As the NFL Draft is just about a week away, big boards are being finalized and player’s stocks are being decided. I will be looking at six players whose stocks have fluctuated in the last week and where they should stand as of now.
On the Rise: DT Christian Barmore- Top 40–>Top 20 Player
In a thin defensive tackle class there is one obvious gem in the group, Christian Barmore. Possibly no interior defender has a higher ceiling than Christian and his pass rush potential is the reason he is surging up boards. Barmore may be a boom or bust guy but the more film that is watched and after his Pro Day, teams are airing on the side of boom. The value of a true ten sack defensive tackle cannot be understated and because of it, Barmore is on the up and up.
On the Downfall: WR Rashod Bateman-Top 20–> Top 40 Player
Bateman is a great prospect and will be an incredible player in the league, I truly believe that. We may have been over-glorifying Bateman by grouping him with DeVonta, Waddle, and Ja’Marr however. He is still worth a first round pick in my mind, I just don’t know if he is worth a top 20 pick to teams. Playing at Minnesota might knock his stock a little too despite being in the Big Ten.
On the Rise: CB Jaycee Horn- Top 20–>Top 10 Player
If you have read my recent mock, you would have seen my bold claim that Horn is the best cornerback in the draft. He is an uber aggressive player, who absolutely killed his pro day, he plays physical in all phases of the game, comes from NFL pedigree, and has the best resume of any cornerback in a long time. Cornerbacks are becoming increasingly higher valued players and Horn fits the mold of a press man CB1 in today’s NFL. Book it, first CB off the board.
On the Downfall: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah- Top 20–>Top 32
Teams will value JOK’s coverage ability and athleticism enough to spend a first round pick on him, but at his current weight JOK will be the smallest linebacker in the leaguer from the second he is picked. Lots of teams value size at the linebacker position. I think he might fit best as a 3-4 ILB or as a rover type of 4-3 WLB. Like I said, his freakish traits cannot be understated but his size is a big concern for some teams.
On the Rise: DE Ronnie Perkins- Top 60–>Top 40 Player
Perkins was one of the most consistent players in college football players and he started all three years at Oklahoma. He got better significantly each year and the value of pass rushers is only increasing. His technique is great and he carries a powerful frame. This is a player that can step in immediately and start as a 4-3 DE. Not only will he start but he will produce early.
On the Downfall: QB Mac Jones- Top 10–>Top 15
I want to preface this by saying that I think Mac Jones will be a successful NFL signal caller. This something some people might not want to hear. *Cough* *cough* 49ers fans. After Mac Jones’ Pro Day, his stock has been ticking down and there are some concerns with his game’s translation to the NFL. Jones needs some polishing in the NFL and has some big boom or bust potential.
Others on a Small Scaled Rise:
DE Jaelan Phillips
LB Zaven Collins
QB Davis Mills
SS Tyree Gillespie
DT Milton Williams
DE Payton Turner
Others on a Small Scaled Downfall:
RB Najee Harris
WR Terrace Marshall Jr.
DT Jay Tufele
CB Eric Stokes
CB Elijah Molden
LB Nick Bolton
