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
Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State It isn’t common for a consensus top-10 pick to get into the stock up category given how high they are already perceived, but Wentz was able to accomplish that feat with a tremendous pro day. He looked excellent, showing off his arm talent, footwork and athleticism. Wentz ended any debate about who is the best quarterback prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft. He is the consensus top signal-caller, and while an odd team or scout might prefer Jared Goff, the vast majority have Wentz rated higher. Wentz also has interviewed well with teams, demonstrating an excellent recall and football I.Q. With how Wentz performed at his pro day, quarterback-needy teams could be moving up in the 2016 NFL Draft to land him.
Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State If Jones had a more consistent and productive history, he could have be a pick in the top half of the first round. However, teams feel that Jones did not produce close to his skill set. They also have concerns about his maturity and his passion for the game. Those issues, along with his underachieving potential put him on the bubble of Thursday and Friday night, but in speaking with sources from around the NFL, they love Jones’ skill set.
Teams love Jones’ size, speed and athleticism for the next level. He is very fast off the ball with an excellent get-off, plus has a serious burst out of his stance to get upfield and fire his gap. That causes Jones to cause some disruption instantly. He also has length and strength to hold his ground and shed blocks. With his speed, natural strength, and athleticism, Jones has a ton of upside to develop. If he works hard and takes his pro career seriously, he could be an excellent interior pass-rusher and a tough run defender.
Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas There are teams around the league that feel that Williams could be one of the steals of the 2016 NFL Draft. He missed the 2015 season because of a foot injury, but teams feel that based on his tape from 2014, he would have been a second- or third-round pick if he had stayed healthy. Williams (5-10, 219) is a tough runner who has strength to get yards after contact. Sources say that Williams has interviewed well and his teammates have raved about him. If Williams looks good in some private workouts before the 2016 NFL Draft, he could go higher than expected. Teams feel Williams could be a great value in the fourth round.
Nick Martin, C, Notre Dame The consensus opinion has Alabama’s Ryan Kelly as the top center in the 2016 NFL Draft, but in speaking with sources, some teams have Martin graded higher. They feel that he is a similar prospect to Mitch Morse as a center or guard candidate, but a future solid starter at center. Morse went in the back half of the second round last year to the Chiefs, and teams feel that Martin could go in that range. Sources say they feel that Martin has the skills to immediately compete for playing time and a starting job. Some teams picking late in the second round are targeting Martin.
T.J. Green, S, Clemson In speaking with some evaluators, they really like Green and are targeting him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. They feel that he is a smart coverage safety who can be used in a variety of ways. Other Clemson prospects like Shaq Lawson, Kevin Dodd and Mackensie Alexander have been discussed more, teams really like Green as well. Green amassed 95 tackles with three passes broken up and two forced fumbles in 2015. Teams feel that 6-foot-2, 205-pounder would be a nice fit as a coverage free safety in the NFL and could end up going higher than expected.
2016 NFL Draft Stock Down
William Jackson, CB, Houston When I talk with teams around the league I hear a huge discrepancy in opinion on Jackson. One general manager from a playoff team that has done well drafting defensive backs in recent years told me they had a fourth-round grade on Jackson before the Combine. Of course Jackson had a stellar Combine where he ran fast and did well in the field drills. One team that needs cornerback help picking high said they see Jackson as a third-rounder. Other teams have said they see him as a second-rounder and perhaps a team could take him late in the first. One of the reasons for the wide variety for Jackson is the scheme fit projection.
Kendall Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech As we reported in the rumormill, Fuller’s combine medical exam did not go well in regards to the knee injury that cost him all of the 2015 season. In speaking with five different teams, everybody loves Fuller’s 2014 tape and feel if he had duplicated that last year, he would be in the discussion as the top cover corner in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Now though, most teams are now projecting him to Day 2 because of concerns about his knee. One playoff team that really loves Fuller, said they still see a chance for him going late in Round 1. However, most teams project him to Day 2 unless there is a lot of good news that comes out of his medical re-check.
Antonio Morrison, LB, Florida Morrison helped himself with a strong senior year, but since end of the season, his stock has taken a hit. he was limping around the Senior Bowl and was unable to work out at the combine. A year ago in the spring, Morrison sustained a knee injury that required surgery. He made a miraculous recovery to play his final season for Florida, but teams are worried about his health and his status for training camp in a few months. Morrison could slide in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State Sources say that in an average year, Washington would have a good shot at being a first-round pick. The problem for Washington is the 2016 NFL Draft is loaded at talent on the inside of the defensive line. In speaking with teams, they feel that could push Washington down enough that he ends up going in the second round. Washington also has some scheme limitations as teams that run a 3-4 don’t see a great fit for him. He is a natural speedy three-technique for a 4-3 defense. Washington could slide to the second round and be a nice value pick for some team.
Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss Teams weren’t expecting Treadwell to run well in his 40 as he is a not a speed receiver and struggled to generate separation from quality cornerbacks in college. However, he is a big, physical wideout who is very good at making contested catches, and that is why he is projected to be a first-round pick. Treadwell decided to skip the 40 at the combine and wait until his pro day. That may have backfired on Treadwell as he ran slow with 40 times of 4.65 and 4.63 seconds, according to NFL Network. It illustrates that Treadwell enters the NFL with speed issues, which puts him firmly in the back half of the first round.
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