Missouri sent a few more players to the pros on Saturday, coming close to a program record for draft picks in a single class.
Offensive lineman Javon Foster became a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars took him with the 114th overall pick.
A round later, the Denver Broncos picked cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine at No. 145 overall.
Safety Jaylon Carlies was picked on the heels of Abrams-Draine, heading to the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 151 overall pick.
In something of a surprise, given his statistical production and widely praised character, running back Cody Schrader was not among this year’s draft picks.
Nonetheless, he quickly found a home in the NFL, reportedly signing with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. Bleacher Report first reported Schrader’s signing.
People are also reading…
Schrader finished with a Southeastern Conference-leading 1,627 yards last season, which landed him on All-American teams and earned him the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best player who began his career as a walk-on. He’s on the older end of draft prospects, having played six years of college football, which perhaps kept him from joining the professional ranks as a draft pick.
Kicker Harrison Mevis, affectionately nicknamed the “Thicker Kicker†by Missouri fans, also went undrafted. He became the Tigers’ all-time leading scorer last season and converted game-winning field goals — including a walk-off 61-yarder — to beat Kansas State and Florida.
Foster played six seasons for the Tigers, starting a whopping 41 games. His prowess at left tackle guided a turnaround for the entire offensive line last seasons, boosting the production of running back Schrader and quarterback Brady Cook.
He has an NFL-ready frame but may need some time to iron out his technique at the next level, making him an ideal backup. The NFL Network broadcast of the draft floated the idea Foster could move inside to guard.
With the Jaguars, Foster will join two former Missouri players: center Mitch Morse and linebacker DJ Coleman.
Abrams-Draine went off the board a little bit later than initially expected, having led the Southeastern Conference in passes defended last season with 16. He also recorded four interceptions during that campaign.
Though he was productive on the ball, his smaller frame limited his draft stock. Abrams-Draine seems like a solid developmental bet, however, given that he only switched to cornerback from wide receiver a few years ago — after enrolling at MU.
Where Carlies will wind up in the NFL is intriguing — his frame suggests he might switch from safety to linebacker. Carlies led Mizzou in tackles during his junior and senior seasons, an indicator he’s not afraid of initiating contact. He also displayed high-level speed at the NFL Combine before the draft.
Missouri had six players drafted this year, the program’s most since 2009, when the Tigers also had six picks.
Defensive end Darius Robinson was MU’s first first-round pick since 2017, going to the Arizona Cardinals. He’s made a quick entrance there, appearing at a Phoenix Suns playoff game alongside Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., his fellow first-round pick.
The Detroit Lions grabbed Mizzou cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. late in the second round. Amid some injury concerns following offseason surgery for a sports hernia that kept Rakestraw out of some games, he slid a bit down the draft order.
Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper moved in the opposite direction. He went earlier than expected, going to the Green Bay Packers in the third round. Hopper enjoyed the happy coincidence of being drafted on his birthday.
Louisiana State defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo, who started his career at Mizzou before transferring, was picked by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round at No. 189 overall. Wingo played one season with MU after starring at De Smet. He was the Post-Dispatch’s All-Metro Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.