NFL Analysis

9/15/24

6 min read

2025 NFL Draft Stock Report: Rocket Sanders Returns, Carson Beck Exposed

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) drops back to pass against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first quarter at Kroger Field. Carter Skaggs-Imagn Images.

Week 3 of the college football season almost featured two top-20 SEC upsets, but Georgia and LSU pulled out late wins. Each new week serves as a piece of the puzzle, shaping the narrative around potential stars of the 2025 NFL Draft. We diligently monitor those whose stock is rising or falling with each game as the draft approaches.

Instead of just looking at the surface-level statistics, we delve deeper to assess who truly excelled and who faltered. It's crucial for every player to demonstrate their capability to excel in the NFL, not just within a certain role. A player's inability to adapt and grow can raise concerns among scouts. Observing their development over multiple seasons is particularly rewarding.

Let's explore the three individuals who have most successfully leveraged recent opportunities and those who have missed their chance to shine.

CFB Week 3 Stock Up Players

Rocket Sanders, RB, South Carolina

Stats: 19 carries, 143 yards, 2 touchdowns; 1 reception, 11 yards

If you don't remember when Raheim "Rocket" Sanders was viewed as a top-five back in the 2024 NFL Draft class, then you got a big reminder on Saturday.

Sanders, who was at Arkansas before coming to South Carolina for his senior season, missed the majority of the 2023 campaign with a knee injury. He never looked like the bulldozing presence he proved to be in 2022 when he totaled 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns.

However, peak Sanders returned in Week 3. The 6-foot, 230-pounder continually bolted around the LSU defense, showing off rare speed for someone his size. Sanders looks like a plodder but plays more explosively and has the quickness of a smaller back. 

Even with the 2025 class looking as loaded as any this decade, Sanders is unique because of his gigantic frame, power, and play style. He's not Derrick Henry, but Sanders can be a very good lead back at the next level.


Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Tyler Baron (9) celebrates after sacking Florida A&M Rattlers quarterback Daniel Richardson. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images.

Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Stats: 2 tackles, .5 sack

The Miami Hurricanes destroyed Ball State 62-0, and there's not a ton to glean from this one specific matchup, considering the skill difference. However, this is a cumulative three-week award for Tyler Baron. Since the 2025 class isn't deep with edge rushers, Baron has seen his stock rise significantly.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pound senior is NFL-ready in terms of body composition and strength. Baron had six sacks last season, but he's playing faster and showing off a deeper, more planned attack. He has more ways to win than ever before, and his athleticism shows as he bends through contact around blockers.


Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

Stats: 26/34, 377 yards, 2 TDs, 1 interception; 6 rushes, 35 yards, 1 TD

While Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe, and Cam Ward had a strong week, the wild card in the 2025 class is Jaxson Dart. Dart logged the third-straight game with at least 377 passing yards and a 76.5 percent completion rate. No one is playing point guard like Dart right now.

Despite playing for four seasons and producing efficiently over the last two seasons, Dart still questions what he is at the NFL level. His athleticism is clearly at an NFL starter's level, and he has beyond the baseline arm talent needed to run a quality offense. Despite this, Dart is rarely in the first round of mocks.

That will start to change in the coming weeks as Dart continues to show mastery of Lane Kiffin's offense. While Dart still has to show he can maintain composure against better opponents and avoid mistakes, he's clearly playing terrific football right now. 


CFB Week 3 Stock Down Players

Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

Stats: 15/24, 160 yards; 5 rushes, 18 yards

Georgia was as close to losing as it gets in Week 3, as Kentucky brought the physicality needed to push them to the brink. It'd be unfair to say that Heisman and top overall pick candidate Carson Beck was bad, but he struggled in areas where evaluators already had concerns about his game. He wins in specific ways, but teams must ask themselves if he's dynamic enough to be worthy of a top 10 pick.

Beck has a good but not elite arm, and he's not someone who consistently produces while under pressure. If his pre-snap read is correct, and he doesn't have to move off his platform much, Beck has a game strong enough to elevate an offense. However, he's not twitchy or especially good at fitting throws into tight windows without a clean launch space, and Kentucky exposed those areas for improvement.

It's too early to say Beck isn't still among the best options in the class, but other options with better tools are looming to challenge him.  


Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M

Stats: 1 tackle for loss

The high-end projections for Nic Scourton entering the season were a top-five pick, so to say he's been disappointing with only four tackles through three games is fair. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder was a more dynamic player at Purdue in 2023, showing off better burst and effective moves. Instead of getting a freakish athlete, Texas A&M hasn't seen much of what made him a 10-sack, elite transfer addition.

It's possible the Aggies have Scourton looking to make run keys more often than before, but that would be a gross misusage of someone who has the upside to be a dynamic sack artist. NFL teams love big, athletic freaks in the trenches, but Scourton has certainly slipped out of the top half of the first, if not more.


LSU Tigers offensive tackle Will Campbell (66) warms up before a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. Scott Kinser-Imagn Images.

Will Campbell, OT, LSU

Stats: 2 pressures, 1 hit allowed

The first offensive tackle off the board in 2025 will likely be LSU's Will Campbell. The powerful 6-foot-6, 323-pounder checks a ton of boxes, including raw power, pass-blocking technique, fast hands, and patience. He hadn't allowed a single pressure entering Week 3.

However, facing off against phenom freshman Dylan Stewart and pass-rushing savant Kyle Kennard gave Campbell huge problems. Campbell struggled to deal with Stewart's immense speed, and Kennard was able to get into Campbell's massive frame to create a hurry. 

Some places cited this as Campbell's career-worst pass-blocking grade. While he still didn't allow a sack, Campbell showed he's not infallible. If he doesn't recover against elite competition, the door could open for Kelvin Banks Jr. to overtake him. 

Tags: NFL Draft

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