NFL Draft Stock Watch: Stock up, Stock Down

I figured, I’d take a minute to go over some of the prospects who really stood out to me over the weekend in either a good way or a bad way. I’m in a good mood so I figured I’d highlight more good than bad this week, but that might not always be the case.

Stock up

Sean Spence, LB, The University of Miami-Spence is an undersized linebacker who went up against the tripe option of the Yellow Jackets. He ended the game with 10 tackles (6 solo) and one tackle for loss. he showed a better ability than anticipated to fight through traffic and makes plays on the ball carrier. A good game for Spence. He’s not a great prospect, but he could easily get drafted on the second day of the draft.

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Coples really struggled early in the year and while I still don’t think he’s a great prospect, he’s finally putting together some of the production to go along with the top 10 pick hype he’s all all season. He’s had a sack in the last two games. I thought Coples might have had two sacks, but cfbstats.com gives him credit for only one. To me, Coples is more Justin Smith than he is Julius Peppers/Justin Tuck. Is that worth a top 10 pick? I’m not sure. He will be though because hes’ the best DE in a down DL class.

B.J. Cunningham, WR, Michigan State

Hail Mary controversy aside, Cunningham really stood out for Michigan State on Saturday night. Cunningham has a nice combination of size and speed and has really good hands. He’s not a dynamic deep threat, but he can be a very nice possession wide receiver in the league and a legit #2 WR. I think if he continues to play at the level he is he could sneak into the second half of the third round.

Juron Criner, WR, Arizona

Heading into last weeks game vs UCLA Criner had 45 receiving yards in his last two games and three touchdowns on the season. But he lit up UCLA for 101 receiving yards and three touchdowns and showed the big play ability that had draftniks’ putting him in the late firs round early second round in their mock drafts. If he builds on this game and continues to make big plays he could get back to that level, though National Football Post Wes Bunting isn’t a huge fan. (Quoted from Tusconcitizen.com)

"Criner doesn’t showcase much in the form of short area quickness, physicality or burst in order to free himself routinely off the line. And even when he does get into his route he isn’t the type of straight-line athlete to be able to simply run away from coverage and too often is forced to make plays with defenders draped all over him when they play him off the line.To his credit, he is a strong handed kid who adjusts well to the football and can go make a play at the balls highest point. But, I still see a guy who is always going to have a tough time separating vs. press coverage at the next level.Overall, as a prospect the guy can play on the outside and be effective as a route runner when he sees a cushion and can build up his speed initially into his routes. But, in order to be a legit starting wide out in the NFL on the outside, you have be effective beating press coverage, and at this stage I can’t give that endorsement to Criner."

Stock Down:

Clemson RB Andre Ellington– The Tigers walloped the Tar Heels 59 to 38, but Ellington struggled vs the speedy Tar Heels defense, which isn’t a great sign for a player who relies so much on his speed. In the N.F.L. everyone’s fast and you can’t get to the corner with ease. The Tar Heels held Ellington to 5 yards on 7 carries, and it’s not like they played their best defensive game, I mean they did give up 59 points.

Oklahoma-Ouch. Texas Tech isn’t that good.

Tyrann Mathieu, CB, LSU-Suspended by LSU for a game. Mathieu is not a 2012 draft prospect (true sophomore), but this will eventually be a little “character concern” label next year.

Let me know who you thought played well and didn’t.

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