11 Former FSU Football Stars Projected To Be Selected In ESPN's NFL Mock Draft

Former Seminoles could be flying off the draft boards in April if this projection rings true.

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske (DL07) / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 NFL Draft is less than a month away. All-star games, Pro Day, and the NFL Combine have all come and gone as a group of former Florida State stars have focused on raising their respective draft stocks in a variety of fashions. That could lead to the multi-day event being an extremely productive period for the Seminoles.

FSU has only produced six draft picks over head coach Mike Norvell's first four years in Tallahassee. The program could nearly double that total in late April, according to a recent mock draft released by ESPN's Matt Miller. In the projection, Miller predicts 11 Seminoles to be selected, including five in the top 100 picks.

The only projected first-round selection is star edge rusher Jared Verse. After a strong showing at the NFL Combine which reinforced two productive seasons in garnet and gold, he goes off the board at No. 19 to the Los Angeles Rams.

READ MORE: FSU Football Legend Returning To Tallahassee As Defensive Analyst

"The Rams are pretty free to attack value with a "best player available" approach in Round 1. The retirement of Aaron Donald looms large, but breakout rookie Kobie Turner will slide into the 3-technique spot. Where the Rams really need help in the pass rush is off the edge, and that's where Verse would come in. He is relentless with high-effort production -- Verse helped lead FSU to an undefeated regular season with nine sacks and 50 pressures. He's a plug-and-play 4-3 defensive end starter with Trey Hendrickson-like ability."

This is a draft that is loaded with talented wide receivers. The New England Patriots could be getting a steal in Keon Coleman with the No. 34 pick. Coleman's stock dropped after his 40-yard dash in Indianapolis but there's no questioning his ability as a playmaker between the lines.

"We got the Patriots some OL protection (Olumuyiwa Fashanu) and a playmaker DB (Cooper DeJean) in Round 1, so let's pivot to the offensive skill positions. Coleman is an elite post-up player at 6-3 and 213 pounds. His combine 40 time was disappointing at 4.61 seconds, but his GPS recorded speed during position drills was tops in his group, and he plays fast."

There aren't many prospects who have improved their draft position than Braden Fiske over the past few months. He dominated the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, firmly thrusting himself into a top-50 selection. Miller has the Houston Texans taking Fiske in the second-round at No. 42.

"The Texans are on the clock for the first time, and even after adding impact defensive linemen in free agency, they should still address the depth and future of the unit. Fiske is slightly undersized at 6-5 and 292 pounds, but his quickness shooting gaps and ability to take over a game are notable. Coming off back-to-back six-sack seasons, Fiske dominated at the Senior Bowl before putting together an all-around great combine workout that featured a 40-yard dash time of 4.78 seconds."

Somewhat surprisingly, Trey Benson is projected as the third running back off the board, going to the Cleveland Browns at No. 85 behind Texas's Jonathon Brooks and Tennessee's Jaylen Wright. Benson dazzled at the combine and during FSU's Pro Day while being one of the most productive backs in the draft.

"Cleveland has to find a reliable runner behind Nick Chubb, who is coming off a leg injury. Benson has power at 216 pounds, great burst and very good receiving traits out of the backfield."

Renardo Green rounds out Florida State's five top-100 selections at No. 98 to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who acquired the pick from the Philadelphia Eagles. Green is one of the few defensive backs in the draft to limit Malik Nabers and LSU's elite group of wide receivers.

"Green is likely a nickel cornerback in the NFL, and potentially a dang good one. He has 4.49 speed and 24 career pass breakups."

Miller also projected Jarrian Jones (Carolina Panthers, No. 141) to be selected in the fifth round, Jordan Travis (Atlanta Falcons, No. 187), Fabien Lovett (Buffalo Bills, No. 189), Jaheim Bell (New Orleans Saints, No. 190), and Johnny Wilson (Green Bay Packers, No. 219) to go off the board in the sixth round, and Kalen DeLoach (Dallas Cowboys, No. 244) to hear his name called in the seventh round.

Travis is Miller's favorite prospect-team fit in the sixth round. He could be a developmental prospect behind veteran Kirk Cousin's as he works his way back from a season-ending leg injury. Travis expects to be fully healthy within the next couple of months and should be back in the mix by training camp.

"Atlanta made a big splash in signing quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency but doesn't have a developing backup behind the 36-year-old. Travis is a gamer who battled through a shoulder injury early in the season before a broken leg ended his season. He's a touch thrower with good mobility worthy of a late-round flier."

If this mock draft was to ring true, it would be the most former Florida State standouts who have been selected in one year since 11 in 2015. There have only been 10+ Seminoles picked in a single NFL Draft in program history (1995, 2013, 2015)

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held from April 25-27 in Detroit.

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