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
Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State The 2018 NFL Draft is not a strong draft at tight end, but there are plenty of teams around the NFL that are looking to find a receiving mismatch for the position. As a result, players like Gesicki benefit from that demand. Gesicki is a fast and athletic receiving tight end who is horrible as a blocker, but with his receiving skill, he should be in demand on Friday night of the 2018 NFL Draft. In speaking with team sources, they believe that Gesicki stands a good shot of going in the second round. They don’t feel that he will make it to their third-round pick, and there are even some mock drafts that have Gesicki going in the first round. Scouts often compare Gesicki to Coby Fleener, and like Fleener, Gesicki could also be a second-round pick.
John Kelly, RB, Tennessee Kelly has gone under the radar in the leadup to the 2018 NFL Draft, but sources have told me that there are a number of teams that have taken a liking to him. They feel that Kelly could be a valuable mid-round pick and has the upside to be a good rotational back in the NFL. Some teams are targeting him for the early rounds of the third day of the 2018 NFL Draft, and Kelly has a nice buzz about him in the final days heading into the draft.
Lamar Jordan, WR, New Mexico The quarterback-turned-wide receiver helped himself with his pro-day performance. He had a fast 40-yard dash at 4.48 seconds and showed impressive route-running. Jordan (6-0, 192) is likely to be a priority undrafted free agent with athletic upside to develop.
Jerron Searles, OT/G, Indiana-Pa. Sources have told me that Searles (6-4, 300) is a late round or undrafted free agent who has a nice buzz about him. They say he is a powerful offensive lineman who really moved defenders at the point of attack. He can play guard or tackle and has some versatile athleticism to be developed as a valuable backup.
Tristan Nickelson, OT, Texas Nickelson is a massive right tackle prospect who has been overlooked for a lot of the leadup to the 2018 NFL Draft. A lot of attention has been paid to Connor Williams, but Nickelson is a solid prospect in his own right. He moved to left tackle while Williams was injured, and that helped Texas, but hurt Nickelson’s draft grade. He could be a good undrafted free agent signing who competes at right tackle while also potentially serving as a swing tackle backup.
2018 NFL Draft Stock Down
Kevin Toliver, CB, LSU Toliver can be included in a group of prospects who should have returned for their senior years. As a junior, Toliver turned in a disappointing season. To make matters worse, teams have worries about off-the-field issues and character concerns with Toliver. Even though he has a good skill set, Toliver is expected to slide in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Donte Jackson, CB, LSU Toliver’s teammate Jackson is another player whose stock is falling some. Jackson still could go in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but some team sources felt that late in Round 1 could be too high for him. Jackson has size issues and is a gambler who needs to learn more discipline for the NFL. His world-class speed is what makes him a unique player, but he could end up slipping to the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State The 2018 NFL Draft is strong at the running back position, but Ballage is one of the freakiest halfbacks in the class. He has a unique combination of size and speed that should make him an early-round selection. However in speaking with sources at multiple teams, they were down on Ballage. They felt that late in the second round or early in the third round was too high to take him. Ballage has a great skill set, but that doesn’t sound like it will be enough to keep him from sliding to the mid-rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn Around the league, there is some conflict about Davis. Some team sources think he is a first-rounder given his size, speed, and solid play over three seasons starting for Auburn. Other team sources think that the first round is too high for Davis and that he belongs on the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft. They say Davis is a press-man corner for the pros, but a lot of his best plays in college came when he was in zone coverage. Some sources recommended that I move Davis down to the second day in my mock draft, and it definitely is possible that he slips to Round 2.
Hercules Mata’afa, OLB, Washington State Some evaluators like Mata’afa’s nose for the quarterback and the projection of him to being a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. However, off-the-field concerns are weighing Mata’afa down. Sources say that he has a reputation for being a boozer, fighter, and not a hard worker. Considering Mata’afa will be learning a new position going from defensive tackle to outside linebacker, having work-ethic questions is tough for him to overcome with teams because it will take a lot of dedication for him to learn his new position at the NFL level. Those character issues are really hurting Mata’afa, and he could slide significantly on the third day of the 2018 NFL Draft.
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