National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: Week 4 Prospect Stock Report

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:18 p.m. ET

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Sep 24, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) walks of the field after a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

The first month of the college football season is now in the rear view mirror as week four has come to a close. With new tape to study, there’s been a few shakeups not only in the polls, but on 2017 NFL Draft boards as well.

Four games may not seem like a lot, but it’s enough where a prospect’s stock can be significantly affected, depending on the level of competition. For those who have excelled, they will look to carry that momentum throughout the season. On the other hand, the prospects who have started poorly must get back on track quickly to avoid freefalling down the board.

As FBS teams fight for 10 conference titles, prospects eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft will be looking to work their way up the draft board. Here’s a look at who did just that, as well as those who went the other direction in week four.

Sep 24, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) runs the ball against the Florida Gators during the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Offense

Joshua Dobbs (QB – Tennessee): The Volunteers may be 4-0 on the season, but quarterback Joshua Dobbs got off to a very slow start. After a near disaster finish against Appalachian State, Dobbs began to slowly work his way back to his 2015 form. He finally looked like his old self this past weekend against Florida.

The game didn’t start out on a positive note for Dobbs or Tennessee, as the Volunteers found themselves trailing 21-3 four plays into the second half. Dobbs had thrown two interceptions at this point and it appeared as though the Gators would extend their win streak in the rivalry to 12 games.

After throwing an interception on Tennessee’s first drive of the third quarter, Dobbs finished the game completing eight of his final 10 passes, four of which resulted in touchdowns. He finally played like the dual-threat QB he is and kept the Gators defense off balance.

Dobbs isn’t a lock to be selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but if he can continue to have success through the air, as well as on the ground, he’ll be an intriguing pickup in the later rounds.

Dalvin Cook (RB – Florida State): Over his previous four games, Dalvin Cook averaged a mere 65 yards per game and failed to eclipse the century mark. He broke out in a big way in week four, rushing for a career-high 267 yards in a win over South Florida.

It didn’t take long for Cook to make an impact as he took his first carry of the game 75 yards for a score. He followed that up with another touchdown run on the very next drive and amassed 142 total yards by the end of the first quarter.

Cook hasn’t performed like a first-round pick this season, but he’ll have plenty of opportunities to boost his 2017 NFL Draft stock against ACC defenses.

Evan Engram (TE – Ole Miss): Last week it was Ole Miss wide receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow who landed on this list. This week, it’s tight end Evan Engram. The future NFL pass catcher recorded six receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown in a win over Georgia.

While the Georgia defense played uninspiring defense the entire game, Engram still stood out as someone who has a bright future at the next level. He showed off impressive hands, catch radius and an ability to find the seam versus Georgia’s zone defense.

Engram has the ability to lineup next to the offensive tackle, or spread out wide as a flanker or split end. He’ll face tough competition from the likes of O.J. Howard (Alabama) and Jake Butt (Michigan) among others, but Engram’s play warrants being the first tight end off the board in the 2017 NFL Draft. His size (6-foot-3, 227 pounds) however, could cause him to slide.

Mitch Trubisky (QB – North Carolina): There was a ton of buzz around Mitch Trubisky entering the season as he is regarded as a better NFL prospect than QB Marquise Williams, who led the Tar Heels for the past three seasons. A lot of the buzz went away after North Carolina lost the season opener to Georgia, but Trubisky finally showed off his potential in a comeback win against Pittsburgh.

On the final drive of the game, with North Carolina trailing by six, Trubisky led his team on a 17-play drive for the win. Trubisky converted three fourth downs through the air before finishing the drive with a two-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left.

On the day, Trubisky threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns. For the season, he’s thrown 10 touchdown passes and has yet to turn the ball over. He’s displayed very good command of the offense for someone who has only made four career starts. He’s a redshirt junior so he could wait until 2018, however it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Trubisky enter his name into the 2017 NFL Draft if he can continue to progress at a rapid rate.

Sep 24, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears defensive back Travon Blanchard (48) forces the fumble on Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Justice Hill (27) during the second half at McLane Stadium. Baylor won 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Up: Defense

Travon Blanchard (NB – Baylor): Travon Blanchard is only a junior, but don’t be surprised if he enters the 2017 NFL Draft if he has more games like the one he just had against Oklahoma State. Blanchard was all over the field and created havoc both against the run and the pass.

Blanchard plays the “Bear” position for the Baylor defense, which is the team’s version of a hybrid linebacker/safety. Whether it was downfield defending a pass, or in the backfield, Blanchard made an impact on numerous plays throughout the game. He finished with 11 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Derek Barnett (DE – Tennessee): Like Joshua Dobbs on the offensive side of the ball, Derek Barnett carried the Tennessee defense with a strong second half against Florida.

Barnett finished the game with five tackles and two sacks. Both sacks occurred on third down in the second half. All three of his tackles for loss also occurred in the second half.

Barnett was nearly unstoppable after halftime as his motor was non-stop and he was able to win with both speed and power. His performance didn’t go unnoticed as he was named SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week. He’ll also receive a boost to his 2017 NFL Draft stock.

Armani Watts (FS – Texas A&M): Texas A&M defeated Arkansas by 21 points this past weekend, but the game would have been much closer if not for Texas A&M safety Armani Watts. The junior had a tremendous game, especially when the Razorbacks approached the endzone.

Watts led the Aggies with nine tackles in the game, but it was two specific plays that prevented Arkansas from scoring 14 points. With Arkansas up three and about to take a two possession lead, Watts stripped running back Rawleigh Williams at the one-yard line. Later, with the game tied at 17, Arkansas had the ball again at the one and Watts stopped RB Keon Hatcher in the backfield for a five-yard loss on fourth-and-goal.

Watts is only a junior and is eligible to return to College Station next season, but he’ll be an interesting prospect to watch as Texas A&M continues play in the SEC.

Sep 24, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Nick Chubb (27) runs the ball during the second quarter of the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Offense

Nick Chubb (RB – Georgia): Nick Chubb was very impressive in his return from a gruesome knee injury sustained last season. It appeared as though he was back to full strength and able to handle the role as the workhorse running back. However his strong start came to a screeching halt in Georgia’s loss to Ole Miss.

Not only did the Bulldogs dig themselves an early 17-0 hole, but Chubb was ineffective when he was given an opportunity to run. He carried the ball 12 times for just 57 yards. That wasn’t even the worst part of Chubb’s day. An ankle injury sustained in the first half ended his day early.

Georgia has listed his injury as a sprained ankle, however the severity is unknown. His status for this Saturday’s contest against Tennessee, the school he suffered his season-ending knee injury against last season, won’t be decided until later in the week.

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Davis Webb (QB – California): Much like Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech, Davis Webb was projected to throw for nearly 500 yards against the Arizona State defense. While he nearly reached that total, it was two key interceptions late in the game that sealed the win for the Sun Devils.

After a fourth-quarter touchdown pass gave California a seven-point lead, Arizona State rattled off 17 consecutive points thanks to two Davis Webb interceptions. Webb would then go on to fumble the ball following a sack on the Golden Bears final possession.

Webb was ranked by some as the number one senior QB for the 2017 NFL Draft entering the season. While that likely had more to do with projecting his success in a system that landed Jared Goff at the top of the 2016 draft, Webb is not even a lock to be drafted. He has a lot to work on and needs to improve quickly to avoid being an undrafted free agent.

Chris Godwin/DaeSean Hamilton (WR – Penn State): Penn State has two draftable wide receiver prospects on the roster, however neither showed up to play against Michigan. The Wolverines have arguably the best secondary in the Big Ten and it showed as Penn State’s passing game was completely shutdown.

Chris Godwin and DaeSean Hamilton combined to catch two passes for 19 yards. Both of those receptions came in the fourth quarter when the game was already decided. Prior to this game, the pair had caught at least nine combined passes in each of the Nittany Lions first three games.

Michigan cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis and Channing Stribling deserve a lot of credit for shutting down the Penn State receivers, but Godwin and Hamilton must do a better job of creating separation quickly and giving their quarterback a window to throw the football.

Nov 22, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Demetrious Cox (7) reacts to a play during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Stock Down: Defense

Demetrious Cox (FS – Michigan State): Simply put, the game against Wisconsin was a disaster for Demetrious Cox. Not only did his team lose 30-6, but his individual performance is one that could prevent him from being selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Cox had his name called for the wrong reason several times against Wisconsin as he continuously failed to make a play. On a critical third down when the game was still close, Cox was beaten by a tight end for a big gain. The very next play, he failed to wrap up on a wide receiver screen. On a third play, he gave up inside position to a receiver over the middle for a touchdown.

Cox is a fringe draft pick at this point and this game could have teams pass him up for another prospect in the late rounds. Wisconsin is far from the top passing team in the Big Ten, so Cox could be in for a long season.

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Jarron Jones (DT – Notre Dame): A torn MCL cost Jarron Jones the entire regular season in 2015, and he has yet to return at a high level this season.

He did record a season-high seven tackles against Duke, but struggled to shed blocks throughout the game. On several occasions, it looked as if Jones simply took the play off.

It took until the fourth game of the season, but the Notre Dame defense finally recorded their first sack of the season. While it’s not the responsibility of the nose tackle to generate sacks, the inability of Jones to eat up blocks and free up the edge rushers has been an issue all season. Until Jones can plug gaps and collapse the pocket, his 2017 NFL Draft stock will continue to slide.

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