Draft day is finally here, and we are running out of time to get in our last predictions before we all inevitably see them become wrong as the chaos of the NFL Draft ensues.
Turning the focus away from FBS players who will likely get drafted tonight, we are here to focus on Division 2 players who could hear their name on Friday and Saturday after three players were selected in the 2016 Draft.
RELATED: NFL Draft: D2 Football Big Board
While this won't be a mock draft of sorts, there will be predictions for players who will get drafted on where they could land, as well as predictions on players who should be taken, but could fall into the realm of undrafted free agency. In total, there are seven players who fit this bill, and all are worthy of a pick.
Familiarize yourself with these players now, as they just might turn out to be impact talent for your favorite team in the near future as a draft pick or undrafted signee.
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D2 Players Who Will Be Drafted
This year, there are four players who are seemingly locked in to being selected either on day two or three, and that would be on more than the three that were selected last season.
While the competition level is much different than that of D1, these four players are all worthy of a pick, and you can see where they go and how they fit in the NFL below.
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Adam Shaheen, TE — Ashland
The best D2 prospect to come out since the 2012 draft, Shaheen is a lock to get picked, maybe as high as the early second round. While that would be tremendous to see, the uncertainties about his level of competition will eventually come into play and drop him into the latter parts of the second or early third. As Shaheen told HERO Sports, "All it takes is for one team to fall in love." Based on the needs of clubs and some of the projected landing spots, the former Eagle will make an immediate contribution with his new squad.
Predicted Draft Slot: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Round 2, Pick 50)
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Ethan Cooper, OL — Indiana (PA)
A rising talent along the o-line, Cooper is a natural run-blocker than can slide into a run-first system and be a good pulling guard after helping to lead IUP to the team rushing crown in 2016. Pass blocking needs some refinement, but Cooper does not need to come in and start immediately. Someone to compare Cooper to would be current Packer guard Jahri Evans from Bloomsburg, a fourth rounder in 2006. That is about where Cooper should end up, with a chance he lasts until the fifth round, too.
Predicted Draft Slot: Indianapolis Colts (Round 4, Pick 121)
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Jordan Morgan, OL — Kutztown
Once seen as the best player in the D2 crop this year, Morgan has slid a little bit as his name has not dominated the headlines as it did while he was at the Senior Bowl. Still, the 2016 PSAC East Offensive Player of The Year is going to get picked somewhere in the fifth or sixth round, and he will move from left tackle in school to guard at the pro level. His ability to pull on blocks is the best trait he currently has, and he is good enough in pass protection to play on the left side of the line as well.
Predicted Draft Slot: Atlanta Falcons (Round 5, Pick 174)
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Connor Harris, LB — Lindenwood
The last player I am confident will get taken this weekend, Harris enters the NFL Draft as the all-time leader in tackles for the NCAA, and a machine of a man who can run people over with his strength. While coverage and gap integrity will need some work for Harris, a team needing some middle linebacker depth and special teams contributor will find the former Lindenwood Lion too enticing to pass up in the later rounds of the draft.
Predicted Draft Slot: New Orleans Saints (Round 6, Pick 196)
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D2 Players Who Should Be Drafted
While there are four players that will likely be picked, there are also three more with a realistic shot at hearing their name called, but could fall out of the draft because the back rounds are so unpredictable. The three players you are about to see are all potential depth pieces or "flyers" who could be training camp darlings and find their way onto a practice squad.
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Grover Stewart, DL — Albany State
A big boy at 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, Stewart is a developmental run-stuffer that can come in on goal line packages early in his career as he continues to learn the intricacies of being a one or three-tech in the league. A capable pass rusher too, the four-time All-SIAC honoree finished with 23.5 sacks in his four seasons and would be a good depth piece for a team that has had troubles stopping the run in recent years.
Projected Draft Slot: Washington Redskins (Round 6, Pick 201)
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Billy Brown, WR — Shepherd
A big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, it is likely Brown moves to tight end at the pro level due to his size. Posting the best bench press total at the combine among receivers with 26 reps, Brown has the strength to shed defenders and the speed — 4.70 40-yard — to pull away in the open field. Brown could be a late-rounder that blossoms on a practice squad for a year.
Projected Draft Slot: Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 7, Pick 240)
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Dylan Donahue, EDGE — West Georgia
A pass rusher that lacks length necessary to stand up and rush, Donahue will likely be reserved to a team that runs a 4-3 system and can bring in the former Wolves defender on sub package plays. Totaling a conference-record 13.5 sacks in 2016, Donahue should have a flyer taken on him late in the draft as he tries to make enough impact plays to land on a practice squad or 53rd spot on the roster.
Projected Draft Slot: Atlanta Falcons (Round 7, Pick 249)
