Vic Beasley’s NFL Draft Stock Rising After the Combine

Where is Clemson football star Vic Beasley expected to go in the 2015 NFL Draft, following his impressive performance at the combine?

Vic Beasley‘s draft stock is on the rise after the 2015 NFL Combine, after the Clemson Tigers defensive end put together one of the most impressive performances of any player there.

Among defensive linemen and linebackers, Beasley put up the best 40-yard dash time (4.53 seconds), the most bench presses (35), the third-best vertical jump (41 inches), and the fourth-best time in the cone drill (6.91 seconds), according to NFL.com.

His performance also inspired a few comparisons you wouldn’t immediately think of. Like this one:

But while talking about Beasley’s performance and how he compared to other athletes was a lot of fun, the most important thing about the combine was how it could change Beasley’s prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft. Beasley was considered a first-rounder prior to the combine, but most did not expect him to be selected with one of the first 10-to-15 picks.

Related: 2015 NFL Combine Could Make Vic Beasley a First-Round Lock

That might have changed, if the post-combine mock drafts are any indication. There seems to be a growing consensus that Beasley has worked his way into the top 15.

Here’s what some of those mock drafts are currently predicting, starting with an outlier. Nate Davis at USA Today predicts that Beasley will go 17th, to the San Diego Chargers.

"“17. San Diego Chargers — Clemson OLB Vic Beasley: One of the combine’s stars could be the latest candidate to invigorate a pass rush that managed just 26 sacks last season.”"

We’ll come back to this one in a minute.

Dane Brugler at CBS Sports is much more optimistic about Beasley’s draft prospects, predicting that the Washington Redskins will select him with the No. 5 pick.

"“5. Washington Redskins — Clemson DE/OLB Vic Beasley: With Brian Orakpo set to hit free agency, pass rusher will be high on the Redskins’ wish list. Beasley absolutely crushed the combine, showing up at a good weight (248 pounds) and showing off the strength/athleticism combo that teams covet at the position.”"

Writing for FanSided, Luke Dahlgren predicts that the New Orleans Saints will select Beasley with the No. 13 pick. That expectation is shared by Matt Miller, at Bleacher Report. However, Miller threw in a word of caution for New Orleans fans.

"“For the Saints, Beasley’s rise could be bad news. They sit right on the edge of where the edge-rushers are expected to go, and it’s a major need in Rob Ryan’s defense.”"

In other words, Miller thinks there is a decent chance that Beasley will already be off the board by the time the Saints have a chance to draft him.

Finally, Dan Kadar at SB Nation joins Brugler in predicting that Beasley will come off the board with one of the draft’s first 10 picks. Kadar has the Atlanta Falcons taking Beasley at No. 8, pointing out that–like so many teams–the Falcons are in need of a pass-rusher.

And that brings me back to USA Today.

As so many mock drafts mention, there are a lot of teams in need of a pass rusher who also have early draft picks. Davis’ mock draft mentions three such teams–the Titans, the Bears, and the Falcons.

Given Beasley’s accomplishments at Clemson, the weight he was able to add before the NFL Combine, and his performance while there, it’s hard for me to fathom him being on the board by the time the Chargers make their selection.

Personally, I will be somewhat surprised if the Falcons don’t take him. But if that doesn’t happen, I doubt the Saints will pass up the opportunity to draft him. In any case, I fully expect Beasley to be selected somewhere in the top 15 so, if the Chargers have their eye on him, they may need to trade up, or risk disappointment.

Update: Sports Illustrated just released a post-combine mock draft, projecting Vic Beasley to the Falcons at No. 8.