NFL DRAFT: Gators on the clock

Montrell Johnson Jr., Chimere Dike, Elijah Badger, Shemar James, and Cam Jackson await the best phone call of their lives.

By Loren Meadows, GatorbaitMedia.com, Football Analyst

Linebacker Shemar James (Chris Spears photo)

This year’s NFL draft at historic Lambeau Field will be one of the most watched in history. While the talk about a quarterback class that has been met with both excitement and skepticism, there are several surefire prospects at other positions that look to be locks for NFL stardom.

Penn State’s Abdul Carter (DE) and Tyler Warren (TE) both have earned Top 10 grades from most NFL scouts and look to go early in tonight’s first round, while two-way star and 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter, looks to be the second overall pick of the Cleveland Browns.

Other notable names that could be called early are Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham, and Arizona’s Tetaiora McMillon who could become the first true receiver to come off the board — possibly with the 12th pick, held by the Dallas Cowboys. 

While last year’s draft saw Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall chosen in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers, this year’s draft is most likely to be absent of a Florida player selected in Thursday’s first round. However, the combine and pro day workouts were very kind to several Gators and the prospect of those young men hearing their names called on Friday (Rounds 2-3) and Saturday (Rounds 4-7) is a strong possibility.

Montrell Johnson (RB), Chimere Dike (WR), Elijah Badger (WR), Shemar James (LB) and Cam Jackson (DL) all had solid combine and pro day efforts that put them in the sights of all 32 NFL teams. All five players are young men of high character, athletic ability, and individual performances that stand out when you evaluate them on film.

Johnson was the steady hand of a group of young talented running backs with the ability to pick up violent blitzes in pass protection. Dike ran the third fastest 40-yard dash among receivers at the combine (4.34) and similar to many great receivers plays with a pace where his speed and consistency remain the same for four quarters. Badger has proclaimed himself “the best wide receiver in this draft” and has big play ability that has drawn comparisons to Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs.

James is an undersized linebacker who has attracted NFL teams with his ability to play physical downhill and willing special teams play. He flashes speed and his character is something NFL team’s find intriguing. Cam Jackson may have had the best four weeks of any player not named DJ Lagway at the end of last season and suddenly saw himself moving up the draft boards. Scouts have noted his freakish measurables that make him stand out to several teams. 

According to NFL.com Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein here are the draft profiles on Florida’s five top prospects:

Montrell Johnson Jr.- “Johnson’s running style is marked by violence on contact and all-fight-no-flight instincts. He’s a rugged interior runner who creates yards with good power and balance on contact but lacks a feel for lane development and creativity when he’s cornered. He’s a more tempo-driven runner towards the B- and C-gaps and possesses the agility to sink and cut while keeping the run downhill. He’s not very elusive but bullies open-field defenders with force to break tackles. Johnson is going to get what is there and run with consistent effort and toughness. He could compete for a role as a two-down backup”.

Chimere Dike- “Niche receiver with average hands but good early speed to bypass man coverage and give life to the vertical game. Dike is a second- and third-level receiver whose routes have the energy of a youngster on a playground with all gas and no brakes. He is an early separator with his speed but won’t see nearly as many free or schemed releases as he saw at Florida. He catches with downfield focus and good toughness when contested but doesn’t always play with catch-ready hands, which will lead to frustrating misses. He’s more of a field-stretcher than a volume option, but his talent for opening intermediate and deep windows could appeal to teams in need of speed”.

Elijah Badger- “There are times where Badger looks like the youngster on the playground who’s a grade older than everyone else and able to do whatever he wants. He’s on the lighter side and won’t outrun NFL coverage but the game comes naturally for him. His route running can be effective but needs better detail and urgency. He has above-average ball skills to track throws and win in tight spaces or pluck the ball from outside his frame. He’s slippery with the ball in his hands and can handle kick returns. If he can handle more physical NFL coverage, he has the talent to become a WR3”.

Shemar James- “James flashes speed but has never really developed the recognition and response talent to chalk up playmaking production. He has some twitch in his movement and does a nice job of working past blocks, but he might not be able to anticipate with enough consistency to play ahead of NFL blocking schemes. James is athletic in space and can play special teams, but he might never be more than an average backup”.

Cam Jackson- “Massive nose tackle whose lack of productivity belies his potential to imprint on NFL games as a run defender. Jackson is a complete non-factor as a rusher, so his spot on a draft board will be relative to a team’s willingness to take a two-down player in need of polish. He’s long and plays with extremely heavy hands and an ability to overwhelm single blockers at times. When he’s allowed to swap paint and focus on smaller areas of containment, he’s a tough out. He gets knocked off his spot more than he should, but better block take-on and technique should create better consistency. Jackson has freakish size and is a more enticing prospect when tape flashes are prioritized in the evaluation process.

Agree or disagree? One thing is for certain the draft is not an exact science, and the NFL has its share of can’t-miss prospects and undrafted free agents that currently call the NFL their place of business. There is one thing that cannot be denied when looking at this group. All five players were productive in the nation’s toughest league with the toughest schedule. All five players also possess the intangibles that make for multi-year professionals. 

Running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (Chris Spears photo)

Bonus Analysis of fan favorite Desmond Watson according to Zierlein-

Desmond Watson (6-5, 464)- “Watson can gather and occupy double-teams without losing his gap and is strong enough to shed single blocks fairly quickly. However, he lacks consistency in attacking blocking schemes and controlling blockers with hand quickness as a two-gapper. Watson has the size and strength to play for an odd-front unit as a nose tackle but managing his weight will have to be a priority for the team that adds him”.

Watson impressed NFL scouts at Florida Pro Day by completing 38 (wide grip) repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press. 

Florida has had a player selected in every year of the modern draft which began in 1967 and with 58 first round pick ranks 6th among all college programs.

The NFL draft will be held starting tonight from at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Aring on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network Round 1 will begin at 8pm, Rounds 2-3 Friday at 6pm, and Rounds 4-7 Saturday at 12pm. (All Eastern Standard Time)