NFL Draft: Five programs ready to break some unwanted dry spells

Thursday night marks the start of the NFL Draft, and while college programs around the country will be touting the number of picks their school produces, a few programs will be extra relieved to break extended draft droughts at particular positions. Today, we take a look at five programs that are likely to break droughts and analyze some of the misses at the positions over the years.

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Last safety drafted: Eric Berry, 2010

Likely drought buster: Rashaan Gaulden

Biggest bust: Eddrick Loften

The Vols are responsible for producing one of the NFL’s best safeties in Berry, who has been a star since stepping onto the field as a rookie. But since then, producing draftable talent hasn’t come easy. The Vols have signed several four-star players since Berry who have had quality college careers, but none could break through with a draft pick. That streak should end this year, as Gaulden is thought to be a lock to be drafted, likely in the fourth-round range. Tennessee also has a few potential draft picks at the position on its current roster, namely former Rivals100 prospect Nigel Warrior.

Last running back drafted: Shonn Green, 2009

Likely drought buster: Akrum Wadley

Biggest bust: Marcus Coker

The Hawkeyes are known for a having a potent rushing attack on a yearly basis and producing a number of NFL offensive linemen, so it’s a bit surprising that the school hasn’t had a back drafted this decade. That streak is likely to come to an end this year when Wadley, a former two-star, gets selected in the later rounds of the draft. Coker seemed bound for stardom after a breakout sophomore season in 2011, but off-field issues and injuries derailed his career. Class of 2009 four-star signee Brandon Wegher did eventually have a brief NFL career, but he wasn't drafted.

Last offensive tackle drafted: Tony Hills, 2008

Likely drought buster: Connor Williams

Biggest bust: Kennedy Estelle

It’s not surprising that the Horns' struggles in recent year have coincided with the lack of NFL-quality offensive linemen. Since Hills was drafted, Texas signed nine four-star tackles who are draft-eligible and it looks as if Williams will be lone prospect drafted at the position in the group. And while some of the former blue-chip prospects had solid college careers, there’s no doubt that there’s a direct result between high-level offensive line talent and winning games on Saturdays. For what it’s worth, Estelle’s career got off to a good start before he was dismissed by former coach Charlie Strong, and he’s now playing in the CFL.

Last defensive tackle drafted: Kareem Brown (2007)

Likely drought buster: Kendrick Norton

Biggest bust: Marcus Fortson

The Canes have had plenty of defensive ends drafted in the years since Brown was selected in 2007 by New England, but there has been a major dip at defensive tackle. Luckily for The U, that drought will come to an end when Norton is selected in this year’s draft. The former three-star prospect had a great career in Coral Gables and elected to leave school a year early to get a jump on his professional career.

Fortson, a five-star in the class of 2008, was a freshman All-American before his career was derailed by injury. He’s one of just five defensive tackles ranked as four-stars or higher signed by the school since 2007. It’s likely that RJ McIntosh, who played defensive tackle for the 'Canes but was a three-star defensive end in 2015, will also be selected in this year’s draft.

Last wide receiver drafted: Tracy Henderson, 1985

Likely drought buster: Allen Lazard

Biggest bust: Sedrick Johnson

One of the most decorated recruits in school history, Lazard has a chance to break a streak that predates Rivals.com by 15 years when he’s selected in this year’s draft. The former Rivals100 prospect will also be breaking another notable drought for the Cyclones, who haven’t had a player drafted at any position since 2014.

Since the school doesn’t regularly sign elite talent, it’s hard to point to a major bust at the wide receiver position over the years, but Johnson came in with much fanfare and had a quality freshman season before eventually washing out of the program. With the streak broken, the Cyclones' pass-happy offense will likely produce a few more pros in the years to come.