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
Erik McCoy, G/C, Texas A&M Once the skill positions run at the combine, the offensive linemen often get forgotten about because their 40 times and other workouts aren’t as eye popping given the nature of their physique and their body types. Well, one offensive lineman who hasn’t been forgotten about with team sources is McCoy. Teams have been raving about his workout. His 40 time of 4.89 seconds is considered freaky fast for a guard/center. The 6-foot-3, 303-pounder practiced well at the Senior Bowl, and he has great tape from his final season with the Aggies, including his games taking on Alabama and Clemson.
Some team sources think McCoy is a better prospect than Frank Ragnow or Billy Price, who went in the first round last year. They feel that McCoy has a shot at sneaking into the first round. Across a handful of sources, at worst, they thought McCoy would go in the top half of the second round. McCoy’s stock is rising around the league, and he looks destined to go in the top-50 picks this April.
Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State McCoy wasn’t the only interior offensive lineman who had an excellent combine. Bradbury showed his special athleticism for an interior blocker by ripping off a 4.92-second time in the 40-yard dash while also looking quick and athletic in the field work. Bradbury should go in the same range as McCoy with an outside shot of sneaking into the first round, and very likely being selected in the second round.
A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi Brown has gone under the radar because of D.K. Metcalf’s shocking combine numbers, but Brown had a phenomenal day in Indianapolis. Around the league, Brown was considered to be on slow side, and many were expecting him to have a 40 time that illustrated a lack of speed. Brown ran much faster than expected at the combine with a time of 4.49 seconds. That was a great time for Brown, and team sources say that his workout really helped him. Brown could be a safe second-round pick after his combine performance.
Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson Wilkins was expected to be a combine standout because he clearly is a very athletic defensive tackle. The 6-foot-3, 315-pounder was as advertised, notching a quick 40-yard dash of 5.04 seconds. He was also fast and fluid in the field drills, showcasing his agility to move through the bags with speed. After his combine performance, Wilkins has a real shot at going in the top 20, and he could go in the top half of the first round.
Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State Some teams are very high on Dillard and see him as a first-round pick. Others think he should go on Day 2, but given that he plays a premium position and is a well-developed pass protector, it looks increasingly likely that he will be a first-round pick. He has multiple seasons of good tape protecting his quarterback. In the passing-driven NFL, that is a valuable asset that all teams seek. Dillard’s strong offseason at the combine and Senior Bowl should have him selected on the opening night of the 2019 Draft.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State McLaurin did not get a lot of media hype, but he had an excellent Senior Bowl and then that followed up with a phenomenal combine performance. Team sources told me they were really impressed with McLaurin, who looked good in the field drills, displaying soft hands and good route-running. That came after McLaurin shocked many with a 4.35-second time in the 40-yard dash. McLaurin is an underrated prospect who could be a steal, and it would not be surprising if he ends up sneaking into the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Alex Barnes, RB, Kansas State Barnes had a quality combine performance to help his draft stock. His 40 time of 4.59 seconds was okay for a big power back, but Barnes did very well in the field drills. He showed good feet, balance, agility, and nice pass receiving ability. Running good routes and showing soft hands, Barnes put on display some ability to contribute in the passing game in the NFL. The combine was a good workout for him that should help him to be a mid-round pick.
Tim Ward, DE, Old Dominion League sources say that Ward really impressed at the regional combine workout that was held in Kansas City. The 6-foot-5, 257-pounder is very long, possessing a nearly 7-foot wingspan. He’s a long, quick, and athletic edge rusher who could end up getting consideration in the early rounds of Day 3 during the 2019 NFL Draft.
2019 NFL Draft Stock Down
David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State Montgomery had some buzz about him in the media and entered the combine being viewed as having early second-day potential for the 2019 NFL Draft. In speaking to some team sources, they felt that was possible if Montgomery ran well at the combine. However, Montgomery turned a disappointing 40 time of 4.63 seconds, which only reinforces speed concerns for him translating to the NFL. Montgomery needs to show real improvement at his pro day to reinvigorate his draft stock.
Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech At the combine, I surveyed team sources to see where they were projecting Ferguson in the 2019 NFL Draft because many draft analysts have pushed Ferguson into the first round of mock drafts. In speaking to sources at eight different teams, none of them had Ferguson in the first round. Instead, they all projected him to be selected on the second day of the draft.
“Probably [Day 2] sometime, not super early that day either,” said a NFC national scout in a text message. “But he has size and tons of production, and premium position, so someone may reach a little, but I don’t see him going [in Round 1], especially in this class.”
One AFC general managers said they had a Round 3/Round 4 grade on Ferguson because he is very stiff. A few other teams mentioned that stiffness being a big issue for them. The majority had third-round grades on Ferguson, but a few evaluators said they wouldn’t be surprised if he was chosen in Round 2. One NFL general manager said they had a Round 2/Round 3 grade on Ferguson, and that was highest that I heard with lots of Round 3s and a few Round 3/Round 4s. Even though eight different teams told me they had Ferguson graded on Day 2, he looks safe to be selected on the second night of the 2019 NFL Draft given his production, size, and playing an important position.
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