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2017 NFL Draft: Week 8 Prospect Stock Report

By Shawn Spencer

Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) before a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft: Royce Freeman
Oct 17, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) participates in pre game warmups against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Down: Offense

Royce Freeman (RB – Oregon): Vision and elusiveness are two aspects of Royce Freeman’s game that have stood out over the past two seasons. His ability to find the hole and force missed tackles are what earned him a second-round grade entering this season. Against California, those skills were nowhere to be found.

Freeman has not looked healthy since the week three game against Nebraska in which he suffered a leg injury. He would miss the following week’s contest against Colorado, but has played the past three games. Against the Golden Bears, Freeman gained just 10 yards on 15 carries.

In 13 games last season, Freeman failed to rush for 100 yards twice. In 2016, he’s already been held under the century mark in four of his six games. In what is a deep running back class, Freeman can’t afford to struggle down the stretch.

More from College Football

Josh Reynolds/Speedy Noil/Ricky Seals-Jones (WRs – Texas A&M): The Texas A&M wide receivers had a golden opportunity against the Alabama secondary to improve their 2017 NFL Draft stock. Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil are all potential selections in the 2017 NFL Draft, yet they all failed to capitalize in the loss to Alabama.

The three prospects caught a total of three passes (Reynolds 2, Seals-Jones 1, Noil 0) for 52 yards as the Crimson Tide defense played lockdown defense for four quarters. The trio won’t face a secondary as tough as Alabama for the rest of the season, but the regular-season finale against LSU will provide a challenge.

All three are likely third-day picks if they declare for the 2017 NFL Draft (Reynolds is the only senior), but the two juniors may be better off returning to Texas A&M for another season.

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