The 2017 NFL Combine has come and gone, but as it’s always been intended, the week-long event in Indianapolis helped many young prospects boost their draft stock with quality performances. And with Pro Days now being held around the county, even more prospects are helping their cause by showing NFL scouts they’re a cut above the rest.
While much will change between now and the 2017 NFL Draft, which will be held in late April, there’s no denying the impact these recent stock shifts will have in the war room of all 32 teams.
With that in mind, here’s a look at five players whose draft stock is rising.
5. Joe Mixon (running back, Oklahoma)
Joe Mixon may not have been invited to the 2017 NFL Combine, damaging an early opportunity to prove his athletic prowess to league scouts, but he’s certainly made up for that.
While many continue to have legitimate questions about his domestic violence history — a 2014 video shows him viciously striking a female in the face — Mixon’s willingness to discuss the incident has afforded him some unexpected consideration. In addition to that, Mixon also impressed with a quality showings at the OU Pro Day, posting remarkable numbers that would have rivaled other top running backs at the combine.
As encouraging as this latest transition might be, highlighted by the fact that Mixon takes full responsibility for his actions and makes no excuses, he still is unlikely to find himself draft in the first round. But he has enjoyed a rise in his draft stock and now finds himself with the potential of being drafted in the middle rounds.
Some teams — possibly the majority — may have removed Mixon from their draft boards, but someone out there is going to take a chance on him. Whether or not you condone a player who has Mixon’s history off the field being drafted at all, the likely scenario is he gets picked up earlier than many initially expected.
4. O.J. Howard (tight end, Alabama)
It’s hard to imagine that Alabama tight end O.J. Howard could possibly improve upon his first-round draft stock, but he most certainly has. In fact, one NFL scout used expletives to describe Howard’s physique, which contributes to his highly-valued blocking ability.
As far as Howard’s measurables at the combine, they were off the charts.
Not only did he post a 4.52 40-yard dash time, which was second among all participating tight ends (Evan Engram of Mississippi led the way), but Howard also did 22 reps at 225 pounds and posted a 10-foot-1 broad jump. Those numbers are impressive for anyone, let alone a 6-foot-6, 249-pound tight end.
So what has it done for Howard’s stock? It’s taken him from a bona fide first-round pick and transformed him into a potential top-5 pick. In fact, Todd McShay’s most recent mock draft even had Howard going fourth overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“He’s a man among boys at his position. He was head and shoulders above everyone at the Senior Bowl,” an AFC college scouting director told Bucky Brooks of NFL.com.
Bottom line? Howard’s stock is on fire.
3. Chris Godwin (wide receiver, Penn State)
Leading up to the combine, most believed Chris Godwin’s good hands would lead him to become a quality slot receiver in the NFL. However, there were lingering concerns about his speed and athleticism.
Following the conclusion of the NFL Combine, those questions no longer exist.
Godwin put any and all speculation to bed with a 4.42 40-yard dash, which was good for fifth-best among all participating wide receivers. And while he did get a bump because of the absence of players like Western Michigan’s Corey Davis, he did all anyone could have asked.
At 6-foot-1, Godwin also possesses good size to pair with his speed, and has shown a knack for getting to the football in crowds. It’s an added feature to his game that will play a major factor when scouts are making final decisions in April.
“Not too many guys outside of Williams and Davis, the two guys at the top, that can really just go up and get the ball,” Pro Football Focus’ Josh Liskiewitz told Central Daily. “Just go and say, ‘It’s my ball. I’m going to get it.’ Godwin’s the next in-line for that, and I think he’ll be a beneficiary from that.”
So long as Godwin can avoid any missteps between now and the NFL Draft, his tape and combine performance will have done all the talking necessary to get him drafted in the first three (likely two) rounds.
2. Forrest Lamp (guard, Western Kentucky)
Entering his senior season at Western Kentucky, Forrest Lamp was considered vastly undersized. He then put on 50 pounds, which had a dramatic impact both on and off the field.
Lamp took his game to a new level with the additional size and strength, and it got the attention of NFL scouts. Then, during the NFL Combine, Lamp hammered out 34 reps at 225 pounds, which was tied for second-best among all offensive linemen and third-best overall. Again, scouts were impressed.
Lamp added a 5.00 40-yard dash, which was good for fourth-best among offensive linemen, and a 9-foot-3 broad jump, which was tied for third-best among all offensive linemen.
All in all, it was a tremendous day for the versatile Lamp, who told scouts he’s capable of playing every position along the offensive line and is open to each possibility.
“He’s crossing off every single box and trust me, the teams around the league are very aware of him,” NFL Network’s Mike Mayock said of Lamp. “The more I see him — I love his tape, especially against Alabama — the more I’ve seen this kid and how he responded at the Senior Bowl and then here, I think he’s going to be a first-round draft pick.”
Most mocks have seen Lamp taken in the second round, but following his combine performance, the hype machine has been hard at work. In addition to receiving praise from all the experts, Lamp has also seen many mock drafts move him into the first round.
1. Obi Melifonwu (safety, Connecticut)
Obi Melifonwu hit the NFL Combine jackpot, and there’s really no way around that reality.
At 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds, Melifonwu entered the combine with modest expectations and a mid-round projection despite a strong showing at the Senior Bowl. Scouts love his size, but there were lingering questions about what position he’d play once he entered the NFL.
All of that went out the window when Melifonwu flashed a 44-inch vertical jump, which was sixth-best in combine history, and an 11-foot, 8-inch broad jump, which was second-best in combine history. He also posted an impressive 4.46 in the 40-yard dash.
While those numbers didn’t erase questions about where he’ll play in the NFL, Melifonwu demonstrated enough athleticism to render it less relevant. And as far as current projections go, Melifonwu has seen mocks move him up in the second round and even into the first round.
If Melifonwu can continue to impress NFL scouts leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft, he should expect a big day come April.
