NFL Draft 2018: Updated ranking of the top 32 draft prospects entering Week 12
Kendall Joseph
LB, Clemson
The Clemson Tigers are back in a favorable spot at the No. 2 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings. Last week, they dismantled a Florida State team and they continue to set themselves up for a showdown with the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC Championship.
In the win against Florida State, they were without star linebacker Kendall Joseph. The Tigers are battling the injury bug right now and getting guys healthy is going to be the most important thing for them.
If they’re going to make a run at defending their National Championship again, they have to get Joseph and others healthy. When he’s out on the field, he’s nothing short of dynamic and is making plays everywhere.
With the Tigers playing Citadel this week, it could be another week to get him some rest while the team battles a smaller opponent. Then having him for the final two games before a potential College Football Playoff would be ideal.
Arden Key
EDGE, LSU
The LSU Tigers have found their groove this season. If not for a slow start, they would be in a much different conversation right now. The same can be said about EDGE defender Arden Key this year.
It has been mentioned time and time again how injuries and missing the beginning of the year left a void in the LSU defense. Since then however, he’s really began to pick it up and so has the Tigers’ defense.
This past week against Arkansas was a quiet one stats wise for him, as he finished with three tackles. Him playing at a high level again however, forces the opponent to lock in on him and that allows other guys their chance to get to the quarterback.
He’s one of the top pass rushers going into this draft and he’s going to come off the board healthy. His resurgence has carried him a long way on the year and a strong finish to the season would do him wonders.