2018 NFL Draft: Week 3 Prospect Stock Report
Stock Up: Offense
Nick Fitzgerald (QB – Mississippi State): Three years ago, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott stole the show and shocked eighth-ranked LSU under the lights in Death Valley. Fast forward three years and Nick Fitzgerald is now the quarterback leading the Bulldogs to victory over the Tigers.
Fitzgerald had a Dak-like performance as Mississippi State routed LSU 37-7 in a battle between two undefeated teams. The junior signal-caller threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in the win. His performance caught the attention of NFL teams who will be monitoring closely whether or not he declares for the 2018 NFL Draft. With other draft-eligible quarterbacks such as Josh Allen struggling, there may be an opportunity for Fitzgerald to sneak into the early rounds if he declares.
Fitzgerald wasn’t the only prospect who excelled for Mississippi State in week three. His left tackle Martinas Rankin also played well and is a potential first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Anthony Miller (WR – Memphis): Memphis isn’t a stranger to pulling off upsets as week three was just the latest example of the Tigers knocking off a ranked team. This time it was the UCLA Bruins falling to Memphis. Leading the way was senior receiver Anthony Miller who caught nine passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
This may have been Miller’s breakout game, but he was the star of the Memphis offense last year as well. He caught 95 balls for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago. He isn’t the biggest or fastest receiver in college football, but he creates separation about as well as any receiver.
Quarterback Riley Ferguson has generated more buzz following the win over UCLA, but Miller is the better prospect. He’s a day three prospect for the 2018 NFL Draft who can line up all over the field and give his QB a large window in which to place the football.
John Kelly (RB – Tennessee): In three games this season, junior running back John Kelly has already tied a career high with five rushing touchdowns. He’s also caught 16 passes this year after entering the season with just six career receptions. That’s what happens when a young back is buried on the depth chart.
Tennessee Volunteers Football
Over the past couple of years, Kelly sat behind Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara. In 2017, the Tennessee backfield clearly belongs to John Kelly, and he has responded well. He’s only a junior, but has played like a back capable of being a top-100 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Against Florida, Kelly carried the ball 19 times for 141 yards and added six catches for 96 yards. With wide receiver Jauan Jennings out for the year with a wrist injury, Kelly will become even more of a focal point for the Volunteers on offense. If he continues to dominate opposing defenses with his running and receiving ability, Kelly will continue to soar up the draft board.
Dante Pettis (WR – Washington): At this point, punters across the Pac-12 are going to risk being benched if they punt the ball to Washington’s Dante Pettis. The senior returned his eighth punt for a touchdown against Fresno State, tying the NCAA record held by Wes Welker (Texas Tech) and Antonio Perkins (Oklahoma).
Pettis entered the season with five returns for a touchdown. He’s returned one for a score in each of the Huskies first three games and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. He’ll try to make it four straight when Washington takes on Colorado.
Not only is Pettis a dangerous punt returner, but he’s one of the best receivers in the Pac-12 as well. Against the Bulldogs he caught three touchdown passes. The six-foot senior knows how to find the endzone, scoring 20 times through the air to go along with his eight punt return touchdowns. Pettis may not be a star at the next level, but he’s someone who can be a reliable number two receiver and electrifying returner.