2018 NFL Draft: Week 6 Prospect Stock Report

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GAINESVILLE, FL – OCTOBER 07: D.J. Chark /

Stock Down: Offense

D.J. Chark (WR – LSU): While LSU’s previous number seven, Leonard Fournette, is tearing it up in the NFL, the Tigers current number seven saw his 2018 NFL Draft stock take a hit in week six. Wide receiver D.J. Chark struggled against Florida, catching just one pass.

That reception almost didn’t happen either. LSU quarterback Danny Etling threw an ill-advised pass deep downfield and Gators cornerback Duke Dawson appeared as if he would come away with an interception. Chark was able to create a tie-up in the air, leading to a 47-yard gain for the Tigers. On other occasions however, Chark was unable to come back to the ball, leading to near picks.

Chark is listed at 6-foot-4, 198 pounds. He looks even lighter and needs to add weight to his frame so he can take advantage of his size. Poor QB play at LSU won’t hurt Chark’s 2018 NFL Draft stock, but a lack of play strength and inability to create separation against NFL-caliber cornerbacks in the SEC will.

Justin Jackson (RB – Northwestern): With Saquon Barkley receiving Heisman hype on the other side of the field, this was a perfect opportunity for the other starting running back to improve his 2018 NFL Draft stock. Instead, senior Justin Jackson saw his stock take a hit for the second consecutive week.

After being held to just 25 yards on the ground against Wisconsin in Northwestern’s Big Ten opener, Jackson needed a bounce-back game against Penn State. While he slightly improved his numbers, Jackson gained just 66 yards on 16 carries. The Nittany Lions overwhelmed the Northwestern offensive line, but there were plenty of times in which Jackson simply missed the open lane.

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After a 224-yard performance in last season’s Pinstripe Bowl, there was a lot of intrigue when it came to Jackson’s decision to stay in school or enter the 2017 NFL Draft. He could have left on a high note, but instead returned for his senior season. The biggest issue with that decision is the toll another season will take on his body.

After the Penn State game, Jackson has now rushed the ball 935 times and caught 97 passes in his college career. Of the 31 running backs who participated in the 2017 Scouting Combine, only Donnel Pumphrey (1,164 career touches), exceeded Jackson’s 1,032. Jackson still has seven regular season games and a potential bowl to add even more wear-and-tear. As a result of his struggles this season and the workload he’s endured, don’t be surprised to see Jackson fall out of the 2018 NFL Draft altogether.

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