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
Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M Madubuike decided to skip his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft after a tremendous junior season in which he recorded 5.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss. The 6-foot-3, 304-pounder is twitchy interior lineman who is very disruptive at the point of attack. He dominated against Ole Miss and was impressive against Georgia and its future NFL offensive line. Madubuike could have some make-up concerns with football character and work ethic. As a result, team sources say Madubuike could be a high second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
James Morgan, QB, Florida International Morgan is a quarterback on the rise with mid-round potential for the 2020 NFL Draft, according to team sources . The 6-foot-4, 213-pounder has a live arm and good size. He also has shown good ball security over the past two seasons, totaling just 10 interceptions versus 39 touchdowns. Morgan could be a riser in the leadup to the 2020 BFK Draft.
Matthew Wilkerson, TE, Edward Waters Wilkerson is a small-school sleeper who has generated some buzz in the scouting community. For Edwards Waters, Wilkerson showed off a good skill set and played both ways at tight end and defensive end. The buzz is the 6-foot-6, 270-pounder has good quickness and athleticism to go along with his excellent size. It sounds like Wilkerson will compete at tight end for the NFL. If Wilkerson has a strong performance in an all-star game, he could really rise in the leadup to the 2020 NFL Draft.
Josh Uche, LB, Michigan In the passing-driven NFL, teams are always on the look out for fast edge rushers, and Uche has shown that ability as a senior. He enters his bowl game with 8.5 sacks and has been a disruptor in the backfield all year. If he is impressive against Alabama and its pair of NFL offensive tackles, Uche could rise into top-60 consideration. Uche (6-2, 250) has size limitations, and his best fit would come as a 3-4 outside linebaker.
Jared Mayden, S, Alabama Even though the Alabama defense was not as effective as it has been in previous seasons, Mayden has had a quality senior year with solid production next to Xavier McKinney. Mayden has 53 tackles with four interceptions and three passes defended entering the bowl game versus Michigan. Mayden (6-0, 205) could continue to rise if he plays well at the Senior Bowl.
Stephen Sullivan, TE, LSU The 6-foot-5, 242-pounder was able to get a Senior Bowl invitation despite not having a big season of production. Entering the college football playoff, Sullivan has 11 receptions for 121 yards, but as a junior, he caught 23 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns. With Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and others, it can be hard to get targets, but Sullivan played well enough to have the opportunity to impress team evaluators in Mobile.
K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State In speaking with a general manager of a wide receiver-needy team, they identified three wide receivers who impressed them in recent tape study from the 2019 season. One of them was Hill, and it is easy to see why, as he has been very reliable for the Buckeyes over the last couple of years. Entering the college football playoff, Hill has 42 receptions for 469 yards and seven touchdowns this season. The 6-foot, 200-pounder is a very steady route-runner with good hands and quickness. He could be an excellent value pick on Day 2 during the 2020 NFL Draft.
Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Johnson is a polished and well-rounded receiver. He has quality size, quickness and good hands, plus is a capable route-runner. With his versatile skill, Johnson looks ready to compete quickly when he gets to the NFL. He has recorded 66 receptions for 1,025 yards with 10 touchdowns this season. On the second-day of the 2020 NFL Draft, Johnson could be a safe and valuable selection.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC Pittman has gone under the radar to a degree because USC has had a down year, but he has been one of the best wideouts in college football this season. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder is a size mismatch for the NFL wgo could serve as a flanker receiver to work the short and intermediate part of the field. Pittman has 95 receptions for 1,222 yards and 11 touchdowns entering the bowl game this season. Some team sources say they see Pittman being a third-round pick because he has speed limitations for the NFL, but others think he could go higher than the third round.
2020 NFL Draft Stock Down
Jabari Zuniga, DE, Florida Zuniga had a strong start to the 2019 season and looked like he was one his way to being a potential early-rounder, but his year was derailed by a high ankle sprain that caused him to miss over half the season. As a result, Zuniga has only 13 tackles with three sacks entering the Gators’ bowl game versus Virginia. It looks more like Zuniga will be a mid-rounder after this injury-riddled season.
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