2017 NFL Draft Stock Report: Week 11 All About ACC Quarterbacks

Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) passes the ball during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) passes the ball during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NFL Draft Deshaun Watson
Nov 12, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) passes the ball during the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /

Stock Down: Deshaun Watson

While Peterman’s stock is on the rise, Deshaun Watson saw his stock slip in the same game. He did throw for an ACC-record 580 passing yards, but in this instance, the stats don’t tell the whole truth.

Watson’s performance was below average at best for a potential first-overall pick.

Watson has struggled all season in the redzone and those issues cost Clemson the football game. He threw three interceptions in the contest, two in the redzone and all three in Pittsburgh territory. Both interceptions inside the 20 were passes into double coverage that should never have been thrown.

One occurred as he tried to squeeze the ball between two defenders, the other was the result of staring down his intended receiver.

That play can be seen below. Watson locks onto his intended receiver immediately and never looks off the defender who was sitting back waiting for the ball the entire time. The result is an easy interception which allowed the Panthers to control the early stages of the game.

Despite the loss, Clemson is still in the ACC title and playoff hunt. Watson and the Tigers should have no trouble disposing of Wake Forest and South Carolina before a potential conference championship and playoff appearance. If Watson plays well and leads his team to the playoffs again, he’ll be one of the favorites to be the first-overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.