The NFL Draft is nearly here. The draft starts in just over a month and players around the nation will have their dreams come true when they are selected by an NFL team. However, some of those dreams will take a little bit longer to come true because players will slide in the draft. It happens every year, for a variety of reasons.
While there might not be an Aaron Rodgers' type fall in the green room this year, at least a few players will fall further than expected. With that in mind, here are four players who could suffer that kind of draft day slide.
4. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
It's not even Smith's fault that he's due for a slide. He's the most likely to slide, but also the one we already know is coming. Everything about his game screams Top 10 draft pick, but his knee injury raised major red flags at the combine. His knee might have nerve damage, which scares teams. He could still go at some point on Day 2, but a fall to Day 3 is possible.
3. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
Decker appears to be behind Laremy Tunsil, Ronnie Stanley and Jack Conklin. Decker is projected by many to be a mid-first rounder, but he could slip further than that. Decker has short arms, and might be limited to playing guard at the next level. Best case, he's a right tackle. If NFL teams feel he's a guard, don't be surprised if he slips to the end of round one or even further.
2. Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
There's pure talent with Nkemdiche, but a lot of off-the-field and effort concerns. He didn't produce enough at Ole Miss and needs a better supporting cast around him off the field. There's a lot of boom-bust potential with Nkemdiche and he could fall out of the first round entirely.
1. Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss
It's just a coincidence that two Ole Miss players lead the way. Almost everyone expects Treadwell to be the first WR off the board in a deep class and possibly even a Top 15 pick. But I'm not so sure. He needs to run fast at his Pro Day Monday, because there are major concerns about his speed and separation ability. If he runs a slow time, don't be surprised to see him starting falling down draft boards. He could near the end of the first round and I wouldn't be surprised if he's not the first WR off the board.
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