On Mondays throughout the season we’ll spotlight some players who increased their NFL Draft stock over the weekend. Have more? Let everyone know in the comments.
2012 NFL Draft stock up spotlight
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Courtney Upshaw
The senior linebacker was a force for Alabama against Florida. The pass he intercepted and returned for a touchdown was the play that turned the game around. As if that wasn't enough, he knocked Gators starting quarterback John Brantley out with a sack. Upshaw seems to get up for the big games and Saturday was no exception. He helped his draft standing by showing fluidity in his movement and good closing ability.
Jarius Wright
Wright looked like a star with 13 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns in a win against Texas A&M. Wright caught just about everything in his direction Saturday. There's only so high his draft stock will go because he's a listed 5-foot-10, 180 pounds. As a prospect, wright has dependable hands coming out of the slot. After the catch, he has great speed to break a reception open.
Through Michigan State's first few games, Worthy hasn't looked all that well. He wasn't firing off the snap like he had in 2010 or making the kind of plays that got him so much recognition before the season. His 1.5 tackles for loss against Ohio State only tell part of the story. He did a nice job of holding his point on the line and occupying multiple blockers. Worthy didn't instantly turn around his draft stock, but did enough to stop the skid.
Andre Branch
Like Worthy, Branch had been underwhelming through the first part of the season. He exploded in Clemson's win over Virginia Tech with 11 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. I still question Branch's position at the next level. He's a little undersized for end in a 4-3, but showed good hip bend and explosiveness to be a for 3-4 linebacker.
Ray Graham
For the second week in a row, a running back stole the show on Thursday night. Last week it was Cincinnati's Isaiah Pead and this week it was Graham. He gouged South Florida for 226 yards and did so in impressive fashion. Graham showed much more than just speed and elusiveness as well. On a few plays he displayed a stiff arm and the vision that will dramatically boost his stock.
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