We are back with another stock up, stock down 2025 NFL draft piece. It was definitely a big weekend for a number of running backs and some defensive players.
Stock Up
Mikail Kamara-Indiana: Kamara transferred to Indiana from James Madison this past offseason with what seemed to be half of the JMU roster. He had 7 1/2 sacks in 2023 for JMU. The question what at 6’1 265 could he duplicate his production from a Group of Five conference like the Sun Belt. He has proved himself and even taken his game to another level this season. Kamara has played well against the run and is at 9 1/2 sacks with still at least four games to go. He has shown his speed and bend definitely translates and has moved his draft stock up; maybe even into day two.
Joshua Simon-South Carolina: Simon is another transfer. He spent his first four season at Western Kentucky where he was used more as a blocker, and was a pretty good one at that. He transferred to South Carolina in 2023 and showed more of the same that he did at WKU. He was an athletic blocker who could be played inline, split out or as an hback. Simon has taken his game to a new level this season as a receiver. His numbers don’t stand out, but the South Carolina offense relies heavily on the run game and the option.
But when he has gotten the ball in his hands he has produced. Simon is averaging over 13 yards a catch this season. He also has his most receiving yards since 2019. The former Hilltopper is on track to beat those numbers as well. He just had a huge game against Texas A&M with 4 catches for 132 yards and two TDs. With a weak overall tight end class he could be a bigger mover on draft day and could see his name called on day two.
Abdul Carter-Penn State: Abdul Carter was an off-ball linebacker at Penn State his first two seasons. He would occasionally see snaps as a pass rusher, but it was never a full time gig and he got by mostly on athleticism. Carter was converted to an edge rusher for this season and he predictably had a slow start to his season collecting just one sack in his first three games. He had two against Illinois, but just one over the next three games. Carter had a big game against OSU with two sacks and is up to six on the year and looks to be rounding into form. He will likely go in the first round.
Savion Williams-TCU: Williams numbers won’t wow you. He has just 528 receiving yards on 47 catches for the season. The reason for that is the receiving weapons TCU has. They have three other skilled receivers in Jack Bech (who leads the team with 923 yards), Eric McAlister and JP Richardson who all see their share of targets and snaps. Williams though is the most athletic and has the highest upside of the four. But what’s really moved his stock up is the last three weeks TCU has deployed him as a running back as well. In that time he has 26 carries for 211 yards. adding that versatility will really move his stock up.
Cam Skattebo-Arizona State: Skattebo has had a big season. His draft stock has definitely went up. He was a transfer from Sac State where he rushed for 1,300 yards in 2022, but rushed for just 783 in 2023 where he showed some flashes, but didn’t seem like he was going to have the breakout season he has had this year. He already has 1,000 rushing yards, but where he stands out is in the passing game.
Skattebo is averaging 15 yards a catch this season on 27 catches. He has really showed his versatility this season, especially this past week with 23 carries, 153 yards, 1 TD and 4 catches 121 yards and two touchdowns. He is a running back to know in this draft class.
Stock Down
Star Thomas-Duke: Thomas was on one of my previous stock up articles. He had a three week run of at least 111 rushing yards, culminating with 166 against North Carolina. Ever since then outside of an 88 yard game against Florida State he has not played well and is now in a rotation. He just had his second worst game of the season against Miami with just 25 yards on 12 carries. He has not looked explosive and is not looking very decisive either, or shown much as a receiver. He has fallen in a deep class, likely into the late day three range.
Donovan Jackson-Ohio State: Donovan Jackson had a chance this past weekend to improve his stock by showing his versatility against Penn State, getting the start at left tackle after Josh Simmons tore his ACL. He didn’t have to blow anyone away, but if he could look competent then it could raise his stock showing teams he could also play tackle in a pinch. Jackson played poorly against Penn State. He looked uncomfortable and lacked the agility to stay with quicker players. Now he looks like a guard only prospect, so while it might not hurt his stock in some teams eyes, it will in others.
Cade Klubnik-Clemson: While klubnik’s stock overall is up from the preseason where he was probably seen as a late day two/early day three pick, his still inconsistent play this season hurts his overall stock. Especially over the last couple weeks. He was just ok against Virginia and played poorly against Louisville. He almost seemed to revert to his 2023 self against Louisville. Klubnik also played poorly against Georgia earlier this season. This is all a sign he needs to go back in 2025 for one more season where he could potentially work himself into first round contention. He still needs to work on staying more patient and working through his progressions.
Kaidon Salter-Liberty: Salter was amazing in 2023 leading Liberty to an almost undefeated season, suffering their only loss to Oregon in the post season. and it was thought that he would either declare for the 2024 draft or transfer up to a power four conference. He did neither and decided to stay at Liberty. That decision looks to have been a mistake. A lot of the offensive talent Liberty had in 2023 was lost. That loss has affected his play and the way the offense is run.
He threw 32 touchdowns last year, so far he has thrown just 11 in in seven games. Liberty has also lost their last two games. He has kept his interceptions down, but his accuracy still is lacking (in the 60% range). It looks like his best option would be to transfer up in 2025 and try to rebuild his stock for the 2026 draft class.
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