NFL Draft: Week 2 Prospect Stock Report
Nov 22, 2014; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Curt Maggitt (56) during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Draft Stock Down: Defense
Curt Maggitt (OLB – Tennessee)
After already missing an entire season to an ACL injury in 2013, Curt Maggitt is in danger of missing another. Against Oklahoma, the senior injured his hip trying to avoid a Sooner in punt coverage. After recording 11 sacks last season, Maggitt was expected to play a huge role on the Tennessee defense. It is unknown at this time exactly how long he’ll be out, but his draft ceiling certainly became a lot lower after Week 2.
Maurice Canady (CB – Virginia)
As the top prospect in the Virginia secondary, Maurice Canady had to shut down one side of the field against Notre Dame’s trio of very good wide receivers. For the most part he performed adequately, but the ending is what will hurt his stock. With 12 seconds left and a backup QB in the game, WR Will Fuller blew by Canady for a 39-yard touchdown to win the game for Notre Dame. Other than a matchup against Tyler Boyd of Pittsburgh, there aren’t any intriguing one-on-one battles remaining for Canady. This was an important game for him and he cost Virginia the victory.
Nile Lawrence-Stample (DT – Florida State)
Over the course of his career, Nile Lawrence-Stample has joined current NFL players such as Timmy Jernigan, Eddie Goldman and Mario Edwards on the Florida State defensive line. Now that he is arguably the best prospect on the Seminoles’ defensive line, he needs to be productive.
Through two games, that hasn’t been the case. He has just three tackles on the season, with only one coming against South Florida in Week 2. Yes, he is often double-teamed, but a player of his caliber should be fighting through blocks and helping teammates by clogging the running lane. He hasn’t done either of those and that’s a big reason why South Florida was able to control the ball in the first half. Early-round defensive tackles should easily stand out when watching film. Lawrence-Stample has yet to do so despite his potential.