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NFL Draft 2018: Top 32 draft prospects entering Week 13

By Charles Rahrig V

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 08: Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Orlando Brown (78) during the Oklahoma Sooners 45-40 victory over the Texas Longhorns in their Red River Showdown on October, 2016, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 08: Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Orlando Brown (78) during the Oklahoma Sooners 45-40 victory over the Texas Longhorns in their Red River Showdown on October, 2016, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX. (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 28: Ohio State Buckeyes corner back Denzel Ward (12) waits for the play during game action between the Penn State Nittany Lions (2) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (6) on October 28, 2017 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 28: Ohio State Buckeyes corner back Denzel Ward (12) waits for the play during game action between the Penn State Nittany Lions (2) and the Ohio State Buckeyes (6) on October 28, 2017 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
24

Marcus Allen

S, Penn State

With Penn State having one game left to go in the regular season before they learn which bowl they’ll be playing in, players like Marcus Allen are preparing for the end of their tenures with the program. Allen joined on when things were down and was a big part of the turnaround.

Now, he’ll head to the NFL Draft hoping to be a big part of a team as well. In Saturday’s game against Nebraska, the Nittany Lions raced out to a 42-10 lead at one point before the game turned into a bit of a shootout.

Allen would finish with two tackles in the 56-44 loss. His skill set at this point is widely known and it doesn’t take much to figure out exactly what he does best. He’s great at tackling in the open field.

His coverage skills are improving and that’s ultimately going to make or break him at the next level from whether he can be a superstar or not. He’ll be a very good player because he has the drive to do so, but improving against the pass will make him an all-around better player.

23

Denzel Ward

CB, Ohio State

The Thorpe award semifinalist has had a monster season for the Buckeyes. Denzel Ward has made an impact both on defense and on special teams. The play that stands out thus far this year was his huge blocked punt against Penn State.

That play alone turned the tide into allowing the Buckeyes to clinch the Big Ten East title and giving themselves a chance to win the conference and play in a major bowl game this year. Those are the plays that superstars make.

Ward has a chance to be a great defensive back at the next level, as he possesses the size and speed to shut down top receivers on the other side. This week, he has a huge battle ahead of him against Michigan.

He’ll be forced to take on Donovan Peoples-Jones. It’s going to be an excellent look at how he performs against one of the better wide receivers in the Big Ten. He’s going to need every bit of his 5’11” frame in this one.

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