-pound Shenault has a very good chance to join them. He’s projected by many to be a mid-to-late first round or early second round selection. Here’s a look at some notable Draft experts’ latest projections on where Shenault will land:
Charles Davis, NFL Media Analyst
1st round, 30th overall - Green Bay Packers
Davis’ analysis: “The Packers give Aaron Rodgers another weapon on the perimeter who can be used on jet sweeps, screens and in the running game, as well.”
Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network Analytics Expert
1st round, 15th overall – Denver Broncos
Frelund’s analysis: “Drew Lock will benefit from this pick, as will Courtland Sutton. Shenault’s ability after the catch – breaking tackles and turning shorter, scheme-based passes into big gains – will complement both a developing quarterback and a receiver who broke out last season.”
Todd McShay, ESPN Senior Writer
2nd round, 46th overall – Denver Broncos
McShay’s analysis: “Denver still needs a wide receiver opposite Courtland Sutton, and Shenault would be making a short drive from Boulder, where he played college ball, to do a little bit of everything in this Broncos offense.”
Chris Trapasso, NFL Draft Writer for CBSSports.com
1st round, 30th overall - Green Bay Packers
Trapasso’s analysis: “Shenault is a freak after the catch because he’s so tough to bring to the turf and twitchy for a large, compact receiver.”
Will Brinson, Sr. NFL Writer, CBSSports.com
1st round, 31st overall – San Francisco 49ers
Brinson’s analysis: “Injury risk at the end of the first round here, but the upside of Shenault is too much to pass up, especially with the fifth-year option available and some patience from San Francisco.”
Vinnie Iyer, NFL, Fantasy Football Writer, SportingNews.com
2nd round, 39th overall – Miami Dolphins
Iyer’s analysis: “The Dolphins should get great wide receiver value looking for a needed complement to DeVante Parker and Preston Williams. Shenault (6-1, 227 pounds) is a sure-handed field stretcher who has some nice big-play flair after the catch”
SBNation.com NFL Writer Adam Stites has also put together a great 2020 NFL mock draft database, which will be continually updated ahead of the draft. To create this database, he surveys 70 mock drafts from across the internet and compiles results from them. Per his research, there’s a 12.9 percent chance Shenault is selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 30th overall pick.
The 2020 NFL Draft takes place Thursday, April 23 through Saturday, April 25. Coverage can be seen on ESPN/ABC and the NFL Network. With the possibility of Shenault, and other Buffaloes like Steven Montez and Davion Taylor hearing their names called, it’s certainly worth tuning in to watch.