NFL Draft Preview

Since 2009, Mizzou has had six players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft and ranks in the top five in the nation during that span. Defensive End Kony Ealy is looking to keep the Tigers there, as he is projected to be drafted in the first round on Thursday, May 8, 2014.

Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was the latest Mizzou standout to be taken in the Draft’s first 32 picks. He went 13^th overall to the New York Jets in the last year’s draft.

Richardson was the 18^th Mizzou Made Tiger in history to be taken in the NFL’s first round, and the 22^nd Tiger in the Gary Pinkel era to hear his name called in rounds one through seven. Other recent Mizzou Made first-rounders include Defensive Lineman Aldon Smith (#7 to San Francisco in 2011), Quarterback Blaine Gabbert (#10 to Jacksonville in 2011), Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (#19 to Atlanta in 2010), Wide Reciever Jeremy Maclin (#19 to Philadelphia in 2009) and Defensive Lineman Ziggy Hood (#32 to Pittsburgh in 2009).

Continue to check GaryPinkel.com for draft coverage, and follow @garypinkel and @mizzoufootball throughout the Draft, as we will tweet every first round pick in Mizzou’s rich football history.

The 2014 NFL Draft begins on Thursday May, 8 at 7 p.m. CT. The second and third rounds will take place on Friday, May 9, starting at 6 p.m. CT, and rounds four through seven will be held on Saturday, May 10, starting at 11 p.m. CT.

Watch all seven rounds on ESPN, NFL Network, WatchESPN and NFL.com to see which Mizzou Tigers will continue the pipeline from The ZOU to the pros.