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2015 NFL Draft: Where will Michigan State Spartans’ top players be picked?

By Connor Muldowney

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The Michigan State Spartans should be very proud of the talent that they are sending to the 2015 NFL Draft this weekend. Guys like Trae Waynes, Tony Lippett, Jeremy Langford and Marcus Rush are looking to be selected, among others, tomorrow night and for the rest of the weekend.

While some of these guys, and more, might not be picked where they would like to be in the upcoming days, it is still a very special honor to be selected in the NFL Draft.

Last year, the Spartans saw Darqueze Dennard get drafted while Max Bullough, Denicos Allen and Isaiah Lewis got chances with teams as undrafted free agents. This year will surely see more than one Spartan drafted as this might be the deepest MSU class since 2013 when there were three guys picked before the fifth round.

With that being said, the Spartans have a handful of guys looking to be picked. I am going to mock where they will be selected and take a look at what they can bring to the next level.

Where will the top Spartans land?

Trae Waynes, CB (No. 1 CB according to CBSSports)

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) stands on the field between plays during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 35-11. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

It’s hard to see Waynes leaving Michigan State, but the young corner will be an absolute stud at the next level and many believe he’s an even better prospect than Darqueze Dennard was last year. People were doubting his speed before the NFL Combine and he quieted those critics with a 4.31 40-yard dash time.

His speed is ready for the next level and so is his physicality. That’s why I can see him being the highest draft pick since Charles Rogers in 2003.

Projection: Top-10 pick

Kurtis Drummond, FS (No. 5 FS according to CBSSports)

Dec 7, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Kurtis Drummond (27) breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Corey Brown (10) during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Drummond had a bit of a down year in 2014 for the Spartans. He was originally projected as a first-round selection before the year and the Michigan State secondary took a bit of a beating during the season, nearly dropping the title of ‘No Fly Zone.’

Drummond will be a solid safety at the next level and it takes a lot for him to get burned deep, but his 4.65 40-yard time might scare some teams away.

Projection: Early-5th round

Tony Lippett, WR (No. 20 WR according to CBSSports)

Sep 6, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Tony Lippett (14) runs the ball in the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

As a four-year wide out for Michigan State, Lippett gained some serious momentum at the end of his time in East Lansing. In his senior year, Lippett caught 65 passes for 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns and is still one of the most underrated receiver prospects in the upcoming draft.

Standing 6-foot-2, Lippett has some decent size as well as 4.61 40-yard dash speed. I think he will end up being a valuable wide out for a team looking for a solid No. 2 or No. 3 guy. Heck, maybe the Detroit Lions could snag him.

Projection: Mid-4th round

Jeremy Langford, RB (No. 9 RB according to CBSSports)

Nov 22, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jeremy Langford (33) shrugs off the tackle of Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker L.J. Liston (25) during the1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t think there is a more underrated skill player in this draft than Jeremy Langford. The Michigan State running back finished his career with the Green & White with 16-straight 100-yard rushing games in Big Ten play and 10-straight 100-yard games overall.

Langford, surprisingly, finished with the best 40-yard dash of any running back at the combine with a 4.42 time. Don’t be surprised if he eventually earns a starting role in the NFL, because I think he has the potential to do so.

Projection: Early-3rd round

Marcus Rush, DE (No. 26 OLB according to CBSSports)

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Marcus Rush (44) stands on the field between plays during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 35-11. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, I understand that Rush played his entire career at MSU as a defensive end, but draft scouts have him as an outside linebacker in the draft. I think he is severely underrated as he spent most of his time with the Spartans dominating offensive tackles and getting to the opposing quarterback with ease.

His 37 tackles and 7.5 sacks during his senior year are impressive enough for me, and should be impressive enough for NFL scouts. I see him as an in-the-mix guy to make a team, and when he does, he will open some eyes and earn some time.

Projection: Late-7th round

Keith Mumphery, WR (No. 59 WR according to CBSSports)

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Keith Mumphery (25) attempts to make sideline catch during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 35-11. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Keith Mumphery isn’t a very highly-touted wide out in this draft as most mocks don’t even have him being selected. The senior wide out didn’t have quite the season he had hoped for in 2014, catching 26 passes for 495 yards and three touchdowns, but he has the potential to be a serious deep threat.

I’m guessing if he does get picked this weekend, it’s on potential and not production. He has speed to burn and he can be a deep threat for any team at the next level.

Projection: Not drafted, signed immediately following the NFL Draft

Taiwan Jones, LB (No. 8 ILB according to CBSSports)

Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Taiwan Jones (34) celebrates defense stop during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 35-11. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Jones took over for Max Bullough this past season and did an adequate job. The reason he is a better prospect than Bullough was last year is because Jones doesn’t have any personal issues to talk about and he seems to be a little more athletic and versatile. However, Bullough had an almost unbeatable football IQ.

Jones will be a solid backup LB at the next level and if he can sculpt himself, don’t be surprised if he becomes much more than just a backup in due time.

Projection: Late-4th round

Mike Sadler, P (No. 3 P according to CBSSports)

Oct 4, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans punter Mike Sadler (3) punts the ball during the 2nd half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MSU won 27-22. Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Not much to say here about everyone’s favorite trick play specialist, but Sadler has the leg to pin teams deep inside the 20-yard line with ease and any team looking for a solid punter, including the Lions, should consider at least picking him up as a free agent.

Projection: Not drafted, signed immediately following the NFL Draft

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