Utah Football: Predicting where Utes will land in 2020 NFL Draft

Potential late-round picks

You don’t have to get drafted to make a roster or even become a productive player. James Harrison, Wes Welker, Arian Foster and Victor Cruz are a few of the many great players who went undrafted and had productive careers.

Here are some other players from Utah who might get drafted late, but will most likely be undrafted free agents.

John Penisini, DT

John Penisini is a lunch-pail lineman who has enough athletic traits to make a roster. He’s a little light in the pants — 318 pounds — to play over the center and take on two blockers in the NFL. He does have room to grow, however. He is quick enough off the ball to slide over and play some two-gap, but won’t offer much pass rush. He’s a late-round pick who could develop into a steady rotational player in a 3-4 or 4-3 odd front system.

Tyler Huntley, QB

Tyler Huntley is the type of kid you root for in the draft. He came from Florida because he wanted to be a quarterback, and the Utes gave him his opportunity. He is the best quarterback they’ve had this side of Alex Smith. He is an accurate quarterback from short to mid-range and can make ever “NFL” throw. He has good awareness but needs to improve his ball placement. His slight build — 6-1 and 205 pounds — might keep him from getting drafted, but if he gets the opportunity to make a roster, he will.

Javelin Guidry, CB

Javelin Guidry could be the fastest player in this draft. He does not have modern NFL size at 5-foot-9. He is raw but has athletic traits that will earn him an invite to someone’s camp. There is guaranteed to be a cornerback’s coach or defensive coordinator that sees his speed and willingness to thump as a tackler to give him a shot as a developmental player.

Francis Bernard, LB

Francis Bernard is a player that is going to will himself to making a roster. He had some personal issues early in his career in Salt Lake City but became a model citizen and great teammate. Bernard has a non-stop motor and can make plays. He over-pursues at times and takes himself out of plays. The benefit of his motor will make him a contributor on special teams where he could make a pretty good living.

Darrin Paulo, OT

Darrin Paulo is a big strong offensive lineman that will entice an offensive line coach. He is a good athlete that is a brute when blocking. He is very stiff and lacks the flexibility to take on elite pass rushers at the next level. He is large in his lower body but does not use it to his advantage. If he can improve his flexibility at the next level he has the chance to be a utility lineman in the NFL.