This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2014 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2014 NFL Draft Stock Up
Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech The Hokies cornerback had a phenomenal Combine and made the statement to be a first-round pick. Sources told WalterFootball.com they liked Fuller as a second-round pick with speed being the only concern that kept him out of Round 1. At the Combine, Fuller addressed those concerns with a 40 time of 4.49 seconds. Unofficially it was a 4.40. Fuller was moving a little high in some of the drills, but he showed nice feet and length. Fuller was banged up in 2013, but the senior was playing like a first-rounder before getting injured. Fuller is now in play to go in the 20s.
HaHa Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama There is a debate about the top safety prospect in the 2014 NFL Draftraft, but Clinton-Dix’ performance at the Combine illustrates why he should be the top-rated player at the position. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds officially, which is a good time for a safety. Clinton-Dix (6-1, 208) looked even better in the field work. He moved well in the field with smooth hips to turn and good feet.
Clinton-Dix showed that he is a natural center fielder who covers a lot of ground. Teams that are looking for a safety to lock down the deep part of the field will probably rate Clinton-Dix as their top safety. His skills are in demand in the passing-driven NFL, so he could easily go in the top 16.
Xavier Su’a-Filo, G, UCLA While Stanford’s David Yankey struggled at the Combine, Su’a-Filo made the argument that he should be the first guard selected. Su’a-Filo showed his athleticism with a time of 5.04 seconds in the 40-yard dash and a 1.75-second time in the 10-yard split. He looked very athletic and fluid in the field drills, too. Su’a-Filo split time between guard and left tackle in college, but for the NFL, his best fit would come inside. Su’a-Filo could end up being the first guard selected in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Jerick McKinnon, RB, Georgia Southern McKinnon was tremendous at the Combine. He led the running backs in the bench press with 32 reps while also flying in the 40. McKinnon was second among the running backs to only Kent State’s Dri Archer in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.41. He tied Archer for the fastest 10-yard split at 1.46 seconds. In the field drills, McKinnon continued to impress as he ran well in the change of directions and looked good in the receiving drills. McKinnon really helped his cause to be a mid-round pick.
Brandon Thomas, OT, Clemson After a good performance at the Senior Bowl, Thomas continued his impressive postseason with strong showing at the Combine. He ran the 40 in 5.09 seconds with a 10-yard split of 1.78. Thomas was solid in the field drills, but did show some tightness. In college, he was a reliable blind-side protector for Tajh Boyd. At 6-foot-3, 317-pounds, Thomas is short for an offensive tackle, so many teams will probably project him to move inside. He could be a second-day pick and probably would be best playing guard in the NFL.
Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada Bitonio is similar to Thomas in executing well at the Senior Bowl and Combine. In the 40-yard dash, Bitonio blazed a 1.68 and 1.74 in his two reps in the 10-yard split. He had an official time of 4.97 seconds in the 40. Bitonio was excellent in the field drills as he showed flexible hips and explosion.
As a pass-blocker, Bitonio (6-4, 302) has a lot of ability, and even though he is undersized, teams could consider playing him at offensive tackle. Bitonio also could move inside to guard. Between the Senior Bowl and Combine, Bitonio really did well for himself.
Philip Gaines, CB, Rice Gaines was another star of the Combine who used the opportunity to really help his draft stock. The 6-foot, 193-pounder blistered the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds. Gaines then did well in the field drills, so he used the Combine to his advantage to command more attention from teams. Gaines recorded 36 tackles with four interceptions and nine passes broken up in 2013. He clearly has a nice combination of size and speed. It wouldn’t be surprising if Gaines’ stock climbs in the months leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft.
Telvin Smith, OLB, Florida State Smith is a safety, outside linebacker tweener, but he used the Combine to command attention. Smith ran the 40-yard dash in an impressive time of 4.52 seconds with a 10-yard split of 1.53. The 6-foot-3, 218-pounder did well in the field drills, too. He is a very fast and fluid athlete. It looked like a defensive back was doing the linebacker drills. Smith could be a second-day pick, but in order to be an every-down defender, he needs to add weight for the NFL.
2014 NFL Draft Stock Down
Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida Roberson was a potential late first-round pick entering the Combine, but he damaged his stock. After putting up only eight reps on the bench press, Roberson ran slowly in the 40 with a time of 4.61 seconds. The 6-foot, 191-pounder is a man-cover corner, but after an injury plagued 2013 season, he should have returned for his senior year. Roberson looks more like a second-day pick after his Combine performance.
Loucheiz Purifoy, CB, Florida Roberson wasn’t the only Florida corner who damaged his stock at the Combine. Loucheiz Purifoy checked in two inches shorter than his listed numbers at 5-foot-11, 190-pounds. He also had the lowest total on the bench press of any defensive back with six reps and followed that up with a bad showing on the field. Purifoy was surprisingly slow in the 40 at 4.61 seconds and looked stiff. He made a big mistake coming out like his teammate and could be in store for a draft-day freefall.
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