NFL Draft 2018: Updated ranking of the top 32 draft prospects entering Week 8
Did the most chaotic week in college football have an impact on the top 32 draft prospects heading into Week 8?
Friday the 13th and Saturday the 14th made sure to change the college football landscape as we know it. Two teams in the top five and four teams in the top 10 overall managed to lose and change the rankings completely.
Of course, that means that several players in the top 32 either had an impact in those upsets or disappeared completely. As the season continues forward in conference play, divisions and awards are closer to being decided.
Draft stock of course is fluid and will continue to take shape with each passing week. Some players that were falling had bounce back weeks while others in need of big weeks were nowhere to be seen. Here’s the top 32 draft prospects entering Week 8.
Denzel Ward
CB, Ohio State
A lot of schools claim to be “DB U” and the Ohio State Buckeyes have an argument to make as well. With seemingly endless defensive back talent coming out of the program, Denzel Ward is the latest to jump up draft boards.
The 5’11” 185 lb cornerback has tremendous athletic ability and will be pushing his draft stock up the board as the season continues. This past week, the Buckeyes’ defense shut down Nebraska across the board.
It was the first game back for Ward after his controversial ejection the week before for targeting. This week, he had a pretty up and down week. While he flashed on some plays and showed off his ability, he also lost one as well.
After the Buckeyes clearly had the game in hand, Ward tried to win a jump ball with Stanley Morgan of Nebraska in the end zone. Instead, he mistimed the whole sequence and it allowed the latter to pick up the touchdown. However, that’s something he can continue to improve in terms of spotting and locating the ball.
Dorance Armstrong
DE, Kansas
The Kansas Jayhawks might be struggling yet again but Dorance Armstrong has been a machine for them. The pass rusher has been more than just that and his season continues to take off with each game.
After nine tackles in his previous game, Armstrong was back at it again against Iowa State with a half of a sack, two passes defensed and a quarterback hurry. He also finished the night with four tackles and was a presence.
While his team lost 45-0 and looked abysmal, he stood out in a game. It’s not easy for a player to stand out when their team is getting absolutely crushed but Armstrong continues to do that for his program.
With pass rushing at a premium in the NFL, he really has a chance to elevate his stock and perhaps overtake some of the other players at his position as the season continues. Right now though, he’s in the zone.