National Football League

2017 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 8

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:52 p.m. ET

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Oct 17, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) encourages the fans to make more noise during the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The college football regular season is past the halfway point and the playoff picture is starting to come together. Also taking shape are 2017 NFL Draft boards. As the season winds down, there aren’t many opportunities left for those who plan on declaring to improve their film score.

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With the games that do remain, all prospects need to finish the season strong to generate momentum into the offseason. In some situations, as is the case with the prospects included in this list, some of the best opportunities to improve their stock will occur this weekend.

Whether it’s a battle between two of the best at their position in the trenches, a late-round prospect trying to secure their place in the draft or underclassmen trying to decide whether or not to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, these are the prospects who must step up in week eight of the college football season.

Sep 24, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) in game action against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium. Texas A&M won 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Robinson (OT – Alabama) and Myles Garrett (DE – Texas A&M)

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Not only does this game feature two teams with a combined record of 13-0, but Cam Robinson versus Myles Garrett could very well be the best one-on-one matchup of the entire season.

The SEC West is on the line in Tuscaloosa as these two heavyweights clash.

As important as this contest is for the two schools, NFL scouts will be focusing in on the battle in the trenches between Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson and Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett. Both are expected to be the first player chosen in the 2017 NFL Draft at their respective positions. This will be the toughest test of the season, and possibly college career, for each player.

Neither player should significantly fall in the draft if they struggle, however there could be some shuffling among the top five or ten picks based on the outcome of this matchup.

This test will provide a good indication of how ready these players are for the NFL.

Sep 10, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs wide receiver Courtland Sutton (16) tries to make a one handed catch as Baylor Bears cornerback Verkedric Vaughns (27) defends during the second half at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat the Mustangs 40-13. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Courtland Sutton (WR – SMU) vs. Houston

Courtland Sutton is a talented wide receiver who has been under-the-radar much of the season, however that has more to do with only being a redshirt sophomore and playing for a school that hasn’t been competitive since the mid-1980’s.

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Sutton is by far the best prospect on a bad team. After breaking many of the school’s freshman receiving records set by Emmanuel Sanders, Sutton is at it again this season. Through six games, he’s caught 30 passes for 590 yards and four touchdowns. His numbers aren’t astronomical, but considering how much attention he receives from opposing secondaries, he’s having a very solid season.

He surpassed 100 yards receiving against power five schools Baylor and TCU this season, although Big 12 defenses are far from NFL-caliber. This weekend Sutton and the Mustangs take on Houston, the top defensive unit SMU will face this season. If Sutton is thinking about entering the 2017 NFL Draft, he must perform at an extremely high level against the Cougars.

Oct 3, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive end Dawuane Smoot (91) sacks Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) at Memorial Stadium. The Fighting Illini won 14 – 13. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports

Dawuane Smoot (DE – Illinois) vs. Michigan

Head coach Lovie Smith clearly needs time to make Illinois competitive in the Big Ten, however this can’t be the start he was hoping for.

His team is 2-4 overall and currently tied for last in the Big Ten West. One bright spot has been the play of the defense, specifically defensive end Dawuane Smoot.

Smoot enters this weekend’s contest against Michigan as the Big Ten’s leader in tackles for a loss per game in conference play. He’s not a typical edge rusher who attacks the quarterback every play, he’s very disciplined and has been more productive against the run than the pass.

Smoot is the top prospect from Illinois and can enhance his stock with a solid outing against the Wolverines.

With a good finish to the season, he could find himself in the first-round discussion by the time the 2017 NFL Draft rolls around.

Oct 24, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Leonard Fournette (RB – LSU) vs. Ole Miss

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Welcome back Leonard Fournette. The star running back and one of the preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy hasn’t played in four weeks. His last action was against Auburn, the last game coached by Les Miles. Ed Orgeron is the new head coach and he hasn’t been shy about running the football.

In each of the three games Fournette has played in this season, he’s rushed for over 100 yards. This weekend, he takes on an Ole Miss team in which he’s averaging 167 total yards against in his career. If he can put up similar numbers this weekend coming off an ankle injury, his stock will only go up.

As far as the 2017 NFL Draft goes, Fournette’s ankle injury may be a blessing in disguise. He’ll now have less wear on his tires when he enters the NFL, something that has been a concern for several backs over the past few years. Fournette is the best running back prospect in college football, and as long as he’s not flagged during medical checks at the Combine, he’ll be a top-10 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Sep 17, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) dives for but cannot make an interception past Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver A.D. Miller (13) during the second half at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore (CBs – Ohio State) vs. Penn State

Besides the season finale against Michigan, the toughest matchup for Ohio State cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore will be this weekend against Penn State.

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Wide receivers Chris Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton are both future NFL picks and will test the Ohio State secondary.

Conley and Lattimore have played extremely well this season and are both flying up the 2017 NFL Draft board. Conley is a junior and Lattimore only a sophomore, however both are expected to be off the board by the end of day two if they both declare for the draft. Lattimore is rated as a slightly better prospect, however it’s very close.

Both cornerbacks are listed at 6-feet, with Conley weighing 195 pounds compared to Lattimore at 192. Conley is better with the ball in the air, however Lattimore is a surer tackler. As long as the two defenders can stay on the field, opponents are going to have a tough time moving the ball through the air.

The Buckeyes lost Eli Apple to the NFL after his sophomore season and the school could lose even more third-year sophomores to the draft after this season. Lattimore, safety Malik Hooker and defensive end Sam Hubbard are all sophomores who have to at least be considering entering the 2017 NFL Draft.

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