Top Prospects Key Weekend Matchups: Week 5

Each Saturday NFL Mocks will release an article discussing the top prospect match-ups of the weekend.   We hope to show you what match-ups you should keep an eye on and what would help or hurt that prospects stock.  We encourage you to take a look at these match-ups and watch closely on Saturday to see who comes out on top.  We will discuss the results of those match-ups on Sunday.

Game: Florida State vs Virginia

Where to Watch: Saturday, October 2nd 12:00pm Local

Prospects: #7 QB Christian Ponder (FSU) vs #19 CB Ras-I Dowling (Virginia)

Thoughts: This isn’t too much of a head to head match-up because Ponder can just totally avoid Dowling’s side of the field but that alone could have an impact on the game.  Both players are in a heavy battle to increase their draft stock among the other players at their positions.  Quarterback and cornerback are both very deep positions and how teams compare you to the other players at the position could mean the difference between a 1st and 2nd round pick.

How they raise their Stock:  Dowling could really dictate where Ponder goes with the ball if he totally shuts down his side of the field.  Dowling needs to stay focused and avoid mental lapses because Ponder will take advantage.  Ponder needs to just be efficient and not think to much about Dowling.  When he gets to the NFL he will have to worry about a lot of players that are more talented than Dowling.  It would also be nice to see Ponder challenge Dowling a little.

Game: #21 Texas vs #8 Oklahoma

Where to Watch: Saturday, October 2nd 3:30pm ABC

Prospects: #3 CB Curtis Brown (Texas) and #4 CB Aaron Williams (Texas) vs #85 Ryan Broles (Okla.)

Thoughts: The Red River Rivalry is a great game every year and this year shouldn’t be much different.  I really like the match-up of the too very good Texas corners against Ryan Broles of Oklahoma.  Broles has emerged as Landry Jones’ go to guy so he is going to be targeted a lot and it will be up to Brown and Williams to shut him down.  If Broles can be neutralized that would free some defenders to move up into the box to help stop DeMarco Murray.  This is not only a good match-up but it could very well be the key to the game!

How they raise their Stock:  Broles is a deep threat wide out but he needs to show that he can make plays underneath as well. There are questions about Broles’ route running ability as is always a concern with receivers out of a spread offense.  If Broles is hoping to have an impact he is going to have to run clean routes to shake Brown and Williams.  Its simple for Brown and Williams they need to shut down Broles and not let him get deep.

Game: #7 Florida vs #1 Alabama

Where to Watch: Saturday, October 2nd 8:00pm CBS

Prospects: #1 CB Janoris Jenkins (Fla.) vs #8 WR Julio Jones (Ala.)

Thoughts: This is an excellent match-up of two experienced and highly talented players.  Jenkins and Jones are both on our Big Board and trust me their performances will be highly scrutinized.  Both players have received significant playing time since early in their careers and those games have come in high pressure situations.  While Jones might be the more recognizable name Jenkins has emerged this season as a major playmaker.

How they raise their Stock:  Right now the knock on Jenkins is that he can be overpowered by bigger stronger wide receivers and well that’s exactly what Jones is.  Jones uses his body and strength to get good position on the ball and is rarely beat in jump ball situations.  If Jenkins can show he can be physical enough and properly defend Jones in those situations it would go a long way.  If you look across the NFL you will see a trend of teams using bigger wide outs so Jenkins will have to prove he can handle himself against that competition.  For Jones he just needs to remain focused and not drop any balls.  Also doing what he is capable of would solidify his draft position, he needs to not let Jenkins shut him down, its as simple as that.  If Jones has a game with about 6 catches for 80 yards and a redzone TD he will set himself up nicely going forward.