This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2020 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2020 NFL Draft Stock Up
Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois Entering the combine, team sources called Chinn a player who could rise because he is a size/speed freak who impressed teams during the Senior Bowl interviews. As expected, Chinn had an excellent workout at the combine, ripping off a 4.46-second yard 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3, 221 pounds. Team sources view Chinn as being a potential hybrid linebacker and safety who can be utilized in a variety of ways. He could go as early as the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri Elliott is another potential second-round pick, according to team sources. The big defensive tackle has speed and athleticism to go along with good size. The 6-foot-4, 302-pounder showed his quickness at the combine with a 40 time of 5.02 seconds and a fast 10-yard split. After his strong workouts, Elliott could continue to rise in the weeks to come before the 2020 NFL Draft.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma Lamb had a strong combine performance which could help him get top-10 consideration in the 2020 NFL Draft. In the field drills, Lamb showed off his superb route-running, strong hands, and body control. Team sources also said Lamb interviewed really well and impressed evaluators behind the scenes. He looks like a lock to be a top-20 pick this April during the 2020 NFL Draft.
Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Miss Team evaluators said Watkins really impressed them at the combine. He had an excellent showing in the field workout while also blazing a fast 40 of 4.35 sentences. The 6-foot, 185-pounder could be a speed receiver to stretch defenses vertically downfield. Watkins’ combine performance could help him to become a mid-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame One of the most helpful 40 times at the NFL Scouting Combine came from Claypool, as the giant receiver ripped off a 4.42-second time despite being 6-foot-4, 238 pounds. There was talk of Claypool being moved to tight end, but his 40 time indicates he has the speed to stay at receiver. Claypool is a big wideout who presents a real mismatch along the sideline and in the red zone. His 40 time should help secure him as a second-day pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
2020 NFL Draft Stock Down
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU Entering the combine, there was some talk in the scouting community of Edwards-Helaire sneaking into the first round or going very early in the second round. His prospects, however, were dealt a serious blow when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.60 seconds. That is a slow time for a smaller back, which makes for a dangerous combination in the NFL. Edwards-Helaire (5-7, 207) has a chance to recover fro that poor combine 40 at his pro day.
A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa It wasn’t surprising to scouts that Epenesa was not a combine standout. At Iowa, they saw some stiffness to Epenesa to go along with average speed and athleticism. However, he did not help himself to change that perception in Indianapolis, where team sources said they weren’t impressed with his workout. “He looked rather average,” said one source. Epenesa has the size and strength to set the edge, but his lack of speed and athleticism could limit him to being a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 and hurt his ability to interest 4-3 teams as a pass-rushing end.
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State Similar to Epenesa, Gross-Matos also didn’t wow team sources. He did not run the 40-yard dash and was not impressive in the field drills. Not running the 40-yard dash seems like a missed opportunity and puts more pressure on Gross-Matos to produce a good time at his pro day.
Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty Team sources said Gandy-Golden helped himself at the Senior Bowl with a strong week of practice, but his upward movement came to a sudden halt when Gandy-Golden ran a slow 40 time at the combine of 4.60 seconds. Speed concerns were the big worry about Gandy-Golden, and the 6-foot-4, 223-pounder validated that negative in Indianapolis. He has to improve on his 40 time before the 2020 NFL Draft, but with the damage done, he could be stuck in the mid-rounds.
Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin Even more damaging than Gandy-Golden’s 40-yard dash time was the one turned in by Cephus. Gandy-Golden though has massive height, strength, and physicality going for him to create mismatches. Cephus (6-1, 202) has decent size, but his 40 time of 4.73 seconds is awful for a wide receiver. Cephus has to show a vast improvement at his pro day or esle he could slide deep into the 2020 NFL Draft.
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