Every Saturday gives us answers, but it also creates brand-new questions for the draft cycle. Welcome to the Tuesday Morning Heat Check, where we evaluate the tape from the weekend’s action—cutting through box-score hype to spotlight college prospects who elevated their draft stock against top-tier competition and those who took a hit.
Tuesday Morning Heat Check: Week 2 NFL Draft Stock Risers & Fallers
Stock Risers (The Heat Check)
1. Collin Dixon, WR — Illinois
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Game/Opponent: vs. Duke
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Stat Line / Key Metric: 11 REC, 144 YDS, 3 TD (15 TGT)
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The Film Take: The fourth-year receiver has been a reliable target for his quarterback over the first two games. After scoring 2 TDs against UAB, Dizon had three scores against Duke. Dixon has good size (6’1″, 215) and is a smooth route runner. He entered the season on the East-West Shrine Bowl watchlist.
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Draft Projection Impact:
Moving from: Unranked (on my board) ➔ Mid Day 3
2. John Henry Daley, EDGE — Michigan
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Game/Opponent: vs. Oklahoma
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Stat Line / Key Metric: 8 TCK (4 solo), 1 SCK, 3 TFL
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The Film Take: Daley has continued the momentum he had with Utah last year early this season in Ann Arbor. He can beat an offensive tackle with power. Or Daley can beat them with a little finesse. Like he did with a spin move to beat the Sooners’ tackle for a sack in the first quarter.
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Draft Projection Impact:
Moving from: Late Day 2 ➔ Early Day 2
Stock Fallers (Under the Microscope)
1. John Mateer, QB — Oklahoma
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Game/Opponent: at Michigan
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Stat Line / Key Metric: 17/33, 184 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT; 8 ATT, 45 YDS
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The Film Take: Mateer looked lost for the majority of the game against Michigan. His mechanics were poor, and he missed high on several occasions. Mateer was rattled in the pocket and just never got going.
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Draft Projection Impact:
Moving from: Early Day 3 ➔ Late Day 3 or UDFA
2. Quincy Rhodes Jr., EDGE — Arkansas
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Game/Opponent: at Utah
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Stat Line / Key Metric: 1 TCK (1 solo), 1 TFL, 1 QBH
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The Film Take: This may be more of a correction on an overranking on my part. Rhodes has struggled in the first two games. With only two tackles and one pressure
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Draft Projection Impact:
Moving from: Late 1st Round ➔ Mid-Day 2
The Bottom Line
After focusing on six games in Week 2, we will evaluate another 6 games in Week 3 and add another group of risers and three fallers.