Cleveland, Weaver lead the way as Boise State hopes to continue trend of NFL Draft picks
A former NFL player himself, Boise State offensive line coach Brad Bedell has been a resource for the Broncos’ latest crop of players waiting to hear their names called in this week’s draft.
Bedell was on five NFL teams between 2000 and 2006, and he said no matter what round they’re selected in, players have to be prepared to get thrown into the fire as a rookie.
“It’s the longest year of your life,” he said. “The combine is hard, and then you’re going to go to mini camp. Then you have (organized team activities), and then you have camp. You don’t really get a break until after your rookie year.”
The draft begins with the first round at 6 p.m. MT on Thursday. The second and third rounds follow Friday (5 p.m.), and the final four rounds are Saturday (10 a.m.). The draft will be broadcast on ESPN, NFL Network and ABC.
At least one Boise State player has been drafted every year since 2010. The Broncos have produced four first-round picks in that span: Kyle Wilson in 2010, Shea McClellin and Doug Martin in 2012 and Leighton Vander Esch in 2018. Ryan Clady remains the highest overall pick in Boise State history, going No. 12 overall to the Denver Broncos in 2008.
Offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland is the most likely candidate to continue that trend of first-round picks this year. In the past couple months, he scheduled as many as 15 visits with NFL teams — all of which have been held virtually since the NFL suspended in-person contact in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Here’s a look at this year’s NFL Draft prospects with Idaho connections.
Ezra Cleveland
Cleveland started 40 games for the Broncos the past three seasons. A foot injury limited him in practice early last fall, but he managed to start 13 games at left tackle and earn first-team All-Mountain West honors for the second year in a row.
After declaring for the draft in December, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Spanaway, Washington, native impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 40-yard dash time of 4.93 seconds and 30 reps on the bench press.
From the coach: “He’s a very good athlete, and he showed that at the combine. He has a desire to be great and to be successful in the National Football League. That’s what you need when you get there.” — Bedell
Projection: ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said in March that he sees Cleveland getting selected early in the second round — at the latest. He ranked Cleveland No. 6 among offensive tackles, ahead of USC’s Austin Jackson and Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah echoed Kiper’s sentiments, saying he sees Cleveland going somewhere around pick No. 36, which belongs to the New York Giants.
Curtis Weaver
Weaver left Boise State as one of the most productive pass rushers in program history, ranking No. 2 all-time with 34 career sacks. He trails only former Bronco Erik Helgeson, who ended his career with 54.5.
Weaver showed up in Boise in 2016 as a defensive tackle pushing 300 pounds. He quickly slimmed down to about 265 and moved to the edge in the Broncos’ STUD role. He did enough damage that he set the Mountain West’s career sacks record.
From the coach: “The thing about the NFL is you pay good money for people to do something in an elite way. Curtis is legitimately elite. You’re not going to be able to leave him one-on-one too long. He’s going to win, and he’s proven it no matter who he plays.” — Boise State defensive line coach Spencer Danielson
Projection: At the combine, ESPN’s Todd McShay said Weaver is a likely first-round pick. In March, Kiper disagreed, saying Weaver could find himself in the second round because of how pass rushers are valued, but he’s more likely to be a third-round pick. Jeremiah ranked him behind fellow pass rushers Chase Young (Ohio State), K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU), Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn State), AJ Epenesa (Iowa) and Zack Baun (Wisconsin).
John Hightower
Hightower’s ascension from a rarely used junior college wide receiver with track speed to a versatile weapon in the passing game came to fruition last fall. He led the Broncos with 943 receiving yards and eight touchdowns through the air, and ranked No. 3 in the Mountain West with 24.6 yards per kick return.
Hightower showed off his track speed at the combine with a time of 4.43 seconds in the 40-yard dash, but he struggled with a few drops.
From the coach: “As impressive as John is with his speed, I was always more impressed with his work ethic. He worked tirelessly to improve his route-running and hands and just as an overall football player, and I know that’s going to continue in the NFL.” — former Boise State offensive coordinator Zak Hill
Projection: Kiper said in a normal year Hightower’s speed alone would make him — at worst — a fourth-round pick. But with such a talent-rich class of receivers in this year’s draft, he sees Hightower getting selected on Saturday, somewhere between the fifth and seventh rounds. Jeremiah projected him to go in the fifth round.
John Molchon
Molchon started 13 games in each of the past three seasons and 42 games in a five-year career as a member of Boise State’s offensive line. He spent the bulk of his career at guard, but injuries have forced him to also line up at tackle. He started at left tackle in place of Cleveland last season against Portland State. That versatility will prove beneficial because NFL teams crave multifaceted linemen who can provide quality depth. At the request of several teams, Molchon has spent the past couple months training at center.
From the coach: “I wouldn’t have made it in the NFL if I couldn’t play multiple positions. You’ve got to be flexible and understand overall scheme, not just one position.” — Bedell
Projection: Molchon was invited to the combine and put up respectable numbers, including 26 reps on the bench press and a 34-inch vertical leap. Kiper and Jeremiah rank him among their top 25 offensive linemen in the draft and expect him to be a late-round pick or free agent.
David Moa
In 2017, Moa made 11 starts on the interior of the Broncos’ defensive line and earned All-Mountain West honors. The following season, he appeared in just one game due to injuries. As a sixth-year senior last fall, he appeared in all 14 games and posted 6.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
From the coach: “David is one of those guys who is always working to get better, and he was a guy other players looked to. He has a natural instinct to find the ball, and I think he has a chance to have a nice career at the next level.” — Danielson
Projection: Moa has garnered interest from the Titans, Vikings, Ravens, Steelers and Saints. He’s likely to be a late-round pick or free agent.
Chase Hatada
Hatada saved the best performances of his career for the end. In the Las Vegas Bowl against Washington, he posted a career-high four tackles for loss and two sacks.
He split his pre-draft training between Las Vegas and his hometown of Sacramento, California. The 6-3, 262-pounder posted a time of 4.91 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his personal pro day workout earlier this month.
From the coach: “I love that dude. His mentality is perfect. He’s a guy you tell to run through a wall, and he will smile doing it.” — Danielson
Projection: Hatada said he hasn’t had any interviews with NFL teams to this point, but his agent has been in contact with several that like him as a free agent. Hatada plans to spend the draft at home in Sacramento with his family.
More prospects with Idaho connections:
Jaylon Henderson, QB — A former junior college transfer, Henderson stepped in at the end of last season and went 4-0 as the starter. He led the Broncos to a dominant win over Hawaii in the Mountain West championship game and led Boise State’s only scoring drive in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Kekoa Nawahine, S — A three-time All-Mountain West selection, Nawahine led the Broncos last season with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Jonah Williams, DL (Weber State) — A graduate of Rocky Mountain High in Meridian, Williams finished his senior season at Weber State as an All-American and the Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP. He finished his career with 15 sacks, which ranks No. 9 in Weber State history, and blocked three kicks.
Josh Brown, OT (College of Idaho) — Brown was a four-year starter at tackle for the Yotes. He started on the right side during the first two years of his career and moved to the left for the final two.
Boise State’s highest draft picks
12. Ryan Clady, OT, Broncos (2008)*
19. Shea McClellin, DE, Bears (2012)*
19. Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Cowboys (2018)*
29. Kyle Wilson, CB, Jets (2010)*
30. Markus Koch, DE, Redskins (1986)
31. Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers (2012)*
31. David Hughes, FB, Seahawks (1981)
34. DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Cowboys (2014)
42. Kamalei Correa, DE, Ravens (2016)
44. Titus Young, WR, Lions (2011)
47. Daryn Colledge, OT, Packers (2006)
54. Jamar Taylor, CB, Dolphins (2013)
61. Gerald Alexander, S, Lions (2007)
* indicates first-round pick
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 12:01 PM.
