With The First Pick
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Boise State v. Hawaii: Five NFL draft prospects to watch

By Seth Steere

BOISE, ID - OCTOBER 12: Quarterback Cole McDonald #13 of the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors gets off a pass during second half action against the Boise State Broncos on October 12, 2019 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 59-37. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - OCTOBER 12: Quarterback Cole McDonald #13 of the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors gets off a pass during second half action against the Boise State Broncos on October 12, 2019 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 59-37. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /
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Cedric Byrd is just one 2020 NFL Draft prospect to watch when Boise State and Hawaii face off this weekend. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
Cedric Byrd is just one 2020 NFL Draft prospect to watch when Boise State and Hawaii face off this weekend. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /

Boise State and Hawaii faced off this year with the Broncos winning, but now the conference is on the line. What 2020 NFL Draft prospects will step up?

The Boise State Broncos and Hawaii Rainbow Warriors met earlier in the season; Boise State was able to run away with the game, beating Hawaii, 59-37. If the battle for the Mountain West conference is anything like their first match-up it will certainly be an interesting one; there are plenty of 2020 NFL Draft prospects to watch as well.

Not only will this game be an enticing battle for the rights to be champion, but there will also be several intriguing prospects to keep an eye on ahead of the 2020 NFL draft. With this game holding more weight than any other game the two teams have played this season, it will present a benchmark for the prospects involved.

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Cedric Byrd Wide Receiver

Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Football
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Football /

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Cedric Byrd may be lacking in size (5’9″, 175 pounds), but he is not lacking in talent. For the Rainbow Warriors, Byrd lines up in the slot and will likely do the same for the NFL team that decides to roster him next fall. He doesn’t have the physical tools to be able to get off press coverage at the line of scrimmage (LOS), so lining up in the slot — where you’re less likely to see a bump-n-run — will ultimately be his position.

The slot position has been incorporated into nearly every offense in the NFL and Byrd is certainly a viable option. He provides a consistency with his pass-catching that Hawaii is lacking and is oftentimes used a check down, and a reliable one at that. He isn’t afraid to go across the middle, despite knowing he is going to take a hit.

A reliable check down receiver is something every NFL team needs, but he can also be used as a vertical threat from the inside. He has shown the ability to find the opening in zone coverages, giving Cole McDonald, Hawaii’s quarterback, and easy option in the passing game. He may not be the biggest receiver, but he has the tools to find success for any team needing a slot when the draft rolls around.

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