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NFL Draft: Week 1 stock up, stock down

By Joe Romano

PALO ALTO, CA - AUGUST 31: Stanford Cardinals wide receiver Jj Arcega-Whiteside (19) looks back for a pass overthrown during the game between San Diego State Aztecs and the Stanford Cardinals on Friday, August 31, 2018 at Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - AUGUST 31: Stanford Cardinals wide receiver Jj Arcega-Whiteside (19) looks back for a pass overthrown during the game between San Diego State Aztecs and the Stanford Cardinals on Friday, August 31, 2018 at Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 03: Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles throws a pass in the first quarter of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 3, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 03: Deondre Francois #12 of the Florida State Seminoles throws a pass in the first quarter of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 3, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

4. Deondre Francois, QB, Florida State

The start of the 2018 season was not as bad as the start of the 2017 season for Florida State Seminoles quaterback Deondre Francois. A season ago he left the team’s opening game with a devastating knee injury that cost him the remainder of the season. With a new coach, a new offense and loads of talent flanking him, Francois was receiving a lot of draft buzz.

Monday night’s game against Virginia Tech did not help his case. Admittedly it seemed like Francois was not one of the even top three reasons the team struggled, but he did not help. Behind a patch work offensive line, he struggled to get going. This is going to be his biggest problem all season. He will need to show special ability to escape pressure if he is going to want to showcase his deep ball. The Hokies defensive line was seemingly in the backfield before he finished his drop.

Francois’ arm talent was apparent when he had time. His offensive coaches did not do him any favors either. Their up tempo style, and inability to adjust to an attacking Virginia Tech defense led him to force plays and frequent three-and-outs. His final stat line looks like someone who was put in tough spots and tried to make plays. Francois finished 22-for-35 for 233 yards and three interceptions. The interceptions are troubling but he is a gambler who understands he has special arm talent.

Florida State will need a Superman version of their starting quarterback. Luckily they have two five-star running backs and loads of talent at wide receiver. Against teams that do not boast the up front talent as the Hokies, we should see more stock rising of Francois than falling.

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