After no Wolfpack players were selected in last year’s NFL Draft, three players represented NC State in the 2016 NFL Draft, and three others were signed to teams as undrafted free agents. Here is a look of how they fit with their respective teams.
Joe Thuney – New England Patriots
Thuney was the first NC State player off the board after being drafted by the Patriots with the 15th pick of the third round (78th overall). His strong senior season, in which he was a first-team All-American, the first NC State offensive lineman to earn such honors since 1979, helped him be the highest NC State draft pick since cornerback David Amerson was drafted by Washington in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Although he primarily played left tackle for the Pack in his senior season, Thuney was the epitome of versatility, playing every other position on the offensive line. He projects best as a guard in the NFL, but could end up playing anywhere with New England given the injury and performance issues it had along the offensive line last season.
Jacoby Brissett – New England Patriots
Brissett wasn’t on the board much longer than Thuney was, going to the same team in the same round with the 91st overall pick. This was a peculiar pick considering Brissett wasn’t projected to be drafted until the fifth round by most analysts, but he could end up having a long-term impact with the Patriots.
With star quarterback Tom Brady being suspended the first four games of the season, he will likely serve as the primary backup to Jimmy Garoppolo during that span and be relegated to the third string once Brady returns. However, depending on his development, he could vie with Garoppolo to be Brady’s predecessor in a few years’ time.
Juston Burris – New York Jets
The third and final Wolfpack player that was drafted also went to the AFC East, with the Jets selecting him in the fourth round with the 118th overall pick. Burris fits best at outside cornerback, where he spent most of his collegiate career, but can also play nickel, as he proved his redshirt freshman season.
Burris’ strength is perhaps his physicality, something corners typically struggle with. He had 19 bench reps at the NFL combine, tied for second among cornerbacks and did not allow a broken tackle all season. He is also good at keeping the opposing receivers in front of him, surrendering just one touchdown on 44 targets last year. He could potentially overtake Buster Skrine as the starting cornerback opposite Darrelle Revis at some point in the season.
Mike Rose – New York Giants
Even though Rose was tied for fifth in the ACC with 10.5 sacks, he was not invited to the NFL Combine. Despite that, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants. He showcased his pass-rushing skills in a three-sack performance against Wake Forest, but has also shown off good football IQ, dissecting the read-option and playing well against the run. Due to the Giants’ lack of depth at defensive end, he could be a dark horse to make the roster or earn a spot on the practice squad.
Quinton Schooley – Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite starting at center for the Wolfpack for the previous three years, Schooley also was not invited to the combine. However, he signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent. He is currently one of only two true centers on the Steelers, but they have three guards that can also play center. While it is unlikely he makes the 53-man roster, the practice squad is certainly within reach.
David J. Grinnage – Green Bay Packers
Grinnage was NC State’s only player to declare early for the NFL Draft, and although he was invited to the combine, he went undrafted. He originally signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent but suffered a hamstring injury and was released with an injury settlement shortly after. He looks to get healthy in hopes of impressing another team before training camp.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett hurls a pass downfield against the Tarheels at Carter Finley Stadium on November 28. The Wolfpack fell to the Tarheels 45-34.
