Photo provided by Nevada Media Services

By Eric Uribe

In the past three years, Nevada has seen multiple Wolf Pack players selected in the NFL Draft each season — with nine total players hearing their names called in that span.

However, that impressive streak for a mid-major program might be in jeopardy this season. The lone Nevada prospect making waves in NFL circles this year is offensive lineman Joel Bitonio.

While one record ends, another could possibly be set: the highest selection for a Wolf Pack player, a mark currently held by Colin Kaepernick, who was the 36th overall pick in 2011.

The 2014 NFL Draft’s May 8 date is fast approaching. And with the NFL Scouting Combine and most college pro days in the books and NFL free agency in teams’ rear view mirrors, draft projections are a little clearer.

At this point, you are what your draft stock says you are. Here’s a look at what some of the top NFL Draft analysts are saying about Bitonio:

“Joel Bitonio from Nevada, he can play tackle or guard,” said ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. “Arm length is borderline for tackle, strength you’d like to see improve a little bit, but Bitonio is a guy that has improved his stock.”

Kiper’s assessments are pretty spot on. The 6-foot-4 and 315-pound Bitonio protected the quarterback’s blind side as left tackle his senior season at Nevada. But at the next level, Bitonio’s frame may be more suited for the guard position.

Bitonio playing tackle and anchoring the offensive line in the NFL doesn’t pass the sniff test. For one, his sub-34-inch arm length doesn’t scare anyone on the field. Bitonio also isn’t strong enough, evident by his lowly 22 bench presses at the NFL Combine. He certainly doesn’t fit the bill for a mauler tackle, plowing defensive lineman.

But for what Bitonio lacks in brute strength and size, he makes up for in athleticism. At the combine, he was one of five lineman who ran the 40-yard dash below five seconds and set the second best time in the 3-cone drill at 7.37 seconds. Bitonio is a prototypical zone-blocking guard who can make blocks at the second level.

How hard could a transition to guard be?

“Could require some initial patience moving inside, yet possesses the skill set, intelligence and desire to successfully convert,” said Bitonio’s scouting report on NFL.com.

Ultimately, his position will dictate his draft selection. Tackles have a ton more value than guards.

With that said, the tackle position is a lot deeper in this year’s draft than guard. Bitonio certainly doesn’t stack up with the Jake Mathews and Zack Martin’s of the world, but at guard, Bitonio could be one of first players picked at the position.

Bitonio’s do-it-all skill set makes him a valuable talent for an array of NFL squads. The big man has proved his versatility at left and right tackle at Nevada and it looks like a transition to guard is feasible.

“Joel Bitonio from Nevada, he’s going to be a second or third round tackle that starts immediately,” NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said.

Bitonio topping Kaepernick’s draft status isn’t out of the question, but it is certainly a best-case scenario for the lineman. Nonetheless, Bitonio could still be the first Wolf Pack player to start with an NFL team from day one.

Eric Uribe can be reached at euribe@sagebrush.unr.edu.