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
Jayron Kearse, S, Clemson Sources told WalterFootball.com that they feel that of Clemson’s NFL prospects who could enter the draft early, Kearse was the most impressive and more so than Shaq Lawson or Mackensie Alexander. These sources believe that Kearse has the ability to be a deep safety who helps over the top. He also can play some dime linebacker with his run defense and cover tight ends in man coverage. This season, Kearse has 38 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss, three passes broken up and an interception. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder has improved his draft stock and could be an early-rounder if he enters the 2016 NFL Draft.
Jamal Adams, S, LSU Over the past couple of weeks, the Tigers have had some rough games, but one defender who has helped his draft stock this year is Adams. He has shown the versatility to be a good run defender and help in pass coverage. Adams has 51 tackles with four passes broken up and four interceptions on the year. The 6-foot-1, 211-pounds has versatile size to play strong or free safety in the NFL. Adams could be one of the top safeties if he enters the 2016 NFL Draft.
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama For the second-straight week, Robinson was an animal at the point of attack for the Crimson Tide. After Robinson’s best game of the year against LSU, he was even better taking on Mississippi State. Robinson beat the left guard to sack Dak Prescott on the first play from scrimmage, and that set the tone for a dominant game. Robinson totaled five tackles and 2.5 sacks versus the Bulldogs. The week before, all of Alabama’s front seven played well against LSU, but Robinson was the most impressive defender to lead a great team effort. He stuffed a number of runs from Leonard Fournette and also was getting after the quarterback.
In 2015, Robinson has 34 tackles with seven for a loss and three sacks. These two tapes will aid his draft grade and help to trend his stock upward.
Jonathan Allen, DE, Alabama Robinson wasn’t the only Alabama defender who overwhelmed Mississippi State. Allen had two coverage sacks before beating the Bulldogs’ left tackle cleanly with strength to shed a block and speed around the corner to strip-sack Dak Prescott. In the ground game, Allen was sound as well. He totaled three sacks with seven tackles. This season, Allen has been very consistent on a week-to-week basis with steady pass rush and quality run defense. He has 25 tackles with 11.5 for a loss and nine sacks so far in 2015. Allen is really raising his stock with a huge season.
Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama Henry continued his torrid season as he rolled over Mississippi State. Henry was excellent a week earlier against LSU when he carried the rock 38 times for 210 yards. Despite the heavy work load, he looked even fresher a week later.
Midway through the second quarter against Mississippi State, Henry exploded to the second level and veered past a safety to break into the open field. Cornerbacks tried to track him down, but Henry ran away from them with a 74-yard touchdown run. In the fourth quarter, he bounced a run to the outside and out-raced the secondary down the field again for a 65-yard touchdown run. It was insane how Henry took away the deep angle from the secondary and just used pure straight-line speed to take it the distance. He totaled 204 yards on 22 carries with those two scores.
In 2015, Henry has averaged 6.1 yards per carry for 1,458 yards with 19 touchdowns with nine receptions for 69 yards. The 6-foot-3, 242-pounder has shown the skill set to be a one-cut downhill power back who has surprising speed to take runs the distance. Henry’s big year could get him late first-round consideration.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma While many were expecting Baylor’s Corey Coleman to shine, it was Shepard who had the bigger night in the Big XII grudge match. Shepard moved the chains on a number of receptions, working the middle of the field and getting separation from the Baylor defensive backs. In the second quarter, Shepard ran a go route down the field and got separation with his speed. He then made an excellent over-the-shoulder catch and extended for the pylon to score a 39-yard touchdown. He added another touchdown on short quick slant in the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Shepard got open for another chunk gain to set up Oklahoma in a first-and-goal. That set up the Sooners to score the game-clinching touchdown. Shepard totaled 14 receptions for 177 yards and the two scores in this contest. In 2015, he has 61 catches for 1,003 yards and nine touchdowns. Baylor’s secondary is nothing special, but it still was impressive and showed Shepard’s talent to be a slot receiver in the NFL. This tape could help him to get second-day consideration in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Honorable Mentions: Florida defensive end Jonathan Bullard, Oklahoma defensive end Charles Tapper, California quarterback Jared Goff and Arkansas running back Alex Collins.
2016 NFL Draft Stock Down
Will Redmond, CB, Mississippi State Redmond makes the stock-down section, but its no fault of his own as a torn ACL ended his season early. Considering the timing of the injury, he will miss out on the Combine and Senior Bowl while being projected to start training camp on the PUP list. That will hurt Redmond’s stock like it has other injured prospects. He totaled 25 tackles with two interceptions in his shortened 2015 season and played well before the injury. Rather than going on the second day of the 2016 NFL Draft, Redmond looks destined to go on Day 3.
Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State Sources have said that Conklin shouldn’t stay at left tackle in the NFL, and that was given further proof against Maryland. He was beaten for a sack by Yannick Ngakoue and other pressures around the edge. In short, Conklin allowed too much heat on Connor Cook, and the line allowed its quarterback to get injured. For the next level, Conklin is a much better fit at right tackle or guard. He doesn’t have the feet, quickness and agility to be a blind-side blocker.
Kenyon Drake, RB, Alabama Drake suffered a fractured arm against Mississippi State and looks likely to miss at least the end of the regular season and SEC Championship Game. He suffered a gruesome leg break last year, and his draft stock needed a healthy season to show durability for the NFL. Drake (6-1, 210) was having a nice season showing speed to go with size. With the durability concerns at his position, Drake is probably now a late-rounder.
Jeremy Cash, S, Duke Against Pittsburgh, Cash had an underwhelming game that showed some limitations in pass coverage. He had to hold wide receiver Tyler Boyd on a few occasions, and one hold resulted in a penalty in the end zone. Cash was also beaten by the tight end on an out route to catch a short touchdown pass.
Pass coverage is the most important characteristic that NFL teams are looking for from safeties in the draft, and Cash is going to need some development as a pro. This tape will hurt his draft grade.
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