NFL Draft: Week Three Prospect Stock Report

Sep 20, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (1) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Massachusetts 48-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

Tajae Sharpe (WR – Massachusetts)

Last week I listed Tajae Sharpe as someone who needed to step up in Week 3. Against a Temple defense which has been tormenting opposing quarterbacks this year, Sharpe needed to get open quickly. He did just that as he finished the game with 11 receptions and 156 yards.

Last season, Sharpe caught 85 passes for 1,281 yards. Rashard Higgins of Colorado State and Corey Davis of Western Michigan are the only returning receivers who gained more. Sharpe is on pace for more than 1,700 yards this season, blowing last year’s totals out of the water. His most important game, in terms of his draft stock, will be this weekend against Notre Dame. The expected matchup between Sharpe and Notre Dame CB KeiVarae Russell will be one of the most intriguing battles of the week.

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Vadal Alexander (G – LSU)

LSU RB Leonard Fournette would have taken this spot if he were draft eligible, but he’s not, so let’s give some credit to the linemen up front. Vadal Alexander is the best of the group and he’s playing his way into the first round.

LSU ran for 411 yards in a win over Auburn this weekend. That’s more than 26 FBS schools have all season. LSU bullied the Auburn defense, which has several draft prospects, all day long. The highlights belong to Fournette, but the offensive line had a near flawless game. Alexander’s performance in particular did not go unnoticed as he was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

Alexander is playing right tackle this season, the same position he played as a freshman in 2012. As a sophomore and junior, he lined up at left guard. Position versatility can do wonders for a lineman’s draft stock — just look at Cameron Erving.

Richard Mullaney (WR – Alabama)

After a fairly quiet start to the season, Richard Mullaney almost single-handedly kept Alabama in the game against Ole Miss.

The Oregon State transfer caught seven passes for 61 yards and two scores after just three receptions in the first two games combined. His chemistry with QB Jake Coker was evident as Mullaney was the target whenever the Crimson Tide needed a big play. He caught four passes on third or fourth and long, converting on all four.

If Alabama can remain consistent at the quarterback position (translation: Jake Coker is the only quarterback), Mullaney should continue to produce. He was off-the-radar coming into the season, but has developed into a potential Day 3 pick.

Next: Draft Stock Up: Defense