Could Huskies Get Shut Out in This Week's NFL Draft?

As University of Washington spring football practice wrapped up, former All-Pac-12 offensive guard Jaxson Kirkland came out last week for a look. Or a long conversation.

Husky Stadium steadily emptied out to the point where the much-decorated player and line coach Scott Huff were the only ones left on the field, engaged in discussion.

They no doubt were discussing Kirkland's NFL draft prospects, which will be determined this week in Kansas City with seven rounds held over three days.

According to most draft analysts, the 6-foot-7, 321-pounder from Vancouver, Washington, is a third-day selection, possibly the Huskies' only player who will hear his name called out among 259 picks.

Should this happen, it would be the least amount of UW draftees in 10 years — when only Husky cornerback Desmond Trufant was chosen by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2013 opening round.

If the unthinkable took place, where Kirkland similarly wasn't chosen, this sort of draft shutout for the Huskies would be a first since 2009, following Tyrone Willingham's talent-bereft, 0-12 team when the UW had no draft selections that year or in 2008 for that matter.

Why the low draft projections in Montlake?

Well, the Huskies convinced their most draftable players, such as edge rusher Bralen Trice, wide receiver Rome Odunze and quarterback Michael Penix Jr., to return to school and play another college football season.  

For now, consider Kirkland a wanted commodity by the pros, someone capable of high-end pass blocking who helped keep Penix upright throughout an 11-2 season.

College Football News called Kirkland "a tweener," as in a player with attributes for both guard and tackle, but not the total package for either. 

NFL.com considers him an elite pass blocker and projects him as a sixth-round pick going to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Other Huskies hoping to get drafted include fellow offensive guard Henry Bainivalu, edge rusher Jeremiah Martin, safety Alex Cook, cornerback Jordan Perryman, running back Wayne Taulapapa, linebacker Cam Bright and center Corey Luciano, with kicker Peyton Henry also eligible. Most of them don't appear on the draft boards.

The first round will be held Thursday, beginning at 5 p.m. PT.

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