Still a little over three weeks away from the draft, players’ stock continues to fluctuate after each individual workout and pro day. Here is a look at a few of the first-round players who have seen their stock either skyrocket or plummet based on recent workouts.
RISING:
Cam Newton – Auburn – QB – While I am not particularly high on Newton as a NFL QB, I will admit he is the second-best signal caller in this year’s draft. Newton’s athleticism and character have scouts raving about the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and it could be enough to have them overlook his poor workouts at the NFL Combine. Newton completed 50 out of 60 passes during his Pro Day and let his 40-yard dash number from the Combine stand (4.58). I currently have Newton mocked at tenth overall to the Redskins, but it is conceivable that he jumps into the top-five, possibly even No.1 to the Panthers.
Jonathan Baldwin – Pittsburgh – WR – Naturally there are going to be the comparisons to fellow Pittsburgh alum Larry Fitzgerald, but I see Baldwin projecting as more of a Plaxico Burress-type wideout in the NFL. Baldwin is a former basketball player who started playing football in high school. At 6’4 224, Baldwin has the size to thrive as a receiver in the NFL, and he did not drop a single pass during his pro day. Aside from that, Baldwin’s basketball background and 42-inch vertical leap at the NFL Combine make him a nice target for QBs. It’s entirely possible that Baldwin becomes the third WR taken in this draft behind A.J. Green and Julio Jones.
Tyron Smith – USC – OT – Before the Combine, scouts questioned Smith’s size and his ability to perform at a high level with the added bulk needed to succeed at the next level. When Smith showed up at the combine weighing 310 lbs, he performed just as well as he had when he was closer to 300 lbs, silencing his critics. At Smith’s pro day, he weighed in again at 310 lbs., and looked even more impressive as he showed great agility and speed (4.93 40-yard dash) after packing on the lbs. Normally adding weight hurts a player’s draft stock, but in Smith’s case it was the best move he could have possibly made. I don’t think there is any question that he will be the first OT taken this year and could even sneak his way into the top ten.
FALLING:
Da’Quan Bowers – Clemson – DE – Once considered the most NFL-ready lineman in this year’s draft class, Da’Quan Bowers may find himself taking a Brady Quinn-type tumble in the first round following his pro day. All reports coming from Bowers’ pro day are that the Clemson DE is still being hobbled by a knee injury and teams/scouts are going to have to proceed with caution when drafting Bowers. With so much depth at the DE/OLB position this year, it’s entirely possible Bowers could slip from the top ten to anywhere from 15-30.
Brandon Harris – Miami – CB – Harris was at one point fighting with Texas’ Aaron Williams as the fourth-best cornerback available in the draft this year, but after Miami’s pro day last week, he is no longer in the discussion. Harris opted not to run the 40-yard dash during the pro day and his vertical leap was one inch shorter than it had been at the Combine. Harris was a borderline first-round talent as it was, but now may find himself sticking around until the middle of the second round come Draft day.
