Ryan Dunleavy and Keith Sargeant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Four years ago, Rutgers set a program all-time high with seven picks in the 2013 NFL Draft. In 2017, Rutgers had zero draft picks, though four players signed as priority free agents.

While it seems likely that record is safe for a while, the 2018 NFL Draft should bring a much bigger spotlight to Piscataway, with at least two redshirt seniors and two upperclassmen who figure to be on national watch lists. The last time that Rutgers had multiple draft picks was in 2015 (Tyler Kroft and Michael Buton).

Here is a look at Rutgers' top 2018 NFL Draft prospects, including underclassmen who might have a decision to make:

Don't Edit

Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Janarion Grant

Wide receiver/return specialist

Redshirt senior

5-foot-10, 172 lbs.

Don't Edit

More on Grant

Grant considered entering the 2017 NFL Draft despite missing the final eight games of the season with a broken ankle. If fully recovered, he had a chance to be a late-round selection, according to analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

The NFL is giving opportunities to more and more small, shifty receivers who are dynamic in space. That's Grant's game on special teams -- he just needs to build his resume as a wide receiver.

Don't Edit

Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Blessuan Austin

Cornerback

Junior

6-foot-1, 195 lbs.

Don't Edit

More on Austin

Austin finished second in the Big Ten with 15 passes defensed -- 14 break-ups and one interception -- last season, putting on display the long arms that allow him to be a step off in coverage and still make a play. He downplayed early entry NFL Draft talk when asked during spring camp.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Chris Faytok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Kemoko Turay

Defensive end

Redshirt senior

6-foot-5, 247 lbs.

Don't Edit

More on Turay

The strange case of Turay got even stranger in the spring. Two years ago, after an All-Big Ten season with 7.5 sacks, Turay was all over mock drafts as a potential first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Since then, he has been limited by an injured shoulder and fallen completely off the radar. But a return to health in the offseason (plus a renewed sense of urgency) led to a dominant spring. If he is an all-down lineman in 2017, he could catapult back into the first-round discussion.

Don't Edit

Undrafted free agent tracker: Where did Rutgers alums land?

7 headed to rookie mini-campus thus far

Don't Edit

John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Tariq Cole

Left tackle

Redshirt junior

6-foot-6, 319 lbs.

Don't Edit

More on Cole

After Turay, the next-most talked-about prospect outside the program is Cole, a former 400-pound two-star high school recruit who has sculpted a NFL body (18 percent body fat) through hard work and paying attention to things like eating right.

Cole, who needs to improve his backwards footwork, is entering his second year as a starter at left tackle and has made a "big jump," according to offensive line coach A.J. Blazek. He also downplayed the NFL during spring camp.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Robert Martin

Halfback

Senior

5-foot-11, 213 lbs.

Don't Edit

More on Martin

Martin has led Rutgers in rushing yards in each of the last two seasons, but has yet to reach the 1,000-yard barrier. He offers a combination of running hard between the tackles and good burst on the perimeter, as seen by his four career touchdowns of 30 yards or longer. He was derailed last season by mounting frustrations stemming from preseason leg injuries.

Don't Edit

Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Josh Hicks

Halfback

Senior

5-foot-10, 214 lbs.

Don't Edit

More on Hicks

Hicks is determined to make the NFL to provide a better life for his family. You can't undervalue that motivation. With his mental frame in a better place in 2017 than it was during an unproductive 2016, can he recapture the hard-charging running form that allowed him to be 2014 Quick Lane Bowl MVP as a freshman and gain 1,114 yards on the ground over his first two seasons?

Don't Edit

How many draft picks for each Big Ten team

How the Big Ten compared to other Power Five conferences

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Sebastian Joseph

Nose tackle

Redshirt senior

6-foot-4, 299 lbs.

Don't Edit

More on Joseph

Joseph's measurables don't even tell the story of the Incredible Hulk-like physique that will make some NFL scout salivate. He is a three-year starter at nose tackle whose leadership skills are about to be tested as the elder statesman of his position group. He also needs to improve his pad level, says defensive line coach Shane Burnham.

Don't Edit

Rutgers' 2007-16 draft classes ranked in hindsight

Legitimate 4-way battle for top spot

Don't Edit

Andrew Mills

Dorian Miller

Left guard

Redshirt senior

6-foot-2, 296 lbs.

Don't Edit

More on Miller

Miller is a three-year starter at guard, just like Kaleb Johnson (who actually started at tackle, too) and Chris Muller, both of whom signed as priority undrafted free agents. So it could be tough for Miller to get picked, but his footwork and hand placement might give him a technical advantage where Muller and Johnson were freakishly strong.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Jawuan Harris

Wide receiver

Redshirt sophomore

5-foot-9, 186 lbs.

Don't Edit

More on Harris

This is an outside-the-box pick, but follow our logic: Harris seems like a sure bet to be a high pick as a true junior in the 2018 MLB First-Year Player Draft. If that's the case and he signs for big money, he will end his football career after 2017 anyway.

The problem is he will have to enter the 2018 NFL Draft before baseball season ends, and he won't be able to do any of the draft training circuit because of his baseball commitments. Plus, what if he was to get injured during baseball season and had to remain on campus without playing football? Unlikely. Not impossible.

Don't Edit

All of NJ's first-round draft picks since 1992

Why 2017 NFL Draft was one of the best

Don't Edit

Saed Hindash | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Need to see more from...

Redshirt junior safety Saquan Hampton has been referenced as a potential "absolute star" by coach Chris Ash, but his resume consists of just seven starts at this point. He could head up the 2019 NFL Draft class if Ash is right.

Junior middle linebacker Deonte Roberts was the most improved player in Rutgers spring camp, but he also had a long way to go after a disappointing 2016 season.

Don't Edit

Redshirt sophomore right tackle Kamaal Seymour started the final five games last season, only two months after moving from defensive line. At 6-foot-6, 307 pounds, he has NFL size and athleticism if he can develop his skills.

Wide receiver Damon Mitchell, a one-year graduate transfer from Arkansas, has a chance to be Rutgers' leading receiver in 2017, after years of flip-flopping between quarterback, receiver, running back and defensive back earlier in his career. Versatility is attractive in the NFL, but having a primary position is just as crucial.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Garry Jones

What about transfers?

Rutgers has three transfers expected to make an impact in 2017: Quarterback Kyle Bolin, tight end Jerome Washington and running back Gus Edwards.

Bolin and Edwards are entering their final year of eligibility, but neither is on campus yet. Washington is a redshirt sophomore who missed all 11-on-11 parts of spring practice with a shoulder injury.

All likely have NFL dreams but were excluded until first-hand observations can be made.

Don't Edit

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.