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
Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State Weeks before the Senior Bowl, one prominent draft analyst reported that Risner was getting graded as a seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent. That was surprising because I had heard some mid-round grades from team sources. Risner then helped himself at the Senior Bowl with a solid week of practice. Some in the media have started to project Risner as a first-round pick, which team sources say is over the top, but they do believe he will go on the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft. Some sources have graded him in the fourth round, but they expect that the team that likes him enough to draft him will do so in the second or third round.
Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah made some news when he said that one team’s general manager told him that Dillard was their top-rated offensive line prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft. In speaking to a handful of team sources, Dillard is a consensus second-day pick, although it would only take one team to fall in love and select him on the opening night of the draft. Dillard received a lot of praise for his Senior Bowl performance, and in a league that is starving for offensive tackle talent, he definitely has a shot at going in Round 1 even though most project him to Day 2.
Mike Bell, S, Fresno State There are some good safety prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft, and a lot of them are going under the radar. One of those players is Bell, who has some fans in the scouting community. They like his size, fluid athleticism, and interchangeable ability to play strong or free safety. They say he flashes range and ball skills downfield while also being really good at coming down hill to defend the run. Bell could end up being a second-day pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Darnell Savage, S, Maryland Like Mike Bell, Savage is going under the radar but has fans in the scouting community. They like his ability to serve as a free safety and also play some nickel cornerback. They say that Savage is put together pretty well even though he is not a big defensive back. With his coverage skills, Savage could easily get selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa Hockenson is another prospect who has received a lot of media hype. The Iowa tight end is well-rounded player who can contribute as a run blocker as well as a passing mismatch weapon. There have even been some projections of Hockenson going as top-10 pick. While he may not go that high, he enters the combine as the top tight end prospect.
L.J. Collier, DE, TCU Collier had some fans in the scouting community entering the Senior Bowl. They liked him as a third-day candidate who could be a solid run defender as he is strong at the point of attack. He helped himself in Mobile, showing improved pass-rushing skills. His strength also was impressive, as he tossed blockers around on occasion. If Collier can show progress on improving his body in the leadup to the 2019 NFL Draft, that could further help his grade and end up making him a mid-round pick.
Charles Omenihu, DE, Texas Omenihu is another Big XII end from the Lone Star State who helped himself in Mobile. Omenihu has a good skill set with a lot of upside, but he did not always play up to it in college. In Mobile, he improved during the week and showed more consistency in his run defense and pass rush. With his athletic upside, Omenihu could be one of the stars of the combine and pre-draft workouts to further accelerate his climb up draft boards.
2019 NFL Draft Stock Down
Amani Hooker, S, Iowa Hooker entered the 2019 NFL Draft, but team sources felt that he should have returned to school. They said that while Hooker will try to dish out some hard hits and is a tough player, he misses too many tackles and has athletic limitations that really hurt him for pass coverage for the NFL. Hooker has received some late-round grades as a result.
Isaiah Buggs, DT, Alabama Buggs did not have a very impressive performance at the Senior Bowl. He would flash occasionally, but was not consistent in practice. In speaking to team sources, they dinged him in their reports for running hot and cold and “playing when he wants to play.” Buggs also is short and undersized for the NFL. He needs a strong performance at the combine to help offset disappointing in Mobile.
Bryce Love, RB, Stanford It took some time to come out, but eventually it was revealed that Love suffered a torn ACL late in the 2018 season. That injury is a devastating blow to Love’s draft stock, as it put an unfortunate cap on an injury-plagued senior year. Love was banged up throughout 2018, and now that injury will only add to durability concerns for the smaller back. That also will probably limit how much, if at all, Love can work out for teams prior to the 2019 NFL Draft, plus it could cause him to miss time in the runup to the season. If Love returns to his 2017 form, however, he could end up being a third-day steal, because some teams were giving him first-round grades during the 2017 season.
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