Today we are going to take a look at a few players whos stock has gone up and a few players whos stock has gone down. Some of these players took a big step this season and others just finally got an opportunity to show what they could do.
Stock Up
DE-Antwaun Powell-Ryland-Virginia Tech
Powell-Ryland struggled in his first two seasons at VT with only 4.5 sacks but had a breakout 2023, amassing 9.5 sacks, primarily from three standout games. In 2024, he continued his strong performance with four sacks against both Boston College and Old Dominion, bringing his total to 11 sacks in seven games. Despite being undersized at 6’2 and 242 pounds, he effectively plays the run and has shown improvement in his pass-rush plan.
RB-Star Thomas-Duke
Thomas started out at a JC, but played the last two season in a rotation at New Mexico State where he averaged almost six yards a carry in 2023. Why he didn’t get more carries I can’t understand. Thomas has taken on the lead back role this season and ran away with it. He has shown burst and contact balance this season. Thomas has also shown quick feet and the ability to change direction to get more yards. He is on track for 1,100 yards and could be a good early day three pick in 2025.
DL-Rayshaun Benny-Michigan
Benny a former four star recruit was buried behind a depth chart of NFL defensive linemen his first two years and barely played. He had a small back up role in 2022, but has taken on a bigger role in 2024. He has played like the second best defensive lineman in Ann Arbour. The smallest of Michigan’s top three DL at 6’4 296, he has played a well rounded game getting pressure on the QB, but also holding up well in the run game and even making plays in it as well. If he continues on his trajectory he could be a day two pick.
RB-Dylan Sampson-Tennessee
Sampson was a in a similar situation as Benny at Tennessee. His first year he barely played. He showed flashes in 2023 behind Jaylen Wright and others. putting up seven touchdowns and averaging 5.7 yards a carry. He took over the full time duties this season and has not looked back. He has 700 rushing yards in six games and has already amassed 15 rushing TDs on the season. He has a nose for the end zone and for being just 200 pounds runs with a lot of power and is hard to take down. He is a Junior and could return to school.
WR-Pat Bryant-Illinois
The Illinois passing game has struggled for at least three seasons, but seems to have shown some improvements this season. Pat Bryant is the biggest recipient of this. He is in his second year as a starter after putting up pretty average numbers the last two seasons. Bryant is a big physical presence in the redzone with his 14 touchdowns since last season. His average per catch is almost up to 17 this season and he is showing he can be a downfield threat. Bryant is just 100 yards away from eclipsing his numbers from last season. He could easily be a mid round steal in 2025.
Stock Down
QB-Noah Fifita-Arizona
Fifita had some hype on him this past summer; even getting some top five quarterback in the class talk. I never understood it. He put up big numbers in 2023, but also had a lot of talent around him. Small quarterbacks with average arms don’t make good NFL prospects. His numbers are also down this season. Fifita is struggling with his accuracy and decision making. He is likely what he is, a solid college quarterback that his little to no upside as a NFL passer.
QB-Carson Beck-Georgia
Beck had a lot of QB1 hype this offseason. There was talk about him going in the top five of the draft. It looks like it was likely because the 2025 class lacks star power and there is no quarterback in this class that has that #1 QB talent. After losing some really high level talent to the NFL Beck has fallen off a little. His numbers are down across the board and he is having trouble playing out of structure and when things breakdown around him. He has the highest floor of the top QBs, but his upside is probably not what it was thought to be.
WR-Evan Stewart-Oregon
Evan Stewart was a big transfer this offseason from Texas A&M and there was talk of him being one of the top wide receivers of the class. Stewart has the desired speed and ball skills that the NFL likes. He is on the small side at 5’11 175 and he plays like it and he can be a little on the stiff side. I think that’s what people realized this this season. up until this past weekend he only had 182 receiving yards on the season. He struggled separating. He ended up burning Denzel Burke for 7 catches and 149 yards, but at this point he needs to do more.
DL-Kenneth Grant-Michigan
Kenneth Grant is probably one of the most physically gifted defensive linemen in the class at 6’3 340, but runs in the 5 flat range. In a rotation last season he put up 3.5 sacks and looked like he was finally developing as pass rush. But as he has shown this season it looks like that might have been just a flash in the pan and he isn’t playing well against the run or the pass. He is getting moved too easily in the run game and shows no juice or plan as a pass rusher. His stock is down and he might return for his senior year.
TE-Oscar Delp-Georgia
It was thought that Delp could end up as one of the top tight ends in the class after being Georgia’s #2 guy last season and showing flashes of talent. He has struggled so far this season catching just five balls for 53 yards and no touchdowns. With a struggling passing game for Georgia their offense could definitely used him stepping up and becoming the guy, but it may not look like he has it in him. He is just a junior so he is likely to return, but at this point is a definite disappointment in regards to what people thought he could bring to this draft class and his stock is down.
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