NFL Draft 2015: Updated Prospect Radar, Post Week 8
It’s the time of the year when top players in college football, like Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper and Washington edge-defender Hau’oli Kikaha, are starting to rewrite the record books...or at least are well on their way to individual seasons to remember.
Now that the 2014 season is already more than halfway over, many players either have significantly raised their profiles or taken steps back as NFL draft prospects.
Some players have done what they needed to do, including this past week, to position themselves as high draft picks come next spring. Others need to step up their games quickly if they plan to declare this year and realize their potential to be early-round selections.
While there were not as many marquee games played this past weekend as in weeks past, there were plenty of opportunities for draft prospects to stand out. The following players, for better or for worse, all gave scouts reasons to pay attention.
Stock Up: Josh Robinson, RB, Mississippi State, Jr.
1 of 13
This Week: 23 rushing attempts for 198 yards, two touchdowns; one reception for 11 yards
Opponent: Kentucky
Mississippi State’s 7-0 start to the season might be making quarterback Dak Prescott a favorite to win this year’s Heisman Trophy, but the star of the Bulldogs’ win over Kentucky on Sunday was junior running back Josh Robinson.
A self-described “bowling ball”, Robinson showed on Saturday how tough he can be to tackle in the process of running for a career-high 198 yards.
The 5’9”, 215-pound back was able to churn through contact and finish forward all day long, but there were two runs in Saturday’s game that now will be staples of Robinson’s highlight reel.
The first came in the third quarter, when Robinson ran through two tackles, spun through two more defenders, reversed field to get away from other Kentucky players and then ran through even more contact en route to one of the most impressive 22-yard gains you’ll ever see.
He came up even bigger in the fourth quarter when he ran through a tackle at the line of scrimmage then ran away from a bevy of Kentucky defenders, all before making a safety miss in the middle of the field with a perfect cutback around the 25-yard line. That move cleared his path to the end zone on a 73-yard touchdown.
As Mississippi State’s feature back this year, Robinson has made it evident that he is a special talent. As he has bounced off of tacklers and racked up yards after contact, he has rushed for 887 yards and 10 touchdowns on 121 carries this season.
Robinson’s not the fastest or agile runner out there, and his style of play could lead to quick wear and tear, but he has a skill set that is immediately transferrable to the NFL. If scouts hadn’t already taken notice of him this year, Saturday has moved him firmly onto the draft radar.
Current Draft Projection: Rounds 3-4
Stock Up: Alvin "Bud" Dupree, OLB/DE, Kentucky, Sr.
2 of 13
This Week: 10 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss (one sack), two quarterback hits
Opponent: Mississippi State
In a losing effort for his squad against the Football Bowl Subdivision’s No. 1-ranked team, Kentucky’s Alvin "Bud" Dupree stood out for his activity and versatility as a playmaker on the Wildcats defense.
An outstanding all-around athlete, the 6’4”, 264 pound Dupree demonstrated his ability to impact the game as a pass-rusher while also making plays all over the field, as he accumulated double-digit tackles.
Dupree utilized his explosive first step and natural speed around the edge to bring pressure as a pass-rusher.
His biggest play of the game came late in the first half, when he drilled Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott on a pass attempt to force an interception. Dupree also recorded a sack in the fourth quarter, as he made a great move with his hands to get by the right tackle then quickly closed on Prescott to bury him in the pocket.
Dupree’s pursuit speed also translates well to run defense. Lining up both on the edge as an off-ball linebacker at different times in Saturday’s game, Dupree chased a number of plays out to the sidelines or down the field, showing his effort and ability to close when making tackles. He even made one special teams tackle on a punt return.
At times, Dupree had his flaws exposed on Saturday. He missed a couple tackles, including one on a 38-yard run by Prescott in which the quarterback spun through his arms, while he was also taken out of a number of plays on cut blocks.
Overall, however, Dupree made a major impact for the Kentucky defense Saturday. Possessing a diverse skill set and the ability to play multiple positions—though he would be best suited to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense—Dupree looks the part of a first-round pick.
Current Draft Projection: Round 1
Stock Up: Hau’oli Kikaha, OLB/DE, Washington, Sr.
3 of 13
This Week: Six total tackles, four total tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup
Opponent: Arizona State
In a span of three plays on Saturday night, Washington outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha broke two school records.
Kikaha became the Huskies’ all-time leader for sacks when he took down Taylor Kelly for a five-yard loss in the third quarter of his team’s loss to Arizona State. When Kikaha brought Kelly to the ground again two plays later, he broke Washington’s single-season record, just eight games into the season.
Playing a new position this year as an edge-defending outside linebacker, Kikaha has been phenomenal. With another highly productive game Saturday, Kikaha extended his FBS leads in sacks to 14.5 and tackles for loss to 19.5.
The two sacks—on a night when Kikaha also had two tackles for loss against the run, brought pressure on a number of other occasions and was credited with a pass defensed—were textbook examples of the senior’s ability to make plays off the edge.
On the first sack, Kikaha got a nice jump off the outside of Arizona State’s right tackle, used his hands to work his way around the blocker and then closed on the quarterback at a perfect angle. A perfect shoulder dip around the corner allowed him to go right around the Sun Devils’ left tackle to bring down Kelly two plays later.
Kikaha is an explosive athlete with good size and strength, but his technical prowess as a pass-rusher is what really stands out. He uses his hands effectively to work his way off blockers while he turns the corner cleanly and takes efficient angles to the backfield.
Medical evaluations will be key for Kikaha in the predraft process, as he has suffered multiple ACL tears in his collegiate career. From a talent standpoint, however, Kikaha has proven this year that he deserves to be a top-20 draft selection.
Current Draft Projection: Round 1
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Stock Down: Bo Wallace, QB, Mississippi, Sr.
4 of 13
This Week: 14-of-33 passing for 176 yards, one touchdown, one interception; 12 rushing attempts for 40 yards
Opponent: LSU
Ole Miss lost its first game of the season on Saturday night against LSU. The poor play of senior quarterback Bo Wallace was a big reason why.
The “Good Bo/Bad Bo” dichotomy has often been used on Twitter to describe the bipolarity of Wallace’s play. Overall, he’s played at a much higher level this season than in past years. But as Bleacher Report’s Brian Leigh explained, it was “Bad Bo” who showed up on Saturday.
Wallace had a few impressive completions down the stretch of the game but ultimately couldn’t make the plays the Rebels needed to climb out of a 10-7 deficit.
He was stopped on a 4th-and-1 quarterback sneak attempt on the team’s first possession after LSU’s go-ahead score. He then got his team’s fate sealed when his deep ball in the game’s waning seconds hung up and was intercepted by LSU’s Ronald Martin, a few plays after a defensive pass interference nullified what also would have been an interception on an underthrown deep ball.
The inconsistency that has defined Wallace’s career showed up at the wrong time against LSU, and it hurt the gains he had made in his senior season as an NFL quarterback prospect.
Wallace has enough size and throwing velocity to garner late-round consideration, but he’ll need to perform better going forward than he did Saturday.
Current Draft Projection: Round 7 or undrafted free-agent signing
Stock Up: Senquez Golson, CB, Mississsippi, Sr.
5 of 13
This Week: Recorded eighth interception of the season, four tackles
Opponent: LSU
Made famous for his game-sealing interception in the end zone against Alabama earlier this season, Mississippi senior cornerback Senquez Golson is on a roll.
A miscommunication between LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings and his receiver on Saturday night allowed Golson to become the de facto pass-catcher on a third-down throw. He simply tracked Jennings' deep pass to record his eighth interception of the season.
With five interceptions in his past four games alone, Golson has made displaying his ball skills in the national spotlight a weekly occurrence, as Ole Miss has become one of the nation’s top teams. He is tied with Louisville’s Gerod Holliman for the FBS lead in interceptions and has 12 total passes defensed for the year.
Golson’s interceptions haven’t all been examples of textbook coverage, but he has a clear knack for tracking the football in the air and making plays. Those ball skills have enabled Golson to emerge as a star on one of the nation’s most prolific defenses.
Listed at only 5’9” and 176 pounds, Golson’s lack of size might limit him to playing as a slot cornerback in the NFL, but that position could be a great fit for his playmaking ability. He’s shown aptitude in coverage this year and a physicality that belies his small stature, and his knack for being a difference-maker should entice NFL scouts.
Current Draft Projection: Round 4
Stock Up: Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (Fla.), Jr.
6 of 13
This Week: 29 rush for 249 yards, one touchdown; two receptions for 37 yards, one touchdown
Opponent: Virginia Tech
Duke Johnson hasn’t garnered nearly as much attention this season as some of the nation’s other top running backs, but his performance against Virginia Tech on Thursday night was a strong reminder of why he too belongs in the mix to be an early-round pick if he declares for the 2015 draft.
Johnson had 286 yards from scrimmage, which accounted for more than 62 percent of Miami’s offensive output in the Hurricanes’ 30-6 win. He posted 185 of those yards in the first half alone, but he put his well-rounded skill set on display throughout the game.
Listed at 5’9” and 206 pounds, Johnson is a hard-running back who extends runs well after contact. He explodes off his cuts and can run away from defenders with his second-level acceleration. As he showed Thursday, he is also an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Johnson was so impressive Thursday night that Frank Beamer, who has been Virginia Tech’s coach since 1987, praised the Miami junior as the best running back he has seen “forever,” according to Andy Bitter of The Roanoke Times.
Skeptical respondents to Bitter’s tweet saw Beamer’s anointment of Johnson as an excuse for his team’s loss, but it’s high praise nonetheless for the talented back, who has all the tools to be a productive player in the NFL.
Current Draft Projection: Round 2
Stock Up: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama, Jr.
7 of 13
This Week: Nine receptions for 224 yards, two touchdowns; one rush for loss of nine yards
Opponent: Tennessee
On Friday, I wrote in detail about how West Virginia’s Kevin White has put himself in position to potentially be the top wide receiver in the 2015 draft. On Saturday, as White had an unusually quiet day against Oklahoma State, Amari Cooper had a performance against Tennessee that reminded the nation why he can still stake claim to being the nation’s best player at his position.
Just 6:05 into the game, Cooper had already accumulated 155 receiving yards on four receptions, largely because of two big-play touchdown catches that gave Alabama an early lead from which it would never look back.
On Alabama’s first play from scrimmage, Cooper put his speed on display as he ran by and away from four Tennessee defenders before strolling to the end zone for an 80-yard touchdown. He capped the Crimson Tide’s next series by beating a defensive back down the left sideline for a 41-yard touchdown.
He also set up Alabama’s next score with a diving 30-yard catch at the 1-yard line, a play that could have been his third touchdown had Blake Sims’ pass not been underthrown.
Cooper’s outstanding performance in Saturday’s Lane Kiffin Bowl, in which he set a school record with 224 receiving yards, was a continuation of a stellar junior season in which he has proven himself to be worthy of a top-10 draft pick.
A smooth route-runner who can make big plays in the open field and has been catching just about everything coming his way, Cooper currently ranks second in the FBS with 1,132 receiving yards and tied for third with 71 receptions.
Current Draft Projection: Top 10
Stock Down: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn, Jr.
8 of 13
This Week: One reception for 14 yards
Opponent: South Carolina
Expected to emerge as a star wide receiver this year after a breakout sophomore season, Sammie Coates has instead faded into obscurity within the Auburn offense, and should no longer be viewed as one of the top draft prospects at his position.
Reportedly hampered by a leg injury in the first month of the season, Coates seemed to finally be back on track three weeks ago when he made multiple big plays against LSU, including a 56-yard touchdown, and finished the night with 144 yards.
In his two games since, Coates has caught just four passes for 36 yards.
Coates has a highly intriguing combination of size, speed and strength that gives him game-breaking potential as a downfield weapon. That said, subpar route-running has limited his abilities to get open this year, while he has dropped a number of catchable balls.
With only 13 receptions and 236 yards on the year, Coates is going to have to step up his game down the stretch if he is going to be an early-round draft pick.
Unless that happens, it’s looking as though Coates’ best move would be to return for his senior season, which would give him more time to refine his game and allow him to work in 2015 with Jeremy Johnson, Auburn’s current backup quarterback, who will bring more deep passing to the equation than current starter Nick Marshall.
Current Draft Projection: Rounds 2-3
Stock Down: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan, Jr.
9 of 13
This Week: Five receptions for 64 yards
Opponent: Michigan State
As Michigan’s season went from bad to worse in a blowout loss to Michigan State on Saturday, among the biggest disappointments for the Wolverines was missed opportunities by potential first-round pick Devin Funchess.
A mismatch-creator at 6’5” and 230 pounds, Funchess has put his athleticism and big-play ability on display this season, his first year as a full-time wide receiver after transitioning from playing tight end. He showed his skills to an extent Saturday with five receptions, but the plays he didn’t make were more memorable.
Funchess’ size and leaping ability should enable him to consistently win battles at the catch point, but his lack of strength in that area was evident Saturday. He had a number of passes knocked out of his hands by contact.
One of those missed opportunities, which would have been a 10-yard touchdown, prompted former Michigan and NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2005 draft, to call him out in a tweet.
“Funchess has to make that catch wearing that number,” tweeted Edwards, who used to don the No. 1 jersey that Funchess currently wears.
The physical attributes and playmaking ability that Funchess possesses give him a chance to be a first-round pick as a pass-catcher who can play both outside and inside and be tough to cover. However, he needs to prove that he can take advantage of his impressive traits and make tough plays for his struggling team.
Current Draft Projection: Rounds 1-2
Stock Up: Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU, Jr.
10 of 13
This Week: 22-of-39 passing for 433 yards, seven touchdowns; seven rushing attempts for 28 yards
Opponent: Texas Tech
As the TCU offense posted video-game numbers in its 82-27 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday, Trevone Boykin’s rise to stardom—and potential Heisman Trophy contention and high draft-pick status—continued.
The redshirt junior quarterback set a TCU school record for most passing touchdowns in a game with seven—the same total he had for the entire 2013 season—and posted a career high in passing yards, with 433 on Saturday, for a second consecutive week.
Boykin is still a raw talent who has a long way to go in his development, specifically in regards to his accuracy and mechanics, as a pocket passer. What makes Boykin promising is the evident and significant improvement he has demonstrated so far this season.
An athletic dual-threat with a good arm, the 6’2”, 205-pound signal-caller possesses upside that is reportedly generating interest among NFL scouts. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks and Charles Davis reported Thursday—before his record-setting performance against the Red Raiders—that one NFL personnel director believes Boykin’s “style of play plays right into what the league is looking at right now.”
Given his need for continued progression, Boykin would be smart to return to TCU with another year of eligibility, but he could rise up draft boards if he continues to post gaudy numbers and show his game is moving forward.
Current Draft Projection: Round 6
Hidden Gem of the Week: Ryan Mueller, DE, Kansas State, Sr.
11 of 13
This Week: Four tackles, one sack, seven quarterback hurries
Opponent: Texas
Kansas State’s defense shut out the no-longer-mighty Texas Longhorns on Saturday, and the play of senior defensive end Ryan Mueller was a big reason why.
Going up against the right side of a Texas offensive line that was already struggling before right guard Kent Perkins went down with a leg injury on Saturday, Mueller wreaked havoc as a pass-rusher on the Longhorns’ pocket.
Mueller was credited with one sack but also recorded seven quarterback hurries against Texas, according to Pro Football Focus, who graded the game as its “College Game of the Week.” The defensive end’s overall grade of 6.4 was the best given to any player on either team by PFF for the contest.
An unspectacular athlete, the 6’2”, 245-pound Mueller doesn’t have any special physical traits. That said, he is a high-motor edge defender who has been productive as a pass-rusher and also uses his strength to hold his own against the run.
Mueller is no sure bet to be drafted, but strong performances like he had Saturday will help him draw late-round consideration as a solid defensive player who just might continue to be an overachiever in the NFL.
Current Round Projection: Round 7
Small School Stud of the Week: Conner Hempel, QB, Harvard, Sr.
12 of 13
This Week: 25-of-31 passing for 382 yards, three touchdowns; 12 rushing attempts for 52 yards, two touchdowns
Opponent: Princeton
Conner Hempel accounted for five total touchdowns and more than 400 total yards, as Harvard dismantled Princeton, 49-7, in an Ivy League matchup on Saturday.
Efficient through the air while also able to make some plays with his legs, the 6’3”, 210-pound quarterback put skills on display Saturday that could earn him an NFL opportunity, according to Emory Hunt of FootballGameplan.com:
"Hempel displayed excellent pocket presence throughout the course of the game; he stayed calm in the face of pressure, making subtle moves within the pocket to find room and consistently kept the offense on pace in the passing game...What was most impressive was his complete understanding of the passing game.
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Hempel has missed some time this season with a back injury, but it certainly seems as though he is healthy now.
He remains a long shot to be drafted, but could have a chance to follow in Ryan Fitzpatrick’s footsteps, and make it from Harvard to playing NFL quarterback, if he can keep up his high level of play the rest of the year.
Current Draft Projection: Round 7 or undrafted free-agent signing
Other Notable Performances
13 of 13
While Hau’oli Kikaha was the star of Washington’s defense Saturday night, the biggest play of the game for the Huskies came from senior inside linebacker John Timu, who had a clean break an interception that he would return 63 yards to the opposite end zone for a touchdown.
Timu, who also had eight tackles and a forced fumble on Saturday, is the overshadowed player on a defense that features four potential first-round draft picks. While Timu is not the same caliber of prospect as Kikaha, Shaq Thompson, Marcus Peters or Danny Shelton, he is a well-rounded inside linebacker who should be a quality pickup for an NFL team as a Day 3 pick.
Another outstanding linebacker performance this week came from Penn State senior Mike Hull in the Nittany Lions’ double overtime loss to Ohio State. Hull recorded 19 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. Hull showed his instincts throughout the game as he was a physical presence up the middle but also made plays all over the field. He made his case Saturday for being a solid Day 3 draft pick.
Also impressive for the Penn State defense on Saturday was junior defensive tackle Anthony Zettel. Zettel is small for an interior defensive lineman, but that enabled his athleticism to stand out on Saturday.
He penetrated the backfield frequently during the game and made a number of big plays, including a sack, a pass deflection at the line of scrimmage and most notably, an interception on which he dropped back into coverage, caught a pass cleanly in his hands and returned it 40 yards to the house for a touchdown. His agile feet give him NFL potential.
One bright spot in Michigan’s loss Saturday was senior defensive end Frank Clark. He showed the ability to beat blockers both outside and inside, using his quickness and strong hands to be disruptive. He hit Michigan State QB Connor Cook on multiple occasions, recording a tackle for loss and recovering a fumble.
While Kentucky's Alvin Dupree stole the spotlight for good reason on Saturday, the Wildcats have another quality defensive end prospect, senior Za’Darius Smith, who was also impressive against Mississippi State. A bigger player who lines up both inside and outside, Smith put both his burst and strength on display, as he won battles at the line of scrimmage and blew up plays in the backfield to record 2.5 tackles for loss.
Nebraska senior Ameer Abdullah regained the FBS lead for rushing yards this weekend as he ran for 225 yards against Rutgers. He scored three touchdowns, from 53, 48 and 23 yards and added two receptions for 26 yards and two kickoff returns for 90 yards, one of which was a 76-yard return.
A dynamic triple-threat as a runner, pass-catcher and returner, Abdullah remains in position to be a solid second-round pick.
Dan Hope is an NFL/NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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