The senior receiver class has proved to be one of the most intriguing and surprisingly talent-filled for the 2014 NFL Draft, and after Week 8, two of the familiar faces have once again seemed to rise on draft boards.
Kevin White and Justin Hardy keep rising, get to know a certain Mountain West offensive tackle and AAC linebacker, and two well-known linemen didn’t have the best weekend.
Contributions by fellow OS staff members Matt Harmon, Ian Kenyon and Alex Brown
Stock Up
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama (JR)
In a blowout win over Texas A&M, TJ Yeldon impressed with his balanced footwork and athleticism in the open field. Despite being a big back (6’2, 221 pounds), he’s extremely agile and able to string multiple cuts without losing balance. Concerns over his natural upright running style still exist, but he’s an elite level athlete that’s showing improved ball carrier instincts as a junior.
Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina
The highly productive receiver of the ECU Pirates (one of the best non-Power Five teams in the country) has shown he can not only be an NFL receiver, but potentially one of the best seniors in the country. He’s done a great job in attacking zone coverage underneath, finishing catches and picking up plus chunks of yards after the catch. As a reliable receiver, look for teams to continue to raise their value of Hardy despite the offense he’ll be coming out of.
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Kevin White notched a seventh consecutive 100-yard receiving game to become the first WR in the country to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving in 2014. As a 6’3, 210 pound target with elite body control through his route running and at the catch point, White looks the part of a first round prospect. Facing a talented press corner in Xavien Howard of Baylor, he showcased outstanding hand usage downfield to stay on his route path and fight through physical coverage. Nothing new here, but White is exceptional in terms of being able to body up corners, track the football and elevate at the catch point.
Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
Returning from injury this past week, Sambrailo was able to return against Utah State, showing great feet laterally, balance once engaged and overall toughness as a blocker. Now that he’s healthy and didn’t show any complications, he’ll continue to be in the early round area. See Matt Harmon’s piece on his return
Shaq Riddick, DE, West Virginia
Shaq Riddick finally received extensive playing time versus Baylor and didn’t disappoint with 3 sacks to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors. Riddick has a condor-like wingspan, but flashed in this game with first step quicks and closing burst to finish plays in the backfield. After such a disruptive game, I can’t help but ask why he’s only started 2 games so far this season? I’ll be interested to see how this performance impacts his usage moving forward.
Reshard Cliett, LB, South Florida
One of the better AAC defenders, Cliett has shown his athleticism translates as a pass rusher and in coverage thus far in 2014. Utilizing great length as a rusher, showing fluidity in space and when dipping into coverage, and meeting and running with running backs/tight ends in coverage, Cliett certainly is worth monitoring, particularly when post-season all-star games come around.
Stock Down
Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
While not a huge personal fan of Brandon Scherff, his ability to finish blocks, strength on the interior and as a run blocker, and apparent ability to generally “get the job done”, it’s hard to completely knock him as a first-round blocker. However, he’s still having trouble with speed rushers, whether that be from his off-season knee surgery or length concerns. Either way, his lack of great pass blocking upside should limit how high teams are willing to take him.
Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
While he could very well end up in the top ten overall for his freakish physical ability, Shawn Oakman was not active at all in Baylor’s loss to West Virginia. His motor burned out in this game, and he was more of a spectator than a star. He has to be quicker to locate break points at the point of attack, as he seemed relatively content to lock out and stay attached to opposing blockers. Although Oakman is a raw, moldable talent with rare length, movement skills and explosive power, he has to make more impact plays to capitalize on his first round potential.
Julian Wilson, CB, Oklahoma
Oklahoma senior CB Julian Wilson possesses the size, length and athletic ability to entice NFL teams, but he struggled to stay in phase with the quicker, faster Tyler Lockett. Instead of anticipating and driving on throwing lanes, Wilson has to see the route develop and then react. He looks the part of a long-armed, press corner but must work to improve his route landmark awareness and instincts in coverage.
Kurtis Drummond, SAF, Michigan State
One of my personal favorite senior safeties entering the year, Drummond has shown issues in coverage, both instinct-wise and angle-wise. He’s still proved in the past to be a strong center-field option and has the burst to finish tackles on the perimeter and at the second level, but he’s struggled more than expected this year as he’s taken on a further leadership role.
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