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2017 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 13

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:11 p.m. ET

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Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive line lines up against the Ohio State Buckeyes defense line during the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

In the final week before conference championship games, rivalries take center stage. Whether it’s the Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State to determine the north representative in the Pac-12 title game, or Michigan versus Ohio State for a spot in the College Football Playoff, a lot is on the line this weekend.

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With so much riding on the outcome of this weekend’s contests, NFL scouts will be focusing on prospects eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft. Who will step up when the lights shine brightest? Who will crumble under pressure? Those are just a couple of the questions that will be answered in week 13.

With so many meaningful games across the country, it’s difficult to narrow down the list of prospects who need to step up their game the most. However, without further ado, these are the 2017 NFL Draft prospects who will be under the microscope and need to raise their level of play in week 13 of the college football season.

Nov 19, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Luke Falk (4) prepares to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Falk (QB – Washington State) vs. Washington

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This season’s Apple Cup has more than just state pride on the line. The Huskies and Cougars will take the field on Friday with a spot in the Pac-12 title game on the line.

If Washington State is going to pull off the upset, they’ll have to rely heavily on the right arm of quarterback Luke Falk.

Three Pac-12 schools are ranked in the top 20 in opponent’s QB rating. Washington State has already played two of those schools, UCLA and Colorado, and Falk played his two worst games of the season in those contests.

He completed just 53 percent of his passes in those games, well under his season average of 71 percent. The third school is none other than Washington, Falk’s week 13 opponent.

Going against a secondary loaded with NFL talent, Falk is going to have to step up in order to give his team a chance. Defensive backs Sidney Jones, Kevin King and Budda Baker won’t make it easy, but if Falk excels and leads his team to the division crown, his 2017 NFL Draft stock will soar.

Nov 5, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) sacks Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) during the fourth quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn won 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Carl Lawson (DE – Auburn) vs. Alabama

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Although he’s only a junior, Carl Lawson is a near-lock to enter the 2017 NFL Draft. Why? It’s not because he has nine sacks or 12.5 tackles for a loss through 11 games, it’s not even because he’s a projected first-round pick.

The reason why it’s assumed he’ll now enter the 2017 NFL Draft is because he was honored along with the senior class prior to last week’s homecoming game.

Lawson has had an injury-riddled college career, but his ceiling is as high as almost any edge rusher in the 2017 NFL Draft class.

Although he lines up on both the left and right sides of the defensive line, all eyes will be on him when he’s matched up against Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson. The two didn’t face each other a lot last season, but Robinson did get the best of the junior defensive end.

Lawson was credited with two QB hits in last year’s Iron Bowl, but one was a missed tackle on a play he didn’t go up against Robinson. On the other play, as seen below, Lawson runs a stunt and ends up getting a hit on the QB while Robinson lays out an Auburn defender to the inside.

If Lawson is going to be worth an early first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, he’s going to have to prove himself against NFL-ready talent. In this game, that would be Robinson.

Oct 31, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State wide receiver Travis Rudolph (15) runs a pass route against the Syracuse Orange at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Beil-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Rudolph (WR – Florida State) vs. Florida

This game used to have national championship implications on seemingly a yearly basis. This year, the Seminoles and Gators will take the field in a quest for win number nine on the season. While running back Dalvin Cook will be the focal point of the Florida defense, Travis Rudolph is the 2017 NFL Draft prospect who must step up for Florida State.

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With the Gators coming off an emotional win over LSU and already clinching a spot in the SEC title game, this could be a cake walk for the Seminoles. Florida has nothing to lose besides bragging rights. However in a rivalry game, especially one with the history this one has, neither team is going to just roll over. That’s why Florida State will need to create balance on offense.

In order for that to happen, Travis Rudolph needs to have a big game. The injury-plagued Florida defense is going to load up the box in hopes of slowing down Cook. That will allow Rudolph to go one-on-one with Teez Tabor or Quincy Wilson.

While Tabor and Wilson may both be future first-round picks, Rudolph can work his way into the second day of the draft with a solid performance.

Only a junior, Rudolph does have the option of returning to school for one more season. However, if he’s able to get the best of Florida’s dynamic duo at cornerback, his stock may be too high to not declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Sep 5, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Isaac Rochell (90) rushes the quarterback against the Texas Longhorns at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame defeats Texas 38-3. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Isaac Rochell (DE – Notre Dame) vs. USC

In week 12, UCLA defensive end Takkarist McKinley had success as a pass rusher against USC offensive tackles Chad Wheeler and Zach Banner. In week 13, Isaac Rochell will look to duplicate that success in the battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy.

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In the last six meetings, any game decided by 10 points or less has gone to the Fighting Irish. If the game was decided by more than 10 points, USC has been the victor. In order for Notre Dame to win another close game, the defensive line is going to have to pressure USC’s freshman quarterback Sam Darnold.

Notre Dame is currently ranked 114th in the FBS with just 13 sacks on the season. Despite having 10 QB hits, twice as many as anyone else on the roster, Isaac Rochell has recorded just one sack in 2016. At 290 pounds, he’s not going to be confused with a speed rusher off the edge, but he does need to be more productive.

With teammate Jarron Jones likely to see double teams throughout this game, Rochell will have an opportunity to go one-on-one against an offensive tackle.

For someone who is currently expected to be a late-round pick, Rochell can ill afford to have a clunker of a game this weekend. He must step up, not only to improve his 2017 NFL Draft stock, but to keep Notre Dame’s slim bowl hopes alive with a win to improve to 5-7.

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh prior to the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan vs. Ohio State

With a playoff spot presumably on the line, Michigan and Ohio State will battle it out in Columbus. With NFL talent all over the place, there are at least 20 players eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft who will be worth keeping an eye on.

When Michigan has the ball

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When the Wolverines are on offense, the most anticipated matchup would typically be wide receivers Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson against cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore. That’s not the case however as backup quarterback John O’Korn failed to prove he can attack downfield through the air last week against Indiana. If that’s the case again in this game, Michigan will look to keep the chains moving in other ways.

That translates to a heavy dose of De’Veon Smith running between the tackles. If he can wear down the Ohio State defense and keep J.T. Barrett and company off the field, Michigan has a good chance to come away with a victory. When the Wolverines do decide to put the ball in the hands of O’Korn, look for tight end Jake Butt to be his safety blanket.

Whether it’s Smith on the ground or Butt through the air, Ohio State inside linebacker Raekwon McMillan is the defender who must come up big. First and foremost he’ll be responsible for stopping the ground game. In passing situations, he’ll be dropping into coverage, something he has struggled with throughout his career. If he’s matched up against Butt, look for Michigan to test him. If McMillan is up for the challenge, his 2017 NFL Draft stock will skyrocket.

When Ohio State has the ball

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The last time these two teams met at Ohio Stadium, J.T. Barrett was carted off the field with a broken ankle.

This time around, the Ohio State QB is looking to carry his team to a win.

Barrett may not be in the same category as the top-rated passers eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft, but he is someone who deserves a look.

Whether that’s as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent, Barrett does have some NFL tools.

He only had to throw 15 passes in the blowout victory last season, but don’t expect a similar result this time around. Barrett’s ability to pick apart the Michigan defense could help scouts realize his next-level potential, especially if he has to throw the ball 25-30 times.

For Michigan, the defense centers around Jabrill Peppers. No surprise there as Peppers will lineup all over the place and is the best 2017 NFL Draft prospect in this game.

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Ohio State will look to avoid Peppers as much as possible, but the junior defender will still find ways to interject himself into the game.

Peppers will make an impact in some form in all three phases of the game. While he may score a touchdown or two on offense or as a returner, Peppers will have to enhance his draft stock on defense. It doesn’t matter if it is from the safety, linebacker or nickel back position, defense is where the NFL wants to see Peppers make plays.

Excelling on the big stage could be the difference between Peppers being a top five or top-10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The stage can’t get much bigger than a road game against a bitter rival like Ohio State.

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