2016 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Week 10 Risers and Fallers

Who’s stock is rising?

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs the ball as LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) defends during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Henry, RB Alabama- Scouts came into this season not really knowing where to peg Henry. Generally, they talked about how he had to be more consistent and probably stay for his senior year.

Henry answered the bell Saturday night when he went for over 200 yards against LSU’s well coached and very talented defense. More impressive than this was his blitz pickup.

He’s always had a knock against him for being a subpar blocker, but this season he’s shined in this department and that alone could move him into the top 50 picks.

A’Shawn Robinson, DL Alabama- Robinson, fairly or not, carries the burden of failed Alabama defenders in the NFL. And while the scouts, etc were impressed by his play, they also were worried that the defense he played in made him look better than he was.

Outside of Marcell Dareus, it’s been a long time since an Alabama DL turned out to be a very good player in the NFL.

Robinson has done well this season, but he flashed some great tools against a well coached LSU offensive line. What will be most impressive to the scouts is his footwork and ability to penetrate without letting LSU to so much as lay a hand on him.

This happened multiple times Saturday night, Robinson was smart enough to recognize a pulling blocking scheme and use it completely to his advantage.

When a 300+ lbs Defensive lineman leaps over a long snapper to block an extra point, the man has some athletic skills. Watch for yourself..

Oct 10, 2015; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Shaq Lawson (90) reacts between plays during the first half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Shaq Lawson, LB/DE Clemson- Fair or not to Lawson because he’s a much different style of player, his draft stock will suffer as long as Vic Beasley struggles in Atlanta.

Scouts and decision makers will slap the dreaded “It’s the system at that program” label on him and it will be hard for him to overcome that red flag in the minds of some team.

Lawson is more powerful than Beasley was and has better size so he isn’t as one dimensional. Thanks to his lower body strength, he’s an effective run blocker while all Beasley had was his speed/quickness.

Lawson’s had two great games in a row against top flight competition in Notre Dame and Florida State. He embarrassed Ronnie Stanley and FSU was clearly moving their entire blocking scheme to neutralize him.  

He looks like a good fit for a Seattle/New England style defense which uses a LEO LB/DE since you can trust him vs the run.

Dak Prescott, QB Miss State. Prescott has been largely dismissed by the scouts and pundits as a RB who can throw the ball a bit. And he doesn’t have the strongest arm out there, but at some point he has to get into the discussion.

He’s played well as a passer against a number of well coached defenses this season. His 18-1 TD/INT ratio(10-1 vs SEC teams) speaks for itself. And more than anything his advanced passing metrics have been improving.

With so few actual pocket passers of any note in the 2016 draft, Prescott has a chance to rise if he continues to play like this. And if he can show scouts good mental tools as a decision maker then he could rise quickly.

Nov 7, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA;Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) runs the ball during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Collins, RB Arkansas- Collins probably isn’t a special talent that’s being ignored. He’s a straight out of central casting 5-11 220 lbs 4.5 40 running one cut(zone block) system runner in the NFL.

But then you look at his career stats and realize that most of the way through his junior season and he’s 25th all time in the SEC in rushing yards. An if he stays for his senior year, he could finish top 5 in this.

While he’s done this in a rushing heavy system, he’s also done it without great offensive line talent and with SEC defense keying to stop him.

While college production is in no way an indication of success in the NFL, if he’s in the right situation you can expect to get him to chew up a lot of yards for you.

Collins’ stock is on the rise because he’s not just being productive, he’s being consistent with his production. Outside of the Alabama game, he’s had a 100 yard game against every SEC team he’s faced.

Also his pass blocking is steadily improving and scouts love to see that. And in a year that’s not full of great RB prospects, he could declare and see himself rise.

Next: Fallers