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2017 NFL Draft: Week 1 Prospect Stock Report

By Shawn Spencer

Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) and linebacker Tim Williams (56) and defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) react during the first half against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) and linebacker Tim Williams (56) and defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) react during the first half against the USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jazz Peavy (11) is tackled by LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) after catching a pass during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jazz Peavy (11) is tackled by LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) after catching a pass during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Down: Defense

Jamal Adams (SS – LSU): Head coach Les Miles and quarterback Brandon Harris will take the heat for Saturday’s loss to Wisconsin, and Leonard Fournette’s draft stock will be questioned if his ankle injury is worse than initially reported, but it was strong safety Jamal Adams who saw his draft stock take the biggest hit.

Adams recorded five tackles in the loss, but it’s what he failed to do that will cause him to slip on 2017 NFL Draft boards. He played well in coverage for much of the game, but allowed a completion of over 20 yards after he slipped in coverage. He also dropped an interception.

For one of the best safeties in college football, Adams was expected to have a much bigger impact on this game, especially against the Wisconsin rushing attack. While his coverage skills will certainly help his stock, he needs to get back to being the well-rounded, versatile defender he was for much of last year if he’s going to warrant a first-round pick.

Jordan Thomas (CB – Oklahoma): Like Adams, Thomas overall played a decent game. However, he did have some miscues late which helped doom Oklahoma against Houston.

Thomas shutdown wide receiver Chance Allen for much of the game. Houston wasn’t even looking his way, instead picking on Dakota Austin and Parrish Cobb on the opposite side of the field. Late in the game, Oklahoma moved Thomas over to the right side of the defense as he attempted to cover Houston wideout Steven Dunbar.

Dunbar finished the game with seven catches for 125 yards and was clearly the go-to WR all game long. Like Austin and Cobb, Thomas was unable to slow the 6-foot-3 Dunbar, especially on back shoulder throws. Thomas is a projected mid-round pick and will have plenty of opportunities to show off his skills against pass-happy Big 12 opponents.

Cole Luke (CB – Notre Dame): The Notre Dame secondary entered this game with little depth in the secondary due to off-field issues, but Cole Luke was at least supposed to hold his own on one side of the field. Instead, Texas quarterback Shane Buechele picked on Luke all night.

The first career touchdown pass for the highly-recruited freshman was on a 19-yard fade to Armanti Foreman. Foreman blew by Luke on his way to making a highlight-reel catch in the end zone. Luke also struggled reading the run and was caught out of position on the Longhorns final touchdown of regulation, a 19-yard score by D’Onta Foreman.

Luke entered this season as a mid-round prospect, but his stock is trending in the wrong direction after the loss to Texas. With talented receivers Isaiah Ford of Virginia Tech and JuJu Smith-Schuster of USC still on the schedule, Luke needs to play significantly better if he’s going to maintain his mid-round status.

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