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
Tajaé Sharpe, WR, Massachusetts Sources from multiple teams were raving about Sharpe at the East-West Shrine Game practices. The 6-foot-3, 188-pounder has quickness to go with good size and length. Sharpe has had a superb week and has been catching the heck out of ball. As one scout said, “He’s been dominating these DBs all week.” Sharpe gets separation and is a smooth receiver. He’s really helped his draft stock at the East-West Shrine Game. The senior notched 111 receptions for 1,319 yards with five touchdowns in 2015, so he has good production as well. One team said Sharpe’s in the mid-round range and shouldn’t go any lower than the fifth round.
Geronimo Allison, WR, Illinois All week, Allison has been playing well, and he finished the important practices with a dominant session on Wednesday. He used his speed to beat defensive backs vertically and get quick separation while also using his size to produce scores in the red-zone scrimmage.
Sources say they really like Allison’s skill set. He has quickness for a 6-foot-3 receiver and runs good routes. Allison also has big, soft hands. He is very good at attacking the football away from his body and locking it in. The quickness and those route-running skills could be seen in his red-zone scores. He also has length and height. The one issue that sources say Allison needs to improve is strength. Going to a NFL strength and conditioning program should remedy that. Allison had a strong week of practice, and this session really put a cap on it. He made himself some money in Mobile.
Chris Brown, WR, Notre Dame Brown (6-2, 195) has a nice skill set and is a sleeper receiver who got caught up in a crowded depth chart for the Fighting Irish. Along with Tajaé Sharpe, Brown impressed in the one-on-ones with separation from corners. Brown had some touch catches and showed soft hands this week. The senior recorded 48 receptions for 597 yards with four touchdowns in 2015. He contributed as a junior (39-548-1), but between the crowded depth chart and quarterback changes, Brown really didn’t get a chance to break out. He came through at the East-West Shrine Game practices though. Sources say that Brown helped himself.
Graham Glasgow, C, Michigan The 6-foot-6, 303-pound Glasgow was consistent throughout the week. He held his own in the pass-rushing one-on-ones and looked very good in the team scrimmage sessions. On numerous plays, Glasgow fired out to the second level and crunched a linebacker to spring his running back for a big run. Glasgow also showed nice awareness screens. He had the athleticism to hit run blocks on the perimeter and with the size to take on defensive tackles.
Glasgow performed well in pass protection and is adept at hitting double teams with guards. His huge week puts him in the thick of the top center competition with other players like Alabama’s Ryan Kelly and USC’s Max Tuerk.
Fahn Cooper, OT, Ole Miss Cooper had a good week overall. Wednesday’s one-on-one session wasn’t as good as the others, but he still helped himself. On Tuesday, Cooper showed nice quickness to stop speed rushes and rode defenders around the pocket. That prompted some compliments from long-time offensive line coach Bill Muir (formerly of the Chiefs, Buccaneers, Jets, Eagles, Colts, Lions and Patriots). Cooper has some athleticism with versatile size to play guard or tackle. He could be a valuable backup on game days, and guard could be his best spot to compete initially.
Javon Hargrave, DT, South Carolina State One of the few defensive tackles who gave Graham Glasgow some problems was Hargrave. Hargrave beat interior linemen with a quick burst and also had a powerful bull rush to crash the pocket. He had an excellent practice on Tuesday and was making a lot of plays in the backfield. Hargrave (6-2, 295) is an undersized speed-rushing defensive tackle who could use more strength for the NFL, but he has natural pad level to go along with speed. His time at the East-West Shrine Game has given teams something to think about as a late-rounder with potential.
Victor Ochi, DE, Stony Brook Throughout the week, Ochi grabbed one’s attention with his great get-off and pure speed around the edge. He did very well in the pass-rushing one-on-ones as his lightning first-step made him very hard for blockers to reach. If Ochi can make a NFL roster, his role would probably be as a situational pass-rusher to start out his career. While he has functional upper body strength, Ochi is still too undersized to be a three-down edge defender. Ochi’s weight is below 250 pounds in the mid-240s, and therefore he is a better fit as a developmental 3-4 outside linebacker. Ochi made himself some money in St. Petersburg.
Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois The Illinois Illini had a lot of players at the East-West Shrine, and Ferguson was one of their most impressive. He showed serious NFL speed with the ability to rip off yards in chunks. Ferguson was dangerous on screen passes with excellent cutting ability to stop and start. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ferguson is the MVP of the game on Saturday. The small and shifty runner slashed his way through the defense with impressive cutting before breaking into the open field with his sudden burst. Some teams have graded Ferguson as a third- or fourth-round pick, and he validated that draft grade in St. Petersburg.
2016 NFL Draft Stock Down
Donavon Clark, G, Michigan State Clark looks the part of a NFL blocker, but he really struggled at the East-West Shrine. He was slow out of his stance and lumbered to adjust. That allowed defensive tackles to give him fits in the pass-rushing one-on-ones. He was beaten for a lot of sacks and had feet that were stuck in concrete. Clark (6-4, 325) has the build to be a pro guard, but he looked like an undrafted free agent and developmental prospect at the East-West Shrine.
Luther Maddy, DT, Virginia Tech During the final of the practice on Wednesday, I was talking with some scouts about how quiet Maddy has been this week. He had late-round grades from the regular season, but he was a ghost at the East-West Shrine. The 6-foot-2, 283-pound Maddy is a quick defender who needs to add more strength, and that was apparent in the practices. Many thought Maddy would show well in St. Petersburg with speed in the pass-rushing one-on-ones, but he was very quiet. This week could send Maddy from the late rounds to the undrafted ranks.
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