ASU Football: Three Sun Devils Drafted
By Mike Slifer
: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Over the weekend, three ASU Sun Devils were drafted by NFL teams.
The Chicago Bears drafted DT Will Sutton in the third round. Sutton, who was the two time PAC-12 defensive player of the year should fit in nicely with the Chicago defense. Will Sutton’s work ethic, experience and skill should almost make him a lock to make the team.
Outside linebacker Carl Bradford was drafted in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers. While it’s not necessarily a “longshot” for him to make the team, Bradford will have to impress the coaches to get a roster spot. He’s going to have to convince the Packers that he is not a project and that he is a legitimate pass rusher. Moreover, he’ll have to prove that he is not just a third-down rusher type player. He has to be able to cover backs in space and help stop the run. It’s all do-able, as Bradford is an excellent athlete. But he’s got some work to do to make the team.
Finally, running back Marion Grice got picked up late by the San Diego Chargers. San Diego spent the first half of their draft getting defensive players, so that’s obviously a priority for them. But they apparently saw something they liked in Grice. Grice would probably have been ASU’s most valuable player on offense this last year, had he finished the season. Grice got hurt during the UCLA game and never played again. The injury isn’t serious enough or the Chargers wouldn’t have drafted him.
With respect to all three, Devils in Detail believes that only Will Sutton will be “automatic” in making the final roster. Bradford and Grice will have to make a statement during tryouts to make the cut. They are both capable, but the NFL is a totally different animal. With only 53 roster spots, you have to beat out a lot of people and prove to be quite versatile. Devils in Detail as well as the Sun Devil Nation with the best of luck to all three.
Stand by to see if any other ASU Football players get invited to camps as rookie free agents.