2018 NFL Draft: Week 4 Prospect Stock Report

Stock Up: Offense

Saquon Barkley (RB – Penn State): There’s a reason why Saquon Barkley is now the Heisman front runner. He’s been stellar all season, but his performance in primetime against Iowa was his best to date.

Entering the season, one of the hottest debates surrounding the 2018 NFL Draft was whether Barkley or Derrius Guice of LSU was the top running back prospect. Even former Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan weighed in.

One month into the season and Guice is battling injuries while Barkley has taken his game to another level. As a runner, his agility and power have significantly improved, however it’s his receiving and blocking ability that make him a complete back. Both of those skills were highlighted in the Nittany Lions last-second win over the Hawkeyes in week four.

The junior tailback caught 12 passes in the contest and already has 23 receptions on the season. That’s just five short of his career high. He’s averaging over 213 yards per game on offense, and that doesn’t even include his kick return contributions.

Barkley isn’t the best blocking back in college football, but he has shown improvement, even over the past couple of weeks. On Penn State’s game-winning touchdown, he stepped up and made a nice block in the hole to give his quarterback enough time to deliver the pass. He may not be the first player selected, but he’s the top offensive talent available in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Nick Chubb (RB – Georgia): Another running back who starred on Saturday was Nick Chubb. Nearly two years after suffering a devastating knee injury, the Georgia star had perhaps his best game since returning.

Last season Chubb was clearly not at full strength, yet he still ran for 1,130 yards. This year he looks refreshed and back to his 2014-2015 form. In a rout over Mississippi State, Chubb showed elite balance and change of direction as he ran for two touchdowns. Those traits were especially impressive on this run as Chubb somehow stays on his feet after bouncing outside to avoid a defender.

Chubb’s 2018 NFL Draft stock is already on the rise, and continued success in the SEC will only help. The injury will likely prevent him from being a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but a day two selection is within reach.

Christian Kirk (WR – Texas A&M): Texas A&M and Arkansas have consistently played close games recently and this season’s battle was no different. This is the type of matchup in which one player can make the difference and this time around it was Texas A&M receiver Christian Kirk who stole the show.

Kirk is a first-round caliber receiver, but his return ability makes him one of the most dangerous weapons in all of college football. His 100-yard kick return late in the fourth quarter gave the Aggies the lead with five minutes to go. The game would eventually go into overtime when again Kirk would be the one to make a play. His 10-yard score in overtime put the Aggies up 50-43, a lead the defense would preserve with an interception on the final play.

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In addition to his 136 return yards, Kirk also contributed 110 yards and two scores on five catches. He may not break the 40-yard dash record at the Scouting Combine like John Ross did this past offseason, but overall he’s a better prospect.

Jeremiah Briscoe (QB – Sam Houston State): While many of the top FBS quarterbacks struggled in week four, the top FCS prospect at the position shined. In a matchup featuring two teams ranked in the top 25, Sam Houston State dominated Nicholls. The Bearkats lit up the scoreboard with 66 points in the game, thanks in large part to the arm of senior quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe.

Briscoe played at Stratford High School in Houston, the same school Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck attended. From there he joined UAB before the Blazers folded the football program. Since transferring to Sam Houston State, Briscoe has excelled, winning the Walter Payton Award as the top offensive player in the FCS last season. He hasn’t missed a beat this year, as his 2018 NFL Draft stock continues to soar.

Against Nicholls, Briscoe showed off his next-level arm strength and accuracy downfield. On passes at least 20 yards downfield, he completed 4-of-6 for 139 yards and two scores. For the season, he’s completed 50 percent of his throws at least 20 yards past the line of scrimmage. Briscoe is more than one-dimensional as a passer as well. His ability to fire an accurate pass across the field or into a tight window proves he has a place in the NFL. While he needs to continue to pick apart FCS defenses, the Senior Bowl is where Briscoe’s 2018 NFL Draft stock should skyrocket.