Nelson Agholor NFL Draft Preview: Stock, Mock Drafts and Projections

Nelson Agholor followed in the footsteps of fellow Trojan receivers declaring for the NFL draft, but he seems to have bucked their trend of falling down the board by picking up major momentum going into the first round.

Why Nelson Agholor will get drafted

Agholor is the latest in a line of excellent USC receivers to leave for the NFL draft after three productive college years.

Like Robert Woods and Marqise Lee before him, Agholor is a skilled receiver who boasts a combination of physical gifts and mental ability.

Though Agholor’s career accomplishments did not quite match up to those of Woods and Lee at the college level, he projects to out pace them in terms of draft selection.

What Nelson Agholor did at USC

Agholor was a two-year starter for the Trojans, taking over the reigns as USC’s primary receiver for an exciting final season.

The versatile danger man was named a first team All-American for his contributions on special teams as a junior and earned All-Pac-12 honors as a receiver.

All told, Agholor hauled in 179 catches for 2,571 yards and 20 touchdowns for USC. He owns the school record for punt return touchdowns with four.

What the scouts are saying about Nelson Agholor

Frank Cooney of NFLdraftscout.com described Agholor as “a fierce competitor with excellent work habits in the weight and film rooms and takes his role as a team leader seriously.”

Though Cooney noted Agholor will likely fit in as a No. 2 receiver on most teams, his punt return ability was noted as a plus for his stock.

Agholor is among the top return specialists in the draft in fact, according to NFL.com‘s Mike Huguenin

Mike Mayock named Agholor one of the draft’s top risers because of the way he impressed coaches who have evaluated him throughout the draft process. With versatility and a noticeably high football IQ in the meeting room, Mayock believes Agholor has worked his way into the late first round.

Where Nelson Agholor is going in Mock Drafts

NFL Nation (ESPN): Cincinnati Bengals, 1st round, 21st overall
Charley Casserly (NFL.com): Houston Texans, 1st round, 16th overall
Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network): Houston Texans, 1st round, 16th overall
Lance Zierlein (NFL.com): New Orleans Saints, 1st round, 31st overall
Bucky Brooks (NFL.com): Kansas City Chiefs, 1st round, 18th overall
Todd McShay (ESPN): Houston Texans, 1st round, 16th overall
Rob Rang (CBS): New York Jets, 2nd round, 37th overall
Dane Brugler (CBS): Cleveland Browns, 2nd round, 43rd overall
Pete Prisco (CBS): New Orleans Saints, 1st round, 31st overall
Peter King (Sports Illustrated): Carolina Panthers, 25th overall

Now’s your turn to put on your scouting cap. Where do you see Agholor being drafted? Vote in our poll below and sound off in the comments.

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