:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69175056/1191569511.jpg.0.jpg)
It’s been a while since Syracuse Orange fans were able to get excited about a NFL Draft but 2021 is going to be different. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Andre Cisco and Trill Williams are all expected to hear their names called and all have been receiving buzz from NFL Draft experts.
.@CuseFootball @andrecisco7 who is looking for a “ball hawking safety?” Everyone right? Study the tape; none better at breaking on the ball than the Cisco Kid! Plug and Play. #orange #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/0nEIDbKJWw
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 18, 2021
Let’s take a look at some of the mock draft predictions and big board rankings for the Syracuse trio:
Mel Kiper and Todd McShay did a three-round alternating mock which had McShay select Melifonwu for the Philadelphia Eagles at pick 70 of the third round and then he came back and doubled-down picking Cisco for the Eagles at pick 84.
While Kiper didn’t have either player in his latest two-round mock, he has Cisco listed as his 4th-best safety in the draft. McShay had Melifonwu and Cisco in his top 80 prospects putting them in Tier 5 which he explains as this:
Grades between 80 and 84. Future solid to good NFL starters but might need to serve in substitution package/situational roles early in career. Mid-to late-second-round value.
The Athletic
In his list of the Top 300 prospects Dane Brugler has Melifonwu 57th, Cisco 98th and Trill Williams 172nd. Brugler has been high on Melifonwu going back to the Senior Bowl and in his 7-round mock, Brugler has Iffy going to the Seattle Seahawks in the 2nd round at pick 56. Cisco is projected to the Las Vegas Raiders at pick 79 and Williams to the Eagles at 189th. I’d imagine Eagles fans like seeing each Syracuse player mentioned with their team.
Why Seahawks, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu continue to be a fit in Dane Brugler’s NFL mock draft https://t.co/AqJgMS3ngh
— The Athletic Seattle (@TheAthleticSEA) April 14, 2021
Pro Football Focus
On the PFF Big Board Cisco is 59th, Melifonwu 79th and Williams 138th but they are big fans of Trill’s intangibles
Trill Williams' Chipotle order is what champions are made of pic.twitter.com/ObNVnd61yX
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 22, 2021
In their latest 7-round mock draft, CBS has Melifonwu 49th to the Arizona Cardinals where he would join fellow Orange alums Chandler Jones and Justin Pugh. Andre Cisco is predicted to go 75th to the Dallas Cowboys and Trill Williams 140th to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
***
It’s exciting for Orange fans to have something to look forward to in the NFL Draft this season and we’ll keep you posted on all the news out of Cleveland as it relates to the Syracuse players.