NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up In Week 2

Oct 12, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (74) celebrates the win after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Not only is college football back, but the NFL has returned as well. One game this weekend will feature the first two picks of the 2015 NFL Draft as Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans. While we are still more than seven months away from finding out who the first two picks of the 2016 draft will be, there are several important matchups for prospects vying for those top spots. Here are just some of the prospects who need to step up in Week 2.

Jack Conklin (OT – Michigan State) vs. Oregon

In the most anticipated matchup of the week, Michigan State hosts Oregon. The Ducks won this game last year, but it was much closer than the 46-27 final score would indicate. As was the case in that contest, the quarterbacks are the headliners. While Connor Cook and Vernon Adams must play well for their schools to have a chance, the player who must step up is Spartans’ left tackle Jack Conklin.

Conklin, a junior, is on his way to being a first-round pick if he declares for the 2016 draft. His biggest test this season will come against Ohio State’s Joey Bosa, but his matchup this week with DeForest Buckner could decide the outcome of the game.

In the Ducks win a year ago, Buckner and Arik Armstead, who is now with the San Francisco 49ers, consistently applied pressure in the backfield and combined for 12 tackles. One of Connor Cook’s biggest weaknesses is his ability to throw from outside the pocket. If Michigan State is going to win, Cook must have a clean pocket to throw from. That’s especially true on the blindside where Conklin will have his hands full with Buckner.

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