2017 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 3

Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) lines up against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

College football enters week three this weekend with a much more intriguing schedule than last week. Four games on Saturday will feature a pair of ranked teams, four more than a week ago. With so many high-profile games, there will be plenty of 2017 NFL Draft prospects to keep an eye on.

The prospects worth watching won’t just be involved on those four games. Players from the FBS and even the FCS will need to step it up this weekend and deliver when their schools need them the most.

The 2017 NFL Draft may be another eight months away, but the clock is ticking for those who plan to enter the draft. Even with 10 or 11 games left for some schools, there are limited opportunities for these players to showcase their skills against top competition. That’s the case for the following players, as their opponent or one-on-one matchup will be critical to their stock.

Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) warms up prior to a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Kelly (QB – Ole Miss) vs. Alabama

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This is an obvious one. Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly must be nearly flawless in order for the Rebels to upset the top-ranked Crimson Tide.

Ole Miss has won this matchup the past two years with two different quarterbacks. Chad Kelly last season and Bo Wallace in 2014 played extremely well against Nick Saban’s defense. The two combined to throw for 592 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. As a team, the Rebels turned the ball over just once in those two contests.

Taking care of the ball will be the top priority for Kelly against a very aggressive defense. With just two starters returning on the offensive line from a year ago, Kelly must show elite pocket presence and get rid of the ball quickly when Alabama sends pressure.

Wallace and Kelly have gunslinger mentalities, however both have been very smart with the ball against Alabama. If this holds true again this season, Ole Miss could run their streak to three in-a-row against Alabama. A win over the Crimson Tide would certainly boost Kelly’s stock in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Sep 26, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) celebrates his first quarter sack with teammate Tommy Schutt (90) versus the Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 38-12. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Raekwon McMillan (ILB – Ohio State) vs. Oklahoma

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In a game featuring numerous 2017 NFL Draft prospects on both sidelines, the most important player will be in the middle of the Ohio State defense.

Inside linebacker Raekwon McMillan leads the Buckeyes with 12 tackles on the season and is the heart of the defense. He’ll likely add quite a few tackles to that total as Oklahoma will at some point have to establish a run game.

McMillan will be tasked with slowing down the rushing attack, which has surprisingly been led by Joe Mixon rather than Samaje Perine. An injury has limited Perine, however he is expected to see an increased workload against the Buckeyes.

The Ohio State inside linebacker will also be asked to help slow down dual-threat QB Baker Mayfield. McMillan has only been tested in coverage once this season, however look for the Sooners to try to isolate McMillan. Whether it’s against the run or the pass, Mayfield’s best chance to lead his team to victory will be to get McMillan into one-on-one situations in space against the talented Oklahoma skill players.

Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) in the pocket against the UCLA Bruins during a game at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Avery Gennesy (LT – Texas A&M) vs. Auburn

Texas A&M has had at least one player selected in the first round in each of the past six drafts. While Myles Garrett is projected to extend that streak in the 2017 NFL Draft, it’s another streak that could come to an end.

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The Aggies have become “Offensive Line U” recently with an offensive lineman being selected in the first round in each of the past four years. That streak is in jeopardy as Avery Gennesy is the only Texas A&M lineman expected to be drafted. He’s currently a mid-round pick, so it will take a lot to move him up into the first round.

One way to boost his stock for the 2017 NFL Draft is to shutdown Auburn defensive end Carl Lawson. Lawson is a dangerous, but oft-injured edge rusher who can create havoc in an opponent’s backfield when healthy.

Healthy is what Lawson is at this time and that doesn’t bode well for Gennesy. A solid performance will not only help his stock, but it will get Texas A&M off to a solid start in the SEC West.

Jan 10, 2015; Frisco, TX, USA; Illinois State Redbirds tight end James O

Nick DeLuca (ILB – North Dakota State) vs. Iowa

The North Dakota State Bison have started the 2016 season 2-0 on their quest for a sixth consecutive FCS title. Both wins have come against teams ranked in the top 10 in the FCS, but this weekend’s road trip to Iowa will be a step up in competition.