Tense Week For Local Talent as NFL Draft Nears

The NFL Draft begins Thursday but for local talent like Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien, Bronco running back Alexander Mattison and Idaho linebacker Kaden Ellis the big day is Saturday when the NFL will call rounds four through seven.

Mock drafts abound with every so called draft expert having their own spin on the 2019 spectacle and their selections get especially conflicted in the later rounds.

It's easy to agree Kyler Murray, the Oklahoma quarterback will go to Arizona as the number one pick but agreement is not so easy when looking at rounds 4-7 on Saturday.

Brett Rypien is predicted to be a 7th round pick going to Miami but I've also seen Tampa Bay. Meantime, former Boise State quarterback Ryan Finley who left for North Carolina State is slated as a 6th round pick to Green Bay.

As for BSU running back Alexander Mattison, he isn't showing up on any significant mock drafts and in fact has been listed as among those available for free agent deals as a non drafted player.

By the way, the top Mountain West draftee appears to be Josh Oliver a tight end from the worst team in the league, San Jose State. Oliver, 6-5 and 250lbs could go to Minnesota in the 2nd round!

Idaho hasn't had a player taken in the NFL draft in nine seasons so what about linebacker Kaden Ellis?

He leaves Idaho with 278 total tackles, 47 for losses but wasn't invited to the NFL: combine. Ellis decided to attend the University of Utah's pro day, after all that's where his father Luther played and his dad spent 10 seasons in the NFL with Detroit and Denver.

The decision worked as Ellis showed better than any of the Utah players and now Ellis is considered a possible pick on Saturday.

That's what makes the later rounds of the NFL draft so interesting. Don't forget, 630 The Fan will be live at Buffalo Wild Wings on the grove in downtown Boise Thursday from 5-7pm broadcasting live from our annual Draft Party. We'll also be giving away Boise Music Festival tickets and if you haven't heard, Pit Bull is the head liner!