Week 2 of the college football season is a wrap. Time to look at home some NFL Draft prospects fared in their second outing of the season.
The NFL Draft is now a 12-month analysis. There are mock drafts put out for the following year, the second the actual draft is wrapped up. If you’ve read 2019 mock drafts, you will likely know some of the names listed below. This will take a look at a handful of prospects who either helped or hurt their draft stock in Week 2.
5. Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma – Stock down
The Oklahoma Sooners were one of the few top teams to play an actual FBS school in their Week 2 battle against the Chip Kelly led UCLA. Quarterback Kyler Murray was coming off an eye-popping first week but the best NFL prospect on the Sooners offense is running back Rodney Anderson. The back racked up over 1000 yards through the final eight games a year ago and averaged nearly 20 yard per carry in Week 1. Unfortunately for OU, they watched their star running back go down with an apparent knee injury. There is no news yet to the severity but any loss for Anderson will obviously hurt his stock. There was a good chance that Anderson was the best running back prospect for the 2019 draft. This injury hurts the Sooners and puts a damper on Anderson’s draft stock if it’s anything serious.
4. Dominant defensive linemen – Stock up
Normally this would be a spot reserved for a single prospect. This week, however, it’s too tough to choose just one. This defensive line class is going to be special. It is headlined by Ed Oliver. The Houston defensive lineman is getting legitimate Heisman buzz. In Week 2, the Cougars defense led by the big man held a high-flying Arizona offense to just 18 points. He finished the night with only five tackles but four quarterback pressures facing constant double teams in not more than a half worth of plays.
Nick Bosa, another highly touted defensive line prospect showed more than his one sack day against Rutgers. He and the other Buckeye defensive lineman dominated the Scarlet Knights in a route. Bosa is being discussed better than his brother, Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive end Joey Bosa. That is high praise.
The Clemson defensive line features possibly three first round picks. On Saturday night against Texas A&M, Clelin Ferrell was the best of the bunch. His final stat line was impressive with two sacks, three pressures, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. In the Aggies final drive, Ferrell would not be stopped and almost brought down the quarterback on three straight plays.
Finally Jeffrey Simmons, the defensive tackle from Mississippi State, who should also hear his name called within the first 32 picks was the most eye-popping of the prospects. He was facing by far the toughest matchup in Kansas State. The Wildcats have at least three NFL prospects on their offensive line themselves. It did not matter for Simmons. He lived in the backfield, including registering two tackles for loss. His teammate Montez Sweat was solid as well and is a prospect to keep your eyes on.
3. Buffalo Offense?!? – Stock up
The Buffalo Bulls have at least two NFL players on their offense. Quarterback Tyree Jackson and wide receiver Anthony Johnson are going to be interesting storylines throughout the draft prospect. Jackson is a big quarterback with a strong arm and touch that is opening eyes of the draft community. Johnson is likely to be a day two or three prospects but coming from Buffalo that is impressive. Jackson’s top target is a sure-handed physical receiver who was open often. Both players were strong in Buffalo’s win over Temple in Week 2. The small school duo will only get better as the season progresses and could be sneaky names to listen for in the 2019 NFL Draft.
2. South Carolina Receivers Up & Down
The South Carolina Gamecocks have two extremely talented wide receivers in Deebo Samuel and Bryan Edwards. The former in Samuel is the higher viewed prospect, after an impressive 2018 season. However, against Georgia, he looked pedestrian. The Bulldogs feature talent all over the field but Samuel should be the highest drafted player between the wide receivers and corners. He was routinely bodied by the Georgia corners and was unable to respond. Instead, it was teammate Bryan Edwards who was the best performer of the night. Edwards had seven catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. That could be contributed to the attention Samuel gets but Edwards is a strong prospect in his own right.
1. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri – Stock up
There is no sure-fire first quarterback in this 2019 group. It will take all the way until April for the NFL to decide which of the group is the best. An early season leader in the clubhouse is Missouri’s, Drew Lock. The Tigers’ signal-caller looked the part in his Week 2 game against Wyoming. While that is not the SEC defenses he will face the rest of the way, they are not some FCS school to bully on. Lock’s stat line was video game like with 398 passing yards and 51 rushing yards. He accounted for all five of the Tigers’ touchdowns. He showed the lively arm and ability to move that had him towards the top of 2019 mock drafts entering the season. His schedule will toughen but Lock looks to be making strides early in the new season.