This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2021 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2021 NFL Draft Stock Up
Richie Grant, S, Central Florida Multiple team sources raved about Central Florida safety Richie Grant, who really impressed with his Wednesday practice at the Senior Bowl by snatching two interceptions. “[Grant] struggles some in man coverage, but he strikes people and has ball skills,” said a director of college scouting. A few sources said Grant is sleeper who could be a nice value pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. After his strong week in Mobile, it sounds like Grant could be selected during Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma Multiple team sources named Stevenson as one of the standouts from this year’s Senior Bowl week. Here’s what one director of college scouting said about Stevenson: “He’s a 235-pound downhill runner who can run routes, pass blocked well and caught it clean out of the backfield. Workhorse-type back.” Given Stevenson’s skill set as a power runner who can also contribute as a receiver, he is in the running to be a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft thanks to his strong week in Mobile.
Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M Alabama’s Mac Jones was the top quarterback in Mobile, but he didn’t show anything that wasn’t seen in 2020 as he led the Crimson Tide to a National Championship. Of the other quarterbacks, Mond may have helped himself the most, and some evaluators liked his mobility and ability to extend plays. He also played the best in the actual Senior Bowl, completing 13-of-25 passes for 173 yards with two touchdowns. Mond looks safe to go in the early rounds of Day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft. Some teams might consider him late in the third round as a backup quarterback.
Demetric Felton, WR, UCLA A number of wide receivers helped themselves at the Senior Bowl. Felton split time at running back and receiver for the Bruins, but in Mobile, he showed speedy slot receiver ability with shiftiness to get open. Felton had a nice week that illustrated his ability to fit a defined role for NFL teams. Coaches could use Felton as a slot receiver the majority of time, and he would function well in that role, but he also has the versatility such that he can run the ball on occasion and provide a burst as a speed back in the backfield.
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida Toney, a Mobile-area native, really helped himself at the Senior Bowl by showing off his explosive speed. Defensive backs really struggled to run with Toney and keep him from getting open. Toney’s separation skills and big-play ability impressed team sources throughout the 2020 season. The knocks on Toney are durability, due to the injury issues he had during his first three seasons, and his smaller stature. However, Toney is a similar player to Deebo Samuel and Curtis Samuel, so Toney should fall no lower than early in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina Smith was another slot receiver candidate who put together good practices at the Senior Bowl. Similar to Felton and Toney, teams liked Smith’s ability to create separation via quickness and route-running. Smith didn’t shine at South Carolina, in part due to inconsistent quarterback play, but he took advantage of his time at the Senior Bowl to show NFL teams what he is capable of. Smith could go on the second day of the 2021 NFL Draft after his strong performance in Mobile. He shouldn’t last long if he slips to Day 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest Surratt sat out the 2020 season, so having a good Senior Bowl performance was important for him. Surratt was able to come through with the week he needed to impress team evaluators. “[Surratt] has good hands, size, body control, and will be a solid pro using his big body,” said a director of college scouting.
Tre McKitty, TE, Georgia After only six receptions in 2020, McKitty needed some impressive practices at the Senior Bowl to help himself, which he delivered. McKitty (6-5, 245) was listed as a tight end, but some teams think he might be a candidate to drop weight and be a big receiver in the NFL. McKitty was impressive with his receiving ability in Mobile and really helped improve his standing with teams.
Larry Rountree III, RB, Missouri Rountree was another running back who helped himself in Mobile. At Missouri, Rountree put together good yards-per-carry averages over four years: 5.6, 5.4, 4.5, and 4.7. He also totaled 40 touchdowns in his college career. The 5-foot-10, 210-pounder has quickness and a strong build, plus runs hard. Rountree went under the radar in college, but he was a tough runner. Some team sources feel Rountree could be a second-day steal in the 2021 NFL Draft and end up becoming a solid NFL starter.
Tre Brown, CB, Oklahoma Brown is a slot cornerback candidate for the NFL, and he had an impressive week of practice in Mobile, according to team sources. Brown showed an ability to run with receivers and smooth coverage skills. His strong week of Senior Bowl practice could help him to be a riser throughout the leadup the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 NFL Draft Stock Down
Jamie Newman, QB, Wake Forest Team sources said Newman had a bad final practice at the Senior Bowl and continued that trend in the actual game. He took multiple sacks due to holding the ball too long and had a fourth-quarter interception when he threw a terrible pass into a crowd of defenders. He took another sack when he ran into defenders after panicking off the snap. After sitting out the 2020 season, Newman showed a lot of rust in Mobile. It would not be surprising if he slides deep into the third day of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Richard LeCounte, S, Georgia Team sources like LeCounte as a football player, but his size really hurts his draft grade. It also didn’t ease any of teams’ worries about him holding up in the NFL and avoiding injury when he was unable to finish the 2020 season because of a motorcycle accident. If LeCounte were bigger, he could be an early-round pick, but at his size, team sources are projecting him to the mid-rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft. He could go in the early rounds of Day 2.
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