Michigan State Football: Where will Spartans be selected in 2019 NFL Draft?

Justin Layne came to Michigan State as a top-200 prospect as a four-star wide receiver and if I told you at the time of his commitment that he’d end his career with one reception for 11 yards and be a potential early round NFL draft selection after his junior year, you would probably call me insane.

No one could have expected Layne to switch positions to cornerback during his freshman season and get a pick-six in his first-ever start back in 2016. It was almost like his Michigan State career was scripted in Hollywood.

Layne quickly became a shutdown corner for the Spartans and it was because he had elite size for the position at 6-3 and 185 pounds and he had knowledge of route-running and exactly what receivers were doing, so he could stay hip-to-hip with his man. He finished his MSU career with 24 pass breakups and three interceptions as quarterbacks hated throwing his way.

Tackling improved over the years, too, as he finished with 72 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss as a junior, going out on the right note.

Mel Kiper is extremely high on Layne and even said that he could be headed toward a potential late-first round selection to the Kansas City Chiefs, but I’m going to say he’ll be drafted in the mid-to-late second round. Just about every team is looking to add a cornerback — and even the Lions could be in the market — so watch his name come off the board early on Day 2.