This is a special article this week because not only do we have our pro draft fallers and risers, small school prospect, and key games to watch this week, but I have also included my updated Big Board AND have expanded it to the Top 50 players. It’s a jam-packed article so without further ado, let’s get started.
Draft Risers:
1. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama:
All of the talk about the Alabama defensive line has been focused on Raekwon Davis. Factor in safety Deionte Thompson and linebacker Mack Wilson, it’s been hard for Quinnen Williams to stand out. But it’s possible when everything is said and done and we are sitting in April waiting for the draft, that Williams could be the first Alabama player taken. As of now, I still love Thompson and Davis, but Williams has been skyrocketing up pro draft boards. Furthermore, Williams is one of the most consistent players in the whole country week in and week out. He is a strong and powerful player who can excel in both the run and pass game. Williams has the strength to stop the run and the tools to generate pressure from the interior of the line on passing downs, making him a viable three-down player. Therefore, this year’s pro draft for just Alabama will be very interesting as the months go by.
2. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa:
I’ve said before that I’m not really a fan of this tight end class, but I’m starting to believe. Fant is one of the highest risers for my big board from the preseason to the midway point in this season, leading other big tight end risers. Furthermore, Fant is the rare kind of tight end prospect where you are just as excited watching him block as running a route and catching the ball. He isn’t afraid to get dirty and lay a big block, which has become a rarity these days, but something I absolutely love. The NFL is constantly evolving and they have recently been looking for players that are versatile. And can play all over the field. Therefore, Fant is exactly that kind of a player, a blocker on first and second down, and a receiver on third down. Pro teams should be very excited about him, and I know I am.
3. Grant Delpit, S, LSU:
Add Grant Delpit to the list of LSU defenders that will be selected in the first round of the 2019 pro Draft. Delpit is a highly intelligent player with great instincts and a high motor. He plays all over the field and can even be relied on to put pressure on the quarterback when he blitzes. Furthermore, LSU uses Delpit similarly to how they used Jamal Adams, and Delpit already has better stats when blitzes than Adams did in his final year. Although, Several safeties are climbing pro draft boards and it will be a tight race to see who finishes first, but I fully expect Delpit to hear his name called on Day One.
Draft Fallers:
1. Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn:
This is the second time Jarrett Stidham has made my fallers list, and it might not be the last. Coming into the season, Stidham was looked at by most as a top three quarterback (some even saying he was the number one) in the 2019 pro draft class. However, That doesn’t appear to be the truth anymore. Stidham has just not looked good this season between poor performances, inconsistency, and a habit of folding under pressure. Although, once looked at as a sure-fire first rounder, Stidham has found himself sliding into Day Two and he hopes the slide stops there.
2. Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State:
Oruwariye isn’t on this list because of his dropped interception that would’ve won the game for Penn State. He got off to a hit start but has severely dropped off the past few weeks. Oruwariye has looked lost in man coverage, getting beat on even simple routes. He has great size and length, but his technique and ball skills leave much to be desired and his NFL draft stock is taking a big hit.
3. Alex Hornibrook, QB, Wisconsin:
Hornibrook has struggled all season long after what looked like a breakout performance in the 2018 Orange Bowl. He hasn’t been that guy at all this year. Hornibrook’s struggles weren’t really apparent until a dreadful showing against Michigan, throwing for 100 yards, a 35% completion percentage, one touchdown, and two interceptions. We saw the Alex Hornibrook that was lurking in the shadows all year. Unless he turns things around in the second half of the year, he might just slide all the way off pro draft boards.
Small School Prospect Highlight:
Corey Ballentine, CB, Washburn:
Ballentine is an extremely athletic player and is one of the most promising Division II players this year. He is a very smooth corner and keeps up with receivers without a problem. Ballentine is also a willing tackler and isn’t afraid to break on the ball and lay a big hit, a bonus that NFL teams love from corners. Ballentine’s ability at corner and also on special teams will help him tremendously on draft day.
Big Match-Ups This Weekend:
1. LSU vs. Mississippi State:
This is another battle of two great defenses with several players that will be drafted in April. For LSU, cornerback Greedy Williams, linebacker Devin White, safety Grant Delpit, and defensive end Rashard Lawrence grade out in my top 75 prospects and will lead LSU in a must-win game. Mississippi also features great defenders in defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat, safety Johnathan Abrams, and cornerback Jamal Peters.
2. Michigan vs. Michigan State:
From a strictly college football standpoint, this is always one of the best games every year. From a draft standpoint, this game does feature a good amount of talent. Michigan has one of the top prospects in the nation in defensive lineman Rashan Gary, as well as running back Karan Higdon, linebacker Devin Bush Jr., and defensive end Chase Winovich. Michigan State displays running back L.J. Scott (assuming he is healthy), wide receiver Felton Davis III, tight end Matt Sokol, and safeties David Dowell and Khari Willis.
3. Clemson vs. N.C. State:
The main reason this is a key game to watch is due to N.C. State’s quarterback Ryan Finley going up against the vaulted Clemson defense, led by their loaded defensive line. Ryan Finley hasn’t had the year we expected from him, but if he can have a good game against the likes of defensive linemen Clelin Ferrell, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant, and linebacker Kendall Joseph, he might jump back up into the first round. Also keep your eye on Clemson offensive lineman Mitch Hyatt and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, as well as N.C. State wide receiver Kelvin Harmon and center Garrett Bradbury.
Mid-Season Big Board:
- Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
- Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
- Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
- Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
- Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
- Devin White, LB, LSU
- Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
- Clelin Ferrell, DL, Clemson
- Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
- Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
- Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
- Dre’Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State
- N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
- Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
- Will Grier, QB, WVU
- Jachai Polite, DE, Florida
- Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
- Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State
- Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
- David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
- D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
- Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
- Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
- Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
- Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
- Kendall Scheffield, CB, Ohio State
- Damien Harris, RB, Alabama
- A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
- Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
- Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky
- Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
- Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
- Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson
- Michael Deiter, OT, Wisconsin
- Jaquan Johnson, S, Miami
- Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
- Nick Brosette, RB, LSU
- Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
- Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
- Benny Snell, RB, Kentucky
- Joe Jackson, DE, Miami
- Dalton Risner, OG, Kansas State
- Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
- Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
- Kris Boyd, CB, Texas
- J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
- Karan Higdon, RB, Michigan
- Irv Smith, TE, Alabama
- D’Andre Walker, DE, Georgia
- Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
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