This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2016 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2016 NFL Draft Stock Up
Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan In speaking with sources, Davis was a player who was singled out as generating a buzz. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder is said to be a good route-runner with reliable hands and deceptive speed. Evaluators like his size and length to make contested catches. In 2015, Davis has 24 receptions for 351 yards with three touchdowns. He totaled 78 catches for 351 yards with three scores last season. Davis has competed well against good competition. If the junior enters the 2016 NFL Draft, he could be a second-day pick.
Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland Another player who sources said has impressed them and has his stock is up is Ngakoue. He destroyed Redskins guard Brandon Scherff last season. Ngakoue also looked good against Michigan State’s Jack Conklin and Ohio State’s Taylor Decker while holding his own against Saints’ first-rounder Andrus Peat.
Last year, Ngakoue recorded 37 tackles, 13.5 for a loss, and six sacks. He is off to a strong start this season with 14 tackles and 5.5 sacks to date. The 6-foot-2, 255-pounder looks like a good edge defender for a 3-4 defense.
Josh Doctson, WR, TCU The Horned Frogs had a scare against Texas Tech, and thanks to Doctson, they avoided the upset. He had a tremendous game with 18 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Yes, Texas Tech has a weak defense playing in college’s version of the Arena League, but those totals are phenomenal against any opponent. In 2015, Doctson has 35 receptions for 593 yards and six touchdowns. He leads the nation in receiving yards. Doctson’s big production could push him into second-day consideration.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, OLB, Tennessee The Volunteers’ defense choked another fourth-quarter lead, but it wasn’t Reeves-Maybin’s fault as he was superb against Florida. He made a number of clutch tackles with eight stops, two for a loss and one sack. A few weeks ago, he had 21 tackles against Oklahoma.
Reeves-Maybin (6-0, 225) has shown good instincts and the speed to defend the perimeter. In 2015, Reeves-Maybin has 41 tackles with three sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass batted. The junior is having a breakout season in the SEC.
Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State Calhoun was a beast against Central Michigan and overwhelmed the inferior opponent – as he should. Calhoun totaled six tackles, three for a loss and 2.5 sacks and a pass batted against the Chippewas. Coming back for his senior year is proving to be wise move on his part. He has improved his strength and repertoire his pass-rushing moves. In 2015, Calhoun has 4.5 sacks, 14 tackles, five for a loss and a pass batted. Right now, he looks like he has improved his status from a second-day pick to a first-rounder.
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State After being quiet for most of the game against Texas, Ogbah got going in the fourth quarter with some big plays to help the Cowboys snatch the victory. One was when he beat the right tackle with a speed rush around the edge to get a sack. Shortly later, Ogbah shed a block and dropped the running back in the backfield for a loss of one yard. Ogbah came back to get in on a couple of sacks of the quarterback scrambling. He finished with five tackles, two for a loss and 1.5 sacks against the Longhorns.
In 2015, Ogbah’s totaled 18 tackles, 6.5 for a loss and five sacks. He has sacks in all four of the Cowboys’ games. Ogbah showed a nice burst off the snap and the strength to shed blocks. He saw a number of double-teams and held his own while going against two blockers. Overall, this was a nice tape for Ogbah and he looked like a first-round pick.
Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Texas Ridgeway played well against California a week ago, but he was an animal against Oklahoma State. Early in the second quarter versus the Cowboys, Ridgeway pushed his way by two blockers and was closing on the quarterback when the ball was fumbled. Ridgeway scooped up the ball and ran it 34 yards for a touchdown. In the third quarter, he split a double-team from the right guard and center to start a sack of the quarterback. In the fourth quarter, Ridgeway burned by the guard to get a sack and had another pressure that helped produce a pick-six. He totaled six tackles with one sack credited against Oklahoma State.
The 6-foot-3, 314-pound Ridgeway overwhelmed the interior of the Cowboys’ line with his size and strength. He showed the ability to be a stout run defender and collapse the pocket in the pass rush. Ridgeway has 16 tackles with 3.5 for a loss and one sack so far this season. He gave his draft stock a real jolt with this game, and this should help him to grade out in the top half of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA Clark had a strong outing against Arizona. He stuffed a number of runs throughout the game. In the first quarter, Clark worked off the left guard to get a coverage sack when Anu Solomon stepped up in the pocket. Clark added a tackle for a loss in the fourth quarter after penetrating the offensive line and swallowing up the back. He totaled eight tackles against the Wildcats. Clark has 20 tackles after four games. This tape will definitely help his draft grade as he showed a mix of being stout against the run with some ability to contribute to the pass rush.
Honorable Mentions: UCLA guard Alex Redmond, Kentucky quarterback Patrick Towles, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg, Florida defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard and Notre Dame running back C.J. Procise.
2016 NFL Draft Stock Down
Myles Jack, OLB, UCLA This stock down isn’t Jack’s fault as he had a season-ending knee injury in practice. In his three-game season, Jack totaled 15 tackles with one breakup, one interception and two carries for seven yards with a touchdown. Many believe that Jack will enter the 2016 NFL Draft. While the injury probably won’t keep him out of the first round, it could knock him out of the top 10 and send him into the teens or 20s.
Demarcus Robinson, WR, Florida The draft stock and on-field production of Robinson is being negatively impacted by his off-the-field issues. Weeks ago, we had a blog in the rumormill that sources said there were off-the-field concerns with Robinson. They felt that he needs a lot of direction and guidance. Apparently, Robinson’s lack of discipline has landed him in the doghouse of the new Gators coaching staff, and clearly, they are limiting Robinson’s playing time. The coaches also aren’t calling a lot of plays for him as he has only 20 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown after four games. Robinson has a lot of talent, but if he doesn’t straighten out the playing time and off-the-field concerns, his draft stock is going to take some major hits with the NFL.
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