2020 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Jeff Okudah’s meteoric rise

Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah had a great game vs. Nebraska and is one of the fastest-rising corners for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Scouting is a long season. Nowadays, for many, preliminary grading begins in the summer. Getting to know a draft class is important before the college football season begins so it is easier to determine if prospects are actually rising and falling.

Through one month of college football, there is a lot of movement with the 2020 NFL Draft class. Plenty of quarterbacks are making their claim for the third spot on the board. The running back and wide receiver classes are loaded, and elite prospects are getting better and better.

In more of a special edition of stock watch, we’re going to highlight a few more names going up while sprinkling in a couple who need to improve for the rest of the year. Let’s get into it.

Stock Up: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

As noted above, the running back class is absolutely loaded with talent for the 2020 NFL Draft. Not every underclassman will declare, but one who could be based on their season so far is Chuba Hubbard. The 6-foot, 207-pound Hubbard runs with power and can get through arm tackles with ease. It’s also important to note he can finish runs with speed, and long speed at that. He can turn a 10-yard run into a 70-yard run when he gets into open space. His 938 yards and 10 touchdowns are putting him into the Heisman race as well.

Stock Up: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

We’d be crazy not to talk about the rise of Jeff Okudah, and his game against Nebraska might just be the beginning of his leap. Okudah made my preseason top 50 and for good reason. He can click and close with anyone in this cornerback class. He’s such a fluid mover at the position, but most who kept him from the top of boards did so because of his lack of ball skills.

Against Nebraska, he picked off two passes, one showing his recovery speed and ability to close reminiscent of Marshon Lattimore, and the other he made while on his back. If he continues that play, he could wind up a top 10 pick come April.

Stock Up: Trey Adams, OT, Washington

Trey Adams had a lot of praise coming his way last season in the early going. He is an excellent athlete and fluid mover for someone his size. The issue with Adams will be injuries throughout the process. He missed most of the last two seasons with knee and back injuries. So far in 2019 he’s been great in pass protection and has also been effective down blocking in the run game. If he can get low and use good leverage, he could sneak into round one conversation in a weaker tackle class.

Stock Down: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

This really hurts to write, because if you’ve followed draft coverage so far this year on FanSided, you know I’ve been a huge Jordan Love fan. This isn’t to say he’s had a bad season. He’s made some wow throws using both his fastball and changeup. He has great touch and makes plays on the move and off-platform.

Right now, the issue for Love is turnovers and processing after the snap. Love often goes to his first read in the quick passing game, and quick throws to the boundary have resulted in bad interceptions. His five picks could easily be eight or nine right now. He has a great chance this weekend to turn it around, as I will cover later in the week.

Stock Up: David Woodward, LB, Utah State

Speaking of Utah State, let’s talk a little bit about David Woodward. The linebacker class is thinning with injuries to Dylan Moses and Markus Bailey. However, guys like Woodward are making moves into the mid-round conversation. Woodward has great instincts and a nose for the football. He diagnoses plays well and is a good enough mover to be on the field for passing downs.

Stock Up: Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State

It’s hard to believe that more names are in the mix in the receiver class since the start of the season, but here we are. At 6-foot-4 and 209 pounds, Isaiah Hodgins has great hands and a great catch radius with the ball in the air. He has the frame to be a red zone threat and line up against bigger corners. His one-handed catch got him a ton of publicity last week, and it’s great that he’s getting more recognition.

Stock Down: Darryl Williams, OL, Mississippi State

Darryl Williams was another player who found himself on my preseason top 50 as an all-around solid player on the interior offensive line. However, this season hasn’t been good for him. Once SEC play began, his play began to go downhill. Williams got manhandled by Derrick Brown this past week. His lack of strength/anchor and his late jump into his stance worries me going forward.

Stock Up: Shane Lemieux, OL, Oregon

On the flip side, I can’t believe Shane Lemieux didn’t get more hype at the beginning of the year. Lemieux put together a great game against Auburn in pass protection with quick feet and great leverage. This class is desperate for guards to step up, and Lemieux has done just that so far.

Stock Up: Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma

The 2020 NFL Draft is getting deeper on the defensive line and Neville Gallimore is a big reason for that. The Oklahoma lineman has insane athleticism for his size, and his willingness to turn and chase is awesome to watch. It’s even better when you realize he can catch up to skill position players. He’s quick off the snap as well. Teams are going to love this guy.

Stock Down: Rashard Lawrence, DL, LSU

This isn’t a huge slight against Rashard Lawrence, but others are moving up the board on the defensive line, while his stock is holding steady. Getting injured early in the year isn’t helping him, so hopefully, he will be back out there soon.

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