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
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU Against Boise State, Wilson completed 21-of-27 passes for 359 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also picked up a rushing touchdown.
There is a lot to like about Wilson for the NFL. He has a quality arm capable of making all the throws and an ability to push the ball downfield. In the short to intermediate part of the field, Wilson can spin the ball and fire some fastballs into tight windows. He also is capable of putting air under the ball to loft in touch passes. Wilson is an accurate passer who displays quality footwork that leads to him tossing precision passes. He is not an elite runner for the next level in the mold of a Lamar Jackson, but he has mobility with some quickness and athleticism to buy time in the pocket and pick up some first downs on the ground.
Wilson has some things to work on still, like any collegiate player. Speeding up his process and working through his progressions faster would help him to succeed at the pro level. There are plays on which he holds the ball too long, so he needs to get passes out more quickly. Wilson has the luxury of a good offensive line at BYU, with multiple players who will compete to make NFL rosters, but at the pro level, he should avoid putting as much pressure on his blockers against NFL pass rushers.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Wilson has enough size to be a starting quarterback, and it would be a good idea for him to add some weight to his frame to help him avoid injury at the pro level. He is worthy of being at least a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and he could end up being a mid -to late first-rounder.
Cornell Powell, WR, Clemson Powell stepped up with an impressive performance at Notre Dame. With Trevor Lawrence out, Notre Dame selling out to stop the run, and a freshman at quarterback, Powell came through with some clutch plays. Throughout the night, Powell made things happen after the catch, ripping off yards while showing the power to go through tackles. Powell played with a mean streak, running through contact with impressive physicality and his strong build. He set up two short rushing touchdowns via excellent receptions and totaled six catches for 161 yards and a touchdown. Powell’s performance against Notre Dame is really going to help his draft grade.
Kyle Trask, QB, Florida Early in the year, Trask beat up on some of the weaker defenses in the SEC, but against Georgia, he torched one of the better ones relentlessly. Trask put on an impressive display of pocket passing with accuracy, field vision, decision-making, timing, and precision. Trask completed 30-of-43 passes for 474 yards, four touchdowns and an interception against the Bulldogs.
Overall, Trask showed pocket-passing ability for the NFL. He was accurate with impressive ball placement and made good decisions. Thanks to his powerful arm capable of making touch passes, Trask put on display some natural ability. The big knock on Trask is a lack of mobility, and that hurts his chances of being a first-round pick next April in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida Georgia has one of the top edge rushers in the SEC with Azeez Ojulari, but he struggled with Forsythe. Overall, Forsythe got the better of Ojulari, tying him up often with size and length. Forsythe definitely helped his draft grade with how he performed against Georgia. Forsythe may not have the necessary speed, feet, and agility to be a left tackle in the NFL, but he showed he can hold up on the edge and is a steady blocker. As a pro, Forsythe could be nice value pick to be a right tackle or guard.
2020 NFL Draft Stock Down
T.J. Vasher, WR, Texas Tech Vasher was held to two receptions for 24 yards by TCU in a horrible performance. In the first quarter, Vasher had a smaller defensive back get the better of him on a contested catch. The 6-foot-6 Vasher did not get good position, and the ball was slapped away for a third-down incompletion. Later on, Vasher had another pass slapped away when he did not seal off or box out the defensive back on a crossing route.
Overall, Vasher was an embarrassingly poor against the Horned Frogs. He did not generate consistent separation and showed poor technique on the passes that were thrown his direction. As a big receiver, he has to win contested catches in order to play in the NFL. Not being able to do that really hurts his grade, which is already suffering from significant character concerns. It would not be a shocker if Vasher ended up in a draft-day free-fall despite his excellent skill set.
Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia Campbell was excellent against Auburn earlier this season, but he had some problems against Florida’s potent passing attack, which will hurt his grade. While Campbell did not get roasted by the Gators, he allowed some receptions over him, and a big cornerback like him is supposed to take those plays away. Campbell did not play the ball well in the air against Kyle Pitts or Trevon Grimes, allowing them to get better position. Having a tight end, even a dynamic athlete like Pitts, gain separation is also an ugly result for Campbell. Campbell looked more like late first- or second-day pick against Florida rather than a true first-round candidate.
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