This section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2019 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2019 NFL Draft Stock Up
Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida We revealed recently in the Hot Press that multiple teams have Taylor as their top graded offensive lineman for the 2019 NFL Draft. They feel that Taylor will be the first blocker drafted and could go high in Round 1. Team sources love Taylor’s combination of size, movement skills, and strength. Sources feel that 6-foot-5, 340-pounder has an excellent skill set with upside to be a top tackle in the NFL.
Here is what one national scout texted me about Taylor, “I bet you Jawaan Taylor is the first tackle to go in the draft if he comes out. I haven’t seen him hardly anywhere from the experts, haha.” In speaking to a general manager of a team in need of tackle help, they said that Taylor was their top offensive tackle prospect as well. While it is still early in the 2019 NFL Draft process, entering the offseason portion, multiple NFL teams have Taylor as a their top-rated offensive lineman and think he could be a high first-round pick.
Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple Ya-Sin started out his collegiate career at Presbyterian before transferring to Temple. As a senior, he totaled 47 tackles with 12 passes broken up and two interceptions. Ya-Sin’s best year at Presbyterian came as a junior when he recorded 49 tackles, eight passes broken up and five interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has excellent size and length to fit as a press-man corner in a Seahawks-style defense, and if he doesn’t succeed at cornerback, he could be a candidate to move to safety provided he can tackle well enough.
Khari Willis, S, Michigan State The Spartans at one point had a run of producing some good NFL defensive back prospects for the NFL Draft, including players like Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes. After a bit of a lull, Willis could represent Michigan State in the 2019 NFL Draft. The senior is having a good 2018 season, totaling 81 tackles with eight passes broken up and two interceptions. He totaled two picks as a junior with 71 tackles and three breakups. Willis (6-0 215) could rise if he shows well in pass coverage at the Senior Bowl.
Will Harris, S, Boston College Entering the 2018 season, Lukas Denis was the Boston College safety who had the most buzz, but Harris is putting together the better season and was the one of the pair who earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Denis is undersized, while the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Harris has good size for the NFL. As a senior, Harris has 75 tackles with an interception. He totaled 83 tackles and an interception in 2018. In Mobile, Harris needs to demonstrate pass-coverage skills to help his draft stock.
Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston Johnson has 66 tackles with seven passes broken up and two interceptions in 2018. The 6-foot-4, 202-pounder is a tall corner who may have to move to safety in the NFL. As a junior, he totaled 45 tackles with seven passes broken up and two interceptions.
Chuma Edoga, OT, USC Edoga (6-4, 295) started at right tackle for USC over the past two years and put together a strong senior year to land an invitation to the Senior Bowl. During his final season with the Trojans, Edoga dealt with knee and hip injuries that caused him to miss some time, but he battled through to remain on the field for the most part. Depending on how he measures out in Mobile, Edoga might be a candidate to move inside.
Darius West, S, Kentucky West has been a solid defender for Kentucky in 2018, serving as a dependable run defender. He has produced 76 tackles and has also showed some coverage skills with six passes broken up and three interceptions. The 6-foot, 210-pound West is put together well for the NFL. His solid play earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He totaled 86 tackles with a break up and one interception as a junior.
Lonnie Johnson Jr., CB, Kentucky Johnson has 19 tackles with three passes broken up in 2018. He has been Kentucky’s best corner and been solid in coverage. The 6-foot-3, 206-pounder possesses good size for battling NFL receivers. Johnson’s dependable play earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl. In 2017, Johnson totaled 41 tackles with five pass breakups.
2019 NFL Draft Stock Down
Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson After watching Mullen closely in the ACC Conference Championship Game and then going back to watch him in other games from the back half of the season, Mullen was very disappointing in his play. Hence, I dropped him from a late first-round pick to being a mid-rounder. He has been utterly devoid of playmaking this season, and that can be seen from his sparse production – 25 tackles, three passes broken up and zero interceptions. Mullen has a skill set, but he does not play up to it and allows more separation than he should. With the way Mullen has played as a junior, he definitely should return for his senior year to improve before going pro.
Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn Dean is a bit of a love/hate prospect, but in speaking with some area scouts recently, Dean is receiving lower grades than many expected entering the season. Some teams are giving him mid-round grades due to concerns about his speed and ability to run with receivers in the NFL. The big cornerback Dean (6-2, 208) has some athletic limitations for the next level. His tackling also may not be viewed as good enough to move to safety. Dean should return to Auburn for his senior year rather than enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
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