As the offseason progresses, and the 2019 rookie class evolves, there’s a constant churn of draft prospect information. Some is good, some bad. This article will help clear the noise and get to the truth. There’s a lot of information out there, but only some of it is valuable. This article will also evolve and shift based on personal research done through the season.
Now that the Shrine Game, Senior Bowl and combine are finished, there’s time to address some of the more unique and highly talked about players in the draft class. While I’m a firm believer a prospect’s “true” stock never shifting throughout the process, it’s fun to play along with the news.
Let’s be optimistic this week! Only one Stock Down is a good sign, and should be expected as pro day numbers roll in. Pro days are meant to enhance player draft stock, and at least for a little while, draft news will lean strongly towards positive information.
STOCK UP
Tony Pollard (RB, Memphis) — There’s reports that Pollard ran a sub 4.40 (4.37) forty-yard dash at Memphis’ pro day this week, and that will certainly garner some praise and interest from NFL teams. While Pollard was a part-time player in college, there certainly appears to be a place for him in the NFL. After the combine, Pollard was projected to be a late-round-to- -undrafted type prospect, but this type of time should likely shift him into a position where he’ll at least be selected. Pollard is listed at 6 feet and 200 pounds, and displayed a versatile skill set as both a runner and a receiver in college. Pollard’s fantasy potential will likely be limited in his NFL career, and he may have to work his way up from a special teamer, but there’s no doubt he can help an NFL team.
Ty Johnson (RB, Maryland) — Johnson is another RB prospect that ran a blazing time at his pro day. Johnson has had a strange couple of seasons from an NFL prospect point of view. He started out his career as one of the most intriguing small sample size RB prospects in the nation. In 2016, Johnson crushed opposing college defenses, producing 1,210 yards from scrimmage on only 126 touches. The most miraculous thing about it was probably that he averaged 9.1 yards per rushing attempt on 110 attempts. Johnson was always listed around 200 pounds, and there was always skepticism about his size, but talent was clear. Over the next two seasons, Johnson’s production faltered, and beyond a few special kick returns against Ohio State (189 kick return yards in 2017), there wasn’t much to get excited about. Despite all that, it was almost assumed he’d receive a combine invite, and then he didn’t. Johnson was involved in some senior-based off-season activities, but no combine invite was a borderline deathblow to his NFL draft chances. HOWEVER, this pro day will get attention, and if scouts go back to his 2016 tape, a team could become interested in bringing Johnson in as an all-purpose weapon.
Marquise Brown (WR, Oklahoma) — Not much to report here other than Brown was cleared for activity after dealing with a foot injury (Lisfranc). After having little-to-no activity throughout the offseason, Brown will likely be able to get in a few workouts for teams, and potentially get some athletic testing on the board. Brown was viewed as a solid-to-high-end draft position candidate before the injury, and while he should be able to sustain a top three round range with or without testing, this is a very positive sign.
Kyler Murray (QB, Oklahoma) — The rumor mill is swirling around Murray and if he will be selected first overall. A couple sources inside the Arizona Cardinals organization leaked this week that they are, indeed, shopping QB Josh Rosen. This comes with some surprise, but the idea has been out there for a month now. Murray fits exactly what head coach Kliff Kingsbury is attempting to do offensively, and Rosen does not. Rosen is still valuable, but from the sounds of it, the Cardinals could be in a sunken cost scenario if they do decide to trade him. Murray should be viewed as a top four pick in super flex dynasty drafts and has a real argument as the top overall player.
Dredrick Snelson (WR, UCF) — Snelson was not a player that garnered a lot of hype through the first two months of the offseason. A surprise declaration, Snelson was a major contributor on two prolific UCF offenses over his final two seasons. While he didn’t profile as a featured NFL WR, with his early declaration, it was assumed he’d receive a combine invite. Despite the disappointing evaluation from the NFL, Snelson blazed a 4.42 forty-yard dash at his pro day, and should, the very least, get the attention of NFL teams. Snelson is listed at 6 foot and 205 pounds, certainly a worthy NFL body type. Snelson still has a long way to go and is very likely to be right on the cut-line for being an NFL draft selection, but his pro day ensures he’ll receive opportunities to be called in as an undrafted free agent.
STOCK DOWN
Antoine Wesley (WR, Texas Tech) — While optimism is good, honesty is best. Wesley ran a 4.65 forty-yard dash at his pro day, and after adjusting for the pro day bump, it’s easy to see why a lot of folks are worried about his draft stock. The list of WRs who successfully navigated the NFL after running forty-yard dashes that slow is very, very low. If Wesley were a bulkier prospect his would be a little more forgivable, but bulk has been one of his biggest issues throughout his career. It’s good to see Wesley bulked up to 205 pounds for the combine and his pro day, but if it’s slowing him down (or if that’s what his speed always was), he’s going to have to shift plans in order to get NFL attention. Wesley did have a nice 2018 season (1,410 receiving yards and nine TDs), so perhaps teams will still kick the tires.
