Three Pack of Mountain West NFL Draft Prospects

The 2024 college football season is coming to an end, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.

Here is a three pack of players from the Mountain West Confernce who are looking to get selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

Wide Receiver Jalen Royals, Utah State

6-foot-0 205 lbs

2024 stats: 7 games 55 receptions 834 yards 6 touchdowns

What to like about Jalen Royals

Jalen Royals has track and field background and has been timed at 4.30 in the 40-yard dash. He can take the top off of defenses with his straight line speed and when he gets a clean release off the line he is tough to defend man to man with his shiftiness and quick cuts. 

Royals possesses excellent body control which adds to his catch radius, and he can contort his body without slowing down, making numerous highlight reel catches. He is the ultimate competitor on 50/50 balls and does a solid job of using his body to shield defenders when he high point passes. When running routes, he is tough to mirror with his stop and go movements and can hit his full speed instantly.

Reason for concern

On the downside, Royals lacks the physicality to be able to beat press coverages and can easily get re-directed on short and mid range routes by bigger cornerbacks. The level of competition that Royals has played against could be used against him when comparing him to other top prospects, and he will need to show that the 2023 season was no fluke. 

At Utah State, Royals has only lined up outside and teams will want to see how and if he can produce from the slot. Although he has elite speed, he struggles with zone coverage and finding the soft spots in the defense.

NFL Comparison

Rashee Rice

When watching Jalen Royals game film, Draft Nation was reminded of Rashee Rice. Rice, a second round pick in 2023 out of SMU, has stepped into the high powered Chiefs offense and been productive. Although they run the same kind of routes and get separation, Royals is faster than Rice and for that reason could have a higher ceiling. 

Draft Projection

3rd round pick

Wide Receiver Ricky White III, UNLV

6-foot-1 190 lbs

2024 stats: 13 games 79 receptions 1,041 yards, 11 touchdowns

What to like about Ricky White III

Ricky White is explosive off the snap and is able to threaten secondaries vertically. He combines his speed with double moves that cause instant separation from defensive backs. The Rebel receiver does an effective job of tracking the ball and has the size and physicality to high point passes while taking a hit. White has excellent body control and can catch anything thrown in his direction, even behind him. Once he secures the ball, White is a physical runner with electric speed and will always add yards after a catch.

Reason for concern

On the downside, White can have problems against a physical cornerback in press coverage, and will need to improve his footwork to get a better release off the line. Although White can fly he is more of a vertical threat than a receiver who runs precise routes. He has issues coming in and out of breaks and does not do a good job of selling his change of direction. Part of White's route running problems stem from his tight hips as he runs too upright making it difficult to make his cuts while keeping his speed. 

NFL Comparison

Darius Slayton

When watching Ricky White, Draft Nation felt his best pro comparison was Darius Slayton of the New York Giants. Slayton was known at Auburn as a wide receiver who could fly but had limited route running experience. Slayton has made a nice career out of being a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver. Draft Nation thinks that White has a higher ceiling and could start somewhere down the line.

Draft Projection

5th round pick

Wide Receiver Nick Nash, San Jose State

6-foot-3 195 lbs

2024 stats: 12 games 104 receptions 1,382 yards 16 touchdowns

What to like about Nick Nash

Nick Nash has a long frame and uses his 6-foot-3 length to make plays over the middle. His catch radius and ability to contort his body will make him a favorable target in the NFL. Since he was a quarterback for most of his career, he understands how to find soft spots in zone coverage and how to break off a route to help a troubled quarterback. His football IQ will speed up his transition to the NFL. Nash is a smooth runner who has sneaky long speed and will be a handful for safeties to contain. 

Reason for concern

On the downside, Nash is "raw" at the wide receiver position. He is succeeding on pure athletic ability and will need to learn the techniques and the required footwork to be a successful NFL receiver. Nash just spent six years in college and may still need some transition time, so his draft stock may take a hit due to his age. During his time at San Jose State, he has not had to deal with press coverage and will need to learn the nuances of releasing off the snap. 

NFL Comparison

Cedric Tillman

Cedric Tillman was a third round pick in 2023 out of Tennessee by the Cleveland Browns. He has the same frame and long speed as Nash, and has caught 50 passes in his first 25 contests. Tillman should settle into a No. 3 receiver role and Draft Nation feels that Nash's ceiling should be the same. 

Draft Projection

5th round pick