What NFL Draft experts are saying about Memphis' Darrell Henderson, Tony Pollard, Trevon Tate

Darrell Henderson had no problem evading and running away from tacklers, so it's no surprise the former Memphis running back is doing the same with NFL Draft chatter.

“I try to tone all of that out. I’m hearing different things but nobody ever knows but me, my agent and the GMs in the NFL,” Henderson said. “I just let them talk and I stay on my path.”

Henderson is expected to continue the streak of at least one Memphis player drafted since 2014. Former backfield mate Tony Pollard is also expected to be taken, which would give the Tigers multiple draft picks in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1993-94

If offensive lineman Trevon Tate is selected, that would give the Tigers three draft picks for the first time since 2001.

With the draft beginning Thursday, here’s a final look at what draft experts are saying about the Tigers trio.

Darrell Henderson

Henderson remains projected as a third-round pick by most draft analysts.

NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah has Henderson ranked the No. 84 prospect in the draft while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has him ranked at No. 80. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller called Henderson the best big-play threat back in the 2019 class and the sixth-best running back in the draft.

ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay expect Henderson to go in the third round and agreed that Henderson’s speed and versatility make him valuable in the NFL as a complementary running back.

“I think he’s going to be a good No. 2 in the league,” McShay said Monday during a conference call. “I don’t know that he’s ever going to be your No. 1, but I think as a No. 2 in a rotation, he’s going to be really productive.”

Tony Pollard

Pollard stood out as the leading rusher in the Senior Bowl and ran an unofficial time of 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash at Memphis' Pro Day.

NFL Media draft analyst Chad Reuter’s mock draft has Pollard projected as a fifth-round pick while Miller and Brugler have him as a sixth-round pick. While Pollard’s versatility at running back, receiver and kick returner is an asset, some are still unsure what his defined role will be.

“Pollard is a jack of all trades but master of none type of weapon and it will take commitment from an offensive play-caller for Pollard to carve out a meaningful role in an NFL offense,” Brugler wrote in his draft guide.

Miller added that Pollard could be featured as a return specialist or a third-down option. McShay added that while he doesn’t see Pollard as a No. 1 option, his skill set helps in an era where running backs have to do much more on the field.

“He’s just going to be an offensive weapon … that you can move around and do different things with, said McShay, who thinks Pollard will be taken Saturday. “10 years ago, he may have been a sixth- or seventh-round pick. In today’s NFL, there’s a lot more value there."

Trevon Tate

According to draft evaluators, the two-time All-AAC offensive lineman will likely switch positions from tackle to guard due to his size (6-foot-2, 293 pounds).

Reuter's and Miller’s mock drafts have Tate being a seventh-round selection. Miller and Brugler praised Tate for his athleticism, footwork and hand placement, but Brugler gave Tate a higher grade as a fifth-round selection.

“Tate is a classic tackle-guard tweener, lacking the size/length for tackle and the brute power at guard,” Brugler wrote. “But he doesn’t labor in his movements and can handle zone-blocking responsibilities.”

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You can reach Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com