NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up In Week 3

Aug 30, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (1) runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Tajae Sharpe (WR – Massachusetts) vs. Temple

Through two games, the Temple defense already has 11 sacks and five interceptions. The fact that those two games were against highly-regarded QB prospects Christian Hackenberg and Gunner Kiel makes that feat even more impressive. This week the Owls head north to take on Massachusetts, led by potential late-round pick QB Blake Frohnapfel.

The Massachusetts offensive line struggled in the season opener against Colorado, allowing three sacks. Frohnapfel is expected to have very little time to throw the ball against Temple, so it will be up to his receivers to create separation early in their routes. As the go-to WR, Tajae Sharpe must give his QB a throwing window before Tyler Matakevich, Matt Ioannidis and the rest of the Temple defense gets to Frohnapfel. Sharpe doesn’t have great speed (a detailed scouting report can be found here), but his ability to win 50-50 balls will result in throws his way whether he’s open or not. Sharpe caught 11 passes for 138 yards against Colorado, but will most likely need to improve on those numbers if Massachusetts is going to pull off the upset.

The 2016 NFL Draft figures to once again be deep at the receiver position. Although Sharpe is the top senior WR prospect in the Mid-American Conference, he may have to wait a while to hear his name called on Day 3. A solid performance against Temple could shorten that wait time.

Next: Bronson Kaufusi