2017 NFL Draft: Week 5 Prospect Stock Report
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The second month of the college football season is underway, and it couldn’t have been a more exciting start. With three top-10 matchups taking place in week five, there was sure to be a good game or two, but the finishes were almost too good to be true. The slate of games was more action-packed than a single Saturday has been in a long time.
Just take a look at some of the finishes from the 3:30 PM EST games alone.
First, Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis picked off a pass with one hand as he was falling down to secure a win for the Wolverines over Wisconsin.
Soon after, North Carolina kicker Nick Weiler blasted a 54-yard field goal as time expired to all but eliminate Florida State from the playoffs and ACC title race.
Not to be outdone, Tennessee and Georgia had not one, but two deep touchdown passes in the final seconds of their SEC showdown. The Volunteers would go on to win after this Joshua Dobbs heave to the endzone landed in the hands of wide receiver Jauan Jennings as time expired.
What do all three plays have in common? They were all made by seniors who will be eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft. In addition to Lewis, Weiler and Dobbs, the following prospects all made an impact in week five.
Oct 1, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; North Carolina Tarheels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs the ball during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Stock Up: Offense
Mitch Trubisky and Ryan Switzer (QB/WR – North Carolina): Mitch Trubisky and Ryan Switzer have played well all season, but this past weekend’s game against Florida State was one of the toughest tests they’ll face all season. The pair connected 14 times in the game, leading the Tar Heels to a win over the Seminoles.
Trubisky completed over 81 percent of his passes in the game for 405 yards and three touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception this season. Switzer caught 14 passes for 158 yards. His ability to create separation was evident early on and the Florida State defense simply didn’t have an answer.
Trubisky is a redshirt junior, so his status for the 2017 NFL Draft is unknown. Switzer on the other hand, is in his final season at Chapel Hill and is a potential day two pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The two will face another tough test this weekend as North Carolina hosts Virginia Tech. The Hokies are currently second in the nation in opponent’s completion percentage and 10th in passing yards allowed per game.
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Shock Linwood (RB – Baylor): When the passing game couldn’t get going, running back Shock Linwood stepped up and led Baylor to a comeback win over Iowa State. His performance not only kept Baylor alive in the playoff hunt, but helped boost his stock ahead of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Linwood carried the ball 25 times in the game, gaining 237 yards and scoring one touchdown. His 237 yards surpassed his total of 217 through Baylor’s first four games of the season. While the 11:00 AM start time appeared to have a negative effect on several Baylor players, Linwood thrived, averaging 9.5 yards per carry.
Every season with the Bears, Linwood has improved his rushing total from the year before. Despite being in what is thought of as a pass-heavy system, Linwood is just 84 rushing yards away from 4,000 in his career.
The issue with Linwood is his receiving ability. He’s listed at 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds, but has just 21 receptions in 42 career games. He’s not someone who is going to be a workhorse in the NFL, but he also hasn’t proven to be a receiving threat as a third-down back. With uncertainty as to what his future role will be, he’ll slide further in the 2017 NFL Draft than his talent would indicate.
DeShone Kizer (QB – Notre Dame): After Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly threw the blame on his players after a loss to Duke, DeShone Kizer responded by lighting up the Syracuse defense through the air.
Kizer finished the game with 471 passing yards, the most in school history in a win. He also added four total touchdowns. Kizer hasn’t been perfect this season, however he’s currently viewed as a first-round pick, and possibly the first selection overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The remaining schedule won’t be easy for Kizer as the Fighting Irish will square off against three ranked teams. Miami, Virginia Tech and Stanford are all currently ranked and among the toughest defenses on the Notre Dame schedule. If Kizer can continue to show improvement down the stretch, the redshirt sophomore may decide to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.
Jamaal Williams (RB – Brigham Young): Like Kizer, Jamaal Williams was busy setting records in week five. Against Toledo, he rushed for a school-record 286 yards and tied the BYU record with five rushing touchdowns. He’s now second in the nation in rushing yards this season and has forced scouts to rethink his place in the 2017 NFL Draft.
After undergoing knee surgery and withdrawing from school, Williams has returned to BYU this season and made an immediate impact. In three of the team’s five games this year, Williams has eclipsed 160 yards on the ground. He showed off impressive agility and breakaway speed against the Rockets, and at 220 pounds, has the size NFL teams desire.
Williams is likely going to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft. Which one has yet to be determined, but it will have more to do with his medical check than his performance on the field the rest of the way.
Nov 7, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) high five fans as they beat the Vanderbilt Commodores at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores 9-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Stock Up: Defense
Jarrad Davis (ILB – Florida): Despite losing Vernon Hargreaves III, Keanu Neal and Jonathan Bullard to the NFL, the Florida defense is still among the best in the SEC. One reason is the presence of middle linebacker Jarrad Davis.
Now that Antonio Morrison, another draft pick from a year ago, has moved on, Davis transitioned into the middle linebacker role. Last season, he played outside in Florida’s 4-3 front. That versatility will appeal to NFL teams when the 2017 NFL Draft rolls around.
Davis finished the game against Vanderbilt with 15 tackles, more than twice as many as anyone else on the Gators. He also broke up a team-high three passes, one of which came on the game-clinching interception with less than a minute left in the game.
Davis has been a force against both the pass and run this season and has a chance to improve his stock as the Gators work their way through the SEC. He’s a projected second day pick who could be a surprise first rounder if an NFL team running a 4-3 defense is especially high on him.
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Derek Barnett (DE – Tennessee): The Hail Mary at the end of the game is what the win over Georgia will be known for, but it never would have gotten to that point if not for the play of Derek Barnett.
From his right defensive end position, Barnett accounted for five tackles and two sacks. He also made the defensive play of the game when he sacked Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason in the endzone, forcing a fumble which Tennessee recovered for a touchdown.
Georgia tried to slow Barnett by placing a tight end beside the left tackle, but it failed to pay off. Barnett utilized his speed and power to find his way into the backfield and make plays. If Barnett declares for the 2017 NFL Draft, he’ll likely be a first-round pick.
Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE – Northwestern): Ifeadi Odenigbo was as productive as any defensive lineman in college football in week five. Against an Iowa offensive line that allowed just eight sacks in the first four games of the season combined, Northwestern registered six. Four of those came courtesy of Odenigbo.
As a pass-rush specialist only, Odenigbo doesn’t start for the Wildcats. He did officially earn a start in the first two games of the season, but is now back to his role as a reserve. Much like Tim Williams of Alabama last season, he’s in the game for one reason; to pressure the quarterback. He did exactly that this past weekend against what is typically one of the best offensive lines in college football.
A redshirt senior, Odenigbo now has 18.5 sacks in his career. He’s a projected late-round pick or priority free agent, but playing well against Iowa as an edge rusher can certainly help his draft stock. Just ask Yannick Ngakoue, who was a third-round pick in 2016.
Oct 1, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Wes Lunt (12) throws against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Stock Down: Offense
Wes Lunt (QB – Illinois): After a season-opening win over Murray State of the FCS, Illinois has lost three games in-a-row. Not the start new head coach Lovie Smith was hoping for, and not the conclusion to a career Wes Lunt wanted.
Lunt led the Fighting Illini to a 13-10 lead over Nebraska, but struggled in the second half. On third down, the senior QB failed to complete a pass on five attempts after halftime. The Cornhuskers took advantage and would go on to win the game 31-16.
At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Lunt has the physical makeup to play in the NFL, however his skill set isn’t where it needs to be. He’s completed less than 60 percent of his passes over his career and has struggled in big games when Illinois has needed him the most. Lunt is a potential late-round pick, however he’ll need time to develop into an NFL-caliber QB.
Johnny Caspers (OG – Stanford): In a game dominated by the Washington Huskies, there was plenty of blame to go around on the Stanford sideline. Offensively and defensively, the Cardinal just didn’t get it done.
For right guard Johnny Caspers, the trouble started on the second offensive play of the game. From his right guard position, Caspers is knocked off-balance, leading to pressure and a sack.
Caspers had his hands full the entire game and consistently allowed pressure to get to quarterbacks Ryan Burns and Keller Chryst.
He’s ranked as one of the top guard prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft, but this is one game he’ll want to forget. With a matchup in two weeks against Notre Dame nose tackle Jarron Jones, Caspers will need turn things around quickly to avoid falling further down the draft board.
James Quick (WR – Louisville): While a prospect’s game tape and Scouting Combine workouts are meant to gather information on physical ability, the mental side of the game is just as important. Saturday night against Clemson, James Quick made a huge mental error.
With the clock winding down in the fourth quarter, Louisville was faced with a 4th-and-12 from the Clemson 14-yard line. Lamar Jackson threw the ball short of the sticks to Quick, who made his way toward the sideline. Rather than cut inside or fight for an extra yard, Quick was easily shoved out of bounds short of the first-down marker.
Situational awareness is critical in the game of football, especially for wide receivers who have to alter the depth of their routes based on the down and distance. One slip up may not cause his stock to take a serious hit, but NFL decision-makers will be watching closely to see if this is a consistent issue.
Cooper Rush (QB – Central Michigan): After playing well against power five schools Oklahoma State and Virginia, Cooper Rush picked an inopportune time to play his worst game of the year.
In Central Michigan’s conference opener against Western Michigan, Rush completed 17 of his 29 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He turned the ball over twice in the game, leading to two Western Michigan touchdowns.
The first turnover came on a fumble in his own territory, the second resulted in a pick-six. Rush’s ball placement was off the entire game and he failed to pull the trigger when he needed to. He was sacked eight times in the game, several of which were the result of Rush holding onto the ball too long.
Western Michigan has caused fits for Rush his entire career. In four games, he holds a record of 1-3 and has thrown eight interceptions against the Broncos. With conference play underway, Rush will need to get back on track immediately in order to keep the Chippewas in contention for a Mid-American Conference title.
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56) in action against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Stock Down: Defense
Tim Williams (OLB – Alabama): Despite having perhaps his most productive half of the 2016 season, Tim Williams saw his 2017 NFL Draft stock take a hit this week. It had nothing to do with his on-field play, but an incident off the field.
Early last Thursday morning, Williams was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm without a permit. According to the police report, University of Alabama police searched the car, occupied by Williams and a friend, after smelling marijuana.
Williams was subsequently suspended for the first half of the game against Kentucky before being allowed back on the field in the second half. Williams is one of the top pass rushers in the nation and a potential first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, but he can’t afford to have another incident like this come up prior to the draft.
Devonte Fields (OLB – Louisville): In the biggest game of the year, Louisville’s top-rated defender failed to show up. Devonte Fields managed just two tackles in the game and was completely shutdown by the Clemson offensive line.
Similar to last season, Fields has gotten off to a slow start. Through five games, he’s recorded just 22 tackles and two sacks. Just nine of those tackles have come in the three games against power five schools. In 2015, Fields was credited with 8.5 sacks over his final four games. He’ll need a similar second half this season to avoid sliding in the 2017 NFL Draft.