2020 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Deep receiver class getting even deeper

An already loaded wide receiver class for the 2020 NFL Draft appears to be even deeper after big performances from Brandon Aiyuk and Nico Collins.

The 2020 NFL Draft and draft process itself isn’t far away, and the college football regular season is near its end. It means a lot of prospects are playing in their final home games, final rivalry games, and potentially final conference championship games.

With that said, last week provided a ton of entertainment in college football. The Oregon Ducks fell to Arizona State while the rest of the contenders stood pat. The same was the deal with a lot of NFL Draft prospects. But some, like the ones here, made or broke their stock with performances in the last week. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Stock Up: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State

What a difference a year has made for Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The potential has always been there, but he didn’t get the opportunities with N’Keal Harry there last season. Now, as the number one, he’s put a better season of film out than Harry did last year. Aiyuk has 60 catches, 1125 yards, and eight touchdowns this season, and he keeps putting together good performances.

Against the Ducks, Aiyuk caught seven passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. He showed his route running prowess throughout the game and big-play ability, catching an 81-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winner. His ability to create separation and win vertically while also winning over the middle of the field is going to attract plenty of teams. He has the Terry McLaurin type of mold and could be a factor in year one.

Stock Up: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan

Nico Collins had some intrigue as a 2020 NFL Draft prospect coming into his junior season, but the offense has held him and his teammates back. It wasn’t the case last weekend.

Collins caught six passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns against Indiana. He showed his best trait, his ability to win in contested situations, for two of his touchdowns. His other showed his ability to break away from defenders in space. It’s no guarantee that Collins declares for the draft, but if he does, he will be an intriguing player throughout the process.

Stock Up: C.J. Verdell, RB, Oregon

It’s been an up and down season for C.J. Verdell production-wise. He’s had just two games of over 100 yards rushing, once of which was a 257-yard performance against Washington State back in October. Verdell played well against Arizona State, rushing for 99 yards on 18 carries, five and a half yards per tote. Verdell shows good burst when he hits the hole and is a pretty good finisher for his size.

Stock Down: Jacob Eason, QB, Washington

Jacob Eason has been the Jekyll and Hyde of the quarterback class in 2019. There are games where he’s looked excellent, like his game against Oregon (23/30, 289 yards, 3 TDs), but he’s had games where he hasn’t had it, like his game against Stanford (16/36, 206 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT).

His game against Utah was a microcosm of his season. He started out hot, making great throws into tight windows mixed it with some touch passes down the field. In the second half, he threw two bad interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. His last two games, against Colorado and Oregon State, haven’t been very good. The best option for Eason is probably to return to school.

Stock Up: Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State

Eno Benjamin has seen his yards per carry decrease every season at Arizona State, but he should find a way to get his second straight 1,000 yard season against Arizona on Saturday. He’s been more involved in the passing game this season which is a good sign.

He played well against Oregon, carrying the ball 31 times for 114 yards. Against a tough Oregon defense, that’s a pretty solid game. He made his biggest impact in the passing game. Benjamin is a strong finisher with his dense frame and put a defender on the turf to finish a play. He also made a wicked move laterally, once again showing off his insane athleticism. That athleticism will intrigue teams the most should he declare.

Stock Up: Tyler Vaughns, WR, USC

There have been reports that Tyler Vaughns will join teammate Michael Pittman Jr. in the 2020 NFL Draft class. If he does, he’s certainly a name to watch. The junior has put up solid numbers in his junior season, especially in a loaded receiver group. He has 68 catches for 858 yards and six touchdowns on the year.

Vaughns has good size at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, and he’s shown potential as a prospect. He had his fourth 100-yard receiving game against UCLA on Saturday. Vaughns has good hands, can go above the rim and make plays, and also has moves after the catch. He will be in that early day three conversation if he declares, which is up from the summer.