2013 NFL Draft Prospects: Kansas State

These are the school’s prospects for the 2013 NFL Draft by status * – denotes 2014 prospect ** – denotes 2015 prospect.

This page was last updated April 24, 2013. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

Arthur Brown, OLB, Kansas State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 241. Arm: 32 1/4. Hand: 9 7/8.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
4/24/13: Brown’s stock climbed over the final months, and some think he could go in the back half of the first round. He has interviewed well with teams and that has helped him.

Brown had 100 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, two interceptions, four passes broken up and a sack in 2012. He was excellent for Kansas State and was a team leader. Brown has drawn comparisons to Lavonte David, but Brown is a poor-man’s version; David was far more productive and is a lot faster. Brown has the reputation of being totally devoted to football with the drive to be great. He was unable to work out at the Combine.

8/29/12: Brown is a very good athlete who could use more size for the NFL. If the senior is unable to add weight, he should move to outside linebacker. Brown recorded 101 tackles with 9.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and one interception last year. It was his first season playing for Kansas State.

Brown started out his college career at Miami. He was a backup for two seasons before sitting out the 2010 season when he transferred to Kansas State.

Brown has upside and should improve in his second season as a starter. He plays middle linebacker for the Wildcats ,but if he doesn’t add weight, he’ll have to move to outside linebacker in the NFL.

Chris Harper, WR, Kansas State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 228. Arm: 32. Hand: 9 5/8.
40 Time: 4.55.
Projected Round (2013): 5-6.
4/24/13: Harper is a physical receiver who uses his strength to make plays. His speed could be an issue in the NFL, so he may not get consistent separation. The senior caught 58 receptions for 857 yards and three touchdowns this year. Harper caught 40 passes for 547 yards and five touchdowns in 2011. He had some good moments and bad moments at the Senior Bowl. His Combine 40 time didn’t help or hurt him.

Nigel Malone, CB, Kansas State
Height: 5-10. Weight: 180.
Projected 40 Time: 4.53.
Projected Round (2013): 6-7.
4/24/13: Malone had solid coverage in 2012 and recorded 51 tackles, five interceptions, nine passes broken up and a forced fumble. He looks like nickelback and slot corner in the NFL. Malone was okay at the East-West Shrine, but didn’t stand out. He didn’t work out at the Combine.

9/1/12: The junior college product Malone had an excellent debut for the Wildcats in 2011. He tied for fourth in the nation with seven interceptions and recorded 58 tackles with 10 passes broken up.

Malone has nice ball skills and instincts. If the senior gets more consistent in his coverage this year, he could easily push his stock up higher into the second day.

Collin Klein, QB, Kansas State
Height: 6-5. Weight: 226. Hand: 9.28.
40 Time: 4.78.
Projected Round (2013): 7-FA.
4/24/13: Klein was one of the best players in college football in 2012. He was a superb play-maker and carried the Wildcats to an 11-win season.

Klein completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,641 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions this year. The senior also ran for 23 touchdowns. He rushed for 1,141 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2011 while throwing for 1,918 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Klein was a great college player, but his arm isn’t strong enough to be a starter in the NFL. His throwing mechanics are a real problem as well. Klein could be a developmental prospect, but he is likely no more than a career third-stringer.

Klein looked terrible at the East-West Shrine. His accuracy was awful and his arm strength was weak. WalterFootball.com heard scouts laughing at some of his throws. At the Combine, Klein showed nice athletic ability. He declined to participate in tight end work even though some scouts requested it.

Braden Wilson, FB, Kansas State
Height: 6-3. Weight: 251. Hand: 10.08.
40 Time: 4.81.
Projected Round (2013): 7-FA.
4/24/13: Wilson had a good season as the lead blocker for the Wildcats. He had six carries for 13 yards and a touchdown, as well as five receptions for 34 yards in 2012. The senior lost a fumble against Texas. Wilson didn’t stand out at the Combine.

8/17/12: Wilson had a strong junior year blocking for Colin Klein and John Hubert. Wilson served as a lead blocker for running back Daniel Thomas in the previous two seasons. Wilson is a big, powerful blocker who fits the old-school type of blocking fullback.

Wilson has a total of 13 receptions for 110 yards and 15 carries for 31 yards and a score in his career. He will have to show more than just lead-blocking ability to be anything more than an undrafted free agent.