Three former Northwestern players – defensive end Corey Wootton, quarterback Mike Kafka and cornerback Sherrick McManis – were selected in the National Football League draft Saturday morning.
The Chicago Bears took Wootton with the 11th pick of the fourth round (109th overall), the Philadelphia Eagles took Kafka with the 24th pick of that round (122nd overall), and the Houston Texans took McManis with the 13th pick of the fifth round (144th overall).
All three are seniors and started for the Wildcats this year.
Some NFL analysts had expected Wootton to be chosen earlier in the draft, perhaps in the first or second round, but he slipped due to injury concerns. The 6-6, 270 pound Wootton tore his ACL in the Alamo Bowl during his junior season and did not perform as well this year.
Nonetheless, scouting directors agreed Wootton could become a steal for the Bears.
“This is a value pick for us,” college scouting director Greg Gabriel told the Chicago Tribune. “We had him going into the year as a highly rated player. He wasn’t 100 percent when he played this year. This guy was highly thought of by everyone. He fell because of the injury. He’s a good player.”
The Bears have a history of signing former Wildcats. QB Brett Basanez (’06), linebacker Nick Roach (’07) and wide receiver Eric Peterman (’09) are currently on the roster, and QB C.J. Bacher (’09) was given a tryout last spring.
Kafka, on the other hand, had been projected as a lower pick but shot up draft boards after impressive performances at the NFL combine and NU’s Pro Day. Still, his status as the sixth quarterback chosen was a surprise.
The 6-3, 220 pound Kafka lands on a team with unique opportunities.
The Eagles, who had four picks in the fourth round, traded their longtime starting quarterback, Donovan McNabb, to the Washington Redskins earlier this month.
Kafka will slide onto the depth chart alongside controversial quarterback Michael Vick, who spent time in federal prison last year on dogfighting charges. Kevin Kolb is also on the roster, but Kafka could compete for a starting spot soon.
ESPN reporter Adam Schefter tweeted after the pick that “Mike Kafka will be the player groomed to succeed Michael Vick when his contract is up after 2011.”
The 6-1, 190 pound McManis also was picked a little lower than some NFL experts had predicted, possibly due to his own injury concerns – he recently pulled his hamstring.
No other Northwestern players were expected to be chosen in the draft.
Check back for more updates throughout the day.
