Is Chris Polk taking his place as the number two RB in the 2012 NFL Draft class?
Week 9 of the college football season gave us some spectacular finishes and the quarterback matchup we have all been waiting for. With 9 weeks in the books here’s a look at the 2012 NFL Draft prospects that saw an increase or decrease in their NFL Draft stock.
RISING
Chris Polk, RB, Washington
Chris Polk was one of the lone bright spots for UW against Stanford and he continued his impressive season this week against Arizona. The junior ran the ball 34 times for 144 yards and 4 TD’s. More impressive than his rushing attempts were his catches. He caught 4 passes for 100 yards and a TD. He doesn’t have elite speed but makes up for it with a good burst and vision. Polk is putting together an impressive junior season and may be working his way into the first-round.
Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford – Matt Barkley, QB, USC
I chose to combine these two because they equally impressed in a tight game that may have National Championship implications. For Luck, he needed some tape where he was challenged and put in work in crunch time. For Barkley, the head to head comparison with the number one pick was a positive experience. Landry Jones looked solid this week as well but Barkley may be solidifying himself as the number two QB in this class. Both QB’s were efficient, threw the ball into tight spots, and were the clear cut leaders on their respective teams.
Devon Still, DT, Penn St.
There may not be a prospect that is helping his draft stock more than Devon Still. He was unblockable for most of this close contest with Illinois. He finished the game with 10 tackles and a sack but was much more disruptive than that impressive stat line. Still has made it a routine to play in the opponents’ backfield on his way to becoming a fringe first-round prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
Dennard missed the first three games and didn’t look healthy until last week. He was back to his old ways against MSU. He blanketed MSU receivers to the tune of 4 pass breakups. His physical play held B.J. Cunningham in check, which is more than the OSU and Wisconsin DB’s can say. Dennard has flown under the radar in 2011 but this game may have put him back in the discussion as a mid-first rounder.
Ronnell Lewis, DE, Oklahoma
The junior DE posted another solid game against previously unbeaten Kansas St. Lewis finished the game with 5 tackles and a sack. He now has 5.5 sacks on the season and has shown the ability to drop into coverage which will be important as he will have to switch positions in the NFL. Lewis is a fringe first-round prospect at this point.
Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
Vinny Curry ran over, around, and through Matt McCants on his way to 9 tackles and a sack. While it’s not fair to just spotlight McCants because Curry lined up all over the field, it was the matchup to watch. McCants is being boasted about as one of the top small school prospects but couldn’t handle the speed of Curry. Curry has 55 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 5.5 forced fumbles on the 2011 season. Curry is a likely second day pick but could be a fringe first rounder.
FALLING
Where has this guy been?
Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
Jeffery has been hampered by poor quarterback play and the lack of running game with Marcus Lattimore out for the season. He was held in check by Tennessee this week with just 3 catches for 17 yards. He has failed to break the 100-yard receiving plateau yet this season. Jeffery’s skill set still warrants a high first-round pick but he needs to come in shape to the all the pre-draft events.
Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida St.
Jenkins was solid (for the first time all season) against Maryland with 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks. I thought the Maryland game may help him turn the corner but he was a non-factor against NC State this week. Staying at FSU may be the best option for Jenkins given the lack of production from him in 2011. Jenkins ceiling is keeping him afloat on my rankings but it won’t be long before he begins to drop barring an increase in productivity.
Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego St.
I had Lindley as the fourth best QB prospect heading into the 2011 season but it came with a caveat. It was barring he took steps in the right direction with his accuracy. Lindley has been inconsistent and terribly inaccurate this season (50.2%). He needed a big game against a surprisingly tough Wyoming team but he couldn’t come up with it when it counted. He finished the game 13-27 for 247 yards, 2 TD’s and an INT. Most of his incompletions were way off target and he was erratic with his footwork. Lindley is falling quickly and may be a guy that falls completely out of the draft.
Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan St.
Every time Cousins takes a step forward he takes two back the next week. Cousins was lights out last week against Wisconsin but couldn’t muster anything positive this week against Nebraska. He finished the game 11-27 for 86 yards and an INT. Cousins’ inconsistent performances will raise major red flags in the draft and could drop him into day three of the 2012 NFL Draft.
