2017 NFL Draft: Week 10 Prospect Stock Report

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Nov 5, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) scores a touchdown against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Up: Offense

John Ross (WR – Washington): Sophomore quarterback Jake Browning threw six touchdown passes in a 66-27 win over California. Three of those scores came on passes to wide receiver John Ross, including this 67-yard reception in which he shows off elite elusiveness.

The junior wideout, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, has been soaring up draft boards this season. Ross now has 14 receiving touchdowns this season, one behind Carlos Henderson of Louisiana Tech for most in the FBS.

Against the Golden Bears, Ross had no trouble creating separation. He’s not a polished route runner, but he utilized his speed to blow by the Cal defensive backs for a total of 208 receiving yards.

In his career, Ross has just three career games of at least 100 yards receiving. Two of those games have come against California. He’ll look to build off the momentum from this game when Washington takes on USC next weekend. Ross facing off against Adoree’ Jackson will be one of the week’s must-see matchups.

Elijah Hood (RB – North Carolina): North Carolina running back Elijah Hood is finally running at full strength. After missing a game in early October and being limited at times, Hood is back to his 2015 form. Against Georgia Tech, that meant rushing for 168 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries.

North Carolina has had a tremendous amount of success through the air this season, but Mitch Trubisky and the passing game are starting to get help on the ground. Hood has run for over 100 yards each of the past two games and is only looking better as the season progresses.

Hood possesses a solid blend of power and elusiveness, similar to Alex Collins of Arkansas who was a fifth-round pick in 2016. Hood does have to protect the football better (six fumbles since the beginning of last season), but he can expect to come off the board around the same time as Collins in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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Brad Kaaya (QB – Miami): Brad Kaaya has seen his stock slip this season with the emergence of Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer and Mitch Trubisky of North Carolina, but he made sure to remind the NFL he’s one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects. His performance against Pittsburgh is sure to catch the attention of scouts and keep him in the first-round conversation.

Against the Panthers, Kaaya threw for 356 yards and four touchdowns as Miami rolled to a 51-28 win. The win snaps a four-game losing streak and puts the Hurricanes just one win away from bowl eligibility.

The offensive line has been brutal this season as Kaaya’s been sacked more times in nine games this year than he was in any prior season. Despite the pressure he’s faced and the hits he’s taken, Kaaya is completing a higher percentage of passes than ever before.

He’s only a junior, but Kaaya is expected to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. Unless he has a disastrous Scouting Combine or pro day, he’ll be a first-round pick.

Corey Davis (WR – Western Michigan): If you haven’t seen Corey Davis play, you’re missing out. The 6-foot-3, 213-pound wide receiver is the top prospect for the undefeated Western Michigan Broncos. In his latest performance, Davis caught 12 passes for a Mid-American Conference record 272 yards and three touchdowns.

Davis was a highly-rated prospect entering his senior season, but has taken his game to a new level in 2016. He’s the top senior WR prospect for the 2017 NFL Draft and may be the first wideout from any class selected by the time the draft rolls around.

Last Tuesday night against Ball State was just another typical Davis highlight reel. He showcased very good speed and route running to go with elite competitive toughness. In the play below, Davis holds his line on the deep route and hauls in the contested pass for a touchdown.

Davis warrants a first-round selection in April and will challenge the likes of Clemson’s Mike Williams and USC’s JuJu Smith-Schuster to be the first WR off the board in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Luke Falk (QB – Washington State): Like most quarterbacks from Air Raid or spread offenses, Luke Falk amasses huge numbers while NFL scouts try to determine whether or not that success can translate to the NFL. Regardless of system, Falk had a career day against Arizona and helped his 2017 NFL Draft stock as much as anyone else in the nation.

Falk finished the game throwing more touchdown passes (four) than incompletions (three). He’s in the middle of one of the hottest stretches of his career, throwing for 1,124 yards, 12 touchdowns and no interceptions in his last three games. Washington State is undefeated in conference play and tied atop the Pac-12 North with Washington. If Falk continues to play at a high level, a spot in the Pac-12 title game will all come down to the Apple Cup.

A showdown with California is up next as the Golden Bears try to recover from giving up seven touchdown passes to Washington. After that, the Cougars close the season against Colorado and Washington, two of the better secondaries in the Pac-12 and the country. If he finishes the season strong, Falk will be in the discussion on day two of the 2017 NFL Draft.

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