The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2021 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
Michigan State Spartans Draft Prospects
Connor Heyward, TE
Heyward started his career as a running back, but later transitioned to tight end for the end of his career. He has 91 receptions for 674 yards and five touchdowns in his career. This season, his first full season as a tight end, he registered 30 catches for 289 yards and one touchdown.
He stands at 6-foot and 230 pounds, which is not great for an NFL tight end. With his experience as a running back, Heyward could transition to a fullback or H-back role in the NFL. He is currently projected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Henderson has been an impact player over the last few seasons for the Spartans. He has 233 total tackles, three interceptions and eight passes defended in his career. For the 2021 season, he has registered 94 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two passes defended and one interception.
At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Henderson has solid size for a safety. He doesn’t have the best ball skills, but he has shown the ability to make plays near the line of scrimmage. As things sit, Henderson is a projected late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
*Running back Kenneth Walker has opted out of this bowl game. He is a projected second to fourth-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects:Â EDGE Jacub Panasiuk (UFA), WR Jayden Reed (UFA), OG/C Matt Allen (UFA), OG/C Jordan Reid (UFA)
Pittsburgh Panthers Draft Prospects
Carter Warren, OT
Warren redshirted his first year on campus at Pittsburgh. He didn’t play a snap in his redshirt freshman season. After that point, he has started at left tackle for the Panthers. His play during the 2021 season, earned him a spot on the All-ACC Second Team.
He has decent size for an NFL offensive tackle at 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds. Warren has had plenty of pass blocking reps while protecting Kenny Pickett‘s blindside, specifically this season. He is currently a projected late-round pick or undrafted free agent in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
Lucas Krull, TE
Krull started his career at Florida before transferring to Pitt for the last two seasons. Over his career, Krull has 47 receptions for 557 yards and six touchdowns. Most of his production came this season at Pittsburgh. He caught 37 passes for 443 yards and six touchdowns this season.
At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, Krull has good size for an NFL tight end. Teams may be concerned about him only having one year of great production, but he did have a great year that should have teams interested. Krull is projected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Projected Draft Range: Sixth Round Pick-Undrafted Free Agent
*Quarterback Kenny Pickett has opted out for this bowl game. He is a projected first or second-round pick.
Other Draft Prospects:Â S Demarri Mathis (6th-UFA), LB SirVocea Davis (UFA), DL Deslin Alexandre (UFA), DL Calijah Kancey (UFA)
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