Too Early Look at Spartans Who Could be Drafted

One reason I don't panic about MSU's recruiting rankings is that Mark Dantonio has built a program, much like Boise State's, that now regularly produces NFL talent.  Barring any gross misfortunes, it looks like the trend will continue in the 2014 NFL draft and may actually hit a peak.  Below is a list of the seniors and juniors on MSU's roster.

Dan France	OL	SR	Mylan Hicks	CB	JR
Darqueze Dennard	CB	SR	Tony Lippett	WR	JR
Jairus Jones	LB/S	SR	Connor Kruse	OG	JR
Isaiah Lewis	S	SR	James Kittredge	DL	JR
Micajah Reynolds	DL	SR	Keith Mumphery	WR	JR
Kyler Elsworth	LB	SR	Shawn Kamm	OT	JR
Denicos Allen	LB	SR	Niko Palazeti	FB	JR
Denzel Drone	DE	SR	Taiwan Jones	LB	JR
Henry Conway	OT	SR	Travis Jackson	C	JR
Max Bullough	LB	SR	Nick Hill	RB	JR
Andrew Maxwell	QB	SR	Jeremy Langford	RB	JR
Danny Folino	LB	SR	Ty Hamilton	FB	JR
Derek Hoebing	OT	SR	Marcus Rush	DE	JR
Blake Treadwell	OG	SR	Mike Sadler	P	JR
Kevin Muma	K	SR	Andrew Gleichert	TE	JR
Fou Fonoti	OT	SR	Leland Ewing	SN	JR
Bennie Fowler	WR	SR	Kurtis Drummond	S	JR
Tyler Hoover	DT	SR	Michael Dennis	OT	JR
			Skyler Burkland	OT	JR
			DeAnthony Arnett	WR	JR
			John Jakubik	WR	JR

To me, it looks like 5 of the seniors have a good shot at getting drafted, including: Dennard (who will probably be MSU's highest pick), Bullough, Lewis, Allen, and Fonoti.

After that, there is a small group of seniors who I'll stick my neck out for and say that they have a shot IF they can "put it all together" this year and/or they actually get a chance to show their stuff.  I think Maxwell has all the tools (except perhaps the mobility and confidence) to emerge as a late round pick.  I think Kyler Elsworth is a very smart and athletic linebacker, who may be hurt by his size, but could still emerge as a late round pick -- if he actually gets a chance to play.  Unfortunately for Kyler, MSU is loaded at linebacker.  I think that Bennie Fowler could go in the later rounds, if he can finally catch with consistency.  His lack of speed hurts him, but he's strong and somehow gets open a lot.

After that, there is always the possibility that someone could become a pleasant surprise.  Perhaps the transition to linebacker allows Jairus Jones to "blow up."  Or perhaps Treadwell puts all the injuries behind him, or Hoebing becomes the next Lane Johnson.  The probabilities are much lower with this group, but they still exist.

Finally, there is the possibility that a junior or two could decide to leave early.  Right now, I'd say that Taiwan Jones may be the most likely and only member of this group.  But it's always possible that a guy like DeAnthony Arnett can surprise with a big year, and then decide to head out early.

So overall, I'm going to guess that at least 6 Spartans will be drafted in 2014, but I'm going to hope to see as many as 8 going in the draft.  In any case, MSU should end up at or near the top of the Big Ten in terms of players getting drafted in 2014.  Why are we so blessed?