This 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 After going through the team visits, Combine meetings and his pro day, Winston has addressed the off-the-field doubts and is locked in to be the Buccaneers’ pick to lead off the 2015 NFL Draft. He has impressed teams in the meeting room, and they feel that his off-the-field issues are immaturity that he is in the process of growing out of. Barring an off-the-field issue, Winston is going to be the No. 1-overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami Dorsett was able to make this list two weeks in a row after he had a tremendous pro day. His 40-yard dash at his pro day beat his great time at the Combine and fell from the mid-4.3-second range to the mid-4.2-second range. Dorsett also looked great in the field drills with his route-running and hands. WalterFootball.com knows teams that are considering Dorsett in play for their first-round pick.
Dorsett has gone under the radar with so much attention being devoted to Amari Cooper, Kevin White and DeVante Parker as the first-round receivers. Teams feel that Dorsett is a play-maker, and there are a lot that are targeting him early in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida Another receiver who blazed a fast 40-yard dash at his pro day was Perriman. Sources who were at Perriman’s pro day said the time ranges on his 40-yard dash were in from 4.19 to 4.25 seconds. The 6-foot-2, 212-pounder has a serious mix of size and speed. In speaking with multiple teams, they believe that Perriman is likely to be a late first-round pick and should go early on Friday night if he slips that far. Perriman has had a strong offseason to help his draft stock.
Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson The 6-foot, 288-pound Jarrett has enough second-day buzz to be a potential third-round pick. There are a lot of teams that would like to add a speedy defender at the point of attack to help generate some pass rush. At the Senior Bowl, Jarrett really helped his stock with an impressive performance in the one-on-ones. Other tackles have gotten more attention, but Jarrett could be a nice value pick in the mid-rounds of the 2015 NFL Draft.
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama In speaking with scouts, Yeldon is a player they mention as being a really nice value who has gone under the radar. They feel that Yeldon hasn’t gotten the attention he deserves as he is a smooth runner who has three-down starting ability fpr the NFL. The 6-foot-2, 226-pounder hasn’t gotten the headlines of other backs in this draft class, but there are a number of teams that feel Yeldon will be a serious value in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma Both Oklahoma tackles has fallen under the radar in terms of draft-media attention, but there are a lot of teams that are interested in Williams and Thompson. Teams feel that Thompson may have more athletic ability, but Williams is the harder worker and the safer pick for the NFL. Williams played at right tackle the past two seasons and could be a solid blocker on the right side in his NFL career. He may not go in the second-round of the 2015 NFL Draft, but over his career, he could be the proper level of value for a third- or fourth-round pick.
Durel Eskridge, S, Syracuse The 2015 NFL Draft features a weak crop of safeties, so I’ve found it peculiar for months that Eskridge hasn’t received more attention. The 6-foot-3, 208-pounder has some athleticism to play the deep center field and match up against tight ends. He recorded 62 tackles with one interception and three passes broken up in 2014. For Eskridge, it’s better late than never as there has been more buzz building around him in recent weeks. Perhaps he would have been better off returning for his senior year, but he could up going in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Byron Jones, CB/S, Connecticut After a Combine where he jumped out of the gym, Jones blazed a fast 40 time in the high 4.3-second range to validate his spectacular skill set. Many feel that Jones is in the mix to be a late first-round pick, and if he doesn’t go in the first round, he should go quickly in the second round. In 2014, Jones totaled 24 tackles with four passes broken up and two interceptions while missing five games with a shoulder injury. He played well in 2013, his first season at cornerback, with 60 tackles and three interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 196-pounder has excellent size, and with his athletic skill set, he should start out his career at cornerback.
2015 NFL Draft Stock Down
Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville In speaking with a general manager about Holliman, they said “He won’t tackle a soul. Had picks but sucks.” The tackling criticism has been loud even during the 2014 seasons when Holliman led the nation with 14 interceptions. It was his first-year as a starter, and he would have been wise to return to school and improve his tackling before entering the NFL draft. Holliman is grading out as a fourth- or fifth-rounder.
P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State Every year draft prospects are told to lay low and avoid partying in the months leading up to the NFL draft. They’re told this by NFL teams who want the players to succeed and, of course, by their agents. Every year though, players can’t help themselves and someone ends up getting arrested. Williams earned that distinction this year with a DUI arrest. The incident will hurt his draft stock as it illustrates a lack of judgement and self-control. The arrest could send Williams into the late second or third round.
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