2017 NFL Draft: Las Vegas Bowl

San Deigo St

#19 RB Donnel Pumphrey (5’9 | 180 | 4.33)

One of the most prolific running backs in CFB history who needs only 108 rushing yards to break Ron Dayne’s Division I rushing record. Pumphrey is a little too small to be an every-down NFL back, but a lack of size hasn’t stopped him from dominating at the college level. Despite being the main focus of opposing defenses, Pumphrey led the FBS with 2,223 yards from scrimmage and scored 16 TDs.

Pumphrey is a burner with a 40 timed as low as 4.33, he also breaks a surprising amount of tackles for his size, has soft enough hands to play the slot if needed, elite vision allowing him to find holes in traffic, and the change-of-direction skills to make people miss badly in the open field. He has the look of an ideal 3rd-down back, a Darren Sproles clone, who would be a weapon in any team’s backfield and/or returning kicks.

Projection: 4th round

#56 G Nico Siragusa (6’5 | 335 | 5.27)

The son of former NFL player Tony Siragusa, Nico has his dad’s massive bulk and surprisingly quick feet for his size. Siragusa is a mauling run blocker who has been opening wide running lanes for Pumphrey the last three seasons.

He uses his size well to move defenders off the ball in the running game and has good short area quickness. Siragusa’s feet aren’t quite quick enough to handle speed rushers though and his pass blocking will need to improve if he’s going to start at the next level.

Projection: 5th-6th round

#23 CB Damontae Kazee (5’11 | 190 | 4.40)

The two-time MWAC Defensive Player of the Year has flown under the radar nationally playing in the Mountain West, but NFL teams are surely aware of Kazee. He lacks ideal size to play outside at the next level, but that’s the only bad thing I can say about Kazee.

He’s been a ballhawk for the Aztecs with 15 interceptions over the last two seasons and is also one of their best run stoppers with 235 tackles during his career. Kazee is aggressive against both the run and pass and has the speed and quickness to play multiple roles in an NFL secondary.

He’s being projected as a mid-to-late round pick on most sites, but I’d be surprised if Kazee makes it out of the second round.

Projection: 2nd-3rd round