This section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2018 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2018 NFL Draft Stock Up
Sam Darnold, QB, USC The consensus top quarterback prospect for the 2018 NFL Draft helped to solidify that standing with an excellent pro-day performance. Darnold didn’t throw at the combine, so he needed to impress in his workout at USC. He did just that, tossing some beautiful passes that showed off his excellent accuracy and natural touch as a thrower. The fact that it was raining during the workout helped Darnold even more to show he could be a precise thrower in wet conditions. After Darnold’s excellent pro day, he is a heavy favorite to be the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Vita Vea, DT, Washington In speaking with team sources from organization picking in the top 10, they felt that Vea could end up going much higher than expected. In fact, some teams said they have Vea as one of their highest-graded defenders, even higher than all of the cornerback prospects. Vea plays nose tackle and five-technique, two defensive line positions that are typically downgraded, so that could cause some corners to go ahead of him. But in speaking to some sources at cornerback-needy teams, they like Vea more and he could end up going in the No. 5-10 range of the first round.
Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA The offensive tackles class is weak, and Miller could benefit from that. Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown had a very rough combine performance that hurt him, and after Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey gets selected, Miller could be the next offensive tackle to get selected. The 6-foot-8, 310-pound Miller has impressive athleticism and quickness for a being a big blocker with a huge wingspan. He also plays with a mean streak. Miller turned in some uneven performances in 2018, but his skill set is helping him in the workout portion of the draft process, so being a first-round pick is a definite possibility for him.
Derrius Guice, RB, LSU The 2018 NFL Draft will have some players with second-round grades going in the top 32 because there aren’t 32 true first-rounders. One of those players on the bubble is Guice. Oddly enough though, Guice has an impressive skill set to go along with good tape and production to justifiably be a late first-rounder. He might slip to the second round because there aren’t running back-needy teams picking in the back half of the first round, but he won’t last long if he makes it to Friday night. Some teams also might trade back into the first round in order to nab Guice. Team sources say they think that Guice is a lock to go as top-40 pick.
D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland Moore is the rare prospect who makes this list in consecutive weeks but he’s generated a lot of chatter in team circles in recent weeks. The 6-foot, 210-pound Moore had a strong combine workout and displayed an intriguing skill set with good speed and athleticism. He is a gritty receiver who is physical with cornerbacks and is a dangerous run-after-the-catch weapon. Moore could be a really good No. 2 receiver in the NFL, and you can’t rule out that he battles his way into being a team’s No. 1. For the 2018 NFL Draft, Moore looks like a second-day pick, but there is a buzz building about him, making going in the first round is a possibility. Moore’s stock is rising quickly, and it could continue to climb as coaches get involved in the team meetings. Moore’s competitiveness will play very well with coaches.
Trey Johnson, CB, Villanova There are some breakout stars of the pro-day circuit every year, and this year, Johnson is one of those guys. At his pro day, Johnson ran a super-fast 40-yard dash at 4.33 seconds while also impressing in the broad jump and vertical jump. Johnson spoke with the Giants while taking tests for the Jaguars, Eagles and Packers. The Steelers, Raiders and Bears have also shown interest in Johnson. As a senior, Johnson totaled 45 tackles with 13 passes broken up and two interceptions. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder is a sleeper who really helped himself with an excellent pro day.
Alex McGough, QB, Florida International Sources tell me that McGough was one of the stars of the regional combine workout that was held in Tampa at One Buc Place. Scouts from all 32 teams and a few general managers were in attendance. Sources say that of the group of quarterbacks on hand, including Chase Litton, Kenny Hill, Richard Lagow and Peter Pujals, McGough had the most arm talent and was the most impressive passer. McGough has a lot of teams setting up private workouts. With his strong performance at the regional combine, McGough has helped to cause teams to take a deeper look at him as a possible third-day pick or priority undrafted free agent signee.
2018 NFL Draft Stock Down
Sony Michel, RB, Georgia In speaking with team sources, they think that Michel stood a 50/50 chance of being a first-round pick. Some teams, however, were disappointed in his combine workout. There also are not a lot of running back-needy teams picking in the back half of the first round, so that really hurts the chances of Michel or another running back being a first-round pick. In my latest 2018 NFL Mock Draft, Michel was dropped to the second round, and right now, I think he’s more likely to be a high second-rounder rather than a first-round pick.
Deontay Burnett, WR, USC Burnett was unable to participate at the USC pro day, which hurts him for the 2018 NFL Draft. With Sam Darnold having an excellent pro day and throwing the ball extremely well, Burnett would have benefited from running routes without defenders to show his speed and explosiveness. Burnett also lost the opportunity to show that he has improved his hands to cut down on drops. Without a stellar combine or pro day, Burnett could slide in the 2018 NFL Draft, as there are a lot of mid-round receivers.
Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State As we reported in the NFL Hot Press, some team sources feel that Hubbard hurt his chances of being a first-round pick at his pro day. “I would strongly consider dropping him from the first round of your mock,” said a college scouting director. “He was 4.95 and 5.00 in the 40-yard dash, and that didn’t surprise any of the Ohio State staff. He didn’t do well in the bench press either. He was better in the field drills with good technique, but he didn’t have the look of a first-round speed-and-strength kind of guy.”
One thing going for Hubbard is the 2018 NFL Draft doesn’t have 32 prospects grading out as first-rounders. It varies by team, but the number of true first-rounders is around 20 give or take. Playing a premium position that always is in demand will help Hubbard as well, but team sources say that after his pro day. they think that it’s possible he slips to Round 2.
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