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
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State Winston had some slower than expected 40 times of 4.97 and 4.99 seconds, but those aren’t relevant to why Winston is the top-rated quarterback and favorite to be the first-overall pick. In the field drills, Winston made some beautiful throws with touch and accuracy. It was an impressive display with his footwork and timing. Winston ripped off a series of NFL throws and looked like an NFL starter taking part in the Combine. NFL teams won’t care about his 40 time and will be more focused on how great he threw the ball.
Winston was just as good in the team meetings. He wowed teams with his football I.Q., confidence, leadership and presence. He also was straight forward about his off-the-field concerns. Winston did what he needed to at the Combine to put a nail in the coffin to being the first pick.
Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson The star of the Combine on Sunday was Beasley. He raced a blazing 40 time after impressing on the bench press a day earlier. Beasley officially ran an official 40 time of 4.53 seconds. That blistering time was especially impressive considering he just added about 10-15 pounds of weight.
Beasley was impressive in the field drills as well. He was naturally athletic with a superb change-of-direction skills. Beasley can sink his hips, turn, flatten and accelerate. He showed that in the field work with a phenomenal display. After playing around 230 pounds, Beasley added some significant bulk to check in at 6-foot-3, 246 pounds. Considering the added weight he put on entering the Combine, Beasley’s great workout could help him to get pushed up draft boards by some teams.
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia At the Combine, White made a huge argument to be the first wide receiver selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder showed that he has some serious speed to go along with his height. White tied for the third fastest time in the 40 at 4.35 seconds. It was an eye-opening performance for White.
In the field work, White made a pretty over-the-shoulder catch on a deep ball from Marcus Mariota. In the gauntlet drill, White cruised across the field and made it look easy. His Combine performance could be enough to send him into the top five and make him the top receiver in the 2015 NFL Draft considering his tape and production.
Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami The 6-foot-6, 329-pound Flowers had a strong Combine. He led all the offensive linemen with 37 reps. Flowers plays with a lot of power, and his bench press total is even more impressive considering he has long arms (34 1/2 inches).
Flowers had an unofficial 40 time of 5.29 seconds and a 10-yard split of 1.78 seconds. That is a fast time considering Flowers is heavier than most of the top offensive linemen. He slid well in the field work while showing real power and shock in his hands during the pads drills. Flowers did well in the mirror drill as well, but he needs a little work to stay compact and not get his arms out wide. Flowers is only 20 years old and full of potential.
Dante Fowler Jr., DE/OLB, Florida Fowler was another edge defender who impressed. He had a exceptional 40 run of 4.60 seconds with a very fast 10-yard split of 1.59 seconds. Fowler showed real burst as well in the field drills. He stumbled once, but stayed low and explosive. Fowler dropped well in the field drills, but did drop a pass. The 6-foot-3, 261-pounder did his part to cement his stock as a high first-rounder. Considering his size advantage over Shane Ray, Randy Gregory and Beasley, Fowler is the favorite to be the first edge defender drafted.
D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida Humphries looked good as expected. The 6-foot-5, 307-pounder is very quick and athletic, so it isn’t surprising that he did well in the field drills. In the 40 yard dash, Humphries had a quality official time of 5.12 seconds with a 10-yard split 1.81 seconds. In the field drills, Humphries showed fluid hips and some trademark quick feet. There is no doubt that Humphries did well at the Combine. However, how he interviewed and how his medical check went will be crucial as he suffered a lot of injuries in college. Some feel that Humphries could be the first offensive tackle selected.
La’el Collins, OT, LSU Collins (6-4, 305) had an excellent Combine to help his draft stock. He moved well in the field drills and showed some explosion with smooth hip transition. Collins ran well in the 40 with an unofficial time of 5.13 seconds and a a 10-yard split of 1.81 seconds. There is debate about Collins’ fit at left tackle, right tackle or guard. On Friday, Collins gave some evidence to those who think that Collins can develop into left tackle.
Ali Marpet, OT, Hobart The Division III star Marpet had a breakout Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 307-pound Hobart product had the fastest 40 times, with an official time of 4.98 seconds. He moved smoothly in the field drills, too, and showed some natural athleticism. After a nice week in Mobile, Marpet continued his upward climb with his Combine performance.
2015 NFL Draft Stock Down
Paul Dawson, ILB/OLB, TCU Dawson is a love-or-hate draft prospect with a lot of teams as he has character and work-ethic concerns. Those were given more validation with a terrible Combine performance. Dawson had an awful 40 time of 4.95 seconds. The 6-foot, 235-pounder should have run faster than that. His 40 time was worse than the one that Manti Te’o was crucified for a few years ago.
In the field drills, Dawson continued to struggle as he looked stiff. Dawson looked completely unprepared for the Combine. Whoever trained him beforehand should give the money back, that is unless Dawson decided not to work hard, which is a legitimate question given his track record at TCU.
Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan Some have projected Funchess as a first-round pick. Last season, he had trouble separating from defensive backs and that was given numerical proof to be a problem in the NFL when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds officially. It was a troublesome time for Funchess. The 6-foot-4, 232-pounder should add weight and move back to tight end. However, many evaluators are skeptical that he can be an adequate blocker. Thus, Funchess is a tweener who is a tough evaluation.
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