NFL Draft 2015: Stock Up, Down for Top Prospects Post-Bowl Season

As the college football season concluded Monday, so too ended the opportunity for prospects in the 2015 NFL draft to add to their collegiate tape and use their performances in meaningful games to improve their draft stocks.

More than any other time in the college football year, bowl season is a time when top draft prospects tend to be in focus the most. While bowl games do not necessarily hold any more stock than any other game in the eyes of NFL talent evaluators, they are always a great opportunity for players to make an impression in front of a large audience and to finish a career on a high note.

Some of the 2015 draft’s top talents, including USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, took full advantage of that opportunity and capped their careers with showings that highlighted their outstanding skill sets.

On the other hand, a number of players, including Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, had underwhelming bowl performances that should give scouts increased reason for concern about them.

Considering 39 bowl games took place this year if you include the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, it’s impossible for us to cover all the standouts and disappointments from this year’s bowl season, even among only players on the verge of going pro. Nonetheless, the slides to follow highlight some of the most notable bowl games, both good and bad, that either helped or hurt players who are among the biggest names in the 2015 draft class.

Stock Up: Leonard Williams, DE/DT, USC

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Stats: Nine total tackles, one sack

Opponent: Nebraska (Holiday Bowl)

Already widely projected to be the first non-quarterback selected in the 2015 draft, Leonard Williams solidified his stock as a top prospect with a highly productive performance, per usual, in USC’s win over Nebraska in the Holiday Bowl.

Williams had nine total tackles, a big number in itself for a defensive lineman, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Throughout the game, he brought pressure more often than he did not on passing plays, while he was consistently around the ball at some point on running plays.

Weighing in at 6’5” and 291 pounds, Williams plays both outside and inside for the USC defensive line. A tremendous athlete, he was impactful from all spots in his final collegiate game, as he declared for the draft on December 29 after a dominant three-year career.

Both a skilled pass-rusher and a strong tackler, he can win with his strength, hand skills and his pure athleticism. With no major weakness in his game, he is the most complete prospect at any position in this year’s draft class.

There was one poor sequence for Williams in this game, as he incurred penalties on back-to-back plays for roughing the passer and then taunting after a sack. He cannot afford to make mistakes like that at the next level, but he more than made up for it with the plays he made the rest of the night.

In a draft class that is lacking in elite talent, Williams should be a top-five overall selection. He can bring schematic versatility and immediate playmaking ability to any NFL defense.

Stock Up: Dante Fowler Jr., DE/OLB, Florida

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Stats: Three sacks, two additional quarterback hits

Opponent: East Carolina (Birmingham Bowl)

An underclassman who announced he would declare for the 2015 draft when Florida fired Will Muschamp in November, Dante Fowler Jr. saved one of his best college football games for last. With a three-sack performance in the Gators’ 28-20 Birmingham Bowl win, Fowler showed the nation why he could be a top-10 overall pick.

Fowler’s first sack displayed his ability to explode into a blocker and generate power. Starting with a bull rush from the outside, he drove East Carolina right tackle Dontae Livingston backward then slipped inside him to get to Pirates quarterback Shane Carden for an eight-yard loss.

The second sack showed his versatility and ability to accelerate. Fowler started the play dropping back into coverage, but after a number of seconds, as Carden took his time in the pocket, Fowler exploded forward, blew by East Carolina’s Tre Robertson with his speed and rapidly closed on Carden from behind for a six-yard takedown.

On his third sack, a head fake inside was all he needed to make ECU left tackle Ike Harris drop a little too far in the pocket, which allowed Fowler to explode right by him and get straight to the quarterback for another eight-yard loss.

Fowler also had two additional quarterback hits, both as a stand-up rusher, to force incomplete throws from Carden.

This game raised Fowler’s profile, as it was his first three-sack game and only second multi-sack contest of his career, but make no mistake about it: He showed the ability to be disruptive from a multitude of defensive spots throughout his Gators career.

A tremendous athlete at 6’3” and 260 pounds, Fowler demonstrated the ability to play all over the defensive front, especially in his last act. Projecting as a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker to the NFL, he should be in the mix to be one of the 2015 draft’s first defensive players selected.

Stock Up: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson

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Stats: Five total tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup

Opponent: Oklahoma (Russell Athletic Bowl)

In one of the bowl season’s most lopsided games, Clemson throttled Oklahoma to a final score of 40-6 in the Russell Athletic Bowl. One big reason why was the play of senior defensive end Vic Beasley, who brought pressure throughout the game and helped make it a miserable day for Sooners quarterback Trevor Knight.

Going up against two NFL-caliber offensive tackles in Tyrus Thompson and Daryl Williams, Beasley put his explosiveness on display as he brought pressure into the backfield throughout the game.

His highlight of the night came on Clemson’s first defensive play of the game, when he threw a rapid, clean spin move to go right by Thompson’s inside and get to the quarterback for an eight-yard sack.

The highly athletic edge defender continued to show his range over the course of the game, as he recorded five tackles, including three for loss, and came off coverage on Oklahoma tight end Blake Bell to record a pass breakup. All of this came in less than four full quarters, as Clemson pulled its starters early because of its commanding lead.

Undersized for a defensive end at 6’3” and 235 pounds, Beasley is facing a move to outside linebacker—ideally, to a 3-4 defense—as he moves up to the NFL. Still, he has the potential to be a top-10 draft pick, as he is an excellent pass-rusher who also displays the ability to make plays in space.

Stock Up: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

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Stats: Five total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack, between two College Football Playoff games

Opponent: Alabama (Sugar Bowl), Oregon (CFP National Championship Game)

Ohio State senior defensive tackle Michael Bennett played a key role, specifically in the Buckeyes’ Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama, in his team’s improbable run to a national championship. As a result, he might have solidified his draft stock as a first-round selection.

Bennett, a quick penetrator who entered the Sugar Bowl having recorded 9.5 total tackles for loss over his previous five games, continued to show his ability to disrupt plays in the backfield against the Crimson Tide. He recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, including a sack, in a four-tackle performance.

Over the course of that College Football Playoff semifinal, Bennett flashed his great burst off the line of scrimmage and his arsenal of pass-rushing moves, including a spin move that led to his takedown of Alabama quarterback Blake Sims. Pro Football Focus graded his performance in that win as the second-best of any OSU player, behind returning junior left tackle Taylor Decker.

Bennett was not nearly as impactful in Monday night’s national title game, as he recorded just one assisted tackle against Oregon.

However, that shouldn’t take away from how impressively Bennett played for OSU down the stretch of his final collegiate season. He’s undersized for a defensive tackle, at 6’2” and 288 pounds, yet his ability to burst through the line of scrimmage and make plays was huge for this year’s college football champions. It could continue to be so for an NFL team in 2015.

Stock Down: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

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Stats: Zero tackles

Opponent: Oregon (Rose Bowl)

While many of the top defensive line prospects in this year’s class bolstered their draft stocks with strong bowl game performances, one player who failed to perform up to his ability on the big stage was Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman.

At 6’4” and 320 pounds with impressive all-around athleticism, Goldman showed disruptive playmaking ability throughout his junior season. He blew up some plays, but he was also inconsistent. While he has huge potential, his lackluster performance in Florida State’s 59-20 Rose Bowl defeat to Oregon could raise questions about his readiness to make an impact in the NFL.

Lined up for much of the contest against one of the top centers in college football, Oregon’s Hroniss Grasu, Goldman was quiet the entire game. He failed to show the skills to beat blockers and get into the backfield, and he also missed a chance for an important tackle when he allowed Oregon running back Royce Freeman to run through him at the goal line on a one-yard touchdown run.

After playing one of the worst games of his 2014 season, it was evident Goldman could have benefited from returning to FSU for his senior season. He has reportedly decided otherwise, however, and is entering the draft, according to Yahoo Sports’ Rand Getlin.

Considering his upside to play any interior defensive line spot, Goldman still projects as a likely first-round pick, but he didn’t dispel any existing concerns about his skill set in the Seminoles’ embarrassing College Football Playoff semifinal loss.

Stock Up: Cameron Erving, C, Florida State

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Stats: Continued to impress in fifth game since move to center from tackle

Opponent: Oregon (Rose Bowl)

The Rose Bowl was an ugly game for most Florida State players, and it had a disastrous outcome for the previously unbeaten Seminoles. An exception to that, however, was Florida State senior center Cameron Erving.

His draft stock has been on the rise ever since he transitioned from left tackle to center, prior to FSU’s November 15 game against Miami. With each passing game, he has been increasingly impressive, so much so that he could be the first center selected in the 2015 draft.

At 6’6” and 308 pounds, Erving is a gifted athlete who shows the ability to accelerate to the second level and make key downfield blocks. He exhibits the strength to sustain pass blocks and move defenders off the line of scrimmage, while his technique and snapping have been exceptionally clean for someone new to the position.

Against an Oregon defense full of great athletes and future NFL players, Erving looked well within his element in the middle of FSU’s offensive line. He graded out as the best Seminoles player in the Rose Bowl by a wide margin, according to Pro Football Focus.

While he had begun to fall out of high regard as an offensive tackle prospect before his move inside, Erving’s versatility to play any position on the line increases his value significantly.

That said, he has looked good enough already in his transition that there’s reason to believe he might be able to start quickly for an NFL team as its center. His strong Rose Bowl performance likely established him as a first- or second-round pick.

Stock Down: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

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Stats: Suffered a torn ACL

Opponent: West Virginia (Liberty Bowl)

Going into his senior season, many experts projected Cedric Ogbuehi to follow in the footsteps of his former Texas A&M teammates, Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews, and be a top-10 draft pick after a season playing left tackle. Now, it’s uncertain if Ogbuehi will ever be selected within the draft’s first two rounds.

He damaged his draft stock throughout his senior season, as he failed to show the progress expected of him in his move to the blind side, where he only played part of the year. His stock took its biggest hit in the Liberty Bowl, however, as he suffered a torn ACL in the game, according to Yahoo Sports’ Rand Getlin.

Although Ogbuehi is expected to be ready for training camp, according to Getlin, the injury will lead to a significant fall in draft position. He will be unable to work out for teams prior to the draft and therefore he unable to atone for a disappointing senior year while leaving questions about the physical condition he will be in going forward.

A 6’5”, 305-pound offensive lineman who played left tackle, right tackle and guard during his Texas A&M career, Ogbuehi possesses good length and athleticism but has not shown the strength to be a dominant player at the line of scrimmage.

Likely to be viewed now as a developmental player at right tackle and/or guard, Ogbuehi still has enough upside to garner second-round consideration. That said, his situation is not dissimilar to that of former Clemson offensive lineman Brandon Thomas, who was considered to be a potential first-round pick in the 2014 draft before a torn ACL suffered in a predraft workout pushed him down to the No. 100 overall pick.

Stock Up: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Stats: 34 rushing attempts for 251 yards, three touchdowns; two receptions for two yards

Opponent: Auburn (Outback Bowl)

With 251 rushing yards and three touchdowns in Wisconsin’s 34-31 overtime victory over Auburn in the Outback Bowl, Badgers running back Melvin Gordon put an exclamation point on a remarkable 2014 season that puts him in position to be the first running back drafted in a first round since 2012.

The 6’1”, 213-pound back put his entire explosive skill set on display in the bowl game. While he used his exceptional speed and lateral agility to break away from defenders, he also showed great patience in finding running lanes and strength in finishing through contact, including a stiff-arm through a defender to cap off his biggest play of the day, a 53-yard touchdown.

There are legitimate questions about his ability to consistently run between the tackles against NFL defenses, but no one should doubt his big-play ability. A dynamic player who can both sprint by defenders and make them miss in the open field, Gordon is a threat to go all the way any time he is able to get into open space.

Altogether, he finished his final collegiate season with 2,587 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns for one of the most prolific Football Bowl Subdivision years ever for a running back.

Gordon’s stock has been on the rise all year as a result, but his accentuating bowl game performance should ensure that despite the declining value of his position, he is too talented to slide outside the draft’s top 32 picks.

Stock Down: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

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Stats: Three tackles, one pass breakup (dropped interception), beaten on numerous downfield throws

Opponent: Baylor (Cotton Bowl)

In a draft class that lacks a top-tier cornerback prospect, experts widely project Michigan State’s Trae Waynes to be the first player off the board at his position. A poor performance in the Cotton Bowl, however, should give reason for pause to teams that are considering investing a high draft pick on him.

On a day that Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty threw for a whopping 550 yards, Waynes got beaten downfield on numerous occasions, including one 45-yard deep reception by KD Cannon. He also dropped an interception in the fourth quarter, right out of his hands, at a time when his Spartans, who ultimately won the game 42-41, were trailing by 13.

“Those seeing Trae Waynes for the first time today would think he's undraftable,” CBS Sports’ Dane Brugler tweeted bluntly during the game.

There’s a lot to like about Waynes, who declared for the draft on January 4. He has good length and fluid hips and feet and typically places himself in good positions.

His play has been inconsistent, however, as evidenced by his lackluster showing against Baylor. He’s far from being a so-called shutdown cornerback at this point, and he needs to bulk up his 6’1”, 182-pound frame.

It remains likely that Waynes will be a first-rounder, and it’s possible he could be a top-15 pick due to there being no clear-cut better option at his position. In a stronger draft class, however, he’d likely be a late first-round or second-round choice.

Stock Up: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

Stats: Seven receptions for 98 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown

Opponent: Missouri (Citrus Bowl)

The leading receiver in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day, Minnesota’s Maxx Williams showed why he is a clear-cut favorite to be the first tight end selected in the 2015 draft.

For 6’4” and 250 pounds, Williams is a terrific athlete. That was never clearer than on his third-quarter, 54-yard touchdown against Missouri—he hurdled straight over one defender and then did a leaping dive through a low tackle attempt to finish over the goal line in one of the most impressive plays of bowl season.

Both a gifted receiver and a solid in-line blocker, Williams fits the prototype for the modern NFL tight end. He has enough athleticism to stretch the field, can extend plays by running through contact, has excellent hands and can create mismatches wherever he lines up on the field.

His overall statistics for the 2014 season, in which he caught 36 passes for 569 yards and eight touchdowns, do not stand out on their own. They’re impressive, however, once you consider that he had nearly double the receiving yards of the second-best receiver on Minnesota’s team.

Poor quarterback play inhibited his ability to make plays downfield all year, and yet he still took advantage of his chances to make a positive impression.

Despite being only a redshirt sophomore, Williams declared for the draft on January 2. The best prospect in a tight end class that is lacking in early-round talents, he has a good shot at being a first-round draft choice.

Dan Hope is an NFL/NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

Follow @Dan_Hope