The evaluation process for the 2019 NFL Draft is well and truly underway.
Scouts and other talent evaluators from all 32 NFL teams have already attended numerous college games eyeing the potential future faces of the league. The next step takes place over the ensuing two weekends with a few collegiate all-star games the include players looking to make a name for themselves.
Next Saturday’s Senior Bowl is arguably the most prominent. But it’s not the only game where young prospects can come onto the radar of teams at the next level. Two occur this coming weekend, including the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game.
This year’s Shrine Game is the 94th edition of the event. A multitude of players who later went onto successful pro careers has participated in the game throughout its history. Two of the most high profile examples from last season were cornerback Avonte Maddox and running back Phillip Lindsay.
The Philadelphia Eagles eventually selected Maddox in the fourth round (125th overall). He went on to become a regular contributor as a rookie, making 11 starts including both of Philly’s playoff games. He registered two interceptions during the regular season which were second only to Rasul Douglas.
And it’s hard not to be impressed with what Lindsay accomplished in 2018. After going undrafted, the Colorado product signed with the Denver Broncos. He proceeded to accumulate 1,047 rushing yards, becoming the third undrafted rookie in league history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark on the ground. He subsequently became the first-ever undrafted rookie on offense to receive a Pro Bowl nod.
So who are the players to watch this year? Below are some who could make an impact while concomitantly augmenting their draft stock.
2019 East-West Shrine Game: Prospects to Keep an Eye on
East Team
Rashad Fenton, Cornerback, South Carolina
In 2018, South Carolina didn’t exactly excel when it came to forcing turnovers. The Gamecocks finished with just six interceptions which ranked second from bottom in the SEC. That makes Rashad Fenton‘s impact in their secondary all the more noticeable. He accounted for half of that total with only three SEC defensive backs finishing with more than his three picks. Fenton does a good job keeping everything in front of him which means he rarely gets beat vertically. But at 5’11” and 188 pounds, he might not have the size to play press man on a consistent basis. He does bring a special teams element to the table with a kickoff return touchdown on his resumé.
Khalil Hodge, Linebacker, Buffalo Bulls
Teams in need of an instant impact middle linebacker will undoubtedly be in search of the next Darius Leonard. And it’s not hyperbole to suggest that the ceiling for Khalil Hodge is that of the impressive Indianapolis Colts rookie. Like Leonard, Hodge is a sideline-to-sideline heat-seeking missile and a capable wrap-up tackler. It shows in his 143 tackles during the 2018 season which ranked eighth nationally. He’s also the only player in Buffalo history to finish three seasons with at least 100 tackles. Hodge could vault himself into an early to mid second round pick if he aces the pre-draft process.
Martez Ivey, Offensive Tackle, Florida Gators
Florida was among the more reliable teams in the SEC last season when it came to pass protection. The Gators as a whole allowed just 18 sacks which ranked third in the conference behind Alabama and Missouri. Martez Ivey ostensibly played his part, starting all 13 games and impressing his head coach Dan Mullen with his work ethic and leadership on a much improved Gators team. These college all-star games are more than just performance on the field. Teams are also looking for high character individuals which prospects can certainly display during the myriad interviews ahead of the game. This is an area where Ivey should leave a good impression.
DaMarkus Lodge, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss Rebels
The 2019 draft is expected to be a boon for Ole Miss receivers with both D.K. Metcalf and even A.J. Brown possibly off the board on day one. But don’t sleep on DaMarkus Lodge. The 6’2″, 199-pound pass-catcher made the most of Metcalf’s season-ending injury, finishing third in the SEC with 877 receiving yards. Lodge brings a unique combination of soft hands and blistering playmaking ability after the catch. He also boasts above-average awareness near the sideline which means he has the potential to make plenty of “toe drag swag” catches at the next level.
Matt Sokol, Tight End, Michigan State Spartans
Matt Sokol certainly isn’t garnering the next level interest that his fellow Big Ten tight end, Iowa’s Noah Fant, is enjoying. There’s certainly a reason upon casual perusal of his stats. He managed just 348 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the three seasons he saw action at Michigan State. And though players like Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz and, more recently, George Kittle, have revolutionized how tight end is played in the NFL, there are still plenty of old school traits which come in handy. Specifically, the ability to block in a variety of situations. Whether it’s neutralizing speed rushers lining up in a seven-technique on passing downs or setting wham blocks to open up running lanes, blocking tight ends are underappreciated yet essential. Sokol’s experience in this regard as part of the Spartans’ pro-style offense could prove useful at the next level.
West Team
Nick Brossette, Running Back, LSU Tigers
Nick Brossette patiently waited behind Leonard Fournette and later Derrius Guice before getting his chance in Baton Rouge. In so doing, he bucked the recent trend of players deciding to transfer elsewhere in search of playing time. He made the most of the opportunity as evidenced by him being one of eight SEC players to finish with over 1,000 yards rushing in 2018. Among Brosette’s strengths is his exceptional vision which enables him to find running lanes. What he needs to improve on is pass-blocking and the ability to consistently generate yards after contact.
Adarius Pickett, Safety, UCLA
Chip Kelly‘s first year as UCLA head coach was a rough one. But there were bright spots, including the play of Adarius Pickett. There was the possibility that Pickett would declare for the draft last year, but he certainly made the most of staying for his senior season. Pickett led the team with 123 tackles and became the first Bruin to record a 100+ tackle season in 11 years. He also averaged 6.4 solo tackles per game, a number bested by only four other players in FBS. That certainly hints at how reliable he is as a wrap-up tackler, but he also exhibits exceptional ball-tracking ability. He has the potential to develop into a lockdown centerfielder on teams whose defensive scheme employs a lot of single-high looks.
Brett Rypien, Quarterback, Boise State Broncos
Let’s face it. The 2019 draft will be shorter on quarterback talent than the 2018 edition. Though it certainly got sweetened a bit with Dwayne Haskins and Kyler Murray declaring, there simply aren’t as many potential game-changers as there were last year. That said, there are some intriguing developmental prospects including Brett Rypien. The nephew of Super Bowl XXVI MVP Mark Rypien, Brett blossomed into one of the Mountain West’s top signal callers. A four-year starter at Boise State, he finished his collegiate career second in school history behind only Kellen Moore in both passing yards (13,578) and touchdown throws (90). Rypien has a nice combination of arm strength and deep ball accuracy. But his pocket presence must improve if he doesn’t want to get eaten alive by opposing edge rushers at the next level.
Easton Stick, Quarterback, North Dakota State Bison
North Dakota State has essentially become the Alabama of FCS. Since 2011, the Bison have come away with seven of the eight national titles contested at that level. The NFL already has a quarterback who helped facilitate that dominance in Philadelphia Eagles starter Carson Wentz. His successor in Fargo, Easton Stick, now has his opportunity to impress pro talent evaluators. Stick will benefit from having played in a pro-style system that had him lining up under center much more than most collegiate quarterbacks. He can put the ball where only his receiver can get it and showcased Josh Allen caliber playmaking with his feet. That said, he’s a tad undersized at 6’2″ and he does try to force the issue at times which can lead to turnovers. Still, given his background as a lower-division signal caller, Stick has as good an opportunity as any to up his draft stock with a solid showing in St. Petersburg.
Daniel Wise, Interior Defender, Kansas Jayhawks
Daniel Wise sports pro football bloodlines. His father Deatrich played in the NFL, CFL and Arena League while his brother Deatrich, Jr. was taken in the fourth round of the 2017 draft by the New England Patriots. All three plied their football trade as defensive linemen, with Wise establishing himself as one of the Big XII’s top interior defenders. He tallied a combined 28 tackles for loss during his junior and senior seasons. Those numbers were good enough for top 10 in the conference both years. Kansas played out of a base three-man front during his time in Lawrence. So he definitely has value as a three-technique tackle on teams who deploy a 3-4 scheme. He wins at the point of attack with active hands and generates solid base leverage. But he’s not the most laterally athletic prospect at his position as he gives up too many preventable second and third-level runs.
