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2018 NFL Draft Prospects Who Must Step Up in Week 1

By Shawn Spencer

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 21: Josh Allen #17 of the Wyoming Cowboys passes the ball during the first half of the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 21: Josh Allen #17 of the Wyoming Cowboys passes the ball during the first half of the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 21, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Isaiah Oliver Colorado
BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 19: Defensive back Isaiah Oliver /

Isaiah Oliver (CB – Colorado) vs. Colorado State

Colorado Buffaloes Football
Colorado Buffaloes Football /

Colorado Buffaloes Football

Gone from the Colorado secondary are Tedric Thompson, Chidobe Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon. All three of those defensive backs were selected within the top 111 picks of the 2017 NFL Draft. If junior Isaiah Oliver wants to be an early-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s going to have to step up against Colorado State.

Colorado State features one of the top wide receivers in the nation in Michael Gallup. Gallup caught 76 passes for 1,272 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior last season. He’s already made his mark this season, catching 11 passes for 134 yards in a season-opening win over Oregon State. Neither player started this contest a year ago, so this will be the first time the two prospects are expected to go one-on-one for an extended period of time.

Oliver possesses very good length which has allowed him to defend 16 passes over the past two seasons. He’ll need that length against Gallup, who created separation with ease in the opener. In order for the Rams to pull off the upset, Gallup needs to have a big game. It will be up to Oliver to prevent that from happening.

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