Local recap: Where UNC, Duke, NC State, NCCU players were picked in the NFL Draft
After UNC and N.C. State both had players selected Friday night when the NFL Draft reached the second and third rounds, more players from the Triangle’s ACC teams were selected on Saturday.
The draft concluded Saturday with rounds 4-7.
Saturday started well for the area. The New York Jets selected North Carolina running back Michael Carter with the second pick in Saturday’s fourth round of the NFL draft, No. 107 overall, as they continue to build out weapons for their new quarterback, Zach Wilson, whom they drafted second overall in Thursday’s first round.
Duke’s first player off the board was also in the fourth round on Saturday, when the L.A. Chargers selected edge rusher Chris Rumph II 13th in the fourth round, No. 114 overall. Duke added another player to the NFL a short while later, when the Jets selected defensive back Michael Carter II. Rising up the draft projections since he ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at Duke’s pro day last month, Carter played safety and cornerback at Duke.
Later, in the fifth round, the Kansas City Chiefs added tight end Noah Gray to their collection of picks, selecting Gray 18th in the fifth round, 162nd overall, and in the sixth round, Victor Dimukeje was selected by the Arizona Cardinals at No. 210 overall. Projected to go as high as the fourth round or as late as the sixth, Dimukeje was productive as a four-year starter for the Blue Devils. This is the first time since 1973 that four Duke players have been selected in the same NFL Draft.
UNC added another to the list in Round 6 when Dazz Newsome went to the Chicago Bears at Pick 221.
Three Tar Heels were picked Friday night, starting with running back Javonte Williams, who was picked by the Denver Broncos in the second round. A second UNC player was also selected in the third round when Minnesota picked linebacker Chazz Surratt. A third Tar Heels player, wide receiver Dyami Brown, went to Washington in the third round.
N.C. State saw its first player selected when Raleigh’s Alim McNeill, who played at Sanderson High before his Wolfpack career, was picked by the Detroit Lions in the third round.
Here’s a look at the rest of the prospects from N.C. State and Duke, as well as one sleeper prospect from N.C. Central who received some pre-draft attention:
NC State
Cary Angeline, TE
Likely a seventh-round pick or an undrafted free agent prospect, the 6-6 Angeline’s pass-catching skills are his strength more than the blocking part of the tight end position.
Duke
Deon Jackson, RB
Has the size and speed to play in the NFL but his ball security issues make him a seventh-round pick at best. Likely an undrafted free agent.
Mark Gilbert, CB
The wild-card of Duke’s draft candidates, Gilbert’s injury history could render him an undrafted free agent prospect. Ran well at pro day but has only played four games since the end of the 2017 season.
NC Central
Bryan Mills, CB
Led MEAC with five interceptions in 2019, his lone season with NC Central after playing at two junior colleges. His size (6-1) and toughness could attract someone to take him in the middle rounds (4-6).
This story was originally published April 30, 2021 at 12:10 PM with the headline "Local recap: Where UNC, Duke, NC State, NCCU players were picked in the NFL Draft."