Florida State could have three first-rounders and as many as six players drafted in the first 100 picks, NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock said Tuesday.
FSU holds its pro day Tuesday, and it will be well-attended by scouts. The Seminoles had 11 players selected in the 2013 draft, the most of any school in the nation, and could have double-digit picks again this year -- and in 2015, too.
The three potential first-rounders are wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and defensive back Lamarcus Joyner.
Benjamin measured 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds at last month's NFL Scouting Combine and was clocked in 4.61 seconds in the 40. The time was mildly disappointing -- he has been clocked as fast as 4.52 seconds -- and Mayock said on NFL Network's "NFL AM" that Benjamin could run the 40 again at the pro day in an attempt for a better time.
But speed isn't Benjamin's main selling point; instead, it's his size: Benjamin has drawn some comparisons to Calvin Johnson.
But there are issues, with Mayock specifically mentioning's Benjamin's propensity for drops. "I think he's got great hands," Mayock said, with the drops coming from concentration lapses. Indeed, watch film of Benjamin from almost any game and you will see him make some tough catches. You also likely will see him drop a ball right in his hands, with no one around.
FSU coaches have criticized Benjamin for his lack of focus and a mediocre work ethic, but those criticisms died down during the 2013 season, when the light apparently came on. He had a monster game against Florida: nine catches, 212 yards, three TDs. Benjamin had more receiving yards than eight teams -- including LSU and Miami -- managed against the Gators, who had allowed just six TD passes before going against Benjamin.
Jernigan (6-2, 299) is a Mayock favorite because he can play the nose and also serve as a three-technique tackle (meaning lining up on the outside shoulder of a guard and being physical enough to control that gap). Mayock said Jernigan is "stout against the run and disruptive against the pass." Mayock said he can see Jernigan being taken around the 20th pick.
The biggest issue with Joyner (5-8, 184) is his lack of size. He played both cornerback and strong safety with the Seminoles, and Mayock said he could see Joyner playing free safety in the NFL and being used to cover slot receivers. Joyner played in every FSU game in his four-season career and is tough, instinctive, both fast and quick and a big-time hitter.
Other FSU players who could go among the top 100 picks are safety Terrence Brooks, running back Devonta Freeman, linebacker Christian Jones and linebacker Telvin Smith.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
