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
Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State Vander Esch was one of the players who helped themselves at their pro day, putting up excellent numbers to illustrate his speed and athletic ability. A lot of teams are showing their interest by hosting Vander Esch on pre-draft visits. In the 2018 NFL Draft, Vander Esch has a chance to be a first-rounder, and he should get selected in the top 20 of the second round if he falls to Friday night. Vander Esch is on a late rise that could propel him into being a Thursday night pick.
Parry Nickerson, CB, Tulane Nickerson is undersized, but he put himself in contention to be a mid-round pick with an excellent combine. The 5-foot-10, 182-pounder needs to gain weight and get stronger for taking on NFL receivers, but Nickerson has some speed, which he illustrated at the combine with an electric 40 time of 4.32 seconds. In the field drills, Nickerson looked fast and fluid. Nickerson could be a starting nickel in the NFL who also helps to defend elite speed receivers. After his strong postseason, Nickerson should be a sought-after mid-round pick.
Tre’Quan Smith, WR, Central Florida A wide receiver who could end up being a nice value pick in the mid-rounds is Smith. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder showed some very good speed at the combine to go with a good build. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds, and that was a very impressive time for a receiver with his build. Smith was a dangerous receiver for Central Florida and was a point-producer in 2017, totaling 13 touchdowns on 59 receptions for 1,171 yards. Smith could end up going much higher than expected.
Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State NFL teams have received some positive feedback on Gallup from his former competitors. Some cornerback prospects have told teams that Gallup was one of the more difficult receivers they ever had to guard in college. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder has some size, quickness, hands and route-running. He could end up being a sought-after receiver in the mid-rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Allen Lazard, WR, Iowa State Some teams have speed concerns about Lazard, and that is understandable considering the big wideout timed at 4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. However, the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder is a size mismatch who also could move to tight end in the NFL. Lazard could gain 10-15 pounds and end up being a receiving tight end who causes even more mismatch issues. While Lazard won’t be an early-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, he could end up being a third-day steal. Some team sources are intrigued by him.
Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville Sometimes NFL teams and analysts can come full circle on a prospect. That is the case with Alexander, who has been a roller coaster journey since the start of his final college football season. Two days after the 2017 NFL Draft, I had Alexander going in the top half of the first round for the 2018 NFL Draft. After an injury-riddled 2017, teams around the league were projecting the junior to the second day of the2018 NFL Draft. That was before his amazing NFL Scouting Combine, however. Now, Alexander is back to being projected as a first-round pick. As a cover corner, it is easy to fall in love with Alexander. He is extremely fast and possesses the athleticism and agility to run the route and prevent separation. Alexander also has great tape to gow with an excellent skill set. He looks poised to be a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and could go as a top-20 selection.
Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA In speaking with team sources late last week, they said that Miller had a shot at being a late first-round pick. There are still a lot of teams that need help at offensive tackle after free agency, and Miller had an excellent combine that illustrated a lot of athletic upside. There are a lot of teams picking late in the first round and early in the second round that could take Miller. Thus, a team could get impatient and jump up to ensure they get him. Miller and other early-round tackle prospects are aided by the short supply and the high demand for edge protectors.
2018 NFL Draft Stock Down
Kentavius Street, DT, N.C. State Unfortunately, Street is on the stock down through no fault of his own. Street tore an ACL in a private workout with the Giants, and that is going to send him down in the 2018 NFL Draft. Street had a shot at going on the second day of the draft, but after his injury, he looks destined for Day 3. The injury could also cost him his rookie season in the NFL, and some teams that otherwise would have drafted him will now pass.
Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin Just like Street, Nelson suffered an injury during a private workout. Fortunately for Nelson his knee injury, a torn meniscus, isn’t as catastrophic, and he is expected to be back on time for the 2018 season. After a 3-4 month recovery, Nelson is expected to be back on the field. However he will miss OTA practices, mini-camp, and could be out for part of training camp. Missing other private workouts could hurt him, and he might slide a round in the 2018 NFL Draft because of this injury.
Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn Over last weekend, I surveying team sources about the running back class and in what range players should go. One of the players who I heard needed to be lower was Johnson. Sources felt that the middle of second round was a little high for Johnson and thought he would go later. With that in mind, Johnson could be more of a late second-round or early third-round pick. There has been a good buzz about Derrius Guice and Sony Michel in the leadup to the 2018 NFL Draft, but Johnson has not enjoyed that. He could end up going lower than expected.
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