NFL draft: Texas Tech football best available board

The Texas Tech football team didn't go into the NFL draft expecting any Red Raiders to go on the first day. Maybe not on the second day either.

But business figures to pick up by the third day, given four Tech players were intriguing enough to garner invitations to the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Based on mock drafts and the ratings of analysts, it won't be surprising if offensive lineman Caleb Rogers, running back Tahj Brooks and tight end Jalin Conyers go in any order at any point from the fourth round on.

Tech's other combine participant was wide receiver Josh Kelly.

Rogers, Kelly and other Red Raiders also participated in the Big 12 pro-days workouts at The Star in Frisco.

The seven-round draft will have 257 selections. Here are the Red Raiders' best available:

Caleb Rogers, 6-foot-5, 312 pounds, OL

Key stat: 55 college starts

Rankings: ESPN, No. 122; Field Yates, No. 152; CBS Sports, No. 162; Jordan Reid, No. 167; Matt Miller, No. 169

At NFL combine: Among offensive lineman, ran fastest short shuttle (4.49 seconds), second-fastest three-cone drill (7.43).

Tahj Brooks, 5-9, 214, RB

Key stat: Two-time 1,500-yard rusher

Rankings: CBS Sports, No. 150; Jordan Reid, No. 182; Matt Miller, No. 204; ESPN No. 213

At NFL combine: Ran fourth-fastest short shuttle (4.06 seconds) among all who tested.

Jalin Conyers, 6-4, 265, TE

Key stat: Last season, responsible for five touchdowns receiving, two rushing, one passing.

Rankings: Field Yates, No. 139; Jordan Reid, No. 145; ESPN, No. 204; CBS Sports, No. 243; Matt Miller, No. 184

At NFL combine: Among tight ends, ran fastest three-cone drill (6.94 seconds) and short shuttle (4.27).

What Texas Tech football players could be NFL free agents?

The following players generally don't appear in mock drafts or pre-draft rankings high enough to be selected. Most did, however, take part in the Big 12 pro days at The Star in Frisco. That event had more than 200 players and nearly 300 NFL scouts and personnel, according to the conference.

Josh Kelly, 6-1, 186, WR

Key stat: 61 catches, 923 yards, eight touchdowns in last year at Washington State, 89 catches; 1,023 yards, five TDs in year at Texas Tech.

Rankings: ESPN, No. 341; CBS Sports, No. 358; Matt Miller, No. 386

At NFL combine: Ran 4.70 40-yard sprint.

Mason Tharp, 6-9, 264, TE

Key stat: 54 career catches, 561 yards, eight touchdowns.

At Big 12 pro days: Recorded 33 1/2-inch vertical jump, tied for best among seven Tech participants.

Drae McCray, 5-8, 182, WR-KR

Key stat: No. 14 in FBS in kickoff-return average (25.4 yards) in 2024, No. 9 in FBS (27.6) in 2023.

At Big 12 pro days: Ran 40-yard sprint in 4.46 seconds, 10th among 174 players.

De'Braylon Carroll, 5-11, 291, DT

Key stat: 27 career starts at Rice and Texas Tech

At Big 12 pro days: Did 30 reps on bench press. Only five players at the NFL combine and three at Big 12 pro days did more.

Bralyn Lux, 5-10, 179, CB

Key stat: 27 passes defended in five years at Fresno State and Texas Tech.

At Big 12 pro days: Ran 4.50 in 40-yard sprint, 15th out of 174 players.

C.J. Baskerville, 6-2, 208, S

Key stat: 78 tackles, four interceptions last season.

At Big 12 pro days: Ran 4.60 seconds in 40-yard sprint.

Gino Garcia, 6-2, 215, K

Key stat: Made 67 of 89 field goals in six-year college career.

Quincy Ledet, 6-1, 310, DT

Key stat: Six starts, 22 tackles last season.

At Big 12 pro days: In 40-yard sprint, was fifth out of 174 players in max acceleration (5.72 yards per second).