NFL Draft: 5 second round selections that can blossom into Pro Bowlers

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 12: Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor (23) celebrates a touchdown during a Big Ten college football game between the University of Wisconsin Badgers and the Michigan State University Spartans on October 12, 2019 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3 of 5

BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 14: Wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. #2 of the Colorado Buffaloes carries the ball for a first quarter touchdown after a catch as linebacker Lakota Wills #8 of the Air Force Falcons chases him during a game at Folsom Field on September 14, 2019 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

3. Laviska Shenault

Shenault could have easily ended up being a first round pick if not for a core injury that limited him down the stretch and at the Combine. Questions about his 40-yard dash time have pushed him down into the second day of this year’s draft.

Based on his collegiate tape, Shenault deserved to go in the 20s. He absolutely torched the competition when he was healthy at Colorado. His college coaching staff lined up him wherever they could create a mismatch on the field.

That stunted some of Shenault’s growth as a pure wide receiver. Any NFL team that invests a second rounder in his services is going to need to exercise some patience. He’s got big time athleticism, but he doesn’t really understand how to use it to create separation at this point in his young career.

That makes Shenault a perfect fit for a playoff team that doesn’t necessarily need him to play a lot of meaningful snaps right away. Any team that brings him along slowly could have a high quality starter on their hands by the time the postseason rolls around. Shenault shouldn’t be rushed into action, but he can pay big dividends down the line.

Home/NFL Draft