Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: 10 potential 2017 NFL Draft picks

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball during the third quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball during the third quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Monty Madaris (88) celebrate touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Monty Madaris (88) celebrate touchdown against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

I know what you’re thinking, how can a guy who has barely seen the field in his freshman through junior years be considered a draft option? To that, I’d have to say that his spring game was a testament to his hard work in the offseason and his dedication to trying to become the next Aaron Burbridge and Tony Lippett.

Both of those guys came out of basically nowhere to become the Big Ten Receivers of the Year and even though they did have some exposure before their senior seasons, Madaris has just as much potential as they did.

Last season, when Monty did get a chance to see the field, he looked great in his route-running, getting open multiple times deep down the middle of the field, but there was at least one occasion where Connor Cook overthrew him on what would have been an easy touchdown score.

Burbridge fell all the way to the sixth round because he wasn’t exactly a deep threat and he wasn’t considered all that athletic — crazy, I know. However, Madaris is both. He’s fast off the line of scrimmage and bursts into the secondary with ease.

If he can build on his performance in the spring game, there’s a good chance we could see him as one of the breakout stars this year for MSU and a fourth or fifth-round draft pick.

Next: 6. Ed Davis

Home/Spartans Football