The NFL Draft starts Thursday and Boise State is expected to have at least one player drafted for the 14th consecutive year.
But how many can the Broncos get? Four players appear to have realistic chances – JL Skinner, Scott Matlock, Tyreque Jones and John Ojukwu. Boise State hasn’t had four players drafted in the same year since they had a record six picked in 2012.
The Broncos had three players drafted in 2020, 2016 and 2014.
Four is certainly possible, but probably unlikely. One is for sure, and two or three would seem the most plausible.
Let’s take a look at Boise State’s NFL hopefuls in order from likely draft picks to those hoping to get rookie minicamp tryouts:
JL SKINNER
The hard-hitting safety is the only lock to get drafted for the Broncos. The question with Skinner is how high can he go? Once a potential first-round pick, Skinner is hoping to land in the second or third round on day two. Skinner had 154 tackles and six interceptions the past two seasons, but was unable to do any predraft workouts due to an injury suffered shortly prior to the combine. Mock drafts have him going as high as No. 56 overall in the second round to the Jaguars (Football Outsiders) to as low as No. 144 in the fifth round to the Raiders (ESPN). Skinner is good enough to be a second round pick, but I’m guessing his inability to work out for teams will hurt him a bit. Prediction: Third round.
SCOTT MATLOCK
Matlock appeared to help himself tremendously during the predraft process despite not earning an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. The defensive tackle was selected to a pair of All-Star showcase games and after impressing at Boise State’s Pro Day was invited for visits to the Jets, Patriots, Jaguars, Chargers and Bengals. He had 89 tackles and nine sacks the past two seasons. The Athletic has Matlock going in the fifth round to the Arizona Cardinals, but several mock drafts don’t include him at all. Prediction: Sixth round.
JOHN OJUKWU
Ojukwu is looking to become the sixth-straight multi-year starter at left tackle for the Broncos to get drafted into the NFL – a streak that goes all the way back to Daryn Colledge in 2006. Ojukwu made 51 starts for the Broncos and was twice a First Team All-Mountain West selection. A scouting report on NFL.com says Ojukwu, “has a solid understanding of fundamentals” and “uses big hands and long arms to jar and displace opponents at the point of attack.” According to NFL.com he “should compete for a roster spot as a late Day 3 selection.” Prediction: Sixth round.
TYREQUE JONES
Jones saw his stock skyrocket after earning an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine in February. Jones impressed on the field, and no-doubt won coaches and scouts over with his charisma and personality. The 6-foot-2 Jones had 156 career tackles, 14 passes defended and four interceptions during six years with the Broncos while showing his versatility by playing both safety and nickel. NFL.com says Jones “plays with good toughness and a willingness to mix it up near the line of scrimmage” and predicts he’ll be a seventh-round pick or a priority free agent. A strong last few months combined with his size and football smarts is enough for me to predict he sneaks into the back end of the draft. Prediction: Seventh round.
GEORGE TARLAS
Tarlas had six tackles-for-loss and four sacks in the first seven games last year before suffering a season-ending hip injury. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Tarlas has NFL size and smarts as a linebacker or pass rusher, and was on teams’ radar when he left Weber State for his one year with the Broncos. That season was cut short, but Tarlas showed enough that he’ll likely get some sort of shot at the next level. Tarlas was invited to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and showed he was fully healthy at Boise State’s Pro Day. Prediction: Non-drafted free agent deal.
CALEB BIGGERS
Biggers impressed enough at Boise State’s Pro Day to likely at least earn a rookie minicamp tryout. Biggers ran the 40 in 4.48 seconds and had 23 reps on the bench press. The corner had 36 tackles, an interception, a sack and a fumble recovery last season. ProFootballNetwork.com says “Biggers displayed improvement over the past two seasons and has enough ability to get looks as a dime back in a zone scheme.” Prediction: Non-drafted free agent deal.
TYRIC LEBEAUF
LeBeauf has the size to impress NFL scouts, but lacked consistency and playing time during his four years at Boise State. He had two interceptions in the 2021 season opener at UCF including a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown, but had just two other interceptions in four years. ProFootballNetwork.com calls him a “Nice-sized corner who possesses terrific size and solid speed. Fluid moving around the field, smooth flipping his hips in transition, and displays a nice move to the ball.” Has enough potential that he’ll likely get a minicamp invite, but faces an uphill battle to make a roster. Prediction: Non-drafted free agent deal.
EZEKIEL NOA
Noa had 226 career tackles in five seasons with the Broncos, including at least 59 tackles in each of the past two years. The physical, 5-foot-11, 240-pound linebacker added 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions last season to end his college career on a strong note. According to ProFootballNetwork.com, “Noa was a tough college linebacker who got the most from his abilities, yet lacks speed and upside. He plays with a special-teams mentality, which is what he needs in order to make it out of camp this summer.” Noa likely would do Prediction: Rookie minicamp tryout.
OTHERS
Former Bronco De’Andre Pierce impressed at Pro Day despite being on Boise State’s coaching staff last season. He might get a rookie minicamp tryout due to his dad’s connections as a former NFL linebacker. … Devine Obichere and Kurt Rafdal appear to face long odds at even getting a rookie minicamp tryout. There’s been little-to-no buzz regarding either on social media the last few months, and neither had the production at Boise State to likely attract much NFL attention.
