2015 NFL Draft Stock Report: Amari Cooper Cementing Slot
By Erik Lambert
Oct 18, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Lots of action caused serious swings in the stock for several 2015 NFL draft hopefuls. Who came out ahead and who plummeted?
Amari Cooper – WR – Alabama
It was a huge day all around for the Crimson Tide but it was their star receiver who kept everything rolling. Amari Cooper was every bit the explosive, dynamic pass target draft experts have been drooling over. He finished the game with eight catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns including a 45-yard bomb. Already a top prospect, he’s challenging to top Sammy Watkins next April.
Stock: Up
Marcus Peters – CB – Washington
It’s fair to note that not everything was his fault. He couldn’t help Washington not give up over 200 yards rushing by Oregon, but Marcus Peters was on the field as Marcus Mariota dissected him and the rest of the secondary for 336 yards and two touchdowns. Granted, Peters didn’t get much help from the Huskies offense either but in the end he shares the loss with his team.
Stock: Down
Clint Trickett – QB – West Virginia
Scouts have been going back and forth about how good West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett is. Is he talented or a product of a good system? Well, he already owned some solid performances against Alabama and Oklahoma before then but his 322 yards and three touchdowns were key in helping the Mountaineers stun #4 Baylor. If he wasn’t for real before, he should be now.
Stock: Up
Karlos Williams – RB – Florida State
It wouldn’t have mattered if the game was won or lost for Florida State against Notre Dame. The bottom line for running back Karlos Williams is he didn’t have any central impact on the game. The stat sheet will say he scored two touchdowns, and that matter of course but he also only had 25 yards rushing for a 3.1 yards per carry average. It is only the latest game where he has underachieved and that will impact his 2015 NFL draft credibility.
Stock: Down
Cedric Ogbuehi – OT – Texas A&M
Could it have gone any worse for Texas A&M? No. No it couldn’t. Losing 59-0 to your most bitter rival is about as humiliating and deflating as it gets. For Cedric Ogbuehi, it’s even worse because he was part of an effort that saw quarterback Kenny Hill get sacked five times. All of it wasn’t on him as he remains a high grade prospect but these kinds of games will inevitably reflect badly on him and the continued losing won’t help either.
Stock: Down