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
Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin Wisconsin has had some great backs like Ron Dayne and Montee Ball, but none of them have done what Gordon did to Nebraska on Saturday. Gordon set the NCAA single-game record with 408 yards on 25 carries with four touchdowns. It wasn’t a perfect game, as Gordon had a couple of fumbles, but he dominated in historic fashion.
Gordon put together a number of fabulous runs. In the first quarter, he showed patience to set up a block before bouncing outside to bolt down the sideline for a 42-yard gain. Later, Gordon broke a tackle from safety Corey Cooper along the sideline and was gone for a 62-yard touchdown run. After that, Gordon had a run stuffed and was shoved backward, but he dodged two defenders, including Randy Gregory to bolt downfield for a 39-yard run. That set up the Badgers for a touchdown on the next play. On the next possession, Gordon juked safety Nate Gerry out of his jock on a 44-yard run. Gordon then took off on a 43-yard run on a jet sweep. He charged into the gut of Gregory on the next play for a one-yard touchdown. Gordon ran around the right side for a 68-yard jaunt for his next carry. He then darted into the end zone on a six-yard run on the following snap. For the final play of the third quarter, Gordon came off the right tackle and ran through two defenders for a 26-yard touchdown.
In 2014, Gordon has averaged 8.6 yards per carry for 1,909 yards with 23 touchdowns. He has eight receptions for 83 yards. This performance gives NFL evaluators further evidence that Gordon is a dominant runner. He has great acceleration, vision, and underrated toughness to pick up yards after contact and run through arm tackles. This is another tape that illustrates why Gordon is worthy of a first-round pick; a tough feat for a running back.
Leonard Williams, DE, USC Against California, Williams showed why he is in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Golden Bears really struggled to block him as he had his way with their offensive line. In the second quarter, Williams bull-rushed the right tackle right into quarterback Jared Goff and took him down for a sack. After halftime, Williams burned the right guard with a fast swim move and closed on Goff in a heart-beat for another sack. Williams flew into the signal-caller and put him down hard. Officially, Williams was credited with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks. He put tons of heat on the quarterback. Williams used his speed to fire by offensive linemen and was too strong for them to sustain blocks on him.
In 2014, Williams has 62 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks, three passes broken up, one interception and three forced fumbles. For the NFL, hr can do it all with rush the quarterback, stop the run and cause havoc in the backfield. Williams would be a great fit in a 4-3 defense as an end on running downs who slides inside in passing situations. Williams could be an impact end in a 3-4 defense as well. This tape justifies his draft grade as a top 10-pick.
Nelson Agholar, DE, USC Agholar had a monster game against California, and that isn’t surprising considering the Golden Bears’ secondary is awful. Still, Agholar was dominant as California was completely inept when it came to covering him. To start the game, Agholar had a number of good routes and receptions to move the ball. He produced points as well with a nice slant route for his first score. Agholar’s second touchdown was another short one. Against the Golden Bears, he totaled 16 receptions for 216 yards with two touchdowns. Agholar showed scouts that he has the speed to get open and is dangerous after the catch.
In 2014, Agholar has totaled 82 receptions for 1,079 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has illustrated this year that he doesn’t have great hands as he does drop passes. Agholar is around 6-foot, 190-pounds with good, but not great, speed. Since Agholar is not overly big or fast with occasional drops, that pushes him into Round 2 similar to Marqise Lee and Robert Woods.
Duke Johnson, RB, Miami Florida State going against rival Miami has historically featured a ton of NFL talent. This year, three Hurricanes really stood out in a losing effort. Johnson was red hot entering the game and continued his strong play. He didn’t have a lot of great running lanes, but he created his own yards through his speed and elusiveness.
Johnson had a nice short, touchdown run using the little blocking he had to get to the corner. Late in the second quarterm Johnson got open on a wheel route and made a falling catch for 22 yards. He later ripped off an impressive 28-yard run showing his speed to fire to into the second level and weave around tacklers. Johnson totaled 130 yards on 27 carries with four receptions for 37 yards.
This season, Johnson has averaged 7.3 yards per carry for 1,343 yards with 10 touchdowns. He also has 25 receptions for 310 yards and two scores. There is no doubt that Johnson has a lot of speed, but this year, he has shown toughness and an ability to pick up some yards after contact. Johnson looks like a potential three-down starter in the NFL and is really improving his draft standing.
Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami Perryman stood out as being NFL ready with an impressive game against Florida State. Not only was he a tough run-defender, but he was excellent in pass coverage, running with Seminoles receiving tight Nick O’Leary and tackling receivers in zone in the open field. Perryman used his power to slam a receiver into the turf and pummeled O’Leary to force an incompletion. Perryman totaled nine tackles and one for a loss.
In 2014, Perryman has 81 tackles with six for a loss, four passes broken up and one interception. Overall, he gave NFL evaluators a tape that illustrated he’s ready to play on Sundays. This performance illustrates why Perryman belongs as a late first-round or early second-round pick.
Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami After missing a few games because of a torn meniscus, Flowers came back in impressive fashion against Florida State. He was excellent and won his blocks throughout the first half. Flowers cleared out a big hole for a nice run by Duke Johnson in the second quarter. Flowers was even better in pass protection. He had no issues with his defensive ends, and the only plays he allowed some pressure from his side were from defensive backs blitzing off the edge. Miami also also hurt Flowers by not letting him line up with some depth on those plays. Flowers is an impressive prospect who not many are talking about. This tape will help his draft grade.
The 6-foot-6, 324-pounder has an excellent combination of size, strength, quickness and athleticism. Flowers doesn’t get a lot of publicity, but don’t be surprised if he becomes a hot prospect.
Nate Orchard, DE, Utah The massive year for Orchard continued with a huge performance against Stanford. The dangerous edge rusher broke Utah’s single-season sack record this year. He recorded 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble and 10 tackles versus the Cardinal. Orchard led the way for the Utes to limit Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan to only 104 yards passing in an overtime victory for Utah.
In 2014, Orchard has 73 tackles with 19 tackles for a loss, 16.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes batted. He has accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, and if he impresses in Mobile, he could skyrocket up draft boards. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Orchard is fast and intelligent team-leader. If he measures in at his listed numbers, he could add weight and remain a 4-3 defensive end, but he should fit well as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Orchard could end up being a nice value on the second day of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Henry Anderson, DE, Stanford Quietly, Anderson has had a solid season for the Cardinal and has been a tough defender at the line of scrimmage. On Saturday, he had a huge game against Utah and took up residence in the Utes’ backfield. Anderson was all over the field for the Cardinal as he totaled 11 tackles, five tackles for a loss, and three sacks in a losing effort. He used his strength to shed blocks and his quickness to chase down ball-carriers.
The 6-foot-6, 287-pound Anderson looks like a great fit as a 3-4 defensive end in the NFL. As a senior, he’s totaled 51 tackles with 10 tackles for a loss, five sacks and one pass batted. Anderson has the length and strength to set the edge. His performance against Utah could help him to be a Day-2 selection.
Honorable Mentions: Stanford linebacker James Vaughters, Georgia linebacker Amarlo Herrara, Miami wide receiver Philip Dorsett and Miami tight end Clive Walford.
2015 NFL Draft Stock Down
Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State The game against Alabama illustrated that Prescott he has to improve his passing skills. He didn’t put touch on some passes and made some suspect decisions. Mississippi State had a nice drive going before Prescott telegraphed a throw on a third-and-long. His receiver had defenders all around him, plus it was a late throw, and was picked off by Nic Perry. Prescott later made a critical mistake with an interception in the end zone to Cyrus Jones. It was poorly thrown and too short. The ball floated right to Jones to take away a scoring opportunity for the Bulldogs. Another interception was a tipped pass and wasn’t really Prescott’s fault. He finished completing 27-of-48 passes for 290 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
This season, Prescott has completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,521 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He’s averaged 5.2 yards per carry for 861 yards with 11 scores on the ground. Prescott has shown a big improvement this year with his ability to function as a pocket passer, but he needs to refine his overall game before going pro. If Prescott enters the 2016 NFL Draft, he has a better shot at being a first-round pick.
Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State In speaking with sources, Greene isn’t grading out with teams before the third round, and some feel they wouldn’t take him before the clock starts ticking on Day 3. Everyone agrees that Greene is a superb college receiver with excellent hands and good route-running skills, but they feel his skill set won’t translate to the NFL. They say that Greene (6-1, 180) is smaller than his listed numbers and is very thin. They feel Greene could struggle with injuries and concussions as a pro. He already had one concussion as a senior.
While Greene has quickness, sources say he isn’t a burner and can issues separating from fast corners. That was on display against Miami when he was held to 53 yards on four receptions. In 2014, Greene has 75 receptions for 1,042 yards with five touchdowns. He’s been very productive in college and part of that is from playing with an elite quarterback. Sources say some team may fall in love with Greene and take him in the second round, but they think he’s more of a mid-rounder and would be concerned about the position if he were starting for their NFL team.
Dishonorable Mention: Georgia running back Todd Gurley (only due to injury).
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