NFL Draft 2018: Updated ranking of the top 32 draft prospects entering Week 11
Bradley Chubb
DE, NC State
After facing Notre Dame the week before, the NC State Wolfpack had to take on another potential playoff team this past week against Clemson. It meant that Bradley Chubb was going to take on more star offensive linemen.
The Wolfpack put up quite effort in the loss and Chubb had himself a day. Despite two straight losses for the team, Chubb has been productive against some of the best offensive linemen in the country.
He finished the afternoon with eight tackles and two quarterback hurries. He also had 1.5 tackles for loss. The fact that he is living in the backfield speaks to his ability as a pass rusher this season for his team.
He’s physical on the field and he loves going up against the best. That type of fire is going to serve him well come draft time. Right now, he’s showing a lot of fight for a team that has fared well with a tough schedule.
Da'Ron Payne
DL, Alabama
The LSU Tigers tried their hardest to force the running game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. To their credit, they did have 151 yards on the ground. It did however take 42 total carries as a team to get there.
When a team as talented as LSU is at running the ball pounds away for 42 times, it’s impressive that they got held to just 151. It starts up front with a mammoth defensive lineman like Da’Ron Payne.
He uses his size to his advantage and closes up any running holes in a hurry. He also can rush the passer a bit as well. He finished the day with four tackles, half of a sack and half of a tackle for a loss.
It’s been mentioned for others at their list, that a pedigree of great players at a position before for a program can help a player. Payne’s the next Alabama defensive lineman that’s going to come in with hype because of history. Thus far he’s living up to it.