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
Brian Burns, DE, Florida State In speaking to a handful of teams over the past months, all of them had a second-day grade on Burns. There are not 32 players with first-round grades, however, so some second-round talents will get selected on the opening night of the 2019 NFL Draft. Team sources say that Burns is expected to be a workout star at the combine and at his pro day as he has good length and is very athletic, and fast. The things he lacks are weight and strength, but in the workout time of year, those issues get masked by speed and athleticism with players working out in shorts with no blocking. Teams also say that Burns is getting good marks for his makeup, so that should help him in team interviews. With some good workouts, Burns has a shot at being a pick in the back half of the first round because there are some teams that really like him, even if most are grading him on Day 2.
Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina A year ago, Maryland wide receiver D.J. Moore had a steady rise in the leadup to the 2018 NFL Draft to end up being the first receiver selected. This year, some team sources think that Samuel could be the top receiver candidate to have a big rise in the weeks leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft. Samuel is an explosive play-maker who is put together well. He could end up being an impressive workout performer to further help his draft grade after a strong Senior Bowl. In speaking to a number of team scouts, Samuel has a lot of fans, and many sources feel that he is a really good player who will be an excellent value pick.
Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple The 2019 NFL Draft does not have a strong class of cornerback talent. This year could have a less than typical amount of corners in the early rounds, but one player who is rising and has helped himself is Ya-Sin. In speaking to some team sources, including one general manager last week, they had Ya-Sin graded in the second round after his quality week at the Senior Bowl. In the passing-driven NFL, there is always a huge demand for cornerback talent, so Ya-Sin stands a good shot to go in Round 2 if he continues to perform well in the leadup to the draft.
Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State Howard has some fans in the scouting community who feel that he could be this year’s Brandon Parker. Last year, the North Carolina A&T standout Parker was considered to be a mid-rounder at the end of the season, but he continued to rise in the leadup to the 2018 NFL Draft to end up going high in the third round. Sources feel that Howard could be on one of those rises because he has upside to develop and plays at a premium position with many teams needing help at tackle. Like Parker, Howard could end up going much higher than expected.
David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State Some draft analysts are high on Montgomery and believe he has the skills to be a good pro back. That is very understandable as Montgomery is a well-built athlete who was a tough runner at Iowa State over the past few seasons. The one issue with Montgomery is a question on how well he runs, but team sources say they think Montgomery could be a second-day pick if he runs well at the combine this week. A fast 40 time could turn Montgomery into a hot prospect.
Taylor Rapp, S, Washington In speaking with numerous team sources, I have heard a positive about Rapp from a number of teams. They feel that he could end up going higher than many expect, and he has a lot of fans in the scouting community. Check with WalterFootball.com later this week from the combine as we will have more information on Rapp being a rising prospect with some more insight from team sources.
2019 NFL Draft Stock Down
Benny Snell, RB, Kentucky Snell is a legend at Kentucky after rewriting the record books and causing the fan base to fall in love with his infectious personality and gritty style of play. While Snell was a great college player, some team sources are concerned about him having enough speed to thrive in the professional ranks. Some team staffers say that Snell runs extremely slow 40-yard dashes and think that is going to cause him to slide in the 2019 NFL Draft. The combine 40 time is critically important for Snell later this week.
A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss The same speed concern is plaguing the draft grade for Brown. Team sources are very worried that Brown can’t run well enough to get separation in the NFL. His 40 time is going to be massively important, but some team contacts say that word from Ole Miss was that Brown is very slow in the 40. Thus, teams are skeptical on Brown, and poor times could cause him to slide in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Carl Granderson, DE, Wyoming After a good performance at the Senior Bowl, Granderson had his draft status take a nose dive after being charged with third-degree sexual assault and sexual battery. According to the local media in Wyoming, the incident took place in November of last year. With the possibility of prison time if convicted, NFL teams are taking a wait-and-see approach with Granderson, which could easily lead to him going undrafted.
Joe Jackson, DE, Miami The Hurricanes defensive end was one of many underclassmen who entered the 2019 NFL Draft when they should have gone back to school to improve before going to the NFL. In speaking to multiple team sources, they have Jackson graded well into Day 2. One area scout told me that they had given Jackson a fourth-round grade, but also felt they were being generous with that grade and easily could have had him lower. Jackson needs to be a star at the combine and in the pre-draft workouts to have a shot at going on Day 2 during the 2019 NFL Draft.
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