National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: 5 prospects who stood out in Week 4

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After another wild week of college football games, these five players caught the attention of NFL scouts everywhere.

Although the NFL draft is still months away, there are a few guys in the college football world that are starting to make some big names for themselves through the first four weeks of the season.

Guys like Myles Garrett and Leonard Fournette have already solidified themselves as top-tier draft prospects, but these are five potential future NFL players who caught my eye in Week 4.

Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (90) celebrates after a tackle in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Solomon Thomas

DL, Stanford

As a redshirt sophomore, Stanford defensive lineman Solomon Thomas could very well stay with the Cardinal after the 2016 season. However, through the first few games of the season, Thomas keeps popping up on film.

Let’s ignore the scoop and score on the final play of Saturday’s game against UCLA. Aside from that play, Thomas still made some great plays to help Stanford’s defense, plugging up rushing lanes and getting to the ball carrier.

Through three games this year, Thomas has already racked up 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries. That’s a great start to the season, especially after he stepped up as a redshirt freshman last year with 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

At 6’2” and 275 pounds, Thomas isn’t as physically gifted of a defensive lineman as someone like Malik McDowell or Jonathan Allen. However, Thomas is a versatile player that can move around the line and make big plays wherever he goes.

Thomas might stay another season or two at Stanford, but if he declares for the NFL draft, don’t be surprised to see him get picked up in the second or third round.

Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Louisville Cardinals linebacker Devonte Fields (92) celebrates after a sack during the first half in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Devonte Fields

EDGE, Louisville

With so many talented edge rushers in this year’s draft class, guys like Louisville’s Devonte Fields can be overlooked. He’s not the most talented or athletic pass rusher in this year’s draft class, but games like he had on Saturday against Marshall will help his draft stock.

Fields finished with eight total tackles against the Thundering Herd, but the play that stood out was a diving interception. It was Fields’ first pick of the season to go along with a pair of passes batted down at the line of scrimmage. The TCU Horned Frogs transfer also has two sacks this year.

While Fields is an explosive rusher on the edge, he’s also proven to be more than capable at reading the quarterback’s eyes to break up passes. Plays like that will help scouts overlook his less than ideal 6’4”, 242-pound frame.

Sep 24, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement (6) scores a touchdown against Michigan State Spartans linebacker Chris Frey (23) during the first quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Clement

RB, Wisconsin

Let’s ignore the box score for Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement. Yes, he only ran 54 yards on 23 carries while adding two touchdowns at the goal line. However, there were still some nice plays from Clement that I was impressed with.

Because of the way Wisconsin’s offense operates, the Michigan State Spartans stacked the box against Clement. However, the Badgers’ commitment to the run opened up some passing plays for freshman QB Alex Hornibrook.

One of the plays that stood out on Saturday was this great jump cut to avoid getting tackled by future first-round pick Malik McDowell in the backfield.

Clement is naturally going to be overlooked in a draft class filled with elite prospects like Fournette, Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook and Christian McCaffrey. After all, Clement is a senior with 300-plus college carries and counting.

However, Clement has all the physical tools for a power running back at 5’11” and 227 pounds. He rushed for 949 yards and nine touchdowns as a backup behind Melvin Gordon in 2014. This is an aggressive running back with great vision, and some lucky NFL team will give him a chance in the later rounds.

Sep 10, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Nick Patti (2) pressured by Michigan Wolverines linebacker Mike McCray (9) in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Mike McCray

LB, Michigan

The Michigan Wolverines defense has a number of NFL-caliber players, including guys like Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis. While both of those guys have first-round potential, another prospect who is starting to get some attention is linebacker Mike McCray.

McCray probably isn’t going to be a guy drafted on Day 1, especially since this is his first year as a full-time starter. However, the production has been there since Week 1 for McCray, with the Wolverines linebacker picking up 4.5 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three passes defended through the first four weeks of the season.

Saturday’s game against Penn State was another stand-out performance for McCray. The senior was dominant in pass coverage according to Pro Football Focus, grabbing an interception and posting an opposing passer rating of 22.9 on passes thrown his way.

It’s only four games, but if McCray can continue to make big plays for the Wolverines while showcasing his ability to pressure the quarterback or drop back in coverage, he should hear his name called at some point in the upcoming NFL draft.

Jan 1, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) rushes past Northwestern Wildcats offensive lineman Eric Olson (76) during the first half in the 2016 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Barnett

EDGE, Tennessee

The more I watch Tennessee Volunteers edge defender Derek Barnett, the more I’m convinced that he’s one of the best defensive players in the upcoming draft. The talented 6’3”, 265-pound defensive end was utterly dominant against Florida and was a big reason their defense was able to shut down the Gators.

Barnett finished the game with two sacks, a QB hit and a pass batted down in Saturday’s win. The Volunteers star already has six tackles for loss this season, and the coaching staff can’t give him enough praise.

“It was just Derek saying, ‘Climb on my back, I got this,’” Vols defensive coordinator Bob Shoop told Bruce Feldman from FOX Sports. “I’m not sure I’ve ever had a player take over a game quite like he did for us.”

Few, if any, draft prospects have helped themselves more this season than Barnett. He’s explosive, aggressive and apparently a tremendous leader for the Volunteers. Those are all qualities that teams are looking for from defensive playmakers, and that could help Barnett make his way into the top 10 by the time the draft rolls around.