Miami Draft Stock Ahead of the Postseason

The college football regular season is in its final days, and the NFL season is well into its second half. This combination means it's officially not too early for draft talk, though I'd argue it never is. Every week, the draft order picture gets clearer, NFL teams' needs become more evident, and the elite college players are separating from the pack.

For Canes fans, the draft expectations for Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo are no surprise, but they aren't the only guys who will likely go from playing Saturdays to Sundays. Let's look at the updated draft stock for Ward, Restrepo, and some of their teammates.

1. Cam Ward

Ward had a Heisman-worthy season in 2024, which significantly boosted his draft stock. According to a recent NFL mock draft by Pro Football Focus (PFF), the New York Giants are projected to select him with the seventh overall pick, potentially making him the successor to Daniel Jones.

In a USA Today article published this week, several experts and sources identified possible landing spots for the top first-round picks, mentioning the Giants, Raiders, and Browns as potential destinations for Ward.

On PFF's Big Board, Ward is ranked as the 14th-best prospect. It appears likely that he will be selected in the top half of the first round, assuming nothing unexpected occurs before the end of the season.

""Ward is an accurate full-field passer. He layers passes with precise touch in the middle of the field over underneath defenders. With his quick release and accuracy, Ward is effective in the quick passing when it's called. He has a flexible arm to throw from multiple angles/slots and fit passes around incoming defenders in the backfield. Ward has plus-level mobility and can create plays with his feet. Whether second-reaction throws outside the pocket or running for 20 yards, he is a threat on the ground.""

- BR NFL Scouting Department

2. Xavier Restrepo

Restrepo is 21 yards away from his second consecutive 1,000-yard season, and his draft stock reflects that success. In the last two seasons, he's amassed 2,071 yards and 16 touchdowns, and he saw his yards-per-catch improve by almost four yards this season.

In another recent NFL Mock Daft, Restrepo was selected in the second round by the Chargers with pick 57. This seems like an excellent spot for him to land with an upstart team Jim Harbaugh is currently turning around. 

3. The Rest of the Pack

The NFL draft is in April, so mock drafts are limited. Currently, Ward and Restrepo are the only two Miami Hurricanes projected to be selected in the first two rounds. However, PFF has five other players listed on their big board.

Tyler Baron (85th) and Simeon Barrow Jr. (118th) are projected as third-round picks. Baron has 33 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 9.0 tackles for loss, while Barrow has 28 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 8.0 TFLs. Both players have impressive seasons and could improve their rankings with upcoming high-profile games.

Pro Football Focus has identified three additional Miami players who could be strong candidates for late-round picks or undrafted free agents. Among them is Elijah Alston, projected to be selected at the 234th spot.

Alston's season may not have been as eventful as those of Baron and Barrow, but he has still made a significant impact. He recorded 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and four tackles for loss (TFLs). Additionally, he achieved one interception and defended one pass this season.

Wide receiver Sam Brown Jr. is 237th on the list. He has surpassed the 500-yard mark for the second consecutive season, amassing 509 yards on 36 receptions. Additionally, Brown has contributed two touchdowns this season.

Running back Damien Martinez completes the list of Hurricanes and is currently ranked 262nd. He has had three consecutive productive seasons and is on track to achieve 800 rushing yards for the third straight season.

Martinez is averaging 5.5 yards per carry and has scored eight touchdowns. Additionally, he has made 16 receptions for 198 yards, positioning him well to surpass 1,000 all-purpose yards once again.

The final moments of the 2024 season are all about securing the sixth national title. A few players are also bracing for the next stage of their careers, and the April draft should bode well for Miami's program.