Cal in the NFL Draft preview: Daniel Lasco projects as a mid-round pick

Daniel Lasco had an impressive 2014 season at Cal, one in which he earned team  MVP over projected number one overall pick Jared Goff. Unfortunately, injuries prevented Lasco from making much of an impact on the field during his senior season.

Considering how Lasco's Cal football career ended, he needed a big showing at the NFL Scouting Combine to cement his status as a player that should be drafted well before the last couple of rounds. Lasco answered the call in a big way and was one of the top stories of the combine after posting phenomenal numbers across the board.

Not only did Lasco impress scouts at the combine, but he also put forth a great performance in the East-West Shrine Game.

The 2016 NFL Draft is fairly deep at running back and Lasco was projected as a late-round/priority free agent prior to the combine. He is now seen primarily as a fourth round pick, according to CBS Sports.

So, who has shown interest in drafting Lasco?

He has worked out with the Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, while the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Denver Broncos, and the Indianapolis Colts met with Lasco at the combine. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have also met with Lasco multiple times. Last, but certainly not least, the New England Patriots have also shown interest in Lasco.

A Houston Chronicle article on Lasco included this quote from an AFC scouting director:

"Lasco is a guy we're talking about more now becaue of what he did at the comine and East-West game ad because he's a big guy who can run and catch very well," an AFC scouting director said on the condition of anonymity. "I like him. I feel like he can help right away as a third-down back and on special teams. He could develop into a starter one day if he stays healthy. He's checking a lot of boxes."

Whatever the reason scouts are talking about Lasco, he deserves to be talked about. His combination of speed and power makes him an impressive prospect and he likely would not have needed such a great combine to improve his stock if he was healthy for his senior season.

Which team would you most like to see draft Lasco?