This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2021 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2021 NFL Draft Stock Up
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU Wilson is a rising quarterback, and some NFL staffersthink he could rise to being the next passer taken after Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence goes off the board. Wilson possesses the skill set to be a good starting quarterback at the next level. He has a strong arm capable of making all the throws and good deep ball accuracy. Wilson shows the ability to fire strikes in the short to intermediate part of the field with good ball placement to lead his receivers for more yards. Wilson’s timing, anticipation, accuracy, and field vision are on point to be an effective pocket passer.
Wilson’s mobility and athleticism are what make him special. He is a dangerous runner with excellent feet and agility to dodge pass rushers in the pocket. Thanks to his feet and mobility, Wilson is able to extend plays, and he has the arm strength to make big throws off platform. Wilson is a threat to pick up yards on the ground as well given his decent shiftiness in the open field. He has a backyard baller-style of play that brings energy to his team.
Wilson also is an intelligent player who has good play recall, according to team sources. He also demonstrated toughness in 2020, plus played with confidence. He is a competitor who doesn’t scared and won’t back down. Team sources have said that those are the strengths of Wilson’ makeup, but he has negatives as well with his football character. Those issues, which could hurt him with some teams, are impressions of Wilson being a selfish, entitled rich kid who is a know-it-all rather than a leader, and parents who will be a pain for team staff to deal with. Regardless, Wilson made the most of the 2020 season and put his draft stock on the map as an early-rounder for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa There is a nice buzz about Nixon in the scouting community, and the Kenosha, Wisconsin product has a lot of upside to develop in the NFL. The 6-foot-3, 305-pounder has quickness, athleticism, and an ability to get after the quarterback. Entering his bowl game versus Missouri, Nixon has 5.5 sacks, 45 tackles and an interception returned 71 yards for a touchdown. I’ve had Nixon as a high first-round pick in my 2022 NFL Draft for many months, but if Nixon enters the 2021 NFL Draft, he could be the top defensive tackle prospect and potential first-round pick.
Payton Turner, DE, Houston The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Turner has good size for the NFL and demonstrated improvement in his pass-rush ability over the past two seasons. He recorded five sacks with 25 tackles and a forced fumble over Houston’s eight games of 2020.
Turner is a sleeper who could rise with a good performance at the Senior Bowl and in pre-draft workouts. He has the size to play base end in a 4-3, or defensive end in a 3-4, plus he could move inside to tackle in the sub package. Team sources say Turner is raw, but he has a lot of upside with good size and is a fast defender.
Mark Webb, CB, Georgia Webb has been a solid defensive back for Georgia the past few seasons, showing the flexibility to potentially play either cornerback or safety in the NFL. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, he could be a big outside corner or move to free safety. In 2019, he had 46 tackles with three breakups, and this year entering the bowl game versus Cincinnati, he has 21 tackles with an interception. The Senior Bowl has Webb slated to play cornerback, and if he can show more ball skills at corner in Mobile, that would help him to rise.
Ben Cleveland, G, Georgia Cleveland spent 2019 as a rotational player because the Bulldogs had a loaded offensive line that included two first-round offensive tackles and another guard, Solomon Kindley, who is a rookie starter in the NFL. Cleveland brok into the starting lineup as a senior and has blocked well for the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-6, 335-pounder is a massive load at the point of attack. He is a tough run blocker who needs to improve his pass protection, but Cleveland has mid-round developmental potential for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jeremiah Moon, OLB, Florida The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Moon has not produced a big stat line this year, but he has been a disruptive pass rusher who has put some heat on the quarterback. He only has 14 tackles and one sack, but he showed enough quality play on tape to land a Senior Bowl invitation. In 2019, he had 30 tackles and three sacks. Moon could rise if he performs well in the pass-rushing one-on-ones in Mobile.
Riley Cole, LB, South Alabama The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Cole was a steady tackler as a senior, and his constant presence around the ball has earned him a Senior Bowl invitation. In Mobile, Cole needs to show pass-coverage skills, as that would help his draft grade. Cole had modest production in 2019 and 2017 for South Alabama. He is a sleeper prospect who could rise.
2020 NFL Draft Stock Down
Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama Moses had an uneven performance in the SEC Championship Game that mirrored his 2020 season. He had a solid start, played better in the mid-season games, and finished the year in unimpressive fashion. Moses has a good skill set, but his instincts have been off this year, which is hurting him, according to team sources. After this season, Moses looks more like a second-day pick who could slide rather than be a potential first-rounder.
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