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With the dust settled on the 2013 NFL Draft, I wanted to look into where the Wildcat’s drafted fit into their new teams.  Lead Editor Dave Thoman did a great job overlooking where the entire Wildcat’s drafted and undrafted went.  If you haven’t had a chance check it out.  I wanted to look into the three drafted players and grade how they fit into their new systems.

Arthur Brown – LB, 56^th pick in the 2^nd round by the Baltimore Ravens

I was a little disappointed that Brown dropped to the second round because I really felt he was a first round talent.  But I couldn’t be happier to what team he fell to.  One of the Raven’s biggest needs heading into the draft was at Inside Linebacker after future Hall of Famer and dance enthusiast Ray Lewis retired.  Brown has big shoes to fill replacing Ray, but his attributes seem to fit what the Raven’s did with Lewis.  Brown’s instincts and tackling ability should allow him to start right away.  I actually thought if the Chicago Bears didn’t take him as I stated in my Draft Watch List, that the Ravens would snag him with the last pick in the first round.  Overall I think this is a great match for both team and player.

Overall Grade – A

Chris Harper – WR, 123^rd pick in the 4^th round by the Seattle Seahawks

Chris Harper to the Seahawks was a little surprising to me.  I thought that the Raven’s would target him more in the 3^rd round to replace Anquan Boldin.  Why the Seahawks surprise me is the big offseason trade for Percy Harvin.  Acquiring Harvin to go along with Sidney Rice, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin help put their receiving corps in a better situation.  Harper’s key to this bunch is he’s a great possession receiver, ideal for a 3^rd or 4^th option for Russell Wilson.  His battle will be for a receiver spot on the roster, one I do think he can obtain if he clicks with Wilson.  The grade for Harper is due to what seems like a more crowded battle than the other two drafted.  I do love the potential Harper could bring to the Seahawks if he can gain Wilson’s confidence as a possession receiver.

Overall Grade – C, potential for B

Braden Wilson – FB, 204^th pick in the 6^th round by the Kansas City Chiefs

I may be a bit biased but I love this pick because I am a Chiefs fan as well.  I was surprised it was in the 6^th round, not the 7^th but new Head Coach Andy Reid had stated he thought Braden Wilson was the best blocking fullback in the draft in his opinion.  He backed that decision up by drafting a fullback that I think will be a great addition to the Chiefs lineup.  Wilson was viewed pre-draft as maybe being athletic enough to be drafted as an H-back type player.  This fits well into what Reid is bringing to the Kansas City offense, where Wilson’s main job will be opening holes for Jamaal Charles, but can catch the football if called upon.  The competition got a little more clouded with last week’s trade with the Arizona Cardinals that landed fullback Anthony Sherman.  The chances the Chiefs carry two fullbacks are slim to none, but investing a pick in Wilson would suggest he is the early favorite.  Wilson has the chance to be the Chiefs main fullback since Tony Richardson left, as the team has struggled to find a fullback in years past.  I think it’s a great fit and could be used extremely well.

Overall Grade – B if he wins the job, U if not

Drafted

LB Arthur Brown; Baltimore Ravens – Brown was selected in the second round when Baltimore traded up to get its replacement for retiring future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.

WR Chris Harper; Seattle Seahawks – Seattle selected Harper in the fourth round to bring toughness to a unit lacking an identity last year.

FB Braden Wilson; Kansas City Chiefs – Wilson was selected in the sixth round by Kansas City. The Chiefs were without a true fullback last year, and Wilson has an excellent shot at filling this spot on the roster.

Undrafted Free Agents

CB Nigel Malone; Indianapolis Colts: Malone was accused of being burned at times but was also expected to play aggressively against the best quarterback league in the nation the past two years while hauling in interception after interception. You can never have too many cornerbacks in the NFL, and with the Colts looking to upgrade last year’s lackluster defense, this could be an excellent fit.

QB(?) Collin Klein; Houston Texans: Numerous speculations around the league considered the prospect of a team ignoring Klein’s demands to be taken seriously as a quarterback and pick him up in the fourth round as the next breakout tight end. Instead, Klein fell out of the draft and will get his chance to prove himself as the signal caller to back up Matt Schaub.

RB Angelo Pease; Green Bay Packers: Pease was clearly the back up last year in receiving 60 carries while John Hubert ran the ball 180 times and Collin Klein 207 (he also had five receptions to Hubert’s 18). However, he still displayed the strength and speed to warrant a healthy look in the league and could easily land on someone’s practice squad in August.

LB Justin Tuggle; Houston Texans: Joining Klein in Houston will be Tuggle, the converted junior college quarterback to linebacker who became a household name across the state after helping demoralize and demolish Landry Jones and the Oklahoma Sooners’ passing attack last fall. He will be given a look at inside linebacker for the Texans.

CB Allen Chapman; Indianapolis Colts: While teammates on Saturday afternoon, Malone may be one of Chapman’s biggest competitors this summer as both vie for a spot on the Colts’ secondary. Chapman brings the same acumen to the table as Malone (strong, aggressive, risk-taker), indicating the Colts believe their defense was too passive last year and desire at least one of these players to enhance the physicality of the team.

K Anthony Cantele; Indianapolis Colts: Marking the third Wildcat making the drive north to Indiana, Cantele will be given a shot to replace Adam Vinatieri – one of the greatest kickers in NFL over the past 20 years. Vinatieri has been with the Colts since 2006, but at age 40 the team may be looking to acquire a fresher kicking leg.

TE Travis Tannahill; Cleveland Browns: Cleveland maintained four tight ends on the roster last year, which is absurd in its own right. They combined for 79 of the team’s 328 receptions and were led by Ben Watson, who accounted for 49 catches. The 6’4″ Tannahill was a beast over the middle last year and seemed to catch everything Klein threw his way, no matter how hard he was hit by opposing linebackers. It will be difficult to make Cleveland’s roster given the  depth already present, but expect to see his name on someone’s roster this fall.

LB Jarrell Childs; Oakland Raiders: The third piece of the three-headed monster known as K-State’s linebacker corps this year, Childs has been given the opportunity to give Kansas residents one reason to roots for the Raiders. Personally, the Jug will be rooting for Childs to make the team and record 14 sacks – one for every loss the team suffers. Nobody roots for the Raiders.

P Ryan Doerr; Denver Broncos: Doerr will be in Denver this summer to compete against the brother of Chiefs’ punter Dustin Colquitt – Britton Colquitt. Britton ranked third in the NFL last year with a net average of 42.1 yards/punt (although the thin Denver atmosphere gives the ball a slight boost). Denver’s intentions for Colquitt are unknown – they have discussed signing him to a multi-year deal before training camp in July, but also lowballed him with a low right of first refusal that allowed teams to bid on Colquitt without surrendering a draft pick should they make a better offer to him. At the end of the day, Doerr is in a tough spot here and the extremely talented punter will likely be forced to look elsewhere for a spot in the league.

The big name missing from this list of course is DE Meshak Williams. Although his name was not widely circulated following draft workouts, I half-expected him to go in the first seven rounds and certainly didn’t expect 12 Wildcats to be brought in without his name on the list. Obviously my expectations in January have since been tempered, but there’s no way he goes without an invitation from someone before the week is up.

Editor’s note: as of Monday Meshak Williams has joined Brown in Baltimore. More on that story here.

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Harper will be part of an effort to completely retool Seattle’s receiving corps. The team was excited coming into 2012 with rookie Russell Wilson throwing to a promising committee that included Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate and Sidney Rice. And while the Seahawks were successful in making the playoffs, coach Pete Carroll came into the offseason with the intention of bringing in tougher receivers to the field. The team’s first step was trading for Vikings WR Percy Harvin. Selecting Harper was the second.

Seattle is a physical football team – an attribute perfectly suited for Harper’s playing style. It would be a mistake for a purely finesse team to take him on, but that’s not what happened. The Seahawks’ offense runs through Wilson, who is just as adept at taking off and running as throwing the ball. Additionally, Carroll’s favorite play is handing off to the bruising Marshawn Lynch – one of the most difficult running backs to tackle in the NFL.

That dynamic was only enhanced by the trade for Harvin, who is as dangerous out of the backfield as he is split wide left. Harper will truly be an asset in this situation, as he is more than capable of catching any pass thrown his way by Wilson and cannot be taken lightly by the secondary. However, his true strength is literally his strength; he is the most adept blocker among the roster’s receivers and will keep cornerbacks, safeties, and even linebackers preoccupied in the run game. Opponents cannot key in on Harvin with so much other talent on the field (including Rice, et. al.), and Harper will secure the gaps necessary for Seattle’s run game to be successful.

Harper took to Twitter Saturday to express his excitement following his draft selection
 

YEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!!!! Finally….Lets ride!!! #Seahawks #12thman

— Chris Harper (@THEChrisHarper) April 27, 2013

Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

While 2008 graduate  and WR Jordy Nelson looks to be the best Wildcat in the NFL at the position for at least a couple more years, Chris Harper has experienced a growing interest from NFL teams in the early/mid-rounds of the draft this year. His combination of speed and strength while playing in a system that asked him to block first and pass catches second has created an intriguing option for several GMs.

CBSSports projects Harper as a 3-4 round pick, and Pittsburgh has listed as one of the most interested teams. The Steelers have a great starting duo but their slot receiving options -  Jerricho Cotchery or Plaxico Burress - are slowing with age and will need replacement soon. The Baltimore Ravens are also in desperate need of receivers and a home in the AFC North is a very real possibility for Harper.

Harper has been knocked for his height, which is admittedly lacking for the position at 6’1″. However, he is extremely strong and was the third best WR at the NFL combine in the bench press with 20 reps of 225 lbs (he was also 13th in the vertical jump with a leap of 35.5 inches).

Here is NFL.com’s assessment of what Harper brings to the table:

 STRENGTHS

Size/speed combination is impressive. Cornerbacks trying to press him at the line see his quickness and pure acceleration down the sideline. On crosses, sells the outside routes before planting his foot to get inside position. Harper uses his size to his advantage, often shielding defenders. He also possesses a very strong set of hands that he uses to out-muscle smaller defensive backs. Very adept at catching the ball off of his frame. He is also very tough to bring down with the ball in his hands.

WEAKNESSES
Could finish plays more consistently, as he will stand around a bit while his quarterback is trying to scramble and doesn’t always sustain his blocks despite his aggressiveness. A bit stiff in the hips. Fought an ankle injury in 2011. Hasn’t been immensely productive.

At the end of the day, projecting Harper is a unique proposition because he’s not going to be drafted to race downfield and beat cornerback to the ball. He’s quicker than he is fast, and will be counted on in the slot position to fight for short passes and could be a first down machine with the right team. While no one is projecting him to be drafted in the second, several analysts have recently admitted they would not be surprised with that outcome given how he’s climbed draft boards recently (improving upon his combine 40 yard dash at K-State’s Pro Day didn’t hurt). Expect a team to call his name in the third or fourth round, and no one should let him drop out of the fifth round on Saturday.

Click here to check out Shane Summers’ look at every Wildcat with draft potential this year.

With the 2013 NFL Draft coming up, I decided to look into the crop of Wildcats that were invited to the Scouting Combine and see where they may go.

Arthur Brown – LB

Brown’s stock has seemed to rise after many were disappointed that Brown’s shoulder injury kept him out of the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine.  But a strong Pro Day has pushed Brown anywhere from mid first to early second round.  I have always liked Brown’s pro potential and under the right coaching, think Brown could really excel.  Brown has already met with the Bears, Rams, Jaguars and Bengals.

Prediction: Bears – 1^st Round, 20^th pick.  The Bears add Brown to replace Urlacher.  Sounds easy right?

Chris Harper – WR

Harper possesses great speed and strength that should translate to the NFL level.  The type of possession receiver many teams look for, Harper has been Collin Klein’s safety value and led the team in receiving the past two seasons.  I have seen him going as early as the second round all the way to the fourth.

Prediction: Ravens – 3^rd Round, 94^th pick.  Ozzie Newsome looks to replace Anquan Boldin.

Collin Klein – QB

One of the most decorated Wildcats in recent memory; Klein hurt his stock by not working out as a tight end despite many teams interest.  We all know the knocks on Klein, bad mechanics, and inaccuracy, not an NFL arm.  You can’t knock his leadership and determination.  Most mock drafts and rumors have him going seventh round or undrafted.

Prediction: I think someone will give him a shot in the seventh, due to his work ethic and hopes they can move him to another position.

Nigel Malone – CB

A key contributor for the Wildcats had eleven interceptions in two seasons with the team.  Size will hurt Malone, who is short by NFL standards as a corner at 5’10”.  Good hands and reaction time help his cause.  Mock drafts have him going 6-7 round or undrafted.

Prediction:  It’s a passing league; someone will give him a flyer in the late rounds.  You can never have enough corners.

Braden Wilson – FB

Wilson had a pretty productive career at Kansas State, considering he was very limited in touches.  His production came in the form of blocking for former second rounder Daniel Thomas and Heisman Trophy candidate Collin Klein and teammate John Hubert.  Some see his athletic ability translating better for a tight end.  I think Wilson could be a FB/TE hybrid in the league, or at least a special teams player.

Prediction:  Undrafted.  Fullbacks usually don’t get drafted unless you’re Mike Alstott.  I do think that he will sign with the flurry of undrafted players after the draft and will be a contributor to a team.

Anthony Cantele – K

Cantele was a reliable place kicker during his tenure with Kansas State.  Cantele hit on 82 percent of kicks last year, earning Second Team All-Big 12 honors.  Kickers usually don’t get drafted, but I have seen projections of Cantele possibly being taken in the seventh.  I would expect him to be one of the first kickers taken, if one is chosen.

Prediction:  Undrafted.  He should definitely earn a shot somewhere as a training camp leg, with the opportunity to maybe win a job.

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When five Kansas State players were invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last month, there was significant buzz surrounding the linchpins of one of the school’s most successful teams in the history of the program. The excitement ended up a bit overblown. First there was Collin Klein, who was publicly invited to work out with the tight ends on Saturday in addition to quarterbacks on Sunday. Pundits are giddy about seeing what Klein could do in a position many believe provides the best opportunity for him to play in the NFL. He declined. Chris Harper, known for his hands and toughness but never his speed, reinforced that perception by running a mediocre 4.55 second 40. And Arthur Brown didn’t even participate, nursing the same injured shoulder that kept him out of the Senior Bowl. The performances (or lack thereof) hurt Harper and Brown in February. They made up for it yesterday.

Harper demonstrated speed not on display at the combine. While varied reports have left the official time unknown, it’s widely acknowledged Harper shaved approximately one tenth of a second off of his time (down to 4.45), and possibly more as Walter Football cited a 4.38 time for Harper – although that report may have been exaggerated  If the 6’1″, 229 lbs Harper did pull off a 4.38, his draft stock should skyrocket. And while Harper’s straight-line speed appeared greater, it was not at the sacrifice of muscle. Just as he did at the combine, Harper was able to bench press 225 pounds 20 times. He also completed 20 reps at the combine, placing him third among all receivers. Harper also jumped 1/2 inch higher than at the combine, increasing his vertical from 35 to 35.5 inches. His value as a possession receiver has grown steadily over the past year, and Harper is being projected to go as high as the second round – although projections still range widely at this point.

Of greater relief was Arthur Brown’s performance. Few knew what to expect from the linebacker unable to perform for the past two months, but Brown came out to to provide 21 reps while running a 4.58 40 yard dash. He stated that linebacker coaches for linebacker coaches for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2nd and 33rd overall picks) Detroit Lions (5th and 36th),  and Pittsburgh Steelers (17th and 48th) were on hand to watch his performance at Pro Day. Their presence reinforces expectations that Brown could be a middle first to early second round selection in the draft.

Also participating were QB Collin Klein, K Anthony Cantele, CB Nigel Malone, and FB Braden Wilson. Among the players with the most to gain, Cantele has been waiting for the opportunity to showcase his distance. He did not attempt a kick longer than 42 yards this season, and was 4/6 on field goals of 40+ yards. Cantele hit 83 percent of his attempts on the year, but needs a reason for a team to give him a shot with such a small sample size of long kick attempts. He was 1/1 in 2011 from greater than 50 yards, connecting on a 54-yarder against Oklahoma. He was a second team All-Big 12 special teams player this year.

Feb 24, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein throws a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Collin Klein tied for the fifth fastest 40 time among quarterbacks at the NFL Combine on Sunday, registering a 4.78 to tie with Colby Cameron from Louisiana Tech. West Virginia’s Geno Smith ran a 4.59 to lead a group that was unimpressive overall in its display of speed given the game’s evolution to value fast and nimble signal callers. Among Klein’s other recorded workout performances:

Bench Press: no official QB stats

Broad Jump: 111 inches
Top QB performer: Smith, 124 inches

Vertical Jump: 29 inches
Top QB performer: EJ Manuels (Florida State), 34 inches

3-Cone Drill: 7.17 seconds
Top QB performer: Matt Scott (Arizona), 6.69 seconds

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.40 seconds
Top QB performer: Scott, 3.99 seconds

60 Yard Shuttle: no official QB times

Although Klein is known more for his speed than quickness, he had still hoped to perform a little better today. Still, having the fifth fastest 40 time is nothing to sneeze at, particularly considering how much inertia it takes to get Klein’s 6’5″ frame up from a crouched stance (not even Usain Bolt ever won a race in the first 20 meters). However, even going into today it was understood that short of a diametrically surprising outcome, Klein’s make-or-break day wasn’t going to come until March. That’s when K-State will be hosting its Pro Day, giving him a chance showcase his throwing ability and conduct any drills that potential suitors wish to see.

Chris Harper also participated today, engaging with the other wide receiver prospects. His results:

40 Yard Dash: 4.55 seconds
Top WR performer: Marquisse Goodwin (Texas), 4.27

Bench Press: 20 reps
Top WR performer:  T.J. Moe (Missouri), 26

Vertical Jump: 35 inches
Top WR performer: Justin Hunter (Tennessee), 39.5 inches

Broad Jump: 116 inches
Top WR performer: Hunter, 136 inches

3-Cone Drill: 6.89 seconds
Top WR performer: Moe, 6.53 seconds

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.39 seconds
Top WR performer: Moe, 3.69 seconds

Harper wasn’t expected to leave the track smoldering, although a slightly faster 40 time would have definitely assisted his draft stock. However, he displayed impressive strength in tying for third for number of repetitions on the bench – lifting 225 pounds, twenty straight times.

40 Yard Dash: 4.55 seconds
Top WR performer: Marquisse Goodwin (Texas), 4.27

Bench Press: 20 reps
Top WR performer:  T.J. Moe (Missouri), 26

Vertical Jump: 35 inches
Top WR performer: Justin Hunter (Tennessee), 39.5 inches

Broad Jump: 116 inches
Top WR performer: Hunter, 136 inches

3-Cone Drill: 6.89 seconds
Top WR performer: Moe, 6.53 seconds

20 Yard Shuttle: 4.39 seconds
Top WR performer: Moe, 3.69 seconds

Additionally, Braden Wilson worked out with the running backs today. Wilson is a bit of a different animal, expected to make his way as a blocking fullback while the other players in his group attempted to showcase the speed that will win them starting tailback roles. Wilson ran a 4.81 40, and made 22 reps in the bench press. He did not participate in any other drills.

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Kenjon Barner attempted to steal the show, Chris Harper made the most of his targets by securing a twelve yard catch for a first down in the second quarter – although his North team would go on to lose by the score of 21-16. Harper was teamed with LB Arthur Brown on the North squad in college football’s perennial all-star game.

Although Harper did not see a lot of balls thrown his way today, he made the most of his time with the time and left a favorable impression on the scouts who watched him. Below is the Day 3 practice report:

Big Receivers: #83 Chris Harper/Kansas State (6006/228) had a terrific practice when he made several contested catches with defensive backs draped all over him. He has a muscular, athletic frame and he used it by body positioning the defender and “playing basketball” down the field. #33 Aaron Mellette/Elon (6024/216) also had a standout day when he popped open and made two nice plays on deeper routes downfield. He does not have elite quickness and may only be one-speed, however, on this day, he fit in well with the big-school competition and has done an excellent job with his blocking, too.

No official tackle stats are available for Brown, but he led a North Team defense that limited the South to only 237 yards, including 105 yards rushing.

April 2012 only saw one player from K-State find a home through the NFL draft – and even that was a stretch, as Bryce Brown saw little playing time and quit the team his first year after transferring to Manhattan before conference play started. 2013 should be a much more profitable year for departing Wildcat players. Over the next two weeks, Jug of Snyder will be assessing the players entering 2012 with draft hopes and how they finished their careers with K-State. For our third installment we go to to the man fast enough to play for Oregon but tough enough for K-State, receiver Chris Harper.

When Chris Harper came to Oregon out of Wichita, he knew two things: he was athletic, and he wanted to play quarterback. And while the former was always going to work in his favor, there’s only so much he could do about the latter. After transferring to Kansas State with dreams of taking snaps under center, Bill Snyder convinced him of his potential at wide receiver. It was a move that benefited Harper and the entire Wildcat team. Over three years he caught at least 25 passes and averaged over 13 yards/catch each season. Harper truly exploded his senior year, leading the team with 857 yards receiving on 58 catches and three touchdowns (note: with Klein and Hubert in the backfield, K-State’s receivers don’t get many touches inside the red zone).

While the Fiesta Bowl didn’t produce a highlight reel for every Wildcat, Harper was a bright spot on the biggest night of the team’s year. He finished the game with 71 yards on eight receptions, and had the Wildcats’ longest reception for 21 yards. Without his presence, K-State would have had a much harder time moving the football.

Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Harper has good though not great size to make it in the NFL, standing at 6’1″ and 228 pounds. It was this size that led a surprisingly effective receiving corps for Kansas State in 2011 in spite of many experts predicting the position to be a big minus for the team (Harper led the team in receiving his junior year as well). Although his 4.46 40 time isn’t going to blow defenders away, it is adequate to find success on the next level. Additionally, he displays impressive body control and is exceptionally coordinated (he was, after all, a four star quarterback recruit out of high school).

Harper was selected to the Senior Bowl earlier this year after being selected to the All-Big 12 second team squad. He’s ranked anywhere from the 10th to 20th best receiving prospect available in draft, which could change as more juniors choose to stay or go and he participates in the combine. He should be able to come off the board in the fourth round, and,barring some unforeseen revelation, no team will let him drop out of the fifth. Look for Harper to make an NFL roster in the 2013 season.

Previous Draft Stock articles:
Arthur Brown
Collin Klein

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The Jug sends a big congrats to Chris Harper, who was announced as a Senior Bowl invitee earlier today. The wide receiver often played second fiddle in the media coverage of K-State this year, overshadowed by the team’s running prowess, turnover-mad defense, and superb special teams. However, the Oregon transfer has been phenomenal in his own rite and would be the player everyone talks about just about any other year. Harper will participate on the North squad in college’s annual all-star game.

Harper’s inclusion is a recognition of the body of work he has put together over his career at K-State, and will provide a final opportunity to showcase his in-game abilities in front of NFL scouting offices. In 2012, he notched 50 receptions for 786 yards and three touchdowns. These statistics earned a Second Team All-Big 12 recognition and Associated Press honorable mention honors. For his career, Harper finished seventh in school history with 12 career receiving touchdowns. He was also ninth in career receptions with 115 and 10th in yards at 1,663. These statistics are particularly impressive given the run-first, ball-control offense he has operated in.

The Senior Bowl will be televised by the NFL Network at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2013. The game will be played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, AL. Only 37 players have been named thus far, with 15 more expected to be named in the next round on Wednesday, Dec. 19. Expect to see one or two additional Wildcats announced by the time the rosters are finalized.