Montana Draft Prospects

There are several UM and MSU players that have entered this year's NFL Draft, but only two that have a legitimate shot at hearing their names called in New York - Griz RB Lex Hilliard, and Griz DE Kroy Biermann.

2008 Montana NFL Draft Prospects

Lex Hilliard: The outstanding Griz running back, Lex Hilliard, might have to learn a new position if and when his name gets called during the NFL draft. Most analysts have Hilliard projected as a fullback, much like Justin Green a few years ago. Hilliard is a 231 pound runner who ran the 40 in the 4.7 range, so he is a bit of a ‘tweener, which hurts his draft stock. He’s too big and a little slow to be an NFL running back, but may be a bit small to play fullback. He’s ideal for short yardage situations, though, because he tends to fall forward when tackled. Yards after contact are probably the most important statistic to runners in the NFL, since it’s a rarity to burst through the line untouched. He has a nose for the endzone (as evidenced by his UM record 49 career rushing touchdowns), but his lack of production in the passing game hurts his stock.

Projection: Hilliard might come off the board late on day two (sixth or seventh round), but it’s more likely that he goes undrafted and signs with a team next week.

Kroy Biermann: Of the Montana draft prospects, Griz defensive end Kroy Biermann has the best shot at being drafted on Sunday. Biermann is a bit undersized to play end in the NFL, which is why most scouts have him projected as a 3-4 rush linebacker. He tested as a defensive end at the combine, but if you compare his numbers to the linebacker class, he does quite well. He is strong (repping 225 pounds nine times) and quick, but he doesn’t have elite top end speed (he ran the 40 in 4.85 seconds). However, with more and more NFL teams implementing a 3-4 defense, a player like Biermann has a chance to get his name called late in the draft.

Projection: The most likely scenario is for Biermann to come off the board in the sixth or seventh round. I’ll go out on a limb and say he gets taken in round six as the only Montana player drafted in 2008.