NFL Draft 2017- Stock Watch
STOCK UP
Patrick Mahomes QB Texas Tech
- Why not start with a quarterback. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Patrick Mahomes was no more than a gunslinger who had a cannon for an arm but was not polished in his development as a quarterback. Fast forward to the NFL combine and Mahomes has gone from being a mid-round prospect with good upside to a potential last first round, early second round pick with arguably more potential than quarterback in the draft. Don’t be surprised to see his name pop up in the late first round for teams like the Texans, Chiefs or Saints.
Zay Jones WR East Carolina
- If you don’t know Zay Jones by now than what are you waiting for? No wide receiver has made a bigger jump this year than Jones and has become one of my favorite prospects in the entire draft. After a stellar 2016 season (158 receptions & 1700+ yards) Jones made a name for himself at the NFL Combine and went from a small school prospect to one of the more intriguing wide receivers in the draft. Any team that needs a day 1 starting #2 wide receiver should look no further than Jones and look for his name to be called early day 2 of the draft.
Solomon Thomas DE Stanford
- During this off-season, no defensive lineman helped himself more than Solomon Thomas. The Stanford edge rusher is a freak athlete with a good combination of power and speed and can adapt to multiple schemes. Even though Alabama’s Jonathan Allen has been regarded as the best defensive lineman in this class, Thomas has been closing that gap since the combine and may pass Allen come draft day. Expect Thomas to be a top 10 pick and don’t be shocked if San Francisco draft him at #2 after Myles Garrett.
Marshon Lattimore CB Ohio State
- Ohio State has become a powerhouse in college football and is now known for their ability to develop future NFL stars like Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott so why not add another one to that list in Marshon Lattimore. Before the season, Lattimore was not in the conversation for the top cornerback in college football and I certainly did not peg him as a future top 5 pick when the season began. Since then, Lattimore has proven to be not only one of the top cornerbacks but maybe one of the best overall defensive players in the entire draft. Considering how the NFL has shifted to a more pass happy league, look for Lattimore to be a hot commodity in the top 10 of the draft.
Haason Reddick LB Temple
- Since his performance at the Senior Bowl, Hasson Reddick has gone from being a mid-round prospect with good upside to one of the most athletic linebackers in the draft who is capable of fitting multiple roles. Whether a team wants to use him to cover running backs and tight ends in passing situations or even as a pass rusher, Reddick has made a name for himself this off-season and should certainly hear his name called in the 1st round.
Obi Melifonwu S UConn
- Much like Haason Reddick, Obi Melifonwu has also seen a big jump in many draft boards after a good performance at the Senior Bowl. The UConn prospect is one of those rare defensive backs who possesses linebacker type size (6-4, 220 lbs.) but is a true safety in most defenses. Melifonwu can play in the box as a strong safety or has the quickness to drop back in coverage on passing downs which enables teams to utilize him differently depending on their scheme. Expect Melifonwu to be off the board by the 2nd round.
Tyus Bowser LB Louisville
- Out of everyone on this list, Tyus Bowser may be the biggest riser considering he was not on many radars up until the Senior Bowl. The 6-3, 240 lb. pass rusher did not have great production at Louisville but he makes up for the lack of production with explosiveness off the edge and is versatile enough to drop back in coverage or simply be a pass rushing specialist. Bowser is ascending many draft boards and expect to see him off the board by day 2 of the draft.
STOCK DOWN
DeShone Kizer QB Notre Dame
- At one point in the 2016 college football season, DeShone Kizer was considered a lock top 5 pick due to size combination of size and mobility within the pocket. Yet at one point the Notre Dame quarterback’s stock was beginning to fall and teams were looking at other quarterbacks like North Carolina’s Mitchell Trubisky. While Kizer did not finish the season strong, there is no denying his arm talent and his NFL ready physique (6-4, 230lbs.). Though some view Kizer as a project with potential to start in the future, others seem to remain hopeful and still view him as a quarterback with incredible upside. Look for Kizer to be taken in the 1st round, but outside of the top 10 and maybe even outside the top 20.
Cam Robinson OT Alabama
- Entering this season, no left tackle had more promise than Alabama’s Cam Robinson. When I finished my first mock draft for 2017, I pegged Robinson as a top 5 and the first offensive lineman drafted but that has certainly changed. Not only has Robinson dropped out of the top 10-15 but he is most likely not even the first offensive lineman drafted come April. Expect Robinson to fall into the 20’s with a potential drop into the beginning of the 2nd round.
Tim Williams EDGE Alabama
- Just like fellow Alabama teammate Cam Robinson, Tim Williams was a projected top 10 pick and one of the best edge rushers in college football. The senior linebacker was expected to have a break out season for the Roll Tide but instead was overshadowed by other defenders like Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster and Ryan Anderson. On field performance aside, there is also some concerns surrounding Williams off-field behavior which seems to be scaring some teams away from the edge rusher who maybe had him pegged as a high value prospect. There is no denying Williams talent and potential at the next level but with off-field concerns in play, Williams could go anywhere from the late 1st round to maybe even the 3rd round if teams are that worried.
JuJu Smith-Schuster WR USC
- This USC Trojan was widely regarded as one of the best wide receivers in college football this season but was not able to live up to the immense hype. Following an up and down season, Smith-Schuster ended the season on a good note after a great performance against Penn State in the Rose Bowl which certainly helped his draft stock. Look for Smith-Schuster’s name to be called anywhere from the top of the 2nd round to potentially the 3rd round.
Jalen “Teez” Tabor CB Florida
- In my first mock draft, I had Jalen “Teez” Tabor off the board in the top 15 and the first cornerback drafted but since his lack-luster performance in both the combine and his pro-day the Florida prospect may fall to the 2nd round. Tabor is a tall, lengthy cornerback who has had a good campaign for the Gators but at the combine he ran a 4.62 40-yard dash and followed it up with a slower time at his pro-day running in the 4.7-4.75 range. Speed and quickness are two traits that are essential to the cornerback position and Tabor was not able to improve his time since the combine which will certainly have teams concerned. Expect Tabor’s teammate Quincy Wilson to be drafted first and expect Tabor to potentially fall into the 2nd round.