2018 NFL Draft: Week 4 Prospect Stock Report
Stock Up: Defense
Quin Blanding (FS – Virginia): In a Friday night showdown against Boise State on the blue turf, Virginia controlled the game from the start and left Idaho with a 42-23 win. The Cavaliers defense was stellar as senior leaders Quin Blanding and Micah Kiser led the way.
After being called for pass interference in the end zone on the first drive of the game, Blanding settled in and took over. He recorded a game-high 10 tackles, including one for a loss. After leading the team with 123 tackles as a true freshman in 2014, Blanding finished second in tackles to Kiser each of the past two seasons. He’s amassed at least 115 tackles every year and is on pace for around 130 stops this season. That would land him in the top five in FBS history for most career tackles.
More from NFL Mocks
- NFL Draft: Ranking the top signal callers of the 2024 NFL QB Class
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal: Cardinals, Falcons tank for USC QB Caleb Williams
- Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
- Fantasy Football: 5 reasons Colts QB Anthony Richardson can be a top-end option
- Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023
Blanding was a force to be reckoned with against the Broncos, consistently wrapping up and bringing down the ball carrier with ease. He should be a box safety at the next level and could be selected as early as day two of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Bradley Chubb (DE – North Carolina State): Just like his cousin Nick, Bradley Chubb improved his stock for the 2018 NFL Draft in week four. The defender should be the first in the family selected on draft weekend and may even be the first defensive lineman off the board.
Chubb was dominant against Florida State, finishing with seven tackles, three for a loss and two sacks. He also forced a fumble when he chased down Florida State quarterback James Blackman and stripped him just outside the red zone. The motor he displayed not giving up on the play will appeal to scouts. He’s performed much better than fellow ACC edge rusher Harold Landry of Boston College this season and could compete with Arden Key of LSU to be the first defensive lineman selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.