Mizzou Minute: NFL Draft Fits for Missouri Prospects

Where will the Tigers' top NFL prospects land in this year's draft?

The NFL is less than fifty days away, and the Missouri Tigers are expected to have several players hear their names called. 

From potential first rounders to late round selections, here are some of the best draft fits for Missouri's 2024 prospects. 

Darius Robinson

Robinson is viewed by many as a late first round pick, so pairing him with a team like San Francisco at pick 31 seems like an excellent fit. The Niners seem unlikely to re-sign Chase Young at this point, so trying to replace him through the draft could be the route that general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan opt for.

Ennis Rakestraw, Jr. 

Rakestraw, Jr., similar to Robinson is viewed as a potential first round pick, but could easily slide back into the early second. If he were to slide past the first 32 picks, the talented defender could be in position to join many cornerback needy teams. Of those teams, Washington seems like the best fit for his skill set and style of play. The Commanders boasted one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2023, so bringing in a strong defender early on day two is something Dan Quinn and company likely cannot pass on. 

Kris Abrams-Draine

Abrams-Draine, viewed mostly as a day two selection, is an extremely talented cornerback with elite ball skills that could instantly become a difference maker on several NFL rosters. In this case, his best fit given where his draft stock projects him is with a team like the Detroit Lions. Abrams-Draine is a scrappy defender with a nose for the football and would be a perfect fit for Dan Campbell's team in Detroit. 

Javon Foster

Foster is a solid offensive line prospect with great upside given his size and the level of competition he played against in his time with Missouri. Though he is mostly seen as a day three pick, he could provide a team like  the Tennessee Titans with some much needed help up front. He could likely be a starter early in his career and would have the opportunity to work with new offensive line coach Bill Callahan, who is one of the most respected in the league. 

Ty'Ron Hopper

Hopper's athleticism as a linebacker makes him the perfect candidate to join a team that is looking for a strong coverage linebacker. The Seattle Seahawks who are likely to lose Bobby Wagner to free agency this offseason could turn to the draft to replace him, and Hopper would be a strong choice. 

Cody Schrader

Schrader is mostly seen as a late round selection, but his physical running style could be perfect for a team looking to pair him with another more elusive runner. A team like the Chargers who struggled to take some of the load off of Austin Ekeler at times in 2023 could likely use a player like Schrader. 

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