NFL Draft Stock Week 16: Risers include Alabama RB Najee Harris

Well, we made it. After a season many thought would never begin and a schedule that was ever-changing, we offer the final edition of risers and sliders, 2020 version. We saw intriguing performances from offensive and defensive prospects who improved their NFL draft stock in Week 16. Here are the risers and sliders for Week 16. And don’t forget to begin your own mock draft with PFN’s 100% free Mock Draft Simulator!

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NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 16 Risers

Championship Weekend saw a couple of blowouts as well as a few close contests. We also saw some great performances from top running backs, and a few underrated defenders also stood out. For the final time this year, here are the risers and sliders from Week 16. 

Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

Harris has always been the top-rated running back eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft on my board, and it’s never been close — his draft stock is as high as ever. In the SEC title game against Florida, he proved why I like him so much. He beat Florida carrying the ball (178 yards on 31 carries) as well as catching it (five receptions for 67 yards).

He scored five total touchdowns or more than half the points (52) the Crimson Tide put on the scoreboard. Harris has the power to run over defenders, the foot quickness to make them miss, and the burst to turn the corner. He’s complete in every area of the position and deserves to be selected in the first round next April.

Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State

With Justin Fields wallowing in the mire, OSU needed an offensive spark to combat underdog Northwestern. Enter Sermon, who not only provided a spark but carried the offense. His final numbers included 331 yards rushing on 29 carries with two TDs. Dominance is an understatement, as Sermon came up big during the game’s critical moments.

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The Oklahoma transfer is a solid Day 3 pick who will produce at the next level as a short-yardage back and rotational ball carrier.

Spencer Brown, RB, UAB

Another between-the-tackles and short-yardage back, Brown also helped lift his team in a conference title game. His numbers against favored Marshall in the C-USA title game included 149 yards on 30 carries. For the season, Brown finished 11 yards under the century mark, a barrier he broke as a freshman and sophomore. Brown has limitations, but he’s a tough, powerful ball carrier who could sneak into the last round of the draft. Brown improved his NFL draft stock as much as any in Week 16.

Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson

Clemson has had a CB drafted in the first 40 selections in each of the past two drafts, and Kendrick could keep that streak going. He finished with four tackles during the Tigers’ manhandling of Notre Dame, and Irish quarterback Ian Book really never challenged Kendrick.

The Clemson defense collected six sacks during the game, and many of them were coverage sacks. Kendrick has next-level size, and he’s shown consistent progress on the field the past two seasons. If he declares for the draft, he’ll be off the board early in Round 2.

Talanoa Hufanga, S, USC

The Trojans’ junior safety could’ve made this list a week ago after registering 17 tackles against UCLA. But his performance in the Pac-12 title game against Oregon, albeit in a losing effort for the Trojans, was equally impressive. Hufanga finished with 12 tackles, including two for loss, as well as two sacks.

He’s a powerful downhill safety who viciously defends the run and hits like a speedy linebacker. I’ve reported several times that Hufanga is expected to enter the draft, and while he has limitations, he will produce at the next level if used correctly. Hufanga improved his NFL draft stock in Week 16.

Myjai Sanders, Edge, Cincinnati

Sanders, who has been a force for the Bearcats all season long, had possibly his best game of the year in the AAC title contest. Against Tulsa, he finished with two TFLs, two sacks, and one quarterback hurry. He also broke up a pass. He’s a gifted athlete who not only rushes the edge with speed but also makes plays in pursuit chasing the action or dropping into space.

Sanders comes with tremendous upside and has a frame that should just get bigger and stronger. Only a junior, he presently grades as a late-Day 2 prospect, but he could move into the draft’s initial 45 picks with a big senior campaign in 2021.

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Amechi Uzodinma, CB, Ball State

Ball State pulled an upset and defeated previously unbeaten Buffalo for the MAC championship, and Uzodinma played well despite his team’s struggles against the pass. He finished the game with a season-high 10 tackles and, for the most part, was not challenged through the air by Buffalo. Uzodinma is a thinly-built corner with good speed and developing ball skills. Only a junior, I presently grade him as a sixth-round prospect, though he has terrific upside.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 16 Slider

Jacob Bentley, QB, Utah

Hard times have fallen on Bentley since his tremendous freshman campaign at South Carolina. After being benched last season, he hoped a change of scenery to Utah via the graduate transfer route would reignite his play. It was not to be.

Bentley was benched during the first quarter of what was his final college game after he was unable to move the offense. He was replaced by perennial backup Drew Lisk, who led Utah to 38 unanswered points and a 45-28 victory. While Bentley should be brought into a camp next summer for a tryout, he must rebound quickly or he’ll be shown the door.

Tony Pauline is Pro Football Network’s Chief Draft Analyst and Insider. Follow him on Twitter @TonyPauline. Follow PFN on Twitter @PFN365.