2024 NFL Draft Stock Up
Drake Stoops, WR, Oklahoma
Stoops was one of the stars of the East-West Shrine practices, showing off superb route-running with quickness to create separation. Coming off the heels of his 2023 campaign, it was not a big surprise that Stoops was a standout. Last season, he totaled 84 receptions for 962 yards and 10 touchdowns. Stoops (5-10, 189) could be a steal in the 2024 NFL Draft who ends up being a dangerous slot receiver as a pro.
Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Legette entered the Senior Bowl as a prospect who was on the bubble between the first and second rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. After a strong performance in practice, Legette improved his chances of going in the first round. Legette needs to support his upwards momentum by performing well at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine and his pro day. The 2024 NFL Draft has a crowded group of receivers with late first-round potential, and Legette is firmly in the running to be selected on the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Even though Corum was the workhorse for the National Champions, he has not received a lot of media hype for the NFL since the end of the college football season. Team sources from around the NFL, however, like Corum and feel he could be a good pro starter in the mold of Ray Rice. Corum could his draft stock by running fast times at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, but he has a lot of good tape from the last couple of seasons. Team sources think Corum is likely to go in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and probably won’t last long if he slips to the third round.
Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State
Watson is a sleeper linebacker who could be a nice value pick from the 2024 NFL Draft. In 2023, Watson was a tackling machine for the Bulldogs, recording 137 stops. He made a lot of splash plays as well with 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and two passes defended. Watson played well in 2022 as well, totaling 113 tackles, six sacks and an interception. Watson is an intriguing linebacker with run-defense skills and pass-rush potential.
Jontrey Hunter, DT, Georgia State
In 2023, Hunter was a tough defender for the Panthers, totaling 95 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Over the previous two seasons, he totaled 94 tackles. Hunter’s strong play earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he had a solid week of practice.
Jackson Sirmon, LB, California
The 2024 NFL Draft does not have a lot of first-round talent at the linebacker position, but there is some solid depth for Day 2 and the mid-rounds. Sirmon is one of those mid-draft players, and he really helped himself with the Senior Bowl. He showed good instincts in pass coverage to disrupt throwing lanes and make some plays on the ball. Sirmon has good size for the NFL at 6-foo-2, 235 pounds. While he may not go in the first couple of rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, Sirmon could be a mid-round steal who starts out as a good backup and special teams with the upside to grow.
2024 NFL Draft Stock Down
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU
Suamataia is known to have a good skill set. He had an excellent start to the 2023 season, but he did not play as well in the back half of the season. At the Senior Bowl, Suamataia did not do enough to reverse the sour feelings thank to having inconsistent performances in practice. As a result of the variability, Suamataia is now firmly a second- or third-round pick rather than a candidate to go on the opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft.
RELATED LINKS:
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
