2024 NFL Draft Stock Up
Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas
Jackson, who transferred in from LSU, broke out for Arkansas against the Crimson Tide, having his way with their left tackle. Jackson showed a strong rip move to get a sack, and then shortly later, he tossed his blocker to the side with a counter to the inside for another sack of Jalen Milroe. Midway through the second half against Alabama, Jackson used his hands to shed the block and loop around the outside to get another sack of the quarterback. Jackson was a one-man wrecking crew against the Crimson Tide who helped get the ball back for a struggling Razorbacks offense. He recorded 11 tackles, a tackle for a loss, and 3.5 sacks versus Alabama.
The 6-foot-7, 280-pound Jackson is strong at the point of attack with good length to keep blockers from getting into his chest. The junior had two sacks on the year entering the Alabama game after recording three sacks in 2022. He has upside and could emerge as a nice prospect for the 2024 or 2025 NFL Draft.
Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Coleman continued his march to the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft with a dominant performance against Syracuse. He hauled in nine receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown, showing off his speed to get downfield, and a tremendous catch radius on some highlight-reel catches. With his tremendous season, Coleman could end up being the second-rated wide receiver behind Marvin Harrison Jr. in the 2024 NFL Draft. Coleman looks like a potential No. 1 receiver in the NFL, and he could be a climber during the draft process.
Ray Davis, RB, Kentucky
Davis has been one of the best running backs in the SEC this season, and he has been helping to compensate for disappointing quarterback play for the Wildcats. While Davis does not have a first-round skill set, like say a Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs, Davis is tough running back who looks like a future pro contributor. Davis is a physical downhill runner with a burst to hit the hole and the strength to pick up yards after contact. He could end up being a nice mid-round value pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
Against South Carolina, Pearsall came up with some clutch plays to lead his team to a comeback win. Late in the fourth quarter, Pearsall made a clutch contested catch that converted a fourth-and-10. A few plays later, Pearsall got open on a slant for a 21-yard touchdown with only 47 seconds remaining. Pearsall finished the day with 10 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown.
Pearsall had a superb game against the Gamecocks that illustrated his quickness to get open, reliable hands, enough size to win contested catches, and sufficient speed to challenge defenses vertically. Pearsall is an interesting receiver for the NFL. His style of play makes him something of a poor man’s Cooper Kupp. As a pro, Pearsall could end up being a quality No. 2 or 3 receiver.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
Taking on rival Oregon, Penix pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback while playing through an injury. After putting up points early, the Huskies needed a comeback late in the fourth quarter. Penix made two throws on Washington’s last drive, including the game-winner on a back-shoulder touchdown pass to Rome Odunze. Against the Ducks, Penix completed 22-of-37 passes for 302 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.
Penix has a quality arm capable making all the throws for the next level. He flashes downfield accuracy that lets him drop passes into tight windows and beat good coverage by the placement of his passes. At times, Penix has illustrated that he has some issues passing in the face of the rush, which can cause him to have some passes off the mark when he is thrown off rhythm. Penix needs to improve his mechanics, and his footwork will need development at the pro level. For the 2024 NFL Draft, Penix looks like a second-day prospect with upside, and his performance versus Oregon is going to help his draft grade.
Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
Gray is one of the top linebacker prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft, and he showed why taking on Miami. Late in the first quarter against the Hurricanes, Gray recovered a fumble at the goal line to keep points off the board. Shortly later, he was superb at reading and snuffing out a screen for a loss. Gray continued to make tackles, limiting runs and going sideline-to-sideline in pursuit. In the third quarter, Gray did a superb job of getting depth in his drop in zone coverage and before making a leaping interception to set up his offense in Miami territory.
In the passing driven NFL, this tape will definitely help the draft grade for Gray helped his draft grade with the passing-driven NFL by how he played against Miami. He showed the ability to defend the pass-making plays in both downfield coverage and in the perimeter attack. There is no doubt that Gray has good instincts and is very adept at reading his keys to get in position to make plays. Many non-pass-rushing linebackers slip to the second day of NFL drafts, and Gray could be an excellent value pick if he ends up going on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
2024 NFL Draft Stock Down
Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky
Entering this season, Leary looked like a potential mid-round pick for the 2024 NFL Draft, but he has really struggled with accuracy in 2023, completing only 54 percent of his attempts. Leary looks like a baseball pitcher or fielder who has a case of the yips, as he is missing routine throws that he used to make. Leary already has some size and athletic limitations, so the addition of these accuracy issues makes him more of an undrafted free agent candidate rather than a mid-round pick.
Treveyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
Henderson was seen as a candidate to be the 2024 NFL Draft’s top running back prospect entering this season, but he has not been overly impressive this year. While he hasn’t been bad, he just has not shown dominant speed or power to be a potential first-round pick. Henderson has not looked anything close to a ball-carrier like Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs, who were first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. Henderson is more of a second-day back who may perform better in a platoon situation as a pro.
