A look back at Syracuse defensive backs selected in the NFL Draft

As we get ready for this week’s NFL Draft, we decided to take a look back at Syracuse Orange defensive backs who have been selected. With Andre Cisco, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Trill Williams all expected to hear their names called this week, let’s look at the other Orange players they’ll join.

There have previously been 19 Syracuse DBs who have been drafted going back to 1953, when Carl Karilivacz was picked in the 23rd round by the Detroit Lions. Three defensive backs have been first-round picks: Tebucky Jones by the New England Patriots and Donovin Darius by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1998, and Will Allen by the New York Giants in 2001.

Draft previews don’t think the Orange will add to that number this year but both Cisco and Melifonwu are showing up as possible second-round selections. If so, they would join Charlie Brown (taken by the Chicago Bears in 1966) and Kevin Abrams (selected by the Lions in 1997) as the other Orange DBs to get selected there.

Some other Syracuse draft tidbits for this week:

• The Orange haven’t had a first-round pick since Justin Pugh was selected by the Giants in 2013. This was the last year Syracuse had three players selected in the same draft as Ryan Nassib (Giants) and #SHAMARKO Thomas (Pittsburgh Steelers) were both fourth-round picks.

Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

• 2001 was the last time more than one Syracuse player drafted in 1st three rounds. In addition to Allen, Eric Downing (Kansas City Chiefs) and Morlon Greenwood (Miami Dolphins) were selected in the third round.
• The Orange have had 218 NFL and AFL draft picks, and only one was taken with the 44th pick- John Flannery by the Houston Oilers in 1991.

We’ll see where Cisco, Melifonwu and Williams will put their names at the end of the week. The first round of the NFL Draft takes place on Thursday night, while the second and third rounds are on Friday, with rounds four through seven on Saturday.