This new section highlights which players have improved or worsened their 2020 NFL Draft stock as the draft approaches.
By Charlie Campbell.
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2020 NFL Draft Stock Up
Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama Smith was the real star of Week 5 in college football, destroying the Ole Miss defense with a record-setting game. Smith totaled 11 receptions for 274 yards with five touchdowns. One of his scores was from 74 yards out, and the others came from 25, 23, 33 and 27 yards. He beat the Rebels with speed, route-running, and superb ball skills. Smith showed run after-the-catch talent with the ability to get yards after contact and dodge defenders in the open field. He was superb in his body control along the sideline to adjust to passes and stay in bounds as a runner.
Team sources say that of the three Alabama wide receiver prospects for the 2020 NFL Draft, Smith (6-1, 175) could have the best hands and is the most consistent down-in-and-down-out. The Ole Miss game was a huge performance from Smith that will definitely help his draft grade.
Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State The one thing that seemed to be missing from Okudah’s game entering this season was ball skills, but he was gotten off to a great start toward erasing those concerns. He made two interceptions against Nebraska on Saturday night to help the Buckeyes blow out the Cornhuskers. Okudah had excellent coverage as a sophomore but no interceptions, and in 2019, he already has three passes picked off. Okudah is putting together a season to show he is a worthy top-20 pick and is a future No. 1 corner in the NFL.
Gabriel Davis, WR, Central Florida Davis is a prospect who is generating some buzz in the scouting community as he has impressed for Central Florida. The 6-foot-3, 212-pounder has a good build and mismatch size. Over the past two weeks, he dominated the competition with huge games against Connecticut (5-119-3) and Pittsburgh (10-151-2). In 2019, he has 25 receptions for 499 yards with eight touchdowns after producing well as a sophomore (53-815-7). Davis is showing big ability and is putting his draft stock on the map this season.
Shane Lemieux, G, Oregon Team sources have said they have been impressed with Lemieux this season. They feel that he has starting potential for the NFL and could be a quick competitor. Lemieux could play right or left guard at the next level and is looked as a clean and safe player due to being a 4-year starter with a lot of experience. Lemieux could end up going in the first few rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jake Hansen, G, Oregon Even though Hansen had his games-started streak end, team sources have said they’ve been impressed with Hansen this season. He is a smart and experienced center who should be able to compete quickly in his pro career. Hansen has been a dependable protector for Justin Herbert and a technician in the ground game. Hansen could be a nice sleeper and value pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Jeff Thomas, WR, Miami While Miami is not the juggernaut for NFL talent it used to be, the program still has some players who have impressed scouts this year, and Thomas is one of them even though he has not produced much in games this year. Team sources have liked what they’ve seen out of Thomas in practice and think he is similar to former Hurricanes speedster Philip Dorsett. Thomas has 15 catches for 132 yards in 2019, but last year, he totaled 35 receptions for 563 yards and three scores. Thomas could be a third-day pick who works his way onto a NFL roster as a speed receiver.
Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia Kindley’s draft stock went back up when it was revealed by Georgia that he was only day-to-day with an ankle injury. A week earlier against Notre Dame, Kindley had his leg rolled up on from behind, and it looked like it could be a serious injury. With Kindley dodging a bullet, scouts are still very high on him. Multiple sources thought Kindley could be a late first- or early second-round pick before his injury. Some feel that Kindley needs to lose some weight, but everybody liked his ability, with some evaluators thinking Kindley could be a plug-and-play starter after getting drafted.
Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia Wilson has also received praise from sources. They feel Wilson (6-7, 340) is raw and needs development, thus he would be better off going to the 2021 NFL Draft. If Andrew Thomas moves on to the NFL as expected, Wilson could move to the left tackle spot in 2020 or stay at right tackle if Georgia decides to move guard Cade Mays to left tackle. Wilson broke into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2018. Team sources say that if Wilson develops, he definitely has first-round potential given his size and skill set. If he were to enter the 2020 NFL Draft, scouts thought Wilson could go late in the first round or be a second-day pick.
2020 NFL Draft Stock Down
Richard Lecounte, S, Georgia Lecounte has flashed at times for Georgia over the past couple of seasons, but he has had some inconsistency in his play. However in speaking to team evaluators, they are concerned about Lecounte holding up in the NFL and also giving other teams a size mismatch downfield. Lecounte is listed at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, which is smaller than ideal, but he could easily be less than that as schools often inflate the listed numbers. Lecounte is going to have his grade impacted significantly by the size concerns.
Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State Mississippi State cornerback Cameron Dantzler did not get targeted much by Auburn, but when Auburn did go after him, he had a lowlight. In the third quarter, Dantzler was beaten on a 50-50 pass by Auburn’s Seth Williams, who hauled in a 32-yard touchdown reception over him. Dantzler did not time a jump well, allowing the ball to fly by him into the receiver for the score.
In speaking with team sources, they feel that Dantzler is more of a second-day talent. They don’t see him being a first-rounder given his speed, agility and athleticism. His most recent tape will help to verify that opinion.
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