Week 11 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Risers and Fallers

Nov 9, 2013; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A

Risers

David Yankey (OG, Stanford): Besides great defense, Stanford was able to beat Oregon by punching them right in the mouth on offense. Stanford’s power running game cut through Oregon and a big part of that was due to David Yankey. Yankey showed strength and awareness in making blocks in the run game and his dependency was huge in running through a talented Oregon defense. Yankey has been on the rise all year and could be in the discussion as a top guard going forward.

Devin Street (WR, Pitt): In possibly one of the deepest wide receiver classes in while, each player should be doing their best to make themselves stand out. Against Notre Dame, Devin Street continued his great season and continued to write his resume for the draft. He flashed his strength, speed and ability to dominate defenders with his size.  Street is a great talent and should be getting more recognition going forward.

Ahmad Dixon (S, Baylor): In was expected to be a shootout against Oklahoma, Baylor was able to put down the Sooners with offense and a strong defense. Dixon, who plays almost like a linebacker, came up in the run gamed and punished ball carriers. In the passing game, he was able to use his awareness and physicality to limit big plays. Dixon flies all over the field and a player like that is going to be sought after in a relatively weak safety class.

Fallers

Zach Mettenberger (QB,LSU): Mettenberger has a lot of talent and his stock is still pretty damn high, but against Alabama, some of his reoccurring issues continue to rear their ugly heads. He gets caught up in trying to make the big play and tends to gun sling a bit. If not for his hard hands, linebacker CJ Mosley would have picked off Mettenberger several times because of Mettenberger tried to test windows that weren’t really there. That, along with some worrisome pocket are going to big knocks on him going forward and he needs to clean that up.

Johnny Manziel (QB, Texas A&M): “But he made big plays! How could he fall?” Says the disgruntled reader… Big plays are great in college and Manziel’s backyard style is phenomenally entertaining, but it will not work in the NFL. Manziel has the natural ability to be a good quarterback prospect, but the mental aspect is no there. Running around like a chicken without his head, slinging it up in the air and knowing a 6’5″ Mike Evans will come down with it is not going to work at the pro level. Defenders are much smarter and faster and will make him pay. His poor decision making was on full display against Mississippi State and that will not project to the next level.

AJ Johnson (ILB, Tennessee): Inside linebackers are supposed to consistent, reliable tacklers… Alas, Johnson was neither of those things against Auburn. Against the Tiger’s running game, Johnson was constantly out of position and was a big part of the Tigers gashing the Volunteer defense. He needs to play smarter and play with better fundamentals if he wants an NFL team to rely on him.