Gators defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard is expected to be the next UF player selected in the NFL Draft. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA)
Carter's Corner: Latest on Gators in NFL Draft
Friday, April 29, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
VIDEO: Vernon Hargreaves III is introduced Friday afternoon as the newest member of the Bucs.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The second and third rounds of the NFL Draft are tonight.
NFL dreams for two Gators came true Thursday night when Vernon Hargreaves III was selected with the 11th overall pick by his hometown Tampa Bay Bucs, and six picks later, safety Keanu Neal was selected by the Atlanta Falcons. The former UF teammates are now NFC South rivals.
What's next for the Gators in the draft?
Well, if tonight plays out as expected, defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard should hear his name called.
Bullard came back for his senior year in 2015 and had the best season of his career. While ESPN.com draft analyst Todd McShay projected Bullard to Arizona with the 29th overall pick on Thursday, the Cardinals instead chose Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, who was not expected to still be available that late in the first round.
As for where Bullard lands, well, he could go to Seattle in the second round, or perhaps to Detroit, or maybe join Hargreaves with the Bucs.
Truthfully, it's hard to know where Bullard will land. The NFL Draft is always unpredictable, and if anyone needed a reminder of that fact, Thursday's first round provided ample evidence.
Trevor Sikkema of AlligatorArmy.com analyzes Bullard's draft stock closely, highlighting the position question that shadowed Bullard during his four seasons at UF.
Meanwhile, barring a surprise tonight, the Florida contingent of running back Kelvin Taylor, receiver Demarcus Robinson, defensive end Alex McCalister, linebacker Antonio Morrison, tight end Jake McGee and defensive back Brian Poole most likely will have to wait to get drafted.
The final four rounds cap the three-day event on Saturday. If any of those players don't get selected, all are projected to find a spot at an NFL rookie minicamp next month as a priority free agent.
Before Round 2 starts, here are some fresh links related to Hargreaves and Neal, who became only the fourth set of defensive back teammates to both be selected in the first 20 picks of the draft in the modern era (since 1967).
They join Alabama's Mark Barron and Dre Kirkpatrick (2012), Texas' Michael Griffin and Aaron Ross (2007), and USC's Ronnie Lott and Dennis Smith (1981).
WHAT THEY WROTE
--Corner Hargreaves could be Bucs' cornerstone by Martin Fennelly of The Tampa Tribune.
--Bucs give fans more reason for optimism by drafting Hargreaves writes Tom Jones of The Tampa Bay Times.
--Falcons draft Keanu Neal in first round writes D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
--Falcons knew Neal could hit, but his coverage skills sold them writes Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com.
WATCH
Hargreaves gets the call ...
Neal gets the call ...
Players Mentioned
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