Tracking the Arizona Wildcats in NFL mock drafts

Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Will any UA players get selected this year?

The NFL Draft is only a week away and though that hasn’t mean much for the Arizona Wildcats in recent years, they do have three players showing up in various mock drafts this year—quarterback Khalil Tate, running back J.J. Taylor and defensive back Jace Whittaker.

Here is where the experts predict they will drafted, if they are drafted at all:

Khalil Tate, quarterback

• The Athletic — undrafted
• Sporting News — undrafted
• USA Today — undrafted
• CBS Sports — undrafted
• Bleacher Report — undrafted
• Walter Football — 6th round, 187th overall (Cleveland Browns)

NFL.com ranks Tate as the 18th-best quarterback in the draft and gives him a “priority free agent” projection, while Lance Zierlein has this to say: “He appeared headed to a featured role as a dual-threat quarterback, but failed to put himself on the map as a passer or dual-threat prospect after 2017. His footwork and accuracy have been long-term issues and if Tate wants to play quarterback, he’s more likely to get a shot in a developmental league. He does have outstanding size, speed and athletic ability, which plays directly into a positional switch to receiver. His ability to fling the ball around offers intriguing package potential, as well. Ultimately, Tate will require a long-term plan and patience, whether he plays quarterback or receiver, and he’ll have to prove he’s determined enough to do what’s needed to make it.”

J.J. Taylor, running back

• The Athletic — undrafted
• Sporting News — 6th round, 202nd (Arizona Cardinals)
• USA Today — 6th round, 211th overall (New York Jets)
• CBS Sports — undrafted
• Bleacher Report — undrafted
• Walter Football — 5th round, 153rd overall (Miami Dolphins)
• DraftTek — 7th round, 250th overall (Houston Texans)
• DraftSite— undrafted

NFL.com ranks Taylor as the 24th-best running back in the draft and gives him a “priority free agent” projection, while Zierlein has this to say: “Short but stout runner whose running style is more power back than water bug. Taylor has been a productive college back who runs decisively both inside and outside, but does not have the burst or wiggle teams are looking for from smaller runners. His size is a hindrance but he might have an outside shot if he can rebrand as a matchup pass catcher out of the backfield.”

Jace Whittaker, cornerback/safety

• DraftSite — 5th round, 155th overall (Buffalo Bills)
• The Athletic — undrafted
• Sporting News — undrafted
• USA Today — undrafted
• CBS Sports — undrafted
• Bleacher Report — undrafted
• Walter Football — 7th round, 241st overall (New England Patriots)
• DraftTek — 7th round, 239th overall (Buffalo Bills)

Whittaker does not have an NFL.com profile.

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