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
Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
This week in my updated mock draft, I had to move Campbell back into the first round. For a lot of the draft process, I’ve had Campbell as a first-rounder, but I moved him to the second round early this year because there were some concerns about his hands. After his great combine workout, some team sources think that Campbell could be the second wide receiver drafted after Ole Miss’ D.K. Metcalf, and they believe that Campbell could go ahead of Oklahoma’s Marquise Brown. Campbell has elite speed, a good build, and versatility with how he can move the ball. In the 2019 NFL Draft, Campbell has a definite shot to be a late first-round pick.
Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
LSU’s Devin White and Kentucky’s Josh Allen have been the linebackers who have generated the most buzz and attention throughout the draft process, but Bush has been a steady riser. Bolstered by a good combine performance, the speedy linebacker with pass-coverage skills has improved his standing. There are a number of linebacker-needy teams picking in the top 20, and Bush could end up being selected higher than expected. For Bush, the sooner White gets drafted the better, as that will open more opportunities for him to get taken off the board. Heading into the final weeks, Bush looks safe as a potential top-25 pick.
Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
Howard has enjoyed a steady rise, starting in the fall with area scouts believing that he had Day 2 potential similar to North Carolina A&T offensive tackle Brandon Parker last year. Howard was solid at the Senior Bowl, showing a good skill set with developmental talent. After his strong offseason, Howard is expected to be a second-day pick, and some feel he is a backup-to-starter-level prospect who could be a starting left tackle after some grooming.
Emanuel Hall WR, Missouri
Entering the NFL Scouting Combine, there were a lot of makeup questions about Hall, and he needed to have good interviews during the leadup the 2019 NFL Draft to help ease those concerns. In speaking to some team sources, they said that while Hall as not erased those worries, he has helped address some of those problems with teams. While teams are still worried about Hall’s toughness and ability to play through injury, they do understand that a terrible family tragedy played a role in him having a rough time last fall. From a skill-set perspective, they say Hall is a first-rounder because of his tremendous speed to go along with quality size. Hall could end up being a steal if he is able to stay durable in the NFL and commits to working hard to maximize his talent.
Damarea Crockett WR, Missouri
Team sources say that Crockett really helped himself at Missouri’s pro day. Crockett could have pushed himself from being an undrafted free agent to a third-day pick, as the 6-foot, 225-pound running back ran a fast 40-yard dash, displaying a unique skill set of size and speed. Crockett is a late-round back to keep an eye for having the talent to outperform his draft slot.
Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
As expected, Burns had an excellent combine workout, but team sources have also said that Burns really interviewed well with teams. They feel he is a really good kid with a work ethic and the type of football character teams like to bring into the locker room. Burns also benefits from the off-the-field issues weighing down Jachai Polite and the medical concerns with Montez Sweat. Burns is likely to be a mid- to late first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Derrick Puni, OT/G, Central Missouri
On the pro-day circuit, some small-school players stand out, and Puni is one of them of this year. The 6-foot-4, 326-pound er has good size and was athletic in the field work. His numbers of a 32-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-1 broad jump, 4.77 seconds in the short shuttle, and 1.84 seconds in the 10-yard split were all very impressive numbers for an offensive lineman. He has special athleticism to project as a swing tackle/guard backup who could develop into a starter. Puni could end up being a late-round pick or a priority free agent who ends up being a steal.
Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
Sternberger is a receiving tight end who has enjoyed a climb during the pre-draft process. He is one of the few tight ends who teams see as having the potential to be contributors as mid-round picks. With his speed and athleticism, sources say they think Sternberger could be a solid mismatch tight end who helps in the passing game. They do feel that Sternberger is limited to that role because he is a weak blocker. Thus, they see him as more of a mid-rounder but believe he could end up being a third-round pick.
2019 NFL Draft Stock Down
Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Jacobs did not run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, so his 40 at the Alabama pro day was important. Unfortunately for Jacobs, it was a little slower than expected, as he was clocked in the 4.6s. Jacobs plays faster than that timed speed, so it was a bit of a surprising time. While Jacobs did not run as well he may have hoped, he did draw good reviews from the Alabama coaches for his attitude and willingness to do anything to help the team. Jacobs is still the favorite to be the first running back drafted, but this slower 40 time hurts his chances of cracking the top 20.
Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
Last week in the Hot Press, we surveyed team sources to see if the minor heart condition that Sweat was diagnosed with would cause him to slide in the 2019 NFL Draft. Overall, the responses from six different team sources suggested that a slide for Sweat is possible, although it is too early to say for certain. Those source felt that if Sweat did have a slide outside of the top 10, it probably would not extend much further and he would still go in the top 20. Thus, Sweat’s stock down is only slight at this point.
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