Happy Draft Day!! We’re right in the middle of the offseason, and this is really the last major event (outside of tomorrow night’s spring game) that will happen before the fall. So naturally, we’re going to talk about it.
Looking through Tech’s roster from last year, I see approximately one player who could be drafted and a few that could be picked up right after the draft. None of these players were invited to NFL Combine, so all heights and weights come from RamblinWreck.com.
Defensive end Anree Saint-Amour
Measurables: 6-3, 245 lbs.
Career Stats: 103 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles, two interceptions
While at Georgia Tech, Saint-Amour always had lofty expectations. He was constantly seen as Tech’s next great pass rusher, but he never really showed off those numbers until his senior season, where he really thrived in Nate Woody’s defense. He made a name for himself this year as a bringer of chaos. He brings a nice mix of size and speed that could bring an NFL opportunity.
Projected Round: 5th-UDFA
RB/WR TaQuon Marshall
Measurables: 5-10, 180 lbs.
Career Stats (only Rushing): 478 carries, 2,189 yards, 29 touchdowns
I didn’t bother including Marshall’s passing stats because he doesn’t translate well to quarterback in the NFL. I’m not entirely sure how well he will translate to the NFL as is, but I think he would be better served as a running back or wide receiver. The most success Marshall has comes when he has the ball in his hands, and if a team likes him, I could see them working him out as a slot receiver.
Projected Round: 7th-UDFA
WR Brad Stewart
Measurables: 6-1, 195 lbs.
Career Stats: 45 catches, 842 yards, four touchdowns
Stewart’s numbers wouldn’t be too bad if they were over one year, but his numbers come from all four of his years at Tech. Really, Stewart is on here for two reasons: he is a superb athlete and he has really good hands. He didn’t get much of a chance to show it at Tech, and there isn’t anything super special about him, but those two things could catch a team’s eye.
Projected Round: UDFA
DL Desmond Branch
Measurables: 6-3, 270 lbs.
Career Stats: 61 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception
Like Stewart, Branch has two things that are really going for him. For Branch, those two things are his versatility along the defensive line and his NFL pedigree. Branch is able to play both defensive end or defensive tackle and could be a fit in a 3- or 4-man front. As I alluded to earlier, he also isn’t the first Branch in the NFL; he is the brother to former Super Bowl Champion (twice) defensive lineman Alan Branch. Given the elder Branch’s success, a team could take a flyer.
Projected Round: UDFA