NFL Draft: Week Three Prospect Stock Report
Sep 13, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive back Tracy Howard (3) reacts against the Arkansas State Red Wolves during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 41-20. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Draft Stock Down: Defense
Tracy Howard (CB – Miami)
After playing well as a sophomore, Tracy Howard was a disappointment last season. Now a senior, Howard has one last chance to impress NFL teams. Against Nebraska, he almost cost the Hurricanes the game.
Miami led Nebraska by 23 points in the fourth quarter, but needed overtime to pull out the victory. The secondary simply fell apart as Nebraska picked up the pace. Nebraska scored a touchdown on their final three drives of regulation, the final two of which were thrown in Howard’s direction.
The first touchdown pass against Howard, which brought Nebraska to within one score, was a blown coverage. On fourth-and-12 Howard thought he had safety help over the top. He didn’t and Brandon Reilly easily scored on the play. On the second score, Howard got turned around in the endzone and didn’t see the ball. With safeties Deon Bush and Jamal Carter suspended for the first half of Miami’s next game against Cincinnati, Howard has to step up and prevent Gunner Kiel and the Bearcats’ aerial attack from pulling away early.
Devonte Fields (DE – Louisville)
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In his highly-anticipated return to the FBS, Devonte Fields has fallen flat. That was clearly the case against Clemson as the former Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year was manhandled by a true freshman left tackle in Week 3.
Clemson’s Mitch Hyatt won the starting left tackle job after Isaiah Battle entered the NFL Supplemental Draft. While it would have been understandable had he struggled against Devonte Fields, Hyatt held his own. Fields finished the game with just 1.5 tackles for loss and zero sacks. He has yet to record a sack in three games with the Cardinals.
His struggles this season, in addition to off-field issues, have significantly lowered his stock. He’s currently a mid-round pick, but could also elect to return to school for his senior season.
Blake Countess (CB – Auburn)
To be fair, the entire Auburn defense belongs on this list. RB Leonard Fournette was unstoppable as LSU rushed for 411 yards and cruised to a 45-21 win.
Blake Countess was victimized by Fournette on more than one play. It started on the first play of the game when Countess over-pursued the RB in the middle of the field, leading to a cut-back and 71-yard run. Later in the first half, Fournette hit the truck stick to plow over Countess on his way to a 40-yard touchdown run. After that, Countess appeared hesitant and took poor angles to the ball. The Michigan transfer isn’t a lock to be drafted, so he can’t afford any more performances like this one.