Draft Headquarters Week One Stock Watch

The opening weekend of college football provided plenty of intrigue. Although a number of teams began the season with expected wins, there were enough upsets, weather delays, and top-notch performances by prospects to keep us watching. Taking a look back at this past weekend’s games, here’s Draft Headquarters’ Stock Watch from Week One:

Rising:

Robert Griffin QB Baylor – No player in Week One had a more impressive performance than Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin. While only a junior, Griffin’s development from a raw athlete playing quarterback into a proven quarterback with great athleticism has been fun to watch the past three years. While he still has some work to do before being labeled as a top NFL prospect (in my opinion), the fact that Griffin was able to tear apart a TCU defense that has ranked among the best in the country the past few years suggests that Robert may be well on his way to earning a spot at the top of draft boards at this time next year.

Brandon Boykin CB Georgia – Although the Bulldogs didn’t win, Brandon Boykin was most certainly one of the most exciting players to watch this past weekend. While playing in the slot for most of the night against Boise’s three-man receiver sets, Boykin tallied six tackles, half of a tackle for loss, and one pass breakup. In addition, he showed his explosion as an athlete, returning five kickoffs for 110 yards and taking the first carry of his career on offense 80 yards for a touchdown. Boykin is not an elite cover corner for the 2012 Draft, however this talent, athleticism, and versatility is sure to interest plenty of teams in the middle of the draft next spring.

Boston College LB Luke Kuechly - One of the most instinctive players in the country, Luke Kuechly got his 2011 season off on a fantastic start, tallying an eye-opening 18 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one interception. A cerebral player with the type of football IQ that scouts covet in a linebacker, Kuechly is a legitimate Top 20 prospect and is a near-lock to be a first round pick if he continues this pace the rest of the season.

Vick Ballard RB Mississippi State – A thick, compact runner who excels at carrying the ball between the tackles, Vick Ballard showed off his ability to be a power runner on Saturday, carrying the ball 10 times for 166 yards and three touchdowns. In averaging 16.6-yards per carry, Ballard displayed the ability to pick up yards-after-contact as well as a strong ability to run behind his pads upon contact with a defender. Ballard doesn’t possess the speed to warrant being taken higher than the middle of the draft, however his ability to shoulder the load and pound the ball up the middle is why he should receive plenty of looks in this year’s draft.

Kendall Wright WR Baylor – Quarterback Robert Griffin’s go-to receiver in the passing game, Kendall Wright exploded onto the national scene as a dynamic playmaking receiver against TCU catching 12 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns on Friday night. Wright projects as one of the top slot receiver prospects in the 2012 Draft. At 5’10, 190 lbs, he’s smaller than you’d prefer, however his elite speed, quickness, and explosion is sure to win over plenty of scouts at the next level.

Bruce Irvin DE West Virginia – Picking up right where he left off in 2010 with 14 sacks, Bruce Irvin added the first sack of the 2011 season on Sunday against Marshall. Irvin is playing out of position in the Mountaineers’ 3-3-5 defense, however his quickness, explosion, and raw athleticism is elite, and is why so many scouts are in love with the potential that he brings to the table. Irvin projects as a 3-4 outside rush linebacker in the NFL. I currently have him graded as a second-to-third round prospect, however if he keeps up his current pace, as well as what is expected to be an outstanding Combine performance, I think the first round is a very possible outcome.

B.J. Coleman QB Tennessee-Chattanooga – When a top quarterback prospect on a small-school team goes up against a powerhouse, you hope to see the player make good decisions and not look overwhelmed against the opponent. That’s exactly how Coleman performed on Saturday against Nebraska. Completing 19-33 passes for 174 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, Coleman showed the poise under pressure that you look for, as well as smart, intelligent decision making, doing a fine job of taking care of the ball against one of the best defenses in the country. While he isn’t an elite prospect, Coleman has the tools to be a quality developmental prospect in the middle of the draft.

Joe Adams WR Arkansas – Not quite as well-known as teammate Greg Childs, Joe Adams is a fine pro prospect in his own right, and he proved that this weekend when he returned six punts for an outrageous 174 yards (29 yards-per-return) and two touchdowns. Although he only caught one pass for 11 yards against Missouri State, Adams’ performance on special teams is sure to open the eyes of scouts who are looking for players who can also contribute on special teams.

David Wilson RB Virginia Tech – After the departure of Ryan Williams and Darren

Evans, many expected Virginia Tech’s running game to take a hit, however that’s the exact opposite of what has happened. Junior David Wilson stepped up in a big way this weekend, rushing for 162 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. Granted it was against Appalachian State, however Wilson showed scouts exactly what they wanted to see in his debut as the starting back. The type of athleticism that Wilson brings to the table is rare; his speed, quickness, explosion, and agility are all elite, which is why he is certainly a prospect for the 2012 Draft if he continues to dominate the competition.

Shea McLellin DE Boise State – Dominant in their win over Georgia, the Boise State defensive line was led by Shea McLellin who led the team with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. A high-motor performer, McLellin doesn’t offer the same type of athletic traits and upside that you look for in top prospects, however he has the type of energy, passion for the game, and work ethic that could lead him to developing to a quality NFL player capable of producing as a pass rusher for a team at the next level. At 6’3, 258 lbs, he could project to either the 4-3 defense as an end, or the 3-4 defense as an outside rush linebacker.

Falling:

Cordy Glenn OG Georgia – Georgia’s top prospect on the offensive line, Cordy Glenn’s transition from offensive guard to left tackle did not go as smoothly as scouts had hoped on Saturday night. Glenn’s lateral quickness is lacking and he did not consistently possess the flexibility to get outside to block the speed pass rushers coming off the edge. It’s apparent after Saturday night that Glenn will be forced to remain inside at the next level where his ability to play in closed spaces is far better than it is out on an island at tackle. This doesn’t hurt his draft stock per say, however it limits how high he can go, seeing as left tackles are far more valuable than guards.

Ben Jones C Georgia – Continuing with Bulldogs who struggled on Saturday, center Ben Jones had an inconsistent night, struggling to consistently drive defenders off the ball and losing positioning on runs inside. Jones must get stronger at the next level if he hopes to have a successful NFL career. At this point, Ben won’t be drafted higher than the third round unless he continues to improve on his leverage, positioning, and strength.