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
Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State In speaking with some team sources, they have Abram graded as the top safety for the 2019 NFL Draft. They feel that Abram is a well-rounded player who is very good in both phases of the position. Teams like Abram’s twitchy athleticism in coverage. They like his instincts and that he shows nice anticipation for routes. Abram also is a physical defender who is good against the run. Some team sources feel that Abram is a better prospect than other recent safety prospects like Keanu Neal and Terrell Edmunds. Thus, Abram has a shot at going in the No. 10-20 range of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia Thornhill has gone under the radar, but some team sources feel that he is the second-best safety in the 2019 NFL Draft and worthy of going early in the second round. He finished his season with his sixth interception of the year against South Carolina and totaled 13 career picks. Evaluators like his instincts and his ability to make plays on the ball. They feel he can cover tight ends, has better than expected range, and could fit as a free safety in the NFL. The 6-foot-1, 212-pound Thornhill also has quality size. Teams don’t think he will make it to the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware Adderley is another safety who has impressed evaluators. Some teams have him graded higher over more high-profile safeties. Adderley totaled nine interceptions over the past two seasons and improved his tackle production every year over the past three seasons. Sources believe that Adderley could easily go in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and hink it is unlikely he would slip to the third round. Adderley could be a steady riser in the leadup to the 2019 NFL Draft.
Taylor Rapp, S, Washington In the 2019 NFL Draft, Rapp looks like a second- or third-round pick from speaking to evaluators. For the NFL, Rapp would fit best as a strong safety and looks like he could be a starting strong safety early in his NFL career. While he is not a thumper, Rapp has good instincts that turn him into a solid defender. His best attribute could be his blitzing, as he is very good at chasing down the quarterback. He is a quality tackler and run defender who plays well near the line of scrimmage. As a pro, Rapp should be a solid run defender and eighth man in the box.
Jachai Polite, DE/OLB, Florida To close out the 2018 season, Polite stayed consistent with his impressive junior year and had his way with the Michigan offensive line. In the second quarter against the Wolverines, Polite flew around the corner to get a third-down strip-sack of quarterback Shea Patterson that ended up forcing a field goal for Michigan. Polite lost track of the ball and turned the wrong direction or he could easily have recovered the fumble. Still it was a great rush showing his lightning speed and athleticism to turn the corner. Just before the half, Polite ducked under the inside of the right tackle to start a tackle for a loss. Polite had some other good pass rushes as well, and the Michigan tackles could not handle his speed off the edge.
Polite has the skill set to be a top-16 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He is very fast off the edge with a nose for the quarterback. Polite could work on polishing up more moves, but he has double-digit sack potential with his speed and agility. In the ground game, Polite is a solid defender, and that is surprising considering he is short and a bit light. As a pro, Polite would be a great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. While he is worthy of going in the top half of the first round, Polite might slide some as some team sources have concerns about his makeup.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB, Florida Against Michigan for the final performance of his collegiate career, Gardner-Johnson turned in his best game. In the early going, he made a few good tackles, but in the second half of the game, he produced some massive plays to lead his team to a win. In the third quarter with Florida protecting a three-point lead, Gardner-Johnson came up with a huge play, picking off Shea Patterson near the end zone. Grander-Johnson lined up as a slot corner, but he backed into free safety zone coverage to undercut a throw when the receiver slanted away from him. After picking it off inside the five-yard line, he returned it across midfield to set up the Gators in superb field position. Late in the fourth quarter, Gardner-Johnson caught a deflected pass that he returned 30 yards for a pick-six.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, Gardner-Johnson could be a second-day pick. He can play slot cornerback and safety. Gardner-Johnson is not a stud corner, but he could be a starter who ends up being a quality pro.
Isaiah Holyfield, RB, Georgia After being buried on the depth chart behind Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, Holyfield broke out in 2018 as part of a new dynamic Bulldogs tandem with D’Andre Swift. In 2018, Holyfield has averaged 6.5 yards per carry for 956 yards and seven touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder is put together well and is a physical runner. Team sources compare him to Samaje Perine, a mid-round pick of the Redskins a few years ago. Holyfield could be a mid-rounder if he enters the 2019 NFL Draft.
B.J. Autry, G, Jacksonville State Autry could continue the streak of small-school offensive lineman to really help themselves by playing well at the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-5, 340-pounder is thick blocker who has big size for the NFL. A variety of team sources say that the 2019 NFL Draft is weak on the offensive line, so Autry could become a hot prospect if he has a dominant week in Mobile.
2019 NFL Draft Stock Down
Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama Team sources thought that Thompson had first-round potential after his hot start to the year, but over the course of the season, his play cooled down and so did the feelings of NFL evaluators. In speaking to multiple team sources, they have ended up grading Thompson on the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft. There were a few reasons why Thompson saw his stock go down. The first one was teams felt he stopped making plays on the ball. Another issue they saw was missed tackles, plus they say he has a thin frame for the NFL. All of those problems could be seen against Oklahoma, as he misread one play to lose a potential interception, dropped an easy interception, and was beat over the top for a long touchdown. Some team sources felt that younger safeties Xavier McKinney and Shyheim Carter were more impressive in the back half half of the season.
Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson Lawrence did some damage to his draft grade with a suspension prior to the Cotton Bowl. He had a failed drug test and lost the appeal. Over the last year or two, Lawrence has not been as good on the field as he was during his freshman season, and now Lawrence adds a failed test to turn off some NFL teams. After the failed test, going late in the first round is about as high as Lawrence could hope to go in the 2019 NFL Draft.
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