Where will FSU football stars Jared Verse, Keon Coleman be drafted in 2024 NFL Draft?
The 2024 NFL Draft could prove to be the most fruitful one for Florida State football and its fans since the 2015 season.
The Seminoles, coming off a 13-1 season and ACC Championship, could see upwards of 10 players hear their names called on the stage of Campus Martius Park in Detroit this season from April 25-27.
Twice in its history, FSU has seen 11 players drafted in a single draft, with the last coming in 2015. That was also the last time the Seminoles had multiple players drafted in the first round.
Jammie Robinson was selected in the fifth round last year by the Carolina Panthers, as the only draft day selection from the program.
Players who have declared for the NFL Draft for FSU:
Defensive end Jared Verse and Keon Coleman could become the first set of teammates since quarterback Jameis Winston (1st - Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and center Cameron Erving (19th - Cleveland Browns) to be selected in the first round.
The last first round pick for FSU was Jermaine Johnson II in 2022 to New York Jets with 22nd overall pick. The Seminoles have had just four first round picks since the 2016 season.
Here's a roundup of a few mocks and where they have FSU players drafted.
Pro Football Focus
Last mock (Jan. 8)
First Round
14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: ED JARED VERSE, FLORIDA STATE
Record: 9-8
Top-100 picks: 2 (1st, 2nd)
"The Saints could be in for heavy turnover this offseason, but whether it’s a little or a lot, they need to invest in a difference-making edge rusher. Verse is a powerful player who can win with speed-to-power from three-point and two-point stances. He’s not quite as big as Cam Jordan, but he brings a similar all-around ceiling."
Second Round
33. CAROLINA PANTHERS: WR KEON COLEMAN, FLORIDA STATE
Record: 2-15
Top-100 picks: 2 (2nd, 3rd)
"You all know the drill at this point. Pick your favorite receiver prospect on the board when Carolina gets on the clock, and that’s who makes sense for them. Though Coleman does struggle with separation, he is a true alpha receiver who has the body type, athletic ability and contested catch strength of a starting “X” receiver and go-to red zone threat."
The Athletic
Last mock (Jan. 16)
1. New Orleans Saints: Jared Verse, edge, Florida State
"The quarterback situation will dominate draft talk, but the Saints must address the trenches (on both sides) this offseason. With his experience and traits, Verse is a plug-and-play pass rusher who fits the mold for what New Orleans likes to target in Round 1."
29. Buffalo Bills: Keon Coleman, wide receiver, Florida State
"Coleman (6-4, 215) isn’t a burner and doesn’t have elite start-stop skills to instantly separate at the top of routes. But he is athletic with impressive body control and catch-point skills to turn off-target throws into completions. With his crazy catch radius, Coleman would give Josh Allen a different type of weapon than he is used to."
Mel Kiper ESPN
Last mock (Jan. 23)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
"One of the top edge rushers could be in play here for the Colts, but I'm leaning toward a like-for-like replacement, as Michael Pittman Jr. could get a megadeal in free agency and leave the team. If that happens, there will be a massive need for a big, physical pass-catcher, which describes Coleman's game.
"At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Coleman can box out cornerbacks and go up and get deep balls. He has fantastic body control when the ball is in the air. He had 11 touchdowns after transferring to Florida State from Michigan State. Coleman, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce would form an excellent receiving corps for young quarterback Anthony Richardson in Indianapolis."
20. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
"The Rams got outstanding play from two rookie defensive linemen in edge rusher Byron Young (8 sacks) and tackle Kobie Turner (9 sacks), but they're relatively thin along the defensive line. Can they find another impact edge rusher, this time in Round 1, to help a defense that finished 30th in takeaways (15)?
"Verse was inconsistent in his two seasons at Florida State, but there's no doubting his talent and 6-foot-4, 253-pound frame. He put up 18 sacks and 81 pressures from 2022-23, with 50 of those pressures coming last season. That's the pass-rush improvement I hoped to see before the season. His next step is creating more turnovers, as he had just one forced fumble for the Seminoles."
Walter Football
Last mock (Jan. 17)
First round
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
"The Steelers were 8-2 with T.J. Watt on the field in 2022, but 1-6 without him. They need another pass rusher to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Jared Verse has nice athleticism and a steady motor."
Second round
34. New England Patriots: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
"It almost doesn’t matter who’s at quarterback; the Patriots need to improve their dreadful receiving corps. Keon Coleman is a massive receiver with quickness and good ball skills."
63. San Francisco 49ers: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
"The 49ers have some great receivers, but they don't have much depth at the position. Johnny Wilson is a massive receiver who might have to become a tight end in the NFL."
Reach Ehsan Kassim at ekassim@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @Ehsan_Kassim. You can also follow our coverage on Facebook (NoleSports), Instagram (tlhnolesports) and YouTube channel (NoleSportsTD).
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Jared Verse, Keon Coleman: Where will FSU football stars be drafted?
