2018 NFL Draft: Week 6 Prospect Stock Report
Stock Up: Offense
Kerryon Johnson (RB – Auburn): Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham received a lot of draft buzz entering the season, but it’s been running back Kerryon Johnson who has been on a tear in 2017. His excellent season continued against Ole Miss as he ran for 204 yards and three touchdowns.
Johnson has been nursing a hamstring injury that forced him to miss two games this year, including Auburn’s lone loss to Clemson. The injury has clearly hampered his ability to explode through holes and break away from defenders, but he still possesses more than enough elusiveness and very good vision to move the chains.
Johnson’s 2018 NFL Draft stock has skyrocketed this year and his performance against SEC defenses is a big reason why. In three conference games, the junior has carried the ball 69 times for 368 yards and 11 touchdowns. His performance thus far has made him, not Stidham, the focal point of the Tigers offense. Saquon Barkley and Derrius Guice are the consensus top two backs eligible for the 2018 NFL Draft, but Johnson and a host of others are fighting for position after that.
Braxton Berrios (WR – Miami): “The U” is now 4-0 after a last-minute touchdown to down Florida State 24-20. Braxton Berrios didn’t catch the game winner, but he was on the receiving end of two Malik Rosier touchdown passes.
Berrios reaching the end zone shouldn’t come as a surprise. He’s caught a touchdown pass in all four games this season and has doubled his career total from five to 10. With the return of wide receiver Ahmmon Richards, Berrios may not be targeted as often, but the defense won’t be able to commit as many resources his way either. Against the Seminoles, he took advantage of that, catching eight passes for 90 yards and two scores, all team-highs.
Miami Hurricanes Football
The 5-foot-9 Berrios is a slot receiver at the next level who uses elite hands to haul in passes around his frame. He’s not as skilled a prospect as former North Carolina slot Ryan Switzer, who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but he is someone who warrants a late-round selection.
Ryan Finley (QB – North Carolina State): In a Thursday night primetime matchup, it was Ryan Finley, not Lamar Jackson, who looked like a future NFL quarterback. Against Louisville, the Boise State transfer threw for 367 yards and a touchdown while extending his streak of 223 attempts this season without an interception.
While Jackson struggled with pocket awareness, Finley thrived. He knew when to step up or scramble and consistently kept his eyes downfield. Deep downfield is where Finley had the most success. On passes at least 20 yards downfield, the junior was 4-of-6 for 143 yards and a score.
There are a few things Finley can improve upon and he likely won’t be projected high enough for him to declare for the 2018 NFL Draft, but he’s the type of quarterback that can develop into a solid starter or at least be a reliable backup in the NFL.
Courtland Sutton (WR – SMU): After catching no more than two passes for 32 yards in three of his first four games, SMU receiver Courtland Sutton has caught fire as of late. In two conference games, the 6-foot-4 junior has combined for 18 receptions, 272 yards and two touchdowns.
Although it was in a losing effort, Sutton and teammate Trey Quinn had a field day against the Houston secondary. The two combined to gain 316 of the Mustangs 397 yards through the air. Sutton will need to continue his hot streak through American Athletic Conference play, especially in November when SMU takes on Central Florida and Navy, two schools currently ranked in the top 25. He’s likely a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but Sutton can’t afford to struggle like he did early in the year.