Where Kentucky's NFL Draft prospects stand in ESPN's new mock draft

The NFL Draft is only 17 days away. With the combine and Pro Day now over, Kentucky’s draft hopefuls are in the final stretch of preparing to hear their names called in Las Vegas April 28-30. ESPN’s Jordan Reid released a seven-round mock draft today, and it includes six Kentucky Wildcats, three in the third round.

• Round 3
  • 72. Darian Kinnard, OL (Seattle Seahawks)
  • 77. Josh Paschal, DL (Minnesota Vikings)
  • 83. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR (Philadelphia Eagles)
• Round 4
  • 112. Luke Fortner, C (New York Giants via CHI)
• Round 5
  • 152. Yusuf Corker, S (Denver Broncos)
• Round 7
  • 247. Marquan McCall, NT (Miami Dolphins via TEN)

Kinnard played tackle at Kentucky but is listed at guard in most mocks. Reid notes that he could play tackle at Seattle too.

“The Seahawks could use help at offensive tackle, and the 6-foot-5, 322-pound Kinnard is a perfect fit in the team’s downhill running scheme. There are mixed opinions in the NFL on his best position — he could move inside to guard — but he is extremely strong at the point of attack.”

Reid also likes a potential fit between Josh Paschal and the Vikings’ new 3-4 defense.

“Paschal’s versatility as a base end in a 3-4 defense makes him an ideal prospect in Minnesota’s new scheme. His lower-half strength, hand maturity and penetrating ability could make him an early contributor in Ed Donatell’s defense.”

Dane Brugler’s Draft Grades for each Kentucky prospect

Offensive tackle Dare Rosenthal did not make ESPN’s mock draft but received a fifth-round grade from Dane Brugler at The Athletic. Here are Brugler’s grades for all of the Cats:

• Darian Kinnard: 2nd Round – No. 52 overall (No. 3 OG)
• Josh Paschal: 3rd Round – No. 83 overall (No. 15 EDGE)
• Luke Fortner: 3rd Round – No. 75 overall (No. 5 C)
• Wan’Dale Robinson: 3rd-4th Round (No. 14 WR)
• Yusuf Corker: 5th Round (No. 14 S)
• Dare Rosenthal: 5th Round (No. 15 OT)
• Marquan McCall: 6th-7th Round (No. 18 DL)
• Quandre Mosley: PFA (No. 47 CB)

This is shaping up to be the fourth-straight year multiple Cats have been drafted. In 2021, six Kentucky players (Jamin Davis, Quinton Bohanna, Brandin Echols, Landon Young, and Phil Hoskins) heard their names called, which tied for the fourth-most in school history and the most since 1979 (eight). In 2020, Lynn Bowden Jr. and Logan Stenberg were drafted and in 2019, Kentucky had five NFL draft picks in Josh Allen, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Mike Edwards, Benny Snell Jr., and George Asafo-Adjei.