National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Week 3 Prospect Stock Report

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:07 a.m. ET

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Sep 17, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

After a lackluster Week 2 which featured many of the top teams in the country beating up on inferior opponents, the third week of the season brought back the excitement felt during opening weekend. While many of the top showdowns weren’t as close as expected, there were plenty of games that did come down to the wire. In both cases, prospects for the 2017 NFL Draft made their presence felt.

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Three weeks into the season, NFL teams are starting to get a full understanding of what a prospect (at least the senior class) can and can’t do on the field. There are about two months left in the 2016 regular season and limited opportunities to improve a film grade. At least until the postseason all-star events and Scouting Combine, there won’t be that many players who will significantly alter their grades.

With conference play about to kick into full swing, teams and prospects will look to carry momentum into this portion of the schedule. Here’s a look at which 2017 NFL Draft prospects are doing exactly that, as well as those who need to get back on track after Week 3.

Sep 17, 2016; Boone, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (15) drops back to pass in the third quarter against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Offense

Brad Kaaya/Stacy Coley (QB/WR – Miami): Through the first two games of the season, Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya and wide receiver Stacy Coley struggled to get on the same page. The deep-threat combination didn’t gain more than 13 yards on a single play until this past weekend’s contest against Appalachian State.

While the Mountaineers completely shutdown the deep ball against Tennessee, Kaaya and the Hurricanes exposed the secondary with multiple shots downfield. Ahmmon Richards was on the receiving end of multiple deep balls, and Coley added a 55-yard touchdown of his own.

For the game, Kaaya completed 21-of-27 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Coley meanwhile grabbed five receptions for 85 yards and two scores. The two appear to finally be in sync, which couldn’t come at a better time for the Hurricanes. Miami’s next game is their ACC opener against Georgia Tech, followed by a showdown with Florida State on October 8.

With the way NFL decision-makers value the QB position, Kaaya is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Coley is in the running to be selected among the first 100 picks.

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Damore’ea Stringfellow (WR – Ole Miss): Alabama may have won the game, but no prospect for the Crimson Tide helped their draft stock more than Ole Miss wide receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow. The junior wideout caught four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown while dominating Alabama’s top cover corner.

Stringfellow used his size and speed to win the battle with Humphrey throughout the game. As you can see in the play below, Stringfellow almost immediately gains inside position against Humphrey and uses very good body control to box him out and win the jump ball from QB Chad Kelly.

The Ole Miss WR was targeted four times and caught three passes for 82 yards when matched up against potentially the first CB selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Stringfellow is listed at 6-foot-2, 219 pounds, which is the same height and only two pounds lighter than former teammate and 2016 first-round pick Laquon Treadwell. Stringfellow may not be selected as early as Treadwell, however he’s soaring up the boards and will be in the day-two conversation.

King Frazier (RB – North Dakota State): A former Big Ten running back at Nebraska, King Frazier helped lead North Dakota State to a win over the defending Big Ten West champion Iowa Hawkeyes.

Frazier punished the Iowa defense, gaining 99 yards and a touchdown on just 16 carries in the game. The Hawkeyes are one of the more physical defenses in the nation, however Frazier beat them at their own game. All but 10 of his rushing yards came on runs between the tackles.

Frazier gained 1,158 yards on the ground last season and certainly caught the attention of scouts who were studying Carson Wentz. At 5-foot-10 and 218 pounds, he’s not a back who’s going to outrun defensive backs. He is however a solid change-of-pace RB who should be available in the later rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Nov 29, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive linesmen Malik McDowell (4) during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Michigan State defeated Penn State 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

Stock Up: Defense

Malik McDowell (DL – Michigan State): Malik McDowell needed a good game to help the Spartans defeat Notre Dame, and the projected first-round pick delivered. Whether he was lining up at nose tackle or defensive end, McDowell caused problems for the Fighting Irish offense all game long.

Lining up all over the defensive line, McDowell helped stuff the Notre Dame rushing attack. The Irish gained just 57 yards on 25 attempts on the ground. Here’s an example of McDowell creating havoc in the backfield against the run.

When DeShone Kizer dropped back to pass, McDowell was in his face forcing errant throws. Even against the highly-sought of left tackle Mike McGlinchey, McDowell was able to get around the edge.

Without Shilique Calhoun in the lineup, Michigan State has relied on McDowell to slow both the opponent’s rushing and passing attacks. So far, McDowell has answered the call and played his way into the top half of the first round.

Devonte Fields (OLB – Louisville): Like McDowell, Devonte Fields had a profound impact on one of the top games of the week. His contributions for Louisville helped the Cardinal knock off the second-ranked Florida State Seminoles.

Another aspect of his performance that was similar to McDowell’s was his solid play against one of the top left tackles in the nation. Florida State’s Roderick Johnson didn’t have an answer for Fields, who beat him inside and around the edge in Louisville’s blowout win.

Fields may not be putting up the astronomical sack numbers he did at the end of last season, however he does have two through three games; one coming against Florida State.

His off-field issues may cause his stock to drop, however Fields is a top-50 talent for the 2017 NFL Draft. Whether he’s selected that early will be based off his interviews with NFL teams, as well as his play down the stretch.

Jabrill Peppers (ATH – Michigan): If a defensive player is going to win the Heisman Trophy this season, it’s going to be Jabrill Peppers. Like Charles Woodson, the last defender to win the award, Peppers is an electrifying return man in addition to his stellar play on defense.

Against Colorado, Peppers accumulated 204 all-purpose yards as a returner and running back. On defense, he recorded nine tackles, 3.5 for a loss and a sack. If he continues his torrid pace, Peppers will join Louisville’s Lamar Jackson and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford as Heisman favorites.

While Peppers is a virtual lock to be a top-15 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, his eventual position at the next level is still to be determined. His best position appears to be as a hybrid safety/linebacker, but he’s been all over the field for the Wolverines.

Peppers has lined up in every linebacker and defensive back role on defense. Regardless of where he lines up, Peppers has been a solid contributor and finds a way to make plays despite the opponent’s attempts to keep the ball away from him.

Jonathan Allen (DE – Alabama): Allowing 43 points certainly wasn’t the plan for the Alabama defense against Ole Miss, however that side of the ball played just well enough to win the game. While there were a few prospects for the Crimson Tide who struggled, Jonathan Allen was not one of them.

Allen very likely would have been a first-round pick had he declared for last year’s draft, however he’s working his way up the board even more as the 2017 NFL Draft approaches. His performance against the Rebels is one that certainly won’t be forgotten in NFL circles.

The senior defensive end led the way with seven pressures for Alabama in addition to his four tackles. The play he’ll be known for however was a 75-yard fumble return for a touchdown which gave Alabama a three possession lead in the fourth quarter.

Allen had little to gain and a lot to lose by staying in school for another season, however through three games, he’s improved his stock for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Oct 3, 2015; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman Roderick Johnson (77) lines up during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB&T Field. Florida State defeated Wake Forest 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Offense

Roderick Johnson (OT – Florida State): The downfall of Roderick Johnson’s 2017 NFL Draft stock continues. After the offseason arrest of Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson, Johnson had an opportunity to take over as the top offensive tackle on the board. Instead, his stock is plummeting and we’re only three games into the season.

In 2015, Johnson had a 95.9 percent success rate in pass protection. Through the first two games of 2016, his success rate was only 92.2 percent. It only got worse this past weekend as Johnson and the entire offensive line struggled against the Louisville pass rush.

Devonte Fields made it look too easy in the play below as he fakes outside before making his move inside to beat Johnson and force a poor throw.

In addition to his struggles in pass protection, Johnson also picked up a holding penalty on a run play. His struggles this season have opened the door for a few other tackles to pass him on the draft board, however Johnson still has the potential to be a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Baker Mayfield (QB – Oklahoma): Baker Mayfield blamed himself for the loss against Ohio State, and rightfully so. While his statistics against the Buckeyes are marginal at best, it’s the film that is the most worrisome.

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One of the biggest knocks on Mayfield entering the season was his below average arm strength. While he may be able to get away with it against the non-existent pass defenses in the Big 12, Ohio State is another story. On passes thrown to the outside, Mayfield was 8-for-18 with an interception. Even on the passes he did complete, his lack of velocity on the ball allowed the Ohio State defenders to close on the receiver and limit yards after the catch.

Mayfield struggled in just about every facet of the game against the Buckeyes, but it’s the arm strength that will drop him in the draft. He was given an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA, so he may not even add his name to the 2017 NFL Draft.

Dakota Prukop (QB – Oregon): Following in the footsteps of Marcus Mariota and Vernon Adams wasn’t going to be easy for Dakota Prukop. The expectations remained high however, but unfortunately for the Oregon Ducks, Prukop has failed to live up to the hype.

In his first road game at the FBS level, Prukop looked out of his element. This is nothing new, as the former Montana State QB is now 3-8 in his career on the road. This was even more apparent on third down when the Nebraska crowd turned up the volume. The Oregon QB converted just one of his four third down throws into a first down.

The final drive of the game was another example of Prukop proving he’s not ready for the big stage. After a penalty and two incomplete passes, the Ducks faced a third-and-20 with about a minute left in the game. Prukop fumbled the ball on third down, and followed that up by trying to run for the first down on fourth-and-18 rather than throwing it up for one of his receivers.

With his Pac-12 career beginning this weekend, Prukop needs to improve the mental aspect of his game if the Ducks have any chance to compete for a division title.

Nov 14, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) intercepts a pass during the game against Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. The Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 31-6. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Defense

Marlon Humphrey (CB – Alabama): Marlon Humphrey may end up being the first or second cornerback selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, however his performance against Ole Miss is one he’d like to forget. The Rebels weren’t afraid to target Humphrey and his inability to shutdown taller receivers will be a concern moving forward.

Humphrey was in coverage against Damore’ea Stringfellow for much of the game, however he was also matched up against A.J. Brown late in the game when Brown caught a 37-yard touchdown pass on a jump ball in the endzone.

Alabama lists Humphrey at 6-foot-1, so he’s not undersized. The issue is his body position as he’s being boxed out by more physical receivers. How opposing offenses with receivers comparable to those of Ole Miss from a size and speed standpoint (there aren’t many) attack Humphrey the rest of the season will be worth watching.

Charles Walker (DT – Oklahoma): Oklahoma lost Eric Striker and Charles Tapper to the NFL after last season, but defensive tackle Charles Walker has disappeared as well. The school’s top defensive lineman has failed to make an impact through three games in 2016.

Against the solid offensive line of Ohio State, Walker manged just a single tackle in the game. That brings his total for the season up to five through three games. That’s well off the pace from a year ago when he recorded 36 tackles and six sacks despite not starting a single game.

In his first season as a starter, Walker was expected to improve upon his numbers from a year ago and be a force against both the run and the pass. Instead, he’s been a non-factor and has seen his 2017 NFL Draft stock drop dramatically.

Cameron Sutton (CB – Tennessee): After an inconsistent start to the season, Tennessee cornerback Cameron Sutton may not have another chance to improve his stock on the field.

Sutton suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of the win over Ohio and did not return. After the game, head coach Butch Jones announced that Sutton would miss “an extended period of time.” Sutton would later be diagnosed with a fractured ankle.

The injury is not only unfortunate for his 2017 NFL Draft stock, but for the Volunteers season. The school is not very deep in the secondary and had to replace Sutton with a true freshman.

While there’s a chance Sutton could return this season, he’s going to miss the majority of Tennessee’s SEC schedule.

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