This section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2019 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
Send Charlie an e-mail here: [email protected]
Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell for updates.
2019 NFL Draft Stock Up
Isaiah Simmons, S, Clemson Team sources have been impressed with Simmons, although they think he is more likely to return to Clemson than enter the 2019 NFL Draft. This season, Simmons has been flying around the field for the Tigers, making tackles and proving a physical presence. He has 75 tackles with four passes broken up and one interception on the year. The redshirt sophomore is a strong safety type for the NFL, but he could also get consideration in a move to linebacker. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder has early-round potential for the either the 2019 or the 2020 NFL Draft.
Charles Omenihu, DE, Texas Omenihu (6-6, 275) is having a quality senior year for the Longhorns, recording 43 tackles with 16 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks so far. He had four sacks as a junior and 3.5 as a sophomore. He totaled 55 tackles over those two seasons. Omenihu played well at Texas to enough to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Team sources say that Omenihu could be a solid backup defensive end who eventually works himself into being a starter.
John Cominsky, S, Charleston The East-West Shrine and the Senior Bowl are known for giving opportunities to small-school players and finding some diamonds in the rough. Cominsky (6-5, 275) could be one of those players and has earned an invitation to play the Senior Bowl. In 2018, Cominsky totaled 67 tackles with 16.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass batted. As a junior, he recorded a whopping 23 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, five passes batted and 73 tackles.
Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois Saunders was very productive for Western Illinois in 2018, totaling 72 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a pass batted. He notched 7.5 sacks as a junior. Saunders’ strong senior year earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford Okereke (6-3, 234) earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. He has good size to him and is a solid run defender.In 2018, Okereke has 91 tackles with six tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, four passes batted and two forced fumbles. He totaled 96 tackles with four sacks with one pass batted and one interception as a junior. Improving his pass coverage for the NFL will determine whether he can develop into a starter.
Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose State The NFL is always on the look out for pass-catching tight ends, as they present a lot of mismatch problems for a defense. Oliver showed that potential as a senior, recording 56 reception for 709 yards and four touchdowns. That strong performance landed him an invitation to the Senior Bowl. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder could rise with a good week in Mobile.
Dexter Williams, RB, Notre Dame Williams did not get to shoulder the load for the Fighting Irish until his senior year, but he has made the most of it, averaging 6.6 yards per carry for 941 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a backup during his junior year, Williams averaged 9.2 yards per carry on only 39 attempts for 360 yards and four scores. Williams (5-11, 215) could help himself further by showing receiving skills at the Senior Bowl.
Trevon Wesco, FB, West Virginia Given the passing-driven nature of the Big XII, one wouldn’t think that an NFL fullback prospect could come out of college’s version of the arena league. Wesco plays tight end for the Mountaineers and has caught 24 receptions for 352 yards and a touchdown this season. The senior is participating in the Senior Bowl at fullback, so showing the ability to playboth fullback and tight end while also contributing on special teams could really help his draft grade.
2019 NFL Draft Stock Down
Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson Last week in the Hot Press, we disclosed how team sources are down on Mullen. Mullen has a good athletic skill set, but in watching Clemson a lot this season, he has been disappointing. Some in the media have Mullen going as a top-10 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but team sources don’t value him anywhere close to that. Three teams said they think Mullen could go late in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Another national scout said that they think that Mullen could end up going on the third day of the draft – Rounds 4-7. Entering the college football playoff, Mullen has 25 tackles with three breakups and zero interceptions. With his disappointing play this season, every scout thought that Mullen should go back to school next season.
Lukas Denis, S, Boston College Denis entered the season as one of the most dangerous ball-hawking defensive backs in college football, but his senior year has not been nearly as productive, dropping from seven interceptions in 2017 to one this fall. His tackle total has also dropped from 83 to 49. With Denis being undersized, the drop in production is a tough blow for his draft stock. Denis did land an invitation to the East-West Shrine, so perhaps he can rehab his draft stock in St. Petersburg.
2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
