The NFL Draft is just days away, and the spotlight isn't only on the blue-chip prospects from powerhouse conferences. We caught up with NFL Draft analyst James Fragoza to get his expert take on the Mountain West players hoping to hear their names called next week. Fragoza, who always makes time for the MWCConnection, shared his insights on the conference's season and the talent heading to the pros.

Kicking things off, we asked for his overall grade on the 2025 Mountain West season. Despite the absence of a College Football Playoff contender like Boise State with Ashton Jeanty, Fragoza believes the conference was more competitive than it gets credit for. "Six teams had nine or more wins," he noted, highlighting compelling storylines from UNLV's continuity under Dan Mullen to New Mexico's exceptional year with Jason Eck. While the lack of a Top 25 team held it back, he gave the Mountain West a solid B+ for its depth and entertainment value.

The conversation then turned to how NFL scouts evaluate talent from conferences like the Mountain West, especially with top players frequently departing via the transfer portal. Fragoza framed it as a reality of modern college football, where Group of Five programs often serve as proving grounds. "I think the Mountain West and Pac-12 will both be viewed like upper-tier Group of Five conferences," he explained, "where underrecruited prospects can prove their mettle and Power Five bouncebacks can re-earn their spot at the higher level." The on-field product remains crucial for scouts assessing how these players perform against their competition.