The NFL Draft is almost here. With only about a week until the Bears are officially on the clock, let’s examine which players are receiving positive stock updates and who is trending in the wrong direction.
Stock up
Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey: Buzz has mounted that McConkey, whose “ceiling is like an Antonio Brown” according to NFL draft expert Dane Brugler, could be one of several wideouts selected in the first round.
The Buffalo News’s Ryan O’Halloran laid out a compelling argument for the Bills, which moved on from receivers Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs this offseason, to select him at No. 28 overall.
O’Halloran pointed to his 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and that could also make him an option for the 49ers. NFL insider Peter Schrager has San Francisco selecting the Georgia wideout at No. 29 in his mock draft released Tuesday.
“The chances of hitting that ceiling? Probably not super high,” Brugler cautioned, before adding, “But I at least think he has that type of ability because he’s super talented.” (h/t Sports Illustrated)
Stock down
Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu: Fashanu hasn’t changed since he entered the offseason in consideration with Notre Dame’s Joe Alt for best tackle in the class, and yet his momentum has stalled in recent months. The former Nittany Lions’ dip has more to do with others, including Alabama’s JC Latham and Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga, lifting their stock.
Stock up
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.: Even ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., who has Penix falling to the second round, conceded that the former Husky appears to be in the mix for a Day 1 selection during a recent crossover appearance on NFL Network.
“Michael Penix Jr. is gaining momentum,” Kiper said. He then listed a few things working in his favor. “We see him throw the football. He can spin it, he can layer it to every level. Can he stay healthy? He was the last two years after being injured at Indiana.”
