National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Brad Kaaya getting attention

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:10 p.m. ET

foxsports

Sep 3, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) attempts a pass against the Florida A&M Rattlers during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami: Stock Up

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya was once at the top of the deck when it came to prospective NFL quarterbacks, but has since been lost in the shuffle. With a mediocre team around him, Kaaya no longer garners the hype given to Deshaun Watson, DeShone Kizer, or Chad Kelly.

Coming off a game against Florida Atlantic where he threw two interceptions, Brad Kaaya reminded us why he was considered the king of his class. The junior connected on 21-27 passes over 368 yards in the air.

He found Stacy Coley for a touchdown two times, including a 55-yard score where Coley was wide open down the field.

Physically, Kaaya reminds me too much of first overall pick Jared Goff. I’m not comparing their game, especially with Kaaya’s arm being much stronger and accurate than Goff.

In terms of size, both Kaaya and Goff are both measured at 6’4, 215 lbs.

Kaaya looks like he needs to fill out his 6’4 frame, but not add too much muscle. That growth will come with the NFL Draft and combine process, but it’s something NFL scouts will take note of.

Brad Kaaya’s future after the Hurricanes season is still an unknown, but if he were to enter the draft, he’d be a first round pick. Regardless of names such as Kizer, Watson, Kelly, and Dobbs Kaaya will be among the top names running up the Art Museum steps in Philadelphia in April.

Keep an eye on teams such as the Chicago Bears who may not be in the top five picks, but certainly within the top 10. If a team truly committed to “redshirting” Kaaya in his rookie season, the Saints and Giants are options.

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) breaks up a pass intended for Clemson Tigers wide receiver Artavis Scott (3) in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama: Stock Down

Despite being one of the best cornerbacks in college football, Alabama’s Marlon Humphrey struggled to contain his opponents Saturday night. Two Ole Miss wide receivers got the best of Humphrey, including on a jumpball touchdown catch.

Damore’ea Stringfellow completed four catches for 87 yards and a touchdown against Alabama, and Marlon Humphrey was the primary corner covering him. On A.J. Brown’s 37-yard touchdown, Humphrey was not in position to defend the pass, resulting in the Rebels score.

Marlon Humphrey has the size to compete with bigger receivers, but his body positioning and footwork were completely off on that play. Humphrey’s athleticism is off the charts, but plays like this one make you wonder how much more development he needs as a football player.

Humphrey has proven he can handle the bigger competition, allowing just two catches in the National Championship game against Clemson last year. He gave up just 28 yards, and one play accounted for 24 of those.

Alabama will hit a lull in their schedule where Humphrey can make up for his previous misplays. The Crimson Tide host Kent State and Kentucky over the next two weeks. If this were basketball I’d have concerns over Alabama’s chance of winning, but thankfully it’s still football season. Against lower level competition Marlon Humphrey can fill in the stat sheet and develop his game for the ranked opponents at the end of the season.

Teams that will be looking at cornerbacks once the sophomore is ready include the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans.

Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) catches a pass and rushes for a touchdown against the USC Trojans during the first half of a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford: Stock Up

Buy, buy, buy! If you could invest in a college football player, have it be Stanford running back/wide receiver/punt returner Christian McCaffrey.

Finishing second in the Heisman Trophy voting last year to Derrick Henry, many voters and fans hadn’t seen a lot of Christian McCaffrey. The fact that he plays on the west coast when much of the country is sleeping hurt him. There’s a reason McCaffrey won the “Far West” region of voters while Henry swept the remaining five.

Coming off a strange week two off week, Christian McCaffrey looked like he didn’t miss a step. The multi-purpose back rushed for a touchdown over 172 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

McCaffrey also continued to show his effectiveness as a receiver, catching three passes and scoring a 56-yard touchdown.

Christian McCaffrey leads the country in average all-purpose yards per game, although he has only two in the books. In terms of total yardage, his 470 are much further down the rankings.

Looking towards the remaining schedule for Stanford, there are a mixed bag of PAC-12 and out of conference opponents yet come. McCaffrey will have big tests against Washington, Notre Dame, and Oregon. However there are just as many games against weaker opponents, such as Rice, Cal, and Oregon State, for McCaffrey to run all over.

Next years NFL Draft will be one of the best ever at the running back position. For this reason, teams could either draft McCaffrey really early, or let him drop. I believe he ends up going in the first round, but slightly later than many believe.

Before the emergence of Latavius Murray, I believed the Raiders would be a great spot for McCaffrey to land. Depending on how the Minnesota Vikings finish, the Philadelphia Eagles could use the first round pick acquired in the Sam Bradford deal to get Carson Wentz a powerful weapon.

The Giants and Colts could also be in play for a running back. Uniting Stanford products McCaffrey and Andrew Luck will be a common theme in mock drafts this winter.

Sep 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White (5) reacts while trainers work on his leg and head coach James Franklin (right) looks during the second quarter against the Temple Owl at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

Nyeem Wartman-White, LB, Penn State: Stock Down

Penn State’s standout linebacker Nyeem Wartman-White suffered his third season-ending knee injury of his college football career. One of Penn State’s leading tacklers, Wartman-White was a rising name in the NFL Draft community.

Wartman-White led Penn State in tackles for loss, and filled the stat sheet in nearly every defensive category. The real shame in this injury is that it came on a special teams play, which Wartman-White had no business being available for against Temple. While the talent level at Penn State is still recuperating from the sanctions, there are plenty of athletes who could step in and develop on special teams. Not a fifth year senior with a history of knee injuries.

Franklin on Nyeem Wartman-White, who is done for the season pic.twitter.com/WYdbX2IQZ9

— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 20, 2016

Prior to the season Wartman-White acknowledged a sixth year of eligibility could be on the table due to missing two seasons due to injury. His first knee injury came as a freshman after blocking a punt, while the second came in last years opener (coincidentally) against Temple.

Nyeem Wartman-White just before he fell down in a heap. pic.twitter.com/hBSGO56NXQ

— Andrew Callahan (@ACallahan_247) September 17, 2016

This injury all but ends Wartman-White’s chances of making it to the NFL. Despite incredible talent, the knees simply can not hold up and no team would take the risk of drafting him even if he received a sixth year of eligibility.

In 26 games over five seasons with Penn State Nyeem Wartman-White has 123 total tackles. He set a career high 3.5 tackles for loss in just three games this season before going down with the ACL injury.