NFL Draft: Midseason Prospect Stock Report
Nov 29, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears running back Corey Coleman (1) scores a touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Bears defeated the Red Raiders 48-46. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Stock Up
The following are the NFL Draft prospects who have impressed us the most through the first seven weeks of the season.
Shawn Spencer: Kentrell Brothers (ILB – Missouri)
What Brothers has accomplished thus far this season has been nothing short of spectacular. After Shane Ray and Markus Golden left for the NFL, Harold Brantley was injured in a car accident and Marcus Loud was dismissed, the Missouri defense was expected to take a step back this season. Instead, Brothers has led the unit to new heights.
The Tigers defense has allowed the eighth fewest yards and sixth fewest points in the country. Lining up at weakside linebacker, Brothers has already amassed 91 tackles. That’s 19 more than anyone else in the nation. If he continues this pace, Brothers will finish with the fourth highest single-season total ever. He’ll be one of the top inside linebackers entering the 2016 NFL Draft and should be a second or third-round pick.
Others worth noting include: Brandon Doughty (QB – Western Kentucky), Tyler Matakevich (OLB – Temple), Braxton Miller (WR – Ohio State) and Tre’Davious White (CB – LSU)
Erik Lambert: Reggie Ragland (ILB – Alabama)
I was skeptical of Ragland at the beginning because I felt he lacked the range needed to be a complete inside linebacker. After watching him the past few weeks, he always seems to be around the football.
Sayre Bedinger: Desmond King (CB – Iowa)
King is leading the nation in passes intercepted, and looks like a man among boys out there for Iowa. He’s also phenomenal on special teams. I have said throughout the year that he reminds me of Chris Harris. Jr. of the Denver Broncos, and I hold to that. I think he’s an NFL starter who isn’t getting enough hype right now.
Joe Wedra: Corey Coleman (WR – Baylor)
I knew Coleman was good, but after watching his tape from this season, he’s a sure-fire top WR for me (so far…). I like him better than Treadwell — he’s a more complete mold of a receiver. It’s impressive. (Also, Paxton Lynch, if I can throw one more in here. Lynch is a very solid prospect, could easily go in the first.)
Jonah Tuls: Jourdan Lewis (CB – Michigan)
He has proven time and time again this season that he can be a lockdown cornerback in both Press and Off. He uses his length and physicality to his advantage in getting his hands on the WR to disrupt his path on his route as well as being able to break on the ball while being on his hip pocket. He has risen into that late 1st round conversation.
Next: Stock Down