Last week, my 2020 Preseason Summer Scouting series took a close look at the Pac-12 conference. Over the next week, we will stay out west and examine the prospects that may be available in the 2021 NFL Draft from the Mountain West Conference, which has already announced that the 2020 fall football season will be postponed.
2020 Preseason Summer Scouting Series
AAC | ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | MAC | MW | Pac-12 | SEC
The final installment of Mountain West teams is below, meaning all of the previews for the entire conference have been released. To view my grades and projected draft rounds for Mountain West draft-eligible prospects, scroll to the end of the article.
Page 1: Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State
Page 2: Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State
Page 3: San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State, Wyoming
2020 Mountain West Preseason Summer Scouting
Air Force Falcons
One thing you can count on from the players who line up for the military academies — they may not be the most talented, but they get everything possible from their ability. The depth chart at the Air Force does not possess any draftable players, but they have a pair of linemen who should be signed as free agents.
Parker Ferguson is a mobile tackle who will likely squeeze inside to guard at the next level. He’s quick, moves well on his feet and projects to a zone-blocking system in the NFL. Ferguson has been given priority free agent grades by a number of scouts.
Related | Hodgkinson’s 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft
Nolan Laufenberg is more of a wide-bodied blocker who is strong and tough at the point, but he’s only effective in a small area.
Reminder: To view my grades and projected draft rounds for Mountain West draft-eligible prospects, scroll to the end of the article.
Boise State Broncos
After a draft that saw Boise State place an offensive lineman in the second round — a frame later than most expected — the Broncos’ best prospects can be found in the secondary, though none of them have draftable grades.
Cornerback Avery Williams is the closest thing to a draftable player on the roster, but I doubt he makes it into the late rounds. Williams is short, but he’s quick and has solid ball skills. He offers potential as a dime back.
Jalen Walker has better height, but he’s slightly thinner and slower and must find his way through special teams.
Colorado State Rams
Recently, the Rams’ main contribution to the draft has been offensive linemen. Over the next few years, it looks as though it will be pass catchers.
It’s hard to miss Warren Jackson if you’re watching the CSU film. At 6-foot-5.5, Jackson looks like he should be on the basketball court more than the football field. He’s a long, lanky pass catcher with solid hands and the ability to consistently grab the difficult or contested throw from the air. Jackson doesn’t shy away from contact and works to make the difficult catch in a crowd.
But he possesses average speed and quickness, and I’m concerned he’ll struggle in battles at the next level.
Related | Tall wide receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft, and their many niches
There are a lot of scouts who like tight end Trey McBride and have already stamped the junior with a fifth-round grade. He’s a solid pass catcher who gives effort as a blocker, but he doesn’t look especially fast, athletic or dominant.
Devin Phillips is an explosive, wide body at defensive tackle who displays power and movement skills.
Reminder: To view my grades and projected draft rounds for Mountain West draft-eligible prospects, scroll to the end of the article.
Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State had a linebacker selected in the middle rounds last April. Next year, I believe a linebacker will be the first Bulldog off the board, though he’ll more likely go in the late rounds.
Compared to former teammate Mykal Walker, a fourth-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in April, Arron Mosby is slightly smaller, but he’s swifter to the ball. He’s not as strong as Walker, but the case can be made that Mosby has better range and is more effective in pursuit. His versatility is lacking compared to Walker, and he’s also a fraction of the pass rusher.
There are some scouts who grade Ronnie Rivers as the top Bulldogs prospect for the next level. Rivers is a hard-working back who does the little things well, but he comes with poor size and speed.
Page 1: Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State
Page 2: Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State
Page 3: San Jose State, UNLV, Utah State, Wyoming