Virginia Tech football: Predicting where the 2022 Hokies land in NFL Draft

The Virginia Tech football program will see many players join the NFL this weekend. rnrn The 2022 NFL Draft begins tonight and there are quite a few Hokies who are hoping to land a spot with one of the league's 32 teams. rnrn Let's predict where those players will land based on their skill set, the team's needs, and the potential moves this weekend. rnrn Let's ask: rn Where will these Virginia Tech football players end up in the NFL? rn[nextslide teaser="Lecitus%20Smith" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_37198" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Mar 4, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Virginia Tech offensive lineman Lecitus Smith (OL47) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn Prediction: Lecitus Smith, OG: Raiders, Round 3 Pick 86 rnMost predictions for Lecitus Smith have him falling in the round 4-6 range, so it may be a bit optimistic to have him going in the third round. However, any team could use an explosive guard with athleticism that puts him among the fastest and strongest available. This former tight end has shown that he can match his potential with his ability to learn.rnrnThat's something the Raiders might need with Denzelle Good facing an expiring contract. They probably want to move Alex Leatherwood back to tackle, so they may want someone who will grow with this new program under the leadership of incoming HC Josh McDaniels.rnrnMcDaniels will be an offensive-first head coach and will want someone like Smith to protect Derek Carr - a QB who can make some great plays with the receiving corps he now has around him.rnrnThe Raiders might not want to risk him falling to their next pick at 126. Tech doesn't have too many highly sought-after players in this year's draft, so we're rooting for Smith to be drafted early.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Amare%20Barno" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_37202" align="aligncenter" width="476"] Mar 5, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Virginia Tech defensive lineman Amare Barno (DL25) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn Prediction: Amare Barno, EDGE: Titans, Round 5 Pick 169 rnTennessee may look for an edge player earlier in the draft, but if they prioritize linebacker and wide receiver as many think they will do, look for someone like Barno to appear in some of their later picks.rnrnThe Titans should have many starters returning on the defensive side of the ball, but a team focused on defense needs depth. Barno can bring the diverse tools to work his way up from valuable bench piece to an eventual starter.rnrnDefense wins championships and Tennessee is not happy about last year's early postseason exit. Look for them to take a defensive-heavy approach this weekend.rnrn[nextslide teaser="James%20Mitchell" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_37207" align="aligncenter" width="481"] Jul 21, 2021; Charlotte, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies tight end James Mitchell speaks to the media during the ACC Kickoff at The Westin Charlotte. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn Prediction: James Mitchell, TE: Vikings, Round 6 Pick 184 rnTight end has been an issue for Minnesota, a team that desperately needs to figure out the offensive side of the ball. They've been predictable and a large part of that is the fact that they don't really have much going on at the tight end position. Irv Smith is strong but hasn't been a consistent starter - capped off by the fact that he didn't play a single snap in 2021.rnrnMitchell has the skills to give them the exact kind of help that they need from this position: he's got the hands to make plays, but he can also be a solid blocker to give their backs the room that they haven't seen before.rnrnHe might not play right away, but he could impress the team enough to make an impact. A team like Minnesota might give him the chance to prove himself around this point in the draft.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Tre%20Turner" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_37204" align="aligncenter" width="485"] Mar 3, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Virginia Tech wide receiver Tre Turner (WO34) runs the 40-yard dash during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn Prediction: Tre Turner, WR: Bengals, Round 7, Pick 226 rnDraft predictions for Turner are quite low, which is surprising considering his ability.rnrnWith absolutely zero quarterback stability the past few years at Tech, Turner has still managed to finish his collegiate career fifth all time in receptions (134) and yards (2,292) in Virginia Tech history.rnrnHe could be one of the biggest sleeper picks in the draft. He falls low on this list based on a variety of factors, the most important of which being the fact that he seems to be underrated.rnrnThat being said, he might not get many looks right away if he falls to seventh round territory, but he can work his way up to legitimate time. Can you imagine a guy like Turner paired with Joe Sheisty?rnrn[nextslide teaser="Jermaine%20Waller" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_37206" align="aligncenter" width="479"] Mar 5, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Virginia Tech defensive back Jermaine Waller (DB33) talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn Prediction: Jermaine Waller, CB: Raiders, Round 7, Pick 227 rnWe started these predictions with a Raiders pick, and we'll end it with another - just one draft slot after Turner.rnrnJosh McDaniels will have an offensive heavy look at this team, but Las Vegas is in a division with Mahomes, Wilson, and Herbert: they're gonna want any help with the secondary that they can get to shut these guys down.rnrnThere may be some more salivating cornerback options before Waller, hence this predicted draft spot. But if the Raiders still see him on the board in a later round, he seems like a great fit for them.rnrn[nextslide teaser="More%20players" /]rnrn rnrnThere are even more Hokies looking for a spot on the draft board this weekend:rnrn Luke Tenuta, OT rnrn Brock Hoffman, OC rnrn Jordan Williams, DT rnrn Raheem Blackshear, RB rnrn Changa Hodge, WR rnrn Tae Daley, S rnrn DaShawn Crawford, DT rnrnThey all average late round pick - undrafted free agent placement. We're hoping that they find their maximum success in professional ball.rn What are your predictions for where these Virginia Tech football players end up in the NFL?

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Virginia Tech football: Predicting where the 2022 Hokies land in NFL Draft

Where will these Virginia Tech football players end up in the NFL?

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