2012 NFL Draft: Mississippi State Bulldogs Could Have Four Selected
Dan Mullen’s third season as the head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs didn’t go quite as well as planned, as State struggled to a 2-6 record in the SEC. However, the Bulldogs were able to obtain bowl eligibility and edge out a win over Wake Forest in the Music City Bowl in Nashville to finish at 7-6 overall on the year.
Mississippi State has seen an influx of talent during the Dan Mullen era, and now the Bulldogs will see a wave of that talent head on to the NFL. State could have as many as four players selected in April’s NFL Draft, and could see defensive tackle Fletcher Cox taken as high as the first round.
Here is an early look at draft projections and scouting reports for draft-eligible Mississippi State Bulldogs.
(Rankings courtesy of CBS Sports)
Fletcher Cox, #24 Overall, #4 DT
Fletcher Cox is yet another guy that teams seem to love because he has the ability to play as a three-technique or as a five-technique. He has got a great burst off the ball and he utilized a menacing bull-rush to apply pressure and create disruption in the backfield. Cox actually still has a frame to add what could be valuable weight to help him fight the double teams he’ll see consistently at the next level.
Grade: Late First-Early Second Round
Quinton Saulsberry, #144 Overall, # 5 C
CBS Sports says that Saulsberry reminds them of Rodney Hudson of the Kansas City Chiefs, but to me his playing style is reminiscent of former Bears center Olin Kreutz. Saulsberry plays with a nasty inclination and he moves incredibly well for a man his size. He makes it a mission to get to the second level and deliver punishment, and he could be a steal as a TRUE center prospect available in the mid-rounds.
Grade: Third-Fifth Round
Vick Ballard, #152 Overall, #15 RB
Ballard is a “what you see is what you get” type back. The powerful 5-11 217 lb running back is a downhill force who doesn’t have blazing speed and isn’t very elusive. Yet, Ballard is patient enough to allow holes to develop and decisive enough to hit them aggressively when they do. Ballard is a workhorse running back who a lot of teams are going to love in the middle rounds.
Grade: Third-Fourth Round
Charles Mitchell, #239 Overall, #8 SS
Mitchell is an athletic strong safety who can flip his hips and run in coverage, but prefers to drop down towards the line of scrimmage and provide support against the run. He’s a tough kid who goes at it hard on every play, but he does struggle to break down in space more often than you’d like.
Grade: Sixth-Seventh Round
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