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
Byron Murphy, CB, Washington As we reported in the Hot Press, Murphy has a chance of going in the top 20 and being the first cornerback drafted. Over the weekend, one team source from a team with a top-20 pick told WalterFootball.com that Murphy is one of the players in the running for their pick. They also believe that Murphy could be the first cornerback drafted over LSU’s Greedy Williams and Georgia’s DeAndre Baker. After hearing that, WalterFootball.com reached out to sources from other teams, and they echoed those same thoughts.
One general manager said they agreed with Murphy being the first corner off the board and having a shot at being a top-20 pick. Another general manager said they had Murphy and Williams virtually tied in their grades, but Williams] personal makeup hurt him somewhat. Two other top executives agreed Murphy could go before the playoff teams pick and ahead of the other two corners.
A lot of evaluators believe that Murphy is a safe pick. They like his cover skills and polish with excellent grooming from his defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, a former NFL defensive backs coach with Tampa Bay. They like that Murphy can play outside or inside, zone or man, is instinctive, and has ball skills. On top of all of that, teams like his character.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa The 2019 NFL Draft has a serious lack of playmakers as it is a weak year for high first-round talent at running back and wide receiver. Still there are plenty of teams that need mismatch problems for their offense with a lot of teams that have young franchise quarterbacks looking to get a weapon for their signal caller. As a result, Hockenson could go in the top-20 as he is viewed as a first-round caliber player that can help a quarterback as a receiver and blocker. Team sources say that Hockenson is not as good of a prospect as O.J. Howard or Eric Ebron were when they were top-20 picks. However the lack of other talented offensive players helps to push Hockenson up and he could end up getting selected higher than Howard or even Ebron.
Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State Murphy is not the only rising player from the Pacific Northwest. Sources from teams picking in the top half of the first round told me over the weekend that Dillard is in the running to be their first-round pick. The consensus is that Florida right tackle Jawaan Taylor will be the first offensive lineman drafted, and many teams like Oklahoma’s right tackle/guard Cody Ford to go in the top 20 as the second offensive lineman drafted. Dillard might be picked ahead of Ford because of positional value because Dillard is a left tackle, which is harder to find. Teams have concerns about Dillard’s run blocking, but he is considered to be a true left tackle and the best pass protector in the 2019 NFL Draft, so he has a real shot at being a top-16 selection.
Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State Dillard is not the only offensive tackle to see his stock rising. Howard is the Day 2 version, as some teams think that the talented athlete could end up being a second-round pick. Evaluators feel that Howard needs developmental time coming from Alabama State, but they love his tool box and the athletic upside he has with size, speed and athleticism. Most second-round picks are viewed as players who could compete to start immediately, and while teams acknowledge that Howard may need time on the bench, they feel he could be worthy of going in Round 2 because of his long-term potential. He is rising and has a real shot at going in the top 60.
Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State Layne has gone under the radar to a degree leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft, but sources from teams picking early in the second round have Layne in the running to be their second-round pick. Layne is a big corner who has quickness and athleticism. Teams like his upside and feel he could compete quickly. Layne could end up being one of the first players off the board on Friday night of the 2019 NFL Draft.
2019 NFL Draft Stock Down
Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss In speaking to multiple team sources from different teams over the weekend, they were unanimous in their thinking that Little will slide in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he might slip to the second round. Teams are not excited about Little because of his inconsistent play, not playing up to his skill set, and not having a personal makeup that instills teams with confidence. Little could slide some in the second round, but all team contacts thought he would go within the first 20 picks of the second round. Little has been passed up by other offensive line prospects who don’t have as good of skill sets, so that says a lot about the thought processes of teams on him and his potential to slide in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson Team sources stated Lawrence was on the bubble of the first round and could slip to the second round. Teams feel that he has limitations with what he offers teams on third down and in the sub package. Considering teams are in nickel sub package around 70 percent of their snaps, Lawrence has limitations for playing time in the NFL. That could lead to Lawrence slipping out of the first round and being a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan Everybody recognizes Gary has a good skill set, but his lack of production and consistency at Michigan are hurting him with teams. In speaking with sources at three teams with top-10 picks, they have other edge defenders graded higher and plan on passing on Gary for those players. Gary has some risk to him given his time at Michigan, so he could end up sliding toward the middle portion of Round 1.
Greedy Williams, CB, LSU In speaking with team sources, Williams is getting a surprising lack of visits and private workouts in the final weeks leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft. Some team sources have him behind Byron Murphy and/or DeAndre Baker even though the media hype has put Williams as a high first-rounder for many months. Williams is still expected to go in the first round, but he could slip well into the 20s before he gets drafted.
DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia Williams is not the only corner who is sliding. Entering the pre-draft process, Baker was the consensus top cornerback prospect among scouts. However, Baker has hurt himself in the leadup to the 2019 NFL Draft. He had a slow 40 at the combine before running better at his pro day, but his interviews with teams have not gone that well. It was known that Baker had some makeup issues and some character concerns. Those issues have not been addressed well, so some team sources believe that Baker is in store for a bit of slide lower than where his play says he should go. They think that other corners like Washington’s Byron Murphy could get drafted before him.
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