The NFL Draft is fast approaching, and while it’s going to be different than usual, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, a handful of former North Carolina players are hoping to hear their name called later this week.
Charlie Heck and Jason Strowbridge are the Tar Heels’ highest-rated prospects, having both participated in the NFL Combine earlier this year. Heck, whose father, Andy, is the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs and had a distinguished NFL career as a player, started 12 games at left tackle for UNC last season on his way to being named second-team All-ACC while Strowbridge was named third-team All-ACC after playing 698 snaps on the defensive line.
Despite not blowing anyone away, Heck and Strowbridge performed admirably at the combine. Strowbridge finished with an overall grade of 6.23 which, according to NFL.com, translates to him being a “good backup who could become a starter” at the next level. Heck left the combine with a 5.96 grade, which categorizes him as a “developmental traits-based prospect,” meaning he will likely need a few years to develop into a potential NFL caliber offensive lineman.
According to most NFL mock drafts, Heck is projected as a sixth or seventh round pick, but his 6-foot-8, 311-pound frame and family connections to the NFL could intrigue some teams into taking him earlier. Strowbridge, on the other hand, has been tabbed as high as the third round in some mock drafts, but a majority of them have him going somewhere between the fourth and seventh rounds.
Even though he will likely be a Day 3 pick, UNC defensive coordinator Jay Bateman believes Strowbridge’s versatility across the line can be a major asset in the NFL and force teams to consider taking him in an earlier round.
“I think everyone is really intrigued by him because he's a really good player that can do a lot,” Bateman said during a virtual press conference on April 13. “And I think playing in this defense, and us moving him around, and standing him up some, dropping him some, I think really increased his value because I think you see him now on film do things that make him more attractive to every defense instead of just certain defenses, and that's where I think he's improved a lot.”
Myles Dorn, Aaron Crawford, Dominique Ross and Antonio Williams are also looking to hear their names called this week.
Dorn, Crawford and Ross were anchors for Bateman’s defense, with Dorn and Crawford starting in all 13 games and Ross starting in 11. All three combined to play a total of 2,228 snaps, with Dorn playing more snaps than anyone on the entire defense with 863 on the season.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound safety out of Charlotte, NC, led the Tar Heels in pass breakups with six and has been consistently praised by Bateman for his leadership and understanding of the game, which could bode well for him at the next level. Speed isn’t Dorn’s lead attribute but he plays aggressively and doesn’t shy away from contact.
Most projections have Dorn going in the seventh round.
Crawford had a big season at defensive tackle for UNC, posting 50 tackles and three sacks as well as a 91.2 run defensive grade, which was the best among Power 5 interior defensive lineman according to PFF. His size and experience gives him a legitimate shot at making an NFL roster, but the majority of mock drafts don’t have him included.
“Aaron Crawford, his body type limits his versatility, but what a year he had for us,” Bateman said.
Ross is in a similar boat to Crawford as he’s not included in most mock drafts, but he did have an impressive senior season for the Tar Heels. Playing primarily at nickel, Ross set career highs with 60 tackles, six tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups and four quarterback hurries on the year. He may not get drafted but will likely be invited to a rookie minicamp where he will have a chance to earn a roster spot.
Bateman believes the versatility Ross, Dorn and Strowbridge possess enhance their chances at making a 53-man roster or practice squad.
“I think the thing we've got that's pretty special is Dominique Ross, Myles Dorn, Jason Strowbridge, those three kids, we did a ton with those guys,” Bateman said. “They played multiple positions and put a lot of film out there doing different things, and I think that's really valuable to an NFL team.”
The only skill position player looking to get drafted, Williams featured in all 13 games for UNC, but dealt with nagging injuries for a majority of the year. He only played 128 snaps at running back, rushing for 322 yards and three touchdowns on 48 carries during his senior campaign.
Williams was a vital special teams player and team captain, however, and was voted the Carl Snavely Special Teams MVP by his teammates. His ability on special teams and leadership qualities could make him more of an attractive option for NFL teams.
“I think he’s been the hardest worker on this team, he’s had the best attitude of anybody in my estimation on this team and I’m really, really proud of him,” UNC Coach Mack Brown said about Williams during a press conference in November. “For all those young guys that weren’t getting the amount of reps they needed to, this guy never griped. He stepped up, he’s been a team leader the entire time and when his time came, he was ready and produced.”
Williams is projected as a potential late seventh-round pick and will likely have a shot at earning a roster spot, either through free agency or by hearing his name called.
While it remains to be seen where these six former Tar Heels will end up, their careers in Chapel Hill have given them all opportunities to play on Sundays. The only thing left to do now is see what happens in what will be an unprecedented and unique draft process for all those involved.
