CU Buffs wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. declared for the NFL draft on Tuesday, opting to forgo his senior year in Boulder for a shot at the pros.
Several mock drafts have the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder getting picked in the first round, which would make him the first Buffs player to be drafted that high since tackle Nate Solder (17th to the Patriots) and defensive back Jimmy Smith (27th to the Ravens) were in 2011. Shenault would also become the fifth CU wide receiver taken in the first, joining Mike Pritchard (1991), Charles Johnson (1994), Michael Westbrook (1995) and Rae Carruth (1997).
Here’s a look at where he’s landing in several mock drafts:
— First round, 26th pick to Buffalo Bills
“This is our favorite player-team match in Round 1. Shenault has battled injuries this season but he’s a four-down player who can (and does) line up anywhere: out wide, in the slot, H-back, running back and even QB. As Josh Allen continues to progress it makes sense to surround him with versatile playmakers.”
— First round, 32nd pick to Baltimore Ravens
“The Ravens have put one big playmaker around Lamar Jackson in 2019 first-round wideout Marquise Brown, and here’s another perfect fit for their offense. Shenault is a sure-handed field stretcher who has some nice big-play flair after the catch. He posted 56 catches for 764 yards and 4 TDs for the Buffaloes, standing out significantly on a struggling team.”
— First round, 27th pick to Green Bay Packers
“Davante Adams is a Pro Bowler but the Packers have been lacking weapons beyond him for Aaron Rodgers for a few years now.
“Shenault can do it all and you can give him the rock in a variety of ways including out of the backfield. He’s having somewhat of a down year but is an absolute monster with the ball in his hands.”
ESPN’s Mel Kiper places :
“Shenault is such a fun prospect, and he’s moving up after back-to-back great games, which included this tremendous touchdown catch. He plays wide receiver like a running back and is stellar after the catch. The Colorado staff has been smart in moving him up all over the field to get the ball in his hands, even playing him as a Wildcat quarterback at times. Shenault had 86 catches for 1,011 yards and 11 total touchdowns (five rushing) in 2018, and he has four receiving TDs and two rushing scores this season. Although he isn’t as developed of a route runner as the other receivers in my top 25, that should come with more reps. He has the versatility and traits that will have NFL teams interested.”
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Scoreboard
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+ CU Buffs receiver Laviska Shenault declares for 2020 NFL draft
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By The Numbers
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Parting Shot
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