Football

ESPN draft analyst Kiper discusses Bromley, Spruill, Smith

Ziniu Chen | Staff Photographer

Jay Bromley is being projected as a third- or fourth-round draft pick by ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. Bromley paced the Orange with 10 sacks last season.

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. discussed Syracuse’s NFL Draft hopefuls Wednesday, predicting Jay Bromley to be selected in the third or fourth round, Marquis Spruill to go in the sixth or seventh and Jerome Smith to be an undrafted free agent.

Kiper noted that this year’s group of defensive tackles is fairly shallow, which may play in Bromley’s favor. For someone who has been predicted by most to fall to the sixth or seventh round, Kiper said Bromley will likely come off the board on Day 2.

“When you look at some of the guys after the top three or four, it’s turned out to be kind of a sub-par group overall,” Kiper said on a teleconference. “I have Bromley right now at nine, which puts him in that third- or fourth-round category.”

For Spruill, Kiper thinks his stock rose due to his postseason performance.

In the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Jan. 18, Spruill rotated between middle linebacker, the kick cover unit and the punt return unit. That versatility is something that may be the determining factor in the linebacker hearing his name called in the last two rounds.



After initially being projected by many to fall off the board entirely, Spruill seems to have snuck his way into the seventh round, or maybe even earlier. Kiper said he could be taken there to initially serve as a backup special teamer.

“To me, the all-star game helped him,” Kiper said. “He gives you a range of productivity and as a sixth- or seventh-round pick, I think he’ll help you.”

Smith may not fare as well as his former teammates.

Kiper said the running back, who forewent his final year of collegiate eligibility to enter the draft, could fall off the board entirely.

Said Kiper: “I think Smith will be a free agent. There are too many running backs ahead of him.”





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