Where do the most recently drafted Ole Miss players stand as NFL Preseason concludes?

College football opens up its 2023 season this weekend and the NFL puts the finishing touches on its preseason and will kick its regular season off in two weeks.

As NFL training camps wind down it is as good a time as any to see what some of the pundits are saying about former Ole Miss players trying to keep their name on a roster come September 10.

There were four Rebels drafted in April’s NFL Draft and a handful more were signed as undrafted free agents. ESPN provided some thoughts on every single pick from this spring’s draft.

For Jonathan Mingo the outlook has been very good all preseason as the Carolina Panthers second round pick is still competing with the starting receivers. Mingo is mixing things up with Adam Theilen and DJ Chark, Jr. with No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young serving up the passes.

The Panthers wrapped up its preseason on Friday with a 26-17 loss to Detroit. Mingo had one catch for 14 yards and was targeted twice in limited action.

“While the former Ole Miss star has had his share of drops in practice, he has impressed enough to be listed as one of the three starting receivers beside (Theilen and Chark),” according to one NFL Nation reporter. “Mingo’s toughness stands out, particularly the way he is able to take a hit and make a big run after the catch. He is reminiscent of former Carolina receiver Steve Smith, Sr. in that regard.”

Former Ole Miss defensive end Tavius Robinson was the second Rebel taken in the draft with the Baltimore Ravens selecting him in the fourth round.

Robinson’s first preseason has not been a productive one with only one tackle recorded in the first two games. The Ravens wrap up their preseason on Saturday against Tampa Bay.

Despite not having a stat sheet that jumps off the page Robinson has a decent outlook at staying on the active roster after this weekend in a different role than seen at Ole Miss.

“Robinson is a developmental pass-rusher who will make an immediate impact on special teams, another NFL Nation reporter said. “With his size and length, Baltimore is hoping he can become the next midround pick by the Ravens to emerge as a formidable edge rusher, joining the likes of Matthew Judon and Za’Dairus Smith.

The current professional outlooks of two other former Ole Miss players are not as bright as Mingo’s and Robinson’s.

Running back Zach Evans was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round on the final day of the NFL Draft, but the former Rebel has not made a major splash within the offense.

Evans had all the makings of a professional running back with his style and look through his years at TCU and then with Ole Miss last season. Though that is not translating as quickly as he or the Rams have hoped. He is currently fighting to stay on the three-deep chart.

“Evans, who is behind second-year rusher Ronnie Rivers for for duties as the third tailback, has appealing physical tools but hasn’t put them into action consistently,” said an unnamed NFL Nation reporter. “His lack of refinement in all parts of the passing game will have to be addressed for him to succeed.”

Then there is Nick Broeker. The mainstay of the Ole Miss offensive line last year returned for the 2022 season to try and better his NFL prospects after not getting a strong evaluation after the 2021 campaign.

Broeker was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round as the 230th overall pick. The issue for the former Ole Miss utility lineman is the stockpile of players the Bills have along their offensive front.

This is causing Broeker to be caught in the logjam and fighting to stay on the roster come final cuts this coming week. Though the practice squad is looking more likely.

“Considering the guard depth the Bills added during the offseason, Broeker is going to have a tough time making the roster,” another NFL Nation reporter said. “He does have a good chance to make the practice squad if he’s cut and not picked up by another team.”