This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2015 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2015 NFL Draft Stock Up
Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana A week ago, Coleman ran for 307 yards on Rutgers, but nobody really noticed because the Scarlet Knights have been struggling and Melvin Gordon had a record-setting day. Well, Gordon’s record was broken just a week later, and once again, Coleman had a superb game. This time he did it against the best team in the Big Ten as Coleman dominated Ohio State with 228 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns. He showed his great speed when he broke off a 90-yard touchdown run. Coleman carried Indiana to keep it close with the Buckeyes for the majority of the game.
In 2014, Coleman is averaging 7.9 yards per carry for 1,906 yards with 15 touchdowns. He also has 23 receptions for 135 yards. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Coleman has excellent speed to go along with being put together well. There is buzz that Coleman could break into the first round, and this performance will help his cause.
Erik Kendricks, OLB, UCLA Kendricks continued his phenomenal senior season against USC as he was all over the field for the Bruins. Kendricks really stood out with his pass-coverage skills. He got his night started by a hard hit on Nelson Agholor to force an incompletion. Kendricks also had blanket coverage on a bootleg play to force another incompletion from Cody Kessler.
In the second quarter, Kendricks made an amazingly athletic play as a running back tipped a pass up in the air. Kendricks made a falling one-handed catch for the pick. It was a great play that illustrates Kendricks natural athleticism. He followed that up with a tackle on a receiver on the sideline. Early in the fourth quarter, Kendricks sniffed out a screen and tackled the back for a loss. He ran with a back in pass coverage and made a nice open-field tackle. Kendricks totaled 14 tackles with a tackle for a loss and the interception.
In 2014, Kendricks has 128 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, two sacks, two passes broken up, three interceptions and one force fumble. The 6-foot, 230-pounder is an instinctive linebacker who excels in pass coverage. He is well suited to the NFL and could end up being a Thursday night pick.
Owa Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA Odighizuwa has had an impressive senior season even though he doesn’t have a huge stat line. Against USC, Odighizuwa gave the Trojan’s offensive line fits with his speed and strength. Throughout the night, he beat blockers to get in the face of Cody Kessler. Odighizuwa had a third-quarter sack when USC had a blown assignment and let him run free at Kessler. Odighizuwa came close to a couple of other sacks and drew a holding penalty with a fast rush that beat a guard. Later in the fourth quarter, Odighizuwa picked up a coverage sack, but he showed his power to shed the left tackle and fight his way into the pocket.
Overall, this was another excellent tape form Odighizuwa that illustrated his ability to beat offensive linemen with strength and quickness. Odighizuwa had five tackles and two sacks against the Trojans.
The 6-foot-3, 270-pounder has a skill set that combines speed and strength. In 2014, Odighizuwa has 50 tackles, five sacks, 9.5 tackles for a loss and three passes defended. He has had injury issues in his career, but he has a lot of upside for the NFL. Odighizuwa could be a second-day value and may end up being a top-64 pick.
Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami Perryman was on this list last week, but he put on a display against Virginia that warrants him repeating the feat. Against the Cavaliers, Perryman was a physical force as he planted ball-carriers into the turf with ferocity throughout the night. Perryman was really impressive in pass coverage. He made a lot of open-field tackles on receivers in the middle of the field. In the second quarter, Perryman ripped the ball out of a back’s hands and recovered the fumble, but the officials blew the call and Virginia maintained possession. Later on, Perryman flew over to blast a back along the sideline and force a fumble. He totaled 15 tackles with 13 solo stops, a tackle for a loss and the forced fumble.
In 2014, Perryman has 96 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, four passes batted and an interception. This was another superb tape that illustrated that his potential as an impact middle linebacker for the NFL who can play all three downs and serve as a solid defender in pass coverage. This performance will help Perryman’s bid to be a first-rounder.
Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky After an ugly game against Georgia, Dupree came back to have a big outing against Tennessee a week ago. Dupree had 14 tackles with a sack in a losing effort. He has been a steady performer for the Wildcats this season. Dupree has 68 tackles with 10.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks.
Some project Dupree going in the top half of the first round, and while that seems like a stretch, but it isn’t out of the question for him to sneak into Thursday night as a late first-round pick. The 6-foot-4, 264-pounder has a nice combination of strength and speed.
Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State Scouts have told WalterFootball.com that Darby has really impressed them this season with his coverage skills. He has been reliable to run with receivers and prevent separation. Some have said that Darby struggled with Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker, but sources believe that Darby covered him well and didn’t allow separation. Instead, Parker got away with some obvious push-offs. Darby continued his strong year by playing well against Boston College last Saturday.
In 2014, Darby has 31 tackles with four passes broken up. Sources also say that Darby is put together well. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder is at, or close to, his listed measurements. With his coverage skills, sources feel that Darby is going to be a quality NFL cornerback who will have a long career.
Honorable Mentions: Colorado State quarterback Garrett Grayson.
2015 NFL Draft Stock Down
Bo Wallace, QB, Ole Miss Wallace’s second-half slide continued with an ugly game against Arkansas. He completed 16-of-31 passes for 235 yards with two interceptions. The Rebels were shut out 30-0 by Arkansas. Wallace had some other ugly games, including a bad performance against LSU in late October.
Wallace has completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,789 yards with 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The 6-foot-4, 217-pounder is prone to meltdown performances and doesn’t have the arm strength for the NFL. Wallace’s game against Arkansas illustrates why some teams view him as a future undrafted free agent.
Cody Prewitt, S, Ole Miss In speaking with sources, they feel that Prewitt has been an overrated prospect who is a limited athlete and plays softly. Hr didn’t stand out as Arkansas rolled over the Rebels and controlled the game from start to finish. This season, Prewitt has 50 tackles with two interceptions and only one pass broken up. The 6-foot-2, 217-pounder is put together well, but isn’t a physical defender. Prewitt needs to go to the Senior Bowl and perform well to help his draft stock.
Frank Clark, DE, Michigan Clark was more likely to be a third-day pick, but he sent himself into the undrafted ranks. Clark was arrested for suspicion of domestic violence after a hotel altercation and could face felony charges. Those charges led to Clark’s immediate dismissal from the program. He allegedly punched and threw down his girlfriend.
The 6-foot-2, 277-pounder recorded 4.5 sacks in 10 games this season with 13.5 tackles for loss and 42 tackles. Clark had some strength, quickness and physicality, but given the NFL’s issues with domestic violence, Clark has done irreparable damage to his draft stock.
A.J. Johnson, ILB, Tennessee Like Clark, Johnson killed his draft stock with an off-the-field arrest. Johnson and a teammate are under investigation by Knoxville police on rape and sexual assault allegations. This wasn’t Johnson’s first arrest was last February for purchasing alcohol for a minor and resisting arrest. Johnson was suspended by Tennessee following the most recent incident.
Johnson recorded 101 tackles with nine tackles fora loss and two forced fumbles in 2014. He was a potential mid-round pick, but now likely will go undrafted.
Dishonorable Mention: Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, USC wide receiver Nelson Agholor and Notre Dame Everett Golson.
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