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Draft Headquarters Week Seven Stock Watch
In a year that lacks elite pass rushing talent at the top of the board, two under-the-radar players have quickly emerged to become two of the best pass rushers eligible for the 2012 NFL Draft. For a look at players that have gone unnoticed so far this season, here is Draft Headquarters Week Seven Stock Watch: Risers Vinny Curry DE Marshall - This may be getting repetitive with the Draft Headquarters Sleeper of the Year, however no player in the country has improved his draft stock this season more than Marshall pass rusher Vinny Curry. If you have been following this site and this stock watch throughout the 2011 college football season, you shouldn't be surprised by the success that Curry has had of late. In last Saturday's game against Rice, Curry recorded 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, a fumble forced, and a fumble recovered. Through the first seven games of the season, he's tallied 9.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, putting him on pace for 16 sacks and 29 tackles for loss! In a draft class where the top prospects entering the season on the defensive line have had marginal seasons (Quinton Coples, Jared Crick, Brandon Jenkins, Brandon Lindsey, Donte Paige-Moss), Curry's big year has elevated him to being an elite pass-rushing prospect who is looking like a sure-fire first round pick if he keeps it up.
Whitney Mercilus DE Illinois - Another pass rusher who has had a fantastic season is Illinois' Whitney Mercilus, who has recorded 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. A raw athlete off the edge who has a natural ability to penetrate the line of scrimmage, Mercilus offers the combination of size (6'3, 265), strength, and athleticism that you look for in a pass rushing prospect. From what I've been told, it's still unclear if Mercilus will decide to declare for the draft, being that he's still a junior and had just two combined sacks between the 2009 and 2010 seasons. If he does decide to enter, there will certainly be teams knocking at the door to see if he's capable of translating his success this season to the next level. Mercilus' situation reminds me of Corey Liuget of Illinois last season; a talented, athletic underclassmen with tons of upside who could go high (No. 18 overall) if the right team believes that he'd be a great fit in their defense. Dan Herron RB Ohio State - In his return to the Ohio State starting lineup following his six-game suspension, Dan Herron wasted no time in making a statement, rushing for 114 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries (5.0-yards per carry). Shifty and agile with the acceleration through the hole needed to make defenders miss at the second level, Herron's experience, versatility, and consistency are all reasons why he should be a fine mid-round pick for a team in the upcoming NFL Draft. I have Dan graded as a future No. 2, change-of-pace runner for the team that drafts him. If he can build off of his performance against Illinois this past weekend, he should be able to rebuild his draft stock by the time the Senior Bowl arrives. Morris Claiborne CB LSU - One of the rising stars of the 2012 draft class is Tiger cornerback Morris Claiborne. A complete defensive back prospect with the ideal measurables you look for in a starting corner in the NFL, Claiborne exhibited his elite skillset in LSU's win over Tennessee this past weekend when he broke up two passes and intercepted one throw before returning it 89 yards. Although most scouts currently rank Alabama's Dre Kirkpatrick as the top overall defensive back prospect for this year's draft, Claiborne is making a case to be considered for that spot. With three interceptions and four pass breakups on the year so far, he's having the type of season that would warrant consideration in the mid-first round. Andre Branch DE Clemson - Although his teammate Brandon Thompson has been receiving more exposure so far this season, Andre Branch of Clemson has displayed the type of natural pass rushing ability that scouts covet in a defensive end. With seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss this season, including four sacks and six tackles for loss against Virginia Tech a few weeks ago, Branch is quietly moving up draft boards like Vinny Curry thanks to what has turned into a bare market for pass rushing potential. At 6'5, 260 lbs, Branch offers an ideal combination of size and athleticism off the edge that I look for in a base 4-3 end at the next level.
Doug Martin RB Boise State - While watching film over the summer, Boise State's Doug Martin quickly became one of my favorite prospects in the 2012 Draft class. However, Martin got off to a bit off a slow start before Saturday, rushing for 422 yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries through the first six weeks of the season. Against Colorado State this past weekend Martin exploded, rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries (10.0-yards per carry). A bowling ball of a back who refuses to go down at first contact, Martin's consistent ability to carry the ball between the tackles as well as offering the complete package as a receiver and blocker makes him an attractive prospect for a team looking for a back that they can find in the middle of the draft that can also play immediately and potentially develop into a quality starter down the road. If you have a chance to watch Boise State this fall, Martin is a guy you will want to keep an eye on. Marvin Jones WR California - One senior receiver who is quietly improving his stock this season is Cal's Marvin Jones. Forming one of the better duos at the receiving position in the country with Keenan Allen, Jones has caught 35 passes for 530 yards and three touchdowns so far this season. What I like about Jones is his big size (6'3, 202 lbs) as well as his ability to stretch the field and beat defenses deep. He isn't an elite prospect, however for a team looking for a fine developmental prospect in the middle of the draft that could develop into a quality No. 2 or No. 3 receiver, Jones could be a fine candidate. Mark Barron S Alabama - Coming into the 2011 season the belief among scouts was that this was going to be a down year at the safety position. Through the first half of the season, Alabama's Mark Barron has made sure that that won't be the case at the top of the rankings. An intimidating head hunter over the middle of the field, Barron has played wonderfully for the Crimson Tide, recording 33 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and four pass breakups on the year. Barron's ability to breakup passes over the middle as well as lay the wood on any receiver crossing in front of him is what has me excited about his potential, as does his ability to play downhill and aggressively make plays in the run game. Fallers
Quinton Coples DE North Carolina - Considered to be arguably the top overall senior prospect in the country coming into the season, Quinton Coples has been one of my most disappointing players in the country. After recording 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2010, Coples has managed to tally just 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss thus far in 2011. Although his measurables, talent, and athleticism are all very attractive, I always seem concerned with taking a player in the Top 10 who has not proven to be as productive as his talent level suggests he should be able to produce. Such is the case here with Coples. While I had him in the Top 5 at the beginning of the season in my mock draft, I'd find it hard to take him in the Top 15 at this point with the way his season has gone. He could use a big week at the Senior Bowl and Combine to re-ignite his draft stock this offseason.
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