Where will the latest crop of Pro Frogs end up in the league?
The 2023 NFL Draft was one for the record books for TCU Football with a program-best eight players being selected with additional players making NFL rosters after being signed as undrafted free agents. While the 2023 TCU Football season did not meet the heights of the 2022 campaign, the roster still included professional-caliber talent looking for a shot to realize those childhood dreams of playing in the NFL. With the combine, post-season showcases, team interviews, and pro days all completed, these prospects have each made the case as to why a franchise should give them a shot. The NFL Draft first round begins Thursday night with rounds 2-3 on Friday night and rounds 4-7 on Saturday. Using Mock Draft Database’s compilation of the top big boards and mock drafts from across the internet as a guide, let’s project which Horned Frogs will hear their names called this weekend and where they may begin their professional careers:
Brandon Coleman, Offensive Lineman
- Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 109
- Position Rank: #8 IOL
- Draft Countdown Big Board: 69
- Projected Selection: Round 4, pick 102, Seattle Seahawks
Coleman appears to be peaking at the right time in the minds of the scouting community, with a chance to perhaps be drafted much higher than many would have thought immediately following the regular season. Coleman’s climb has him currently at the highest on the consensus big board that he has been throughout the entire 2024 draft process. He’s generating big buzz for his positional versatility, having started games for the Horned Frogs at Tackle and Guard in 2023. With a likely projection as a Guard at the next level, the positional value has slid him down mock drafts, but Coleman’s measurables as an athlete will be impossible for teams to ignore, as demonstrated by his top-10 all time Relative Athletic Score at the position. A standout participant in the Senior Bowl with potential as plug-and-play starter, Coleman has a projected selection range between #67 to the Washington Commanders and #134 to the Jets, with a low chance of falling into the 5th round or later given the continued draft week buzz.
Jared Wiley, Tight End
- Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 116
- Position Rank: #6 TE
- Draft Countdown Big Board: 90
- Projected Selection: Round 5, #136, Denver Broncos
A transfer from the Texas Longhorns ahead of the 2022 seasons, Jared Wiley had a statistical breakout in his second year in Fort Worth. Named a 2023 First Team All-Big 12 honoree, Wiley hauled in 47 receptions for 520 yards and 8 touchdowns in his senior campaign. Wiley got the invite to the Senior Bowl showcase and did not disappoint, earning practice player of the week at his position. His draft projections vary wildly with some respected analysts suggesting Wiley will be off the board before Round 4, with others suggesting he’s further down the TE rankings and falls into the 7th round. There has been much dreaming from the large TCU/Chiefs crossover fanbase that Wiley becomes the heir apparent to eventually take over from Travis Kelce in Kansas City. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Wiley is listed with the 5th best odds at +1400 to be the 2nd TE drafted (with Georgia’s Brock Bowers the presumed top pick at the position). Wiley has put out tape with great burst & athleticism with smooth route running and sure hands, paired with his 6-foot-seven, 260 lbs. frame, Wiley is surely a target that can contribute in any offense. He carries a projected selection range between #104 to the Arizona Cardinals and #180 to the New England Patriots.
Josh Newton, Cornerback
- Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 158
- Position Rank: #24 CB
- Draft Countdown Big Board: 157
- Projected Selection: Round 5, pick 143, Atlanta Falcons
Josh Newton is a tough player to scout, a physical corner that has shown lockdown ability on some elite college wideouts, plays with great instincts and can make plays in the run game, along with major leadership intangibles. However his measurables leave scouts with reason to doubt their lying eyes; Newton’s 4.51 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine was 6th worst among all cornerbacks. Analysts have Newton as high as a solid Round 3 grade while others show a fall to the mid 6th round. Newton accepted a Senior Bowl invite but did not participate in the event, so the last real on-field action people will recall will be the game vs. Texas where he was torched by Xavier Worthy & co. An All-Big 12 selection in 2022 (First Team) & 2023 (Second Team), there are enough great moments to overcome those low points that a team will certainly be willing to select Newton, but it’ll likely be mid-Day 3.
Mark Perry, Safety
- Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 311
- Position Rank: #22 S
- Draft Countdown Big Board: 207
- Projected Selection: Round 7, pick 247, Houston Texans
Mark Perry was another transfer that arrived in Fort Worth ahead of the 2022 season and made a major impact on that magical run. During his two years with the Frogs he had 142 tackles, including 9.5 behind the line of scrimmage. However in 2023 he was credited with 14 missed tackles as his work in open space against elusive offensive athletes could cause trouble, despite a very high Relative Athletic Score. Perry competed in the East-West Shrine Game showcase event, but did not receive invite to the NFL Combine; he performed at the Big 12 Pro Day, posting a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds, a time that bested all Safeties at the Combine and would’ve been Top 10 overall. He has reportedly participated in many pre-draft interviews, including Saints, Texans, Titans, and Bears. While it is rare for players not invited to the Combine to be drafted highly, you cannot teach the pro day speed or on-field production; as indicated by the vast interest generated around the league, Perry is likely to hear his name, if perhaps only in the Draft’s final round.
Millard “Nook” Bradford, Safety
- Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 338
- Position Rank: #25 S
- Draft Countdown Big Board: 213
- Projected Selection: Round 7, pick 232, Minnesota Vikings
Millard Bradford is a true Horned Frog, playing in nearly every game during his five years with the program, sticking through the entire roller coaster of the end of the Gary Patterson era and the start of Sonny Dykes’ tenure, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention the last two seasons. While Bradford did not attend the post-season showcases, he was invited to the NFL Combine, where he had the second-best 40-yard dash time at 4.42 seconds and placed in the top 10 at the position in every drill. Clearly someone in the NFL wanted a closer look at Bradford and that interest continued throughout the process with visits with the Dolphins, Broncos, Colts, Chargers, and more. Perhaps a bit undersized for his position at 5-foot-10, 191 lbs, Bradford still was fifth on the team with 54 total tackles in 2023, but he also led the team in missed tackles with 16. Bradford has shown top end ball skills and anticipation in coverage, with 4 career interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. As the final two rounds of the Draft unfold on Saturday, Bradford may surprise some as a potential earlier than expected selection as franchises look for proven production, experience, intelligence, and playmaking that Bradford can bring.
Emani Bailey, Running Back
- Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 277
- Position Rank: #25 RB
- Draft Countdown Big Board: 333
- Projected Selection: UDFA
Emani Bailey was one of the brightest spots in a bleak 2023 for TCU Football. Taking over the fulltime starter role with Kendre Miller & Emari Demercado in the NFL, Bailey was the bellcow for the Frogs, taking 223 carries for 1,209 yards and 8 TDs while adding 25 receptions for 184 yards and a score through the air. Unfortunately the demonstrated burst on tape didn’t make it to the Combine as Bailey turned in the fourth-worst 40-yard dash time among running backs, posting a 4.61-second official time. The low positional value of RBs and his poor testing measurables are likely to push Bailey into undrafted free agent territory, but the overall talent and abilities as a ball carrier, pass catcher, and in pass protection will make him in high demand once the draft closes, giving Bailey opportunity to perform throughout training camp to earn his roster spot and become a contributor, just as Demercado did with the Arizona Cardinals last season.
Andrew Coker, Offensive Line
- Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 277
- Position Rank: #32 OT
- Draft Countdown Big Board: 343
- Projected Selection: UDFA
A four-year starter holding down the right tackle position for the Horned Frogs, Coker was a two-time All-Big 12 honorable mention and was a participant at the East-West Shrine Bowl showcase. At 6-foot-7, 315 lbs, Coker has ideal build for a tackle, but scouting reports often cite athleticism, strength, agility, and footwork as some of his weak points. He was only credited with allowing one sack in 2023 and has generally performed better in pass protection than in run blocking. Coker will be on the fringe of a draftable grade for most teams, but should get a shot as a UDFA to receive NFL coaching and make an impression to earn a spot.
Willis Patrick, Offensive Line
JUICED to see OG Willis Patrick (@_wayofchais) assert his WILL @ the @ShrineBowl!
Road grader w/ good short area savvy, latch, striking power, & landmarks in space! Stout in PP showing his background to redirect & quick strikes! #NastyFinisher#ShrineBowlBound @TCUFootball https://t.co/3Ow7BVHBiZ pic.twitter.com/f6pjD8Ieec
— Noah K.M Chang (@tr8s808) December 8, 2023
- Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 382
- Position Rank: #42 IOL
- Draft Countdown Big Board: 455
- Projected Selection: UDFA
Willis Patrick played just the one season with the Horned Frogs after a season with Coach Prime at Jackson State and three seasons at Angelo State. He started every game of the 2023 season for TCU, earning AP All-Big 12 Second Team honors while putting up 35 pancake blocks as the Frogs’ right guard. Patrick was also an East West Shrine Bowl participant where he impressed in one-on-one opportunities. Patrick should earn a camp invite to prove that his road-grating in the run game can prove valuable to the right squad.