As anyone who follows the NFL Draft knows positive or negative momentum can play a big role in determining where a player is ultimately chosen. The following is a look at some prospects who have that buzz at the moment as well as some who do not. Please be sure to keep in mind that this is not a replacement or an update to the positional rankings or mock draft. For example, a player could be #1 on this list but that might only mean he has gone from a 7th round pick to a 5th rounder or an undrafted free agent to a late round possibility. So without further adieu, here are the senior prospects with the most helium:
Updated: November 30, 2011
1. Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor
Baylor has been nothing short of prolific on offense this season and as a result a number of their explosive playmakers are drawing the attention of pro scouts. While star quarterback Robert Griffin III gets most of the attention, and deservedly so, his top target Kendall Wright is shooting up draft boards around the league as well. Wright is a bit undersized but he possesses near elite speed and quickness, outstanding body control and excellent hands. This past weekend Wright stepped up in a big way against Texas Tech. Even though RGIII went down with an injury in the first half, Wright was still able to produce. In fact, Wright practically carried the team on his back, finishing with 6 catches for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns. There were some who felt that Wright was a product of Griffin’s greatness to some degree, but that performance against the Red Raiders should alleviate those concerns. Wright has solidified himself as one of the premier senior wideout prospects in this class and is a legit second round value.
2. Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford
In a poor senior tight end class, Stanford’s Coby Fleener is starting to separate from the pack. Fleener has clearly emerged as Andrew Luck’s favorite target and in a high-profile matchup against Notre Dame this past weekend the duo hooked up four times for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns. A good natural athlete with a large frame, enormous catch radius and soft hands, Fleener may never be mistaken for Antonio Gates but is a reliable target in the short to intermediate range. While Fleener is best known for his pass catching prowess he is also an underrated blocker, showing the ability to get the job done both in-line and in space. At the end of the day Fleener isn’t dominant in any one area but is the type who simply does everything well and should compete for a starting job in the NFL. Fleener will get pushed down boards once underclassmen begin to declare, but he's clearly established himself as a second or third round pick.
3. Case Keenum, QB, Houston
Keenum recently broke the NCAA career passing record and is going to end his career as one of the most successful college quarterbacks in the history of the game. Keenum just continues to post gaudy numbers game in and game out. In fact, it seems like the Cougar signal caller is breaking records on a weekly basis these days. On the season Keenum has completed 73% of his attempts with 43 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions and should finish with over 5,000 yards passing. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Keenum is having one of the best seasons for a college quarterback ever. In addition to posting those eye-popping statistics Keenum has also led his team to an undefeated record. That combination of individual and team success could lead to Keenum getting an invitation to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Unfortunately Keenum isn’t nearly as good of a pro prospect as his press clippings would lead you to believe, profiling as a late round pick or priority free agent due to a lack of ideal size and arm strength. With that said, Keenum is starting to generate some buzz in the scouting community and his performance this year just might ensure that he gets selected as a developmental guy at some point.
4. Patrick Edwards, WR, Houston
While Houston quarterback Case Keenum gets the vast majority of the headlines, his top target Patrick Edwards is going to be selected much earlier on Draft Day. In fact, Edwards may be one of this year’s most underrated prospects. Playing in a pass-happy system that caters to speedy wideouts with the ability to create in space, Edwards has been lighting up Conference USA opponents and posting some extremely impressive numbers. Anyone remember that 381 yard and 5 touchdown performance against Rice last month? Most recently Edwards racked up 181 yards and 4 touchdowns on 8 receptions against Tulane. Edwards is undersized at 5-9 and 175 pounds but boasts outstanding speed and quickness, making him an ideal fit in the slot at the next level. At this point Edwards is still flying under the radar to a degree but he could be selected as early as the third round and no later than the fifth round when everything is said and done.
5. Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut
Reyes is a somewhat controversial prospect who is eliciting a pretty wide range of opinions on the scouting trail. Checking in at 6’4 and 295 lbs., Reyes possesses a terrific blend of size and athleticism and has flashed outstanding pass rush ability at times. While Reyes hasn’t been quite as productive as a senior, there is no denying the physical tools and talent level are there. Against Rutgers this past weekend Reyes returned a fumble for a touchdown that put the Huskies ahead for good. Depending on who you talk to Reyes is either an early or middle round pick but for teams in need of a big play threat at the defensive tackle position there won’t be many better options in this class. Reyes will have to become more consistent to maximize his immense potential, but his stock is clearly on the rise. Don't be surprised if Reyes is selected earlier than expected in April.
The Not-So-Hot List
Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia
After a standout junior campaign, Minnifield entered the season as one of the highest rated senior cornerbacks in the country and was viewed as a potential first round pick. The Cavaliers have had plenty of success as a team this year, but Minnifield has been far too inconsistent. The game against Virginia Tech this past weekend was a perfect example. In that contest Minnifield struggled to recover and didn’t display the type of premium ball skills against the Hokies solid corps of wideouts and quarterback Logan Thomas that were a staple of his game a year ago. Minnifield particularly had trouble dealing with the size and physicality of Jarrett Boykin, getting burnt for a touchdown pass in the redzone. This matchup raised even more questions about Minnifield’s man coverage abilities and many believe he will be limited to a zone scheme at the next level. As a result Minnifield will likely be selected at some point in the second or third round, a bit later than former teammates Chris Cook and Ras-I Dowling.
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Baylor has been nothing short of prolific on offense this season and as a result a number of their explosive playmakers are drawing the attention of pro scouts. While star quarterback Robert Griffin III gets most of the attention, and deservedly so, his top target Kendall Wright is shooting up draft boards around the league as well. Wright is a bit undersized but he possesses near elite speed and quickness, outstanding body control and excellent hands. This past weekend Wright stepped up in a big way against Texas Tech. Even though RGIII went down with an injury in the first half, Wright was still able to produce. In fact, Wright practically carried the team on his back, finishing with 6 catches for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns. There were some who felt that Wright was a product of Griffin’s greatness to some degree, but that performance against the Red Raiders should alleviate those concerns. Wright has solidified himself as one of the premier senior wideout prospects in this class and is a legit second round value.
In a poor senior tight end class, Stanford’s Coby Fleener is starting to separate from the pack. Fleener has clearly emerged as Andrew Luck’s favorite target and in a high-profile matchup against Notre Dame this past weekend the duo hooked up four times for 97 yards and 2 touchdowns. A good natural athlete with a large frame, enormous catch radius and soft hands, Fleener may never be mistaken for Antonio Gates but is a reliable target in the short to intermediate range. While Fleener is best known for his pass catching prowess he is also an underrated blocker, showing the ability to get the job done both in-line and in space. At the end of the day Fleener isn’t dominant in any one area but is the type who simply does everything well and should compete for a starting job in the NFL. Fleener will get pushed down boards once underclassmen begin to declare, but he's clearly established himself as a second or third round pick.
Keenum recently broke the NCAA career passing record and is going to end his career as one of the most successful college quarterbacks in the history of the game. Keenum just continues to post gaudy numbers game in and game out. In fact, it seems like the Cougar signal caller is breaking records on a weekly basis these days. On the season Keenum has completed 73% of his attempts with 43 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions and should finish with over 5,000 yards passing. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Keenum is having one of the best seasons for a college quarterback ever. In addition to posting those eye-popping statistics Keenum has also led his team to an undefeated record. That combination of individual and team success could lead to Keenum getting an invitation to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Unfortunately Keenum isn’t nearly as good of a pro prospect as his press clippings would lead you to believe, profiling as a late round pick or priority free agent due to a lack of ideal size and arm strength. With that said, Keenum is starting to generate some buzz in the scouting community and his performance this year just might ensure that he gets selected as a developmental guy at some point.
While Houston quarterback Case Keenum gets the vast majority of the headlines, his top target Patrick Edwards is going to be selected much earlier on Draft Day. In fact, Edwards may be one of this year’s most underrated prospects. Playing in a pass-happy system that caters to speedy wideouts with the ability to create in space, Edwards has been lighting up Conference USA opponents and posting some extremely impressive numbers. Anyone remember that 381 yard and 5 touchdown performance against Rice last month? Most recently Edwards racked up 181 yards and 4 touchdowns on 8 receptions against Tulane. Edwards is undersized at 5-9 and 175 pounds but boasts outstanding speed and quickness, making him an ideal fit in the slot at the next level. At this point Edwards is still flying under the radar to a degree but he could be selected as early as the third round and no later than the fifth round when everything is said and done.
Reyes is a somewhat controversial prospect who is eliciting a pretty wide range of opinions on the scouting trail. Checking in at 6’4 and 295 lbs., Reyes possesses a terrific blend of size and athleticism and has flashed outstanding pass rush ability at times. While Reyes hasn’t been quite as productive as a senior, there is no denying the physical tools and talent level are there. Against Rutgers this past weekend Reyes returned a fumble for a touchdown that put the Huskies ahead for good. Depending on who you talk to Reyes is either an early or middle round pick but for teams in need of a big play threat at the defensive tackle position there won’t be many better options in this class. Reyes will have to become more consistent to maximize his immense potential, but his stock is clearly on the rise. Don't be surprised if Reyes is selected earlier than expected in April.
After a standout junior campaign, Minnifield entered the season as one of the highest rated senior cornerbacks in the country and was viewed as a potential first round pick. The Cavaliers have had plenty of success as a team this year, but Minnifield has been far too inconsistent. The game against Virginia Tech this past weekend was a perfect example. In that contest Minnifield struggled to recover and didn’t display the type of premium ball skills against the Hokies solid corps of wideouts and quarterback Logan Thomas that were a staple of his game a year ago. Minnifield particularly had trouble dealing with the size and physicality of Jarrett Boykin, getting burnt for a touchdown pass in the redzone. This matchup raised even more questions about Minnifield’s man coverage abilities and many believe he will be limited to a zone scheme at the next level. As a result Minnifield will likely be selected at some point in the second or third round, a bit later than former teammates Chris Cook and Ras-I Dowling.