Three NFL Draft prospects who need to save their stock in Indianapolis

The NFL draft is inching closer — and as nearly anyone with a pulse on college football prospects transitioning to the next level knows — the official combine in Indianapolis each March can significantly change where a player is ultimately selected.

A group of CBS analysts recently published a piece focused on the burning questions headed into the week of the NFL Combine and gave their take on several scenarios. To close the piece out, the trio of Josh Edwards, Ryan Wilson and Chris Trapasso dove into a question that both college and NFL fans will be interested in.

Who needs a huge combine the most to save/boost their NFL draft stock? 

It was interesting to see the names that popped up on this list. Several notable SEC players were mentioned as well as an Oregon Ducks star that was somewhat surprising.

Here’s the answer each CBS analyst gave:

Wilson: “Here’s to hoping (Texas A&M defensive end) DeMarvin Leal balls out. His tape was up and down in ’21 but there’s no denying his physical tools. He just needs to tap into those tools more consistently. He was regularly making appearances in my mock drafts back in the fall but admittedly, I was waiting for him to turn it on. It didn’t happen, and while NFL teams are enamored by his potential, it never quite materialized. Leal can hit the reset button this week in Indy by blowing the doors off the workouts and here’s to hoping he does just that.”

While Wilson’s point is fair, it’s clear the former Aggies’ star has the tools and enough production to catch the eye of teams searching for a productive defensive end in April’s NFL Draft. Physically, this dude is a beast at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds. He closed out the 2021 campaign with 27 solo tackles, 8.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

Trapasso: “OK, Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux isn’t at risk of plummeting on draft night. However, there’s some questions about his maturity and intentions with his football career. Unfounded or not, it’s impacting his stock. At the combine, Thibodeaux can shift the focus back to what’s he capable on the field at the combine with a stellar workout.”

This was the most stunning to see. Nearly every NFL draft expert places Thibodeaux neck and neck with Michigan edge phenom Aidan Hutchinson. The stats don’t lie and NFL teams have shown a willingness to surround young prospects with teams of staffers to help them grow.

Edwards: “LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. was my initial answer but it was reported Monday that he will wait until his Pro Day to perform. Georgia hybrid edge rusher and defensive tackle Travon Walker is a prospect that could rise into that top 10 conversation with a strong outing. If he puts up Rashan Gary-like numbers, knowing that Walker is a better player at this stage than Gary was, then it is reasonable to think he could be taken earlier than No. 12 overall, which is when Gary was picked.”

Two massive SEC names mentioned then. Stingley is obviously intriguing for LSU fans and his talent is deniable. All eyes will be locked into Walker this week to see if he can make a dent and rise on NFL draft boards.