The 2024 NFL Draft is set to begin Thursday night in Detroit, and Kansas State football is gearing up for another productive three days.
A year ago, K-State had four players selected in the first round by the Kansas City Chiefs, including defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah. This was the most prolific draft since both 2001 and 2002, when six Wildcats were selected.
Thursday's opener will likely be quiet (start time is 7 p.m. PT), but things should pick up for rounds two and three starting Friday at 6 p.m., and rounds four through seven on Sunday. There may be more rounds to come.
Offensive lineman Cooper Beebe is projected to be K-State's first pick, likely in the second round, but some mock drafts have him dropping him to the third round. Tight end Ben Synnott has seen his stock rise recently, but he will likely fall to the third round, reducing his chances of going beyond the fourth round.
On the final day, offensive lineman KT Leveston and defensive end Khalid Duke could face a long wait, likely landing in the sixth round in the best-case scenario, but potentially in the seventh round. There's a good chance you'll miss the round or completely.
This is the final look at the Wildcat candidates as they wait for their names to be called.
Related:Where will Kansas State football's Cooper Beebe go in the 2024 NFL Draft? Some predictions
OG Cooper Beebe (6-3, 322 pounds)
Beebe was a sure-fire pass in last year's draft to solidify his credentials as one of the Wildcats' all-time great offensive linemen. He said one of his dreams is to become the first offensive lineman to be enshrined in K-State football's Ring of Honor.
Not only was he named first-team Big 12 All-Conference three years in a row while repeating Offensive Lineman of the Year. Beebe was also a consensus first-team All-American.
Beebe played left guard his final two seasons at K-State, but was also all-conference left tackle as a sophomore. He is a punishing blocker, allowing just one sack in pass protection over the past three seasons.
Related:Where will Kansas State football TE Ben Sinnott go in the 2024 NFL Draft? Some predictions
TE Ben Synnott (6-4, 250 pounds)
A former hockey player who committed to K-State four years ago, Sinnott blossomed into one of the Big 12's top tight ends during his junior year. By the end of the 2022 season, he was one of quarterback Will Howard's favorite targets, finishing with 31 catches for 447 yards and four touchdowns.
Sinnott surpassed those numbers last year as a redshirt junior, recording 49 receptions for a team-high 676 yards and six touchdowns. At the end of the regular season, he opted out of participating in the Poptarts Bowl and declared for the draft as an early entry.
Although Synnott primarily played tight end, he was named All-Conference Fullback in each of the past two years. His performance at the NFL Draft Combine only enhanced his status in the draft.
Related:Where will Kansas State University football OL KT Leveston go in the 2024 NFL Draft? Some predictions
OL KT Leveston (6-4, 326 pounds)
Leveston came into his own as a senior in 2022, starting every game at left tackle, allowing Beebe to move inside and guard. He elected to return as a super senior in 2023 during the coronavirus pandemic, once again starting every game.
Although he is considered to be most effective in the run game, Leveston allowed just three sacks last season. A move to inside guard in the NFL is a real possibility.
DE Khalid Duke (6-3, 246 pounds)
One mock draft committee projects Duke as a sixth-round pick, while several others project him as an undrafted free agent.
After converting from linebacker to defensive end in his fourth year, Duke recorded 19 tackles, six sacks and eight tackles for loss in 2023, earning second-team all-conference honors from the Big 12 coaches. In his junior year, he recorded 44 tackles and three sacks as a linebacker.
Some draft boards list him as a defensive end, some as an edge rusher, and some as a linebacker. But regardless of where he lines up, his biggest value to an NFL team will be as a pass rusher.
Related:6 Kansas State University football players whose names were called in the 2024 NFL Draft
Other notable wildcats
No other Wildcats are expected to participate in this year's draft, but several others could be available elsewhere as undrafted free agents.
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. drafted Christian Duffy as the No. 34 offensive tackle and Hayden Gillum as the No. 21 center in the draft. The two participated in the Big 12's Pro Day, along with wide receiver/return man Phillip Brooks, wide receiver Seth Porter and long snapper Landen Plattner.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett Network. You can contact him at: agreen@gannett.com Or on Twitter @arnegreen.
