2018 NFL Draft: Week 4 Prospect Stock Report

Stock Down: Offense

Quarterbacks: It’s not fair to label just one quarterback’s 2018 NFL Draft stock as down in week four because it was a disappointing week across the board. Here’s a brief rundown of how the nation’s top prospects at the position fared.

• Sam Darnold (USC) – Struggled to complete a pass downfield, finishing 3-of-13 on throws at least 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage and failed to complete a pass on six attempts at least 20 yards downfield. He also threw one interception with multiple others being dropped by defenders.
• Josh Rosen (UCLA) – Once again struggled early on as the Bruins dug themselves a hole even Rosen couldn’t dig them out of. He’s completing just 59 percent of his passes in the first half this season compared to 71 percent in the second half.
• Josh Allen (Wyoming) – Allen’s stock continues to plummet as he finished just 9-of-19 for 92 yards against a Hawaii defense that had allowed over 313 yards passing per game coming in.
• Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) – Slowed by the TCU defense early as the Horned Frogs opened up a 17-point lead. Rudolph was thrown off when his initial read wasn’t open, leading to questionable decision making by the senior.
• Nick Fitzgerald (Mississippi State) – A week after a Dak Prescott-like performance against LSU, Fitzgerald was stifled by the Georgia defense. He completed less than half of his 29 passes and combined for just 130 yards through the air and on the ground.

L.J. Scott (RB – Michigan State): In what should have been a breakout season for L.J. Scott, the junior running back has seen his 2018 NFL Draft stock take a significant hit. That stock bottomed out in week four against Notre Dame.

Michigan State Spartans Football

Down by 14 in the second quarter, the Spartans were closing in on a touchdown to cut the lead in half. Scott had a solid run going, but fumbled at the one-yard line, leading to a Notre Dame touchback. The Fighting Irish would take the ball the length of the field on the ensuing drive to take a 21-point lead and basically put the game out of reach.

This wasn’t the first time Scott fumbled the ball, and likely won’t be the last. He’s lost three fumbles in three contests this year and still has a full slate of games against aggressive Big Ten defenses to go.

Courtland Sutton (WR – SMU): Regarded by some as the top wide receiver prospect coming into the season, Courtland Sutton has failed to live up the hype. He did catch eight passes for 163 yards and four touchdowns against North Texas, but has just a total of five receptions and 54 yards in his other three games. Another poor outing against Arkansas State has scouts wondering whether or not he’s a future first-round pick.

A week after being held to one catch for no gain, Sutton once again failed to impress. He caught just two passes for 32 yards on a day the Mustangs threw for 266. It wasn’t a lack of trying either. The 6-foot-4 junior was targeted four times in the second half and couldn’t haul in a pass. His inability to create separation this season is concerning and is something he’ll need to improve.