The NFL Draft is fast approaching and with Super Bowl in the book and two Tar Heels in attendance for the recent college all-star games, now is the perfect time to take a look at where the stock for each of the former Tar Heels attempting to make it to the next level sits. Here is a look at where each guy sits on some of the biggest draft boards in the mock draft community and what we think of their stock.
RB Omarion Hampton
PFF Big Board: 1st-2nd Round, No. 2 RB
ESPN Big Board: 2nd Round, No. 2 RB
DraftTek: 2nd Round, No. 2 RB
WalterFootball.com: 2nd-3rd Round, No. 3 RB
CBS Sports Big Board: 2nd Round, No. 2 RB
NFL Draft Buzz: 1st-2nd Round, No. 2 RB
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 2nd Round, No. 2 RB
Hampton did not participate in either of the all-star games but he is in a great spot on all of the big boards right now. All but one of those big boards have him in place to be the second running back selected behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who could go as high as top ten. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feel like Hampton will be able to catch Jeanty, even with a strong combine, but he will have the chance to solidify himself as that No. 2 running back spot in Indianapolis.
EDGE Kaimon Rucker
PFF Big Board: 3rd-4th Round, No. 16 EDGE
ESPN Big Board: 4th-5th Round, No. 21 EDGE
DraftTek: Undrafted, No. 30 EDGE
WalterFootball.com: 2nd-4th Round, No. 14 3-4 OLB
CBS Sports Big Board: 5th Round, No. 19 EDGE
NFL Draft Buzz: 4th-5th Round, No. 21 EDGE
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 6th Round, No. 26 EDGE
His stock might be all over the place, but Rucker is the only other Tar Heel draft prospect that appears on every big board in some capacity. It would not be a shock if he is a Day 3 selection or an undrafted free agent following a gruesome lower leg suffered as result of a cheap shot in the NC State game, but there might be a team that takes a risk on him based on the ability and the motor that he showed the last two seasons when he was healthy.
TE Bryson Nesbit
PFF Big Board: 7th-Undrafted, No. 18 TE
ESPN Big Board: Unranked
DraftTek: 5th Round, No. 12 TE
WalterFootball.com: Unranked
CBS Sports Big Board: Unranked
NFL Draft Buzz: Undrafted, No. 13 TE
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 7th Round-Undrafted, No. 14 TE
Nesbit is another guy whose stock has dropped after he missed the majority of the second half of this season following wrist surgery and will likely be a guy that will toggle between a late Day 3 selection and a high priority free agent on most draft boards and seven round mocks. The hope is that he will receive that invite to the combine where he could have the chance to impress in the interviews and the drills.Â
OG Willie Lampkin
PFF Big Board: Unranked
ESPN Big Board: 4th-5th Round, No. 6 OG
DraftTek: Undrafted, No. 21 OG
WalterFootball.com: Unranked
CBS Sports Big Board: Unranked
NFL Draft Buzz: 5th-6th Round, No. 7 OG
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: Undrafted, No. 30 IOL
Lampkin put himself in the conversation to be drafted after a tremendous showing at the Senior Bowl following a late invite. Even at just 5’10, 270 lbs., he put together some dominant reps in the 1-on-1 drills and it carried over into the game for him which opened some eyes throughout the draft community. A strong showing in the athletic drills at the Combine, which he should get now, could be enough to get him into a solid Day 3 draft position.
CB Alijah Huzzie
PFF Big Board: Unranked
ESPN Big Board: Unranked
DraftTek: Undrafted, No. 15 CB-N
WalterFootball.com: Unranked
CBS Sports Big Board: 3rd-4th Round, No. 11 CB
NFL Draft Buzz: Unranked
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: Undrafted, No. 37 CB
Huzzie was the other Tar Heel player that attended an all-star game and like Lampkin, he showed out at East-West Shrine Bowl practice and opened some eyes in the draft community. He did a great job of locking down the best receivers in the three days of practice in 1-on-1 and team drills, but was unfortunately banged up in the final practice causing him to miss the game. If he can test well, show fluid hips and good ball skills, he’ll have a legitimate shot to establish himself as a Day 3 selection.Â
DL Jahvaree Ritzie
PFF Big Board: Unranked
ESPN Big Board: 5th-6th Round, No. 23 DT
DraftTek: Undrafted, No. 28 DL3T
WalterFootball.com: Unranked
CBS Sports Big Board: Unranked
NFL Draft Buzz: 7th-Undrafted, No. 48 DL
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: Undrafted, No. 36 DL
Despite not being selected for one of the all-star games, Ritzie’s draft stock is actually in a pretty decent spot right now. While the majority of boards have him going undrafted, he is on the radar of most of these boards and even gets selected on ESPN. Getting a Combine invite would be big for his chances to get drafted.
LB Power Echols
PFF Big Board: Unranked
ESPN Big Board: Unranked
DraftTek: Undrafted, No. 17 ILB
WalterFootball.com: Unranked
CBS Sports Big Board: Unranked
NFL Draft Buzz: Undrafted, No. 29 LB
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: 7th-Undrafted, No. 22 LB
Echols was not selected for an all-star game, but the good news is that he is appearing on a few of these draft boards. Getting a Combine invite would be a big boost for him, but that might be asking for too much. The pro day will be very key for him regardless.
EDGE Des Evans
PFF Big Board: Unranked
ESPN Big Board: Unranked
DraftTek: Unranked
WalterFootball.com: Unranked
CBS Sports Big Board: Unranked
NFL Draft Buzz: Undrafted, No. 69 DL
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: Unranked
Evans only appears on one draft board and one has to wonder just how serious of a push he is making to get to the next level. There is almost zero chance he gets a Combine invite, meaning he will have to show out at the pro day to have any shot at making it to an NFL roster this summer.
S Antavious Lane
PFF Big Board: Unranked
ESPN Big Board: Unranked
DraftTek: Unranked
WalterFootball.com: Unranked
CBS Sports Big Board: Unranked
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: Unranked
Lane entered his name into the NFL Draft back in December and we knew at that time it was going to be an uphill battle. He will have to wait till the pro day to prove himself and even then it might not be enough to convince and NFL team to take a shot on him.
S Jakeen Harris
PFF Big Board: Unranked
ESPN Big Board: Unranked
DraftTek: Unranked
WalterFootball.com: Unranked
CBS Sports Big Board: Unranked
NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board: Unranked
Harris is in a very similar boat to Lane and may even have longer odds. The pro day will his last chance to prove to NFL teams that he is worth taking a flier on.