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
8 of 10
Next
Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Josiah Price (82) celebrates touchdown against the Air Force Falcons during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Josiah Price (82) celebrates touchdown against the Air Force Falcons during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Usually there are very few tight ends in the NFL Draft who have a good shot of being selected, but for the 2017 class, Josiah Price has to be considered one of the locks.

Before the 2015 season, Price was considered a potential first-team All-Big Ten tight end, but Michigan’s Jake Butt earned that honor. Price took a step back in production, catching just 23 passes for 267 yards and six touchdowns — that’s three less receptions and 107 less yards than he had as a sophomore.

With a first-year starting quarterback in 2016, Price may be relied on a bunch as an escape route or dump down when O’Connor, Damion Terry or Brian Lewerke are in trouble. Tight ends can sometimes be quarterbacks’ best friends.

Price is as sure-handed as they come and he has the potential to catch 30-40 passes for over 500 yards and eight touchdowns. Don’t be shocked to see him post career-highs in all categories. He could be a fourth or fifth-round draft pick.

After watching the spring game, it appears that fellow senior tight end Jamal Lyles also has the potential to be picked. If he can break the 200 or 300-yard plateau with a few touchdowns while showing he can block, too, the athletic tight end could be a seventh-rounder, but surely an undrafted free agent.

Next: 2. RJ Shelton

Home/Spartans Football