2015 East-West Shrine Game: Stock Report
By Charlie Campbell – @draftcampbell
2015 NFL Draft Stock Up
Tre’ McBride, WR, William & Mary There was one wide receiver that really stood out at every practice and that was McBride. McBride destroyed the cornerbacks in the one-on-ones as he consistently got open using his quickness and route-running to get separation. McBride showed some speed to get downfield and challenge defenses vertically. McBride (6-0, 205) has enough size as well. Of all the players at the East-West Shrine, he maybe did the most to help himself.
Blake Bell, TE, Oklahoma Sources with teams have been impressed with Bell and feel that he has really helped himself. He was able to get open with route-running and quickness. At 6-foot-6, 260-pounds Bell has excellent size and length to be a receiving tight end in the next level. He showed surprising receiving ability as he used his size and leaping ability to go for catches in the middle of the field. His hands were also better than expected for a player that spent the majority of his collegiate career as a running quarterback.
Entering the NFL, Bell will have to work on his blocking, but he is impressive as a receiver. After his impressive week, Bell has pushed himself into mid-round consideration and he could crack the second day of the draft with the weakness at tight end.
B.J. Finney, C, Kansas State Finney blocked well in every practice. He contributes to opening holes in the ground game and was reliable in pass protection. He is stout at the point of attack and is very technically sound. It is clear that Finney has been well coached at Kansas State. Finney will probably go in the mid-rounds, but he could end up being a nice value pick.
John Crockett, RB, North Dakota State Throughout the week Crockett ran the ball well and showed off a burst to go with size. Crockett (6-1, 215) also was impressive in the blitz pickup drill. He had two impressive reps holding his ground on a bull rush and stopping a speed rush to the side. He didn’t win every rep, but he showed the potential to develop into quality blocker in the NFL.
In one run scrimmage Crockett ran hard and broke off a long run. He set up a block and made a nice cut to bolt downfield. It was very impressive and seemed to get the attention of Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. In speaking with sources, they like Crockett as a potential day three pick. He has good size and showed a nice burst at the East-West Shrine. Crockett definitely helped himself.
David Parry, DT, Stanford At Stanford, Parry fell under the radar with more high profile players like Trent Murphy, Shayne Skov, and Chase Thomas getting more attention. At the East-West Shrine, Parry (6-2, 300) gave scouts something to think about. He had strong practices every day as he showed some pass rushing skills. Parry used a powerful bull rush to collapse the pocket, but also fired past blockers with speed. In the team scrimmage and run scrimmage Parry was impressive as well. This performance could push Parry up on day three of the draft.
Craig Mager, CB, Texas State One of the most impressive defensive backs at the East-West Shrine was Mager. He does a nice job of running the route and staying with receivers to prevent them from getting separation. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Mager isn’t undersized and is put together pretty well. Mager looks like he could develop into a quality NFL cornerback after starting out as a nickel or dime corner.
Jamon Brown, OT, Louisville Brown had a respectable week. He has to improve his technique so he doesn’t reach after edge rushers and work on his bending, but he had some wins in the one-on-ones and showed the athletic skill set to make him a conceivable developmental project. Brown (6-6, 328) used his strength and length to win some pass protection reps, and he has some force in the ground game. On the third day of the draft Brown could turn into a value.
Kenny Hilliard, RB, LSU Hilliard ran well all week. He showed a burst to go along with some power as the hard charging Hilliard (5-11, 230) ripped off a number of good runs to the second level of the defense. Hilliard looks like a good fit as a one cut, downhill runner with the build to pick up yards after contact.
On Wednesday he showed some in pass protection including an impressive win over Georgia linebacker Amarlo Herrera on a blitz. Hilliard could be a day three steal similar to former teammate Alfred Blue.
Honorable Mentions: Michigan State linebacker Taiwan Jones, Georgia cornerback Damian Swann, TCU safety Sam Carter, Tennessee cornerback Justin Coleman, Louisville running back Dominique Brown, Baylor linebacker Bryce Hager, Kentucky defensive end Za’Darius Smith, and Kentucky offensive lineman Darrian Miller.
2015 NFL Draft Stock Down
Cody Fajardo, QB, Nevada; Taylor Kelly, QB, Arizona State; Dylan Thompson, QB, South Carolina
None of the quarterbacks on the West squad were impressive. Fajardo had a decent first day, but he looked good almost by default because the other five quarterbacks were very underwhelming. Kelly and Thompson look like they are fits for Canada, and that is where Fajardo will probably see the field as well.
Hutson Mason, QB, Georgia; Taylor Heinicke, QB, Old Dominion; Anthony Boone, QB, Duke
This group was disappointing as well. None of the East quarterbacks look worthy of being a No.3 or practice squad quarterback in the NFL. They all look like they should play in Canada or the arena league. The signal callers had the opportunity to play themselves into late round or undrafted free agent consideration, but none of them were able to have an impressive week.
Dishonorable Mention: Regina wide receiver Addison Richards and LSU defensive end Jermauria Rosco.
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Recap - 1/18
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Stock Report - 1/16
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Wednesday's East Team Practice Report - 1/14
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Wednesday's West Team Practice Report - 1/14
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Wednesday's East Team Interviews - 1/14
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Wednesday's West Team Interviews - 1/14
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Tuesday's East Team Practice Report - 1/13
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Tuesday's West Team Practice Report - 1/13
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Tuesday's East Team Interviews - 1/13
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Tuesday's West Team Interviews - 1/13
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Monday's East Team Practice Report - 1/12
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Monday's West Team Practice Report - 1/12
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Monday's East Team Interviews - 1/12
2015 East-West Shrine Game: Monday's West Team Interviews - 1/12
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