Stock market crash: 5 players who should have stayed in college
The stock market can be a fickle thing. On one day a certain stock can go up, while the next it comes crashing down.
With the 2017 NFL Draft now over, here are five players who misplayed their draft stock, and should have returned to their respective schools for an extra season:
1. Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech
Coming to Virginia Tech as a junior college transfer, quarterback Jerod Evans burst onto the scene, leading the Hokies to a 10-4 record. Following the season, Evans scratched many heads by declaring after just one season in Blacksburg and ended up not even being drafted. In fact, Sam Rogers, a fullback from Virginia Tech was taken in the sixth round, the second-highest Hokie drafted.
2. Brad Kaaya, QB, Miami (FL)
Some were surprised Miami (FL) quarterback Brad Kaaya declared for the NFL draft early, especially with many thinking the Hurricanes would be able to compete for a College Football Playoff berth in 2017. However, more people were surprised when Kaaya dropped to the sixth round and saw eight other quarterbacks picked ahead of the former Miami signal-caller. A chance at a national championship seems a lot more enticing now.
3. Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina
Back in December, North Carolina running back Elijah Hood announced he would return for his senior season in Chapel Hill. Then just two weeks later he changed course and instead declared for the draft. However, come draft time, Hood would not hear his name until the seventh round. To make matters worse, Hood wasn't even the first running back taken from North Carolina, as T.J. Logan went two rounds earlier.
4. Damien Mama, OG, USC
USC was arguably the hottest team by season's end in 2016, winning nine straight games and a Rose Bowl for the ages. With a top Heisman candidate on the roster in quarterback Sam Darnold and a need for veteran offensive linemen, it seemed guard Damien Mama would be the leader of the group. Instead, Mama declared early and went undrafted while the Trojans gear up for a College Football Playoff run.
5. Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU
The No. 1 wide receiver in the 2014 recruiting class and the 17th overall player went to run-heavy LSU and it showed as Malachi Dupre never topped 1,000 yards receiving in his career as a Tiger, let alone 700. Instead of staying to play in Matt Canada's versatile offense under new head coach Ed Orgeron, Dupre elected to skip his senior season and proceeded to get drafted in the seventh round.
Honorable Mention
Speedy Noil, WR, Texas A&M - Undrafted
Ricky Seals-Jones, WR, Texas A&M, Undrafted
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)