2021 NFL Draft stock watch: Trevor Lawrence shines, Brock Purdy stumbles in Week 2

Which NFL Draft Prospects helped their draft stock? Which prospects hurt their stock?

This weekend featured the ACC and Big 12 with their many draft prospects. Some players helped their draft stock; others hurt their draft standing. Some offensive linemen had solid outings in their openers. Tackles, Notre Dame’s Liam Eichenberg, Clemson’s Jackson Carman and Texas’ Samuel Cosmi all had solid outings.

Some players had not such great outings. Miami grad-transfer quarterback D’Eriq King had an average game in the Hurricanes win against UAB, throwing for less than 150 yards. Joshua Kaindoh was marginal in Florida State’s loss to Georgia Tech, registering only one tackle.  Here are some other players who helped –and hurt– their draft stock.

Stock Up

Trevor Lawrence – Clemson (1st Round ) QB

Trevor Lawrence has more expectations than any player in recent memory. After a hiccup on the first series of the game, Lawrence played like the No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy front runner. Lawrence was efficient, completing 78 percent of his passes for 351 yards throwing for a touchdown and running for two more. He was helped by backfield mate Travis Etienne rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown. Lawrence did not seem to miss either Justyn Ross or Tee Higgins. The junior quarterback found both Amari Rogers and Braden Galloway for five receptions. He can lock up being the first pick with weekly performances like this.

Chazz Surratt – North Carolina  (2nd-3rd Round) OLB

The former quarterback was outstanding in North Carolina’s 31-6 route of the Syracuse Orange. Chazz Surratt had nine total tackles, four solo tackles, two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Surratt was an absolute menace in the box against the Orange. The senior linebacker was effective sideline-to-sideline against the run limiting the Orange to just 1.9 yards per rush. Surratt also showed his prowess as a pass rushers with two sacks. Surratt and the Tar Heel pass rush had Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito on the run all game long. Surratt is proving to be a linebacker who can not only rush the passer, but he can also drop anchor and defend the run.

Sam Ehlinger – Texas (3rd-4th Round) QB

There are whispers that Sam Ehlinger might have to switch positions at the next level. If that’s the case, Ehlinger is out to prove that despite his athleticism, he’s a quarterback. Ehlinger’s debut performance could not have gone any better. The most surprising stat line is Ehlinger had only three carries. Ehlinger came out throwing to the tune of 33 passing attempts for 351 yards and five touchdowns. Sure it was UTEP, but Ehlinger looked crisp right out of the gate. There were no missed throws and everything was on the button. If Ehlinger continues to perform like this, no one will ask about his hands.

Stock Down

Brock Purdy – Iowa State (2nd-3rd Round) QB

Brock Purdy had two issues last season, inconsistency and turnovers. His first game of the season seemed like more of the same. Purdy completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw an interception as the Cyclones were upset by the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns at home on Saturday. Purdy was not helped by his receivers, who dropped passes all game. However, Purdy never got into a rhythm throwing the football despite only being sacked once. Purdy looked confused often by what the Louisiana defense was doing. Not good signs for one who wants to be an early draft pick.

Carlos Basham, Jr. – Wake Forest (1st Round) DE

At 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, Wake Forest senior Carlos Basham, Jr. certainly has the measurables to be an NFL defensive end. That size alone gives Basham the versatility that NFL scouts desire. Basham had an opportunity to show why his first-round grade was no fluke. Basham had just one tackle. Clemson did not double Basham often; he did not win the one on one matchups he had in the game and was a non-factor all game. It was Clemson’s potential first-round tackle Jackson Carman who won the matchup on Saturday.

Brevin Jordan – Miami (2nd Round) TE

Brevin Jordan is a matchup nightmare for defenses. Jordan is too athletic for most linebackers to cover and too physical for safties. This advantage should have led to a big game against the UAB Blazers. Instead, Jordan had a pedestrian three catches for 51 yards, with 26 of those yards coming on one reception. In Jordan’s defense, it is going to take some time to develop some chemistry with quarterback D’Eriq King and Jordan is learning his third offense in three years. Good things should be to come for Jordan and the Hurricanes offense, but their first offering was pedestrian.

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