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Update: Kemoko Turay was selected in the second round with the 52nd pick overall by the Indianapolis Colts.
Original Story:
As the NFL Draft enters day two in Dallas, it’s possible that Rutgers edge rusher Kemoko Turay will hear his name called tonight. After a senior season in which he produced a career high 60 tackles, as well as 6 for a loss, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 pass deflection, he landed on the radar of every NFL general manager. He also proved he could stay healthy and be consistent, something the 6’5” defensive end struggled with throughout his collegiate career after a breakout freshman campaign. Turay became a hot name during the draft process after a strong week at the Senior Bowl and a solid showing at the NFL combine.
As for Turay, based on several online draft projections, he could be selected as early as the second round or could have to wait until day three to hear his name called. The third round of the draft has been particularly kind to Rutgers football, who have had six players selected at that time in the past decade. No Scarlet Knight has been drafted earlier than the third round since 2010, when both Anthony Davis and Devin McCourty were first round picks.
Here is a list of teams that have been reportedly met with Turay in some way leading up to this week:
Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals.
Here is a summary of online projections for Turay:
Projections
NFL.com is projecting Turay to be selected between the second and third rounds.
CBS Sports was specific and projected Turay going as the 66th pick overall to the New York Giants earlier this week. The G-Men have three picks in the early portion of the 3rd round and picking a Rutgers players is something many fans have hoped would happen for a very long time. Today, they project Turay to go 92nd to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Bleacher Report updated projections after the first round and have Turay being selected 51st by the Detroit Lions.
Draft Wire calls Turay “one of this year’s most intriguing sleepers” and projects him as a Day 2 selection, meaning a 2nd or 3rd round pick.
Walter Football lists Turay as the 13th best defensive end in the draft and projects him going between the third and fifth rounds.
Draft Blaster envisions Kemoko being selected between the second and fourth rounds, calling him “raw, but extremely talented”.
Draft Countdown lists Turay as the 7th best defensive end in the draft. The top two were taken in the first round last night.
Here is a nice breakdown of Turay’s game from our friends at SB Nation’s LA Rams site.
Twitter Chatter
Packers writer
Rutgers’ Kemoko Turay would immediately become the #Packers rangiest edge rusher. He’s quick to locate the ball and diagnose plays. I think he’s worth a look at 45. pic.twitter.com/NKVIBqJs3T
— Brandon Carwile (@PackerScribe) April 24, 2018
Jets writers
@MalfaJ98 had Landry listed as an edge rusher, I don’t (I have him as an OLB), and I had Carter as a DE whereas he has him as an EDGE. Key is the guy for me off the edge. I love Armstrong Jr., and Kemoko Turay. #nfldraft pic.twitter.com/1BxuybXIik
— D.A. Osorio (@DA_Osorio) April 26, 2018
Round 1 Targets (in order):
— NY Jets Updater (@NYJetsUpdater) April 19, 2018
Baker Mayfield
Sam Darnold
Josh Rosen
Rd3:
Lorenzo Carter if there
Kemoko Turay
Carlton Davis
Tarvares McFadden
Dorance Armstrong
Rd4:
Kemoko Turay if there
Long name OLB from Oklahoma
Rasheem Green
Keke Coutee
49ers Writer
Sleeper EDGE in this draft is Kemoko Turay out of Rutgers. If he is there in the second round the #49ers can get the steal of the draft
— Bobby Horne (@ninerchat) April 20, 2018
Draft Writer
Guys that I may be higher on vs overall consensus.
— Eric D (@LaterRoundSteal) April 26, 2018
Tier 2 - Draft value 6-25
QB - Kyle Lauletta
TE - Mike Gesicki
C/OG - Billy Price
OG/OT - Connor Williams
OG/OT - Isaiah Wynn
DT - Nathan Shepherd
OLB - Kemoko Turay
S - DeShon Elliott
Where will the Kemoko Dragon begin his NFL journey? Hopefully, we will find out on Friday night, which could potentially make Turay the highest draft pick for a Rutgers players in a decade.
For a full review of former Rutgers players currently in the NFL and a look at all eligible Scarlet Knights in the 2018 draft, click here and here.