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
Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State Waynes has done his part to nail down the status as the top cornerback for the 2015 NFL Draft. He surprised many at the Combine with how fast he was in the 40-yard dash and a 10-yard split of 1.53 seconds. The 6-foot, 186-pounder has the size to be an outside corner with the speed to run with defensive backs downfield. He looked good turning and running with fluid hips in the field drills. Entering the Combine, Waynes was viewed more as a mid first-rounder, but after his performance in Indianapolis, he looks like he’ll go early in the teens and has a chance to crack the top 10.
Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut The other star of the final day of the Combine was Jones, who jumped out of the gym. He had the best broad jump ever at 12-foot-3. Jones also had a superb vertical leap at 44 1/2 inches. He missed part of the 2014 season due to the injury, so his medical check is important, but clearly he has some explosion. Jones’ Combine performance should help his prospects of being a second-day pick.
Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State There were speed questions about Strong entering the Combine, but he showed the he is fast enough for the next level. Strong turned in two good 40 runs to show that he has enough speed. His official 40 time of 4.44 seconds was much faster than expected. He also had a tremendous vertical leap of 42 inches, one of the largest in recent years. That illustrates why Strong is such a dangerous red-zone threat. In the field work, the 6-foot-2, 217-pounder did his job as well. With his strong Combine, Strong did what he needed to in order to increase his chances of being a late first-round pick.
DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville Parker also had an excellent Combine to keep himself in top-20 consideration. He ripped off a fast 40 of 4.45 seconds, and that was better than expected. In the field drills, Parker looked like a natural with how he attacks the football. The 6-foot-3, 209-pounder did well in the gauntlet drill, but he seemed to run it slowly to help him make catches. Parker may be the third receiver selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, but he impressed at the Combine.
Danny Shelton, DT, Washington Shelton looked explosive, powerful and athletic for such a big nose tackle. His 40 time was 5.64 seconds, but that is irrelevant to the kind of football player he is. The field work let you see why Shelton is special. He has an insane lower body that makes him extremely powerful. Shelton also is sudden and quick for such a huge lineman. His display of conditioning was also impressive.
Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State Erving (6-5, 313) had an excellent Combine. He showed a well-put-together body with good height, weight and length. Erving proved his strength in the weight room and then athleticism in the field drills. He ran well in the 40-yard dash with a time of 5.16 seconds and a split of 1.84 seconds. While Erving was quick in the field drills, he looked a little stiff. That stiffness illustrates why Erving’s better at center rather than tackle, but he really had a strong showing to help his draft stock.
Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon Fisher was expected to impress at the Combine considering how the Ducks’ offense is based on an athleticism up front and at the skill positions. Fisher (6-6, 306) had the second-fastest offensive linemen 40 time at 5.01 seconds unofficially with 1.75 seconds in the 10-yard split. In the field work, he continued to excel with good lateral movement and sliding quickly in the mirror drills. Fisher has short arms (33 3/4 inches) though and could be better off as a right tackle.
Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson A linebacker who did well and helped himself was Clemson’s Stephone Anthony. The 6-foot-3, 243-pounder previously showed more speed and athleticism than expected at the Senior Bowl. He continued that trend at the Combine. Anthony surprised with an official 40 time of 4.56 seconds – much faster than expected. His field drills were equally impressive. He showed movement skills to be more than a downhill thumper. Anthony has had a great postseason to elevate his draft stock in Day 2.
Honorable Mentions: Georgia wide receiver Chris Conley, Northern Iowa running back David Johnson, UCLA outside linebacker Eric Kendricks and UCLA defensive end Owa Odighizuwa.
2015 NFL Draft Stock Down
Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State Sambrailo didn’t impress at the Senior Bowl and that trend continued at the Combine. His performance in the field drills showed that he needs to add power and is stiff in his technique. Sambrailo’s 40 time was slower than average as well at 5.36 seconds officially. Many have said that Sambrailo is athletic for zone-blocking systems, so it was disappointing that he didn’t run faster. It looks like Sambrailo (6-6, 311) needs at least one redshirt year in the NFL to become stronger and improve his technique.
Nate Orchard, DE, Utah Orchard didn’t have a good Combine, but that really isn’t the environment that you’d expect him to thrive in. Orchard’s a pure football player. The 6-foot-3, 250-pounder ran the 40 more slowly than expected at 4.80 seconds. He also looked stiff in the linebacker drills. Orchard looks like he should stay as a 4-3 end in the NFL. However, Orchard is very small to be a base end in the NFL. If a 4-3 team drafts him, he’ll probably only be a situational player in the early going of his career – and possibly permanently. His body type says 3-4 outside linebacker, but he’s going to need work at dropping into coverage.
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