2024 NFL Draft mock projections: Where will Florida Gators, Ricky Pearsall land this year?

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Image Credit: Maddie Washburn, UAA

As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches with Round 1 set for Thursday, OnlyGators.com is here to take a closer look at the Florida Gators who could be selected over the course of the three-day, seven-round draft. It is once again expected that the draft will feature plenty of twists and turns this year, though unlike the last four seasons, there is no guarantee that a Florida player will be selected in the first round. In fact, UF may have its fewest players drafted since 2012 (two).

Below are draft projections for the two Gators who participated in the pre-draft process along with evaluations of the prospects following consultation with multiple national draft experts. While both should be selected, Florida may see a few players become undrafted free agents.

Reminder: OnlyGators.com will offer complete, live coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft all week. So be sure to come back on Thursday night, bookmark our draft tracker to follow the action all three days.

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall
Only Gators projection: Round 1 (picks 28-32) to Round 2 (picks 1-10)
Pearsall had one of the most impressive overall performances in the pre-draft process, emerging among the top players at his position and consequently rising up draft boards across the league. In fact, he did so well at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine — where he ranked first in the three-cone drill, third in the vertical jump, sixth in the bench press and 10th in the 40-yard dash — that he ultimately chose not to participate in Florida’s Pro Day.

One of the most dependable wide receivers in college football over the last two seasons, Pearsall projects in the slot at the NFL level and is seen by many as a potential draft steal. Concerns about separation ability and physicality will see him go later than his potential production would have you believe, but NFL teams love his soft hands, dedication to his craft and overall upside.

There is an outside chance Pearsall goes off the board at the end of the first round, but it’s far more likely he is among the top players available entering Day 2. Teams with selections around that turning point in the draft that will likely be interested in Pearsall include the Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts (where he would reunite with Anthony Richardson), Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun
Only Gators projection: Rounds 6-7
Eguakun, by all accounts, is recovered from the injuries that plauged him last season and held him to just four starts despite entering the campaign as the Gators’ primary center. A solid performance at the Senior Bowl raised his stock in the eyes of scouts, but there has not been much noise about him entering the draft. Scouts love his aggressiveness and explosiveness but note that he lacks the polish of others at his position and often struggles when maintaining blocks past the first wave.

No other Florida players are projected to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. If only Pearsall is chosen, it will mark the first time since 1980 that the Gators only have one draft choice. If Pearsall goes in the second round, it will mark the first time since 2019 that Florida cannot claim a first-round draft pick.

If no one else is chosen besides Pearsall and Eguakun, it will mark the fourth time since 1981 that UF only had two players drafted into the NFL.

The Gators have had a player drafted every year since 1952.