Every spring 32 NFL teams add a handful of players to their rosters in the hopes of getting the right pieces to improve. From time to time, the best way is to reignite chemistry by pairing former college teammates together.
The New Orleans Saints managed to pull it off last year, drafting Ohio State cornerback and eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year Marshon Lattimore, who had played with receiver Michael Thomas and safety Vonn Bell in college.
Here are 16 former college teammates who could be back in the same locker room at the pro level next season.
Minkah Fitzpatrick with Eddie Jackson
College team: Alabama
NFL team: Chicago Bears
The Bears got a steal selecting Jackson in the fourth round last year as he started all 16 games, but they'll have to use their top pick (eighth overall) if they want to reunite him with Fitzpatrick.
Jackson, a junior, and Fitzpatrick, a freshman, were a deadly cornerback duo in 2015 en route to winning the national championship. Fitzpatrick would later replace Jackson at safety after the upperclassman was injured in 2016, taking advice from his teammate about playing the position. Who better to help Fitzpatrick learn the ropes as a pro than the guy who helped him in similar fashion in college?
Josh Rosen with Paul Perkins
College team: UCLA
NFL team: New York Giants
Perkins hasn't had as large of a role with the Giants as he did when he shared the field with Rosen at UCLA in 2015, but he'd certainly be a welcoming face if the quarterback was drafted second overall. Perkins scored 15 total touchdowns and caught 30 passes for 267 yards in his final year when Rosen was starting as a freshman.
The Giants haven't drafted a quarterback in the first round since landing Eli Manning in 2004, but that may fuel speculation they'll target a passer like Rosen given the run of success they've had since that pick.
Maurice Hurst with Taco Charlton
College team: Michigan
NFL team: Dallas Cowboys
It's difficult to project where Hurst will be drafted due to his heart condition, although he's reportedly been cleared to play. There's a strong chance, however, that he will be on the board when the Cowboys pick at No. 19.
Hurst was a three-year starter at Michigan, becoming a regular on the defensive line in 2015, the same year as Cowboys 2017 first-round pick Charlton. The two combined for 15 sacks over 12 games in 2016 and could become the faces of the Dallas defense alongside Demarcus Lawrence.
Mike Hughes & Shaquem Griffin with Shaquill Griffin
College team: Central Florida
NFL team: Seattle Seahawks
Shaquem Griffin is going to be a star of the draft regardless of where he ends up. Though he likely won't be a first rounder, he has a chance to play with his brother and former college teammate Shaquill with the Seahawks, who looked impressed by the linebacker at the combine.
With their first-round pick, adding Hughes to the team's cornerback group, which has been depleted this offseason, is very much on the table. Hughes didn't get to hit the field with Shaquill as he was redshirted in their one year at UCF together after transferring from North Carolina, but would have spent plenty of time practicing together.
Deon Cain with Deshaun Watson
College team: Clemson
NFL team: Houston Texans
The Texans are happy to have Watson on the roster, but are faced with a problem: trying to add weapons for him without a pick in the first two rounds. They do have three picks in the third round, where Cain - who caught 72 passes for 1,306 yards and 14 touchdowns over 26 games with Watson between 2015 and 2016 - could still be available. Having filled the role of deep threat with Clemson, Cain and Will Fuller could be a nightmare for defenses to handle while also accounting for DeAndre Hopkins.
Mike McGlinchey with Ronnie Stanley
College team: Notre Dame
NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens could go in a lot of different directions with the 16th overall pick, but they've always put a priority on having a quality offensive line and currently do not have any dependable options at right tackle.
McGlinchey was characterized by some as an extra coach on the field at the combine due to his immense level of maturity. He's not going to impress many with his athleticism, but he gets the job done and fits the bill for what John Harbaugh and Ozzie Newsome look for in prospects. McGlinchey started 13 games with Stanley in 2015 as Notre Dame was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the best offensive line unit in college football.
Da'Ron Payne with Jonathan Allen & Ryan Anderson
College team: Alabama
NFL team: Washington Redskins
The Redskins doubled down on Alabama products with their first two picks last draft, landing Allen in the first round and Anderson in the second. They've had a good deal of roster turnover since then, but oddly enough, a nose tackle like Payne is probably their top defensive need right now. Payne, Allen, and Anderson spent two years lining up beside one another, going to back-to-back national championship games as one of the most dominant defensive fronts in college football.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
