2016 NFL Draft could be monumental for Duke

DURHAM, N.C. — Ending a decades-long drought between first-round draft picks made last year’s NFL Draft special for Duke.

It also marked the first time in a decade that the Blue Devils had two players taken in the same draft.

After seeing guard Laken Tomlinson go in the first round to Detroit and wide receiver Jamison Crowder selected by Washington in the fourth round in 2015, this week’s NFL Draft could be even better for the Blue Devils.

No, Duke isn’t likely to have a first-round pick again. Not unless some NFL team has been playing it close to the vest about ACC Defensive Player of the Year Jeremy Cash and decides to take him on Thursday night.

But even if Cash, a hard-hitting safety, goes in the second or third round on Friday night as projected, this year’s draft could still be monumental numbers-wise for coach David Cutcliffe’s Duke program.