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2017 NFL Draft: Week 5 Prospect Stock Report

By Shawn Spencer

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; North Carolina Tarheels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs the ball during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; North Carolina Tarheels wide receiver Ryan Switzer (3) runs the ball during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up: Offense

Mitch Trubisky and Ryan Switzer (QB/WR – North Carolina): Mitch Trubisky and Ryan Switzer have played well all season, but this past weekend’s game against Florida State was one of the toughest tests they’ll face all season. The pair connected 14 times in the game, leading the Tar Heels to a win over the Seminoles.

Trubisky completed over 81 percent of his passes in the game for 405 yards and three touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception this season. Switzer caught 14 passes for 158 yards. His ability to create separation was evident early on and the Florida State defense simply didn’t have an answer.

Trubisky is a redshirt junior, so his status for the 2017 NFL Draft is unknown. Switzer on the other hand, is in his final season at Chapel Hill and is a potential day two pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The two will face another tough test this weekend as North Carolina hosts Virginia Tech. The Hokies are currently second in the nation in opponent’s completion percentage and 10th in passing yards allowed per game.

Shock Linwood (RB – Baylor): When the passing game couldn’t get going, running back Shock Linwood stepped up and led Baylor to a comeback win over Iowa State. His performance not only kept Baylor alive in the playoff hunt, but helped boost his stock ahead of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Linwood carried the ball 25 times in the game, gaining 237 yards and scoring one touchdown. His 237 yards surpassed his total of 217 through Baylor’s first four games of the season. While the 11:00 AM start time appeared to have a negative effect on several Baylor players, Linwood thrived, averaging 9.5 yards per carry.

Every season with the Bears, Linwood has improved his rushing total from the year before. Despite being in what is thought of as a pass-heavy system, Linwood is just 84 rushing yards away from 4,000 in his career.

The issue with Linwood is his receiving ability. He’s listed at 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds, but has just 21 receptions in 42 career games. He’s not someone who is going to be a workhorse in the NFL, but he also hasn’t proven to be a receiving threat as a third-down back. With uncertainty as to what his future role will be, he’ll slide further in the 2017 NFL Draft than his talent would indicate.

DeShone Kizer (QB – Notre Dame): After Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly threw the blame on his players after a loss to Duke, DeShone Kizer responded by lighting up the Syracuse defense through the air.

Kizer finished the game with 471 passing yards, the most in school history in a win. He also added four total touchdowns. Kizer hasn’t been perfect this season, however he’s currently viewed as a first-round pick, and possibly the first selection overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The remaining schedule won’t be easy for Kizer as the Fighting Irish will square off against three ranked teams. Miami, Virginia Tech and Stanford are all currently ranked and among the toughest defenses on the Notre Dame schedule. If Kizer can continue to show improvement down the stretch, the redshirt sophomore may decide to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft.

Jamaal Williams (RB – Brigham Young): Like Kizer, Jamaal Williams was busy setting records in week five. Against Toledo, he rushed for a school-record 286 yards and tied the BYU record with five rushing touchdowns. He’s now second in the nation in rushing yards this season and has forced scouts to rethink his place in the 2017 NFL Draft.

After undergoing knee surgery and withdrawing from school, Williams has returned to BYU this season and made an immediate impact. In three of the team’s five games this year, Williams has eclipsed 160 yards on the ground. He showed off impressive agility and breakaway speed against the Rockets, and at 220 pounds, has the size NFL teams desire.

Williams is likely going to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft. Which one has yet to be determined, but it will have more to do with his medical check than his performance on the field the rest of the way.

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