Want to get to know the draft prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft? This weekly column breaks down the best matchups to watch each week in college football.
By Charlie Campbell.
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Washington State vs. USC; Friday, Sept. 21, 10:30 PM ET ESPN
There is a nice matchup in this game with Washington State left tackle Andre Dillard taking on USC edge rusher Porter Gustin. Both are future NFL contributors and could be selected on the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft. Whoever gets the better of their snaps against each other will help improve their draft grade. Other prospects to watch include USC inside linebacker Cameron Smith, cornerback Iman Marshall and safety Marvell Tell.
Georgia vs. Missouri; Saturday, Sept. 21, 12:00 PM ET ESPN
While this game may not get a lot of national attention, it has an excellent draft matchup. Georgia cornerback DeAndre Baker is one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft, and he will see a Missouri passing attack loaded with NFL talent. Quarterback Drew Lock, wide receiver Emmanuel Hall and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam are all likely to be first- or second-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft. They will be a good tests for the Bulldogs.
Other prospects to watch include Missouri defensive tackle Terry Buckner Jr and Georgia linebacker D’Andre Walker.
Texas A&M vs. Alabama; Saturday, Sept. 21, 3:30 PM ET CBS
The Aggies aren’t loaded with NFL talent, but they have a couple of players to watch against an Alabama team that is comprised of future NFL players. The best matchup comes in the trenches, where Texas A&M center Erik McCoy will see a pair of talented tackles in Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs. McCoy could be a third- or fourth-round pick, while Davis should go in Round 1 and Buggs could go on Day 2. Other Alabama defensive prospects to watch include linebacker Mack Wilson, linebacker Anfernee Jennins, linebacker Christian Miller, safety Deionte Thompson and cornerback Trevon Diggs.
Alabama running back Damien Harris is a first- or second-rounder for next April because he could be a plug-and-play starter in the NFL. Crimson Tide left tackle Jonah Williams and guard Ross Pierschbacher are early-round prospects as well. Texas A&M running back Trayveon Williams is a potential third-day pick for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Mississippi State vs. Kentucky; Saturday, Sept. 21, 7:00 PM ET ESPN
This game is not a high-profile SEC rivalry, but it is symbolic of the depth of the conference because there is a lot of NFL talent going head-to-head. This game could feature three top-20 defensive prospects for the NFL in Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat and Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen. All three of them are dangerous pass-rushers who have had excellent starts to the 2018 season.
There are other good prospects to watch in this game aside from these high first-round talents. Mississippi State center Elgton Jenkins could be the top center in the 2019 NFL Draft, and safety Johnathan Abram could be one of the top safeties for the 2019 NFL Draft. Kentucky has prospects who graded out with first- through fourth-round potential entering the season with running back Bennie Snell, tight end C.J. Conrad, linebacker Jordan Jones and safety Mike Edwards. Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald and Kentucky cornerback Derrick Baity could be third-day picks.
Stanford vs. Oregon; Saturday, Sept. 21, 8:00 PM ET ABC
There are two high-profile prospects for the NFL in this Pac-12 grudge match. Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert could be the top quarterback for the 2019 NFL Draft. Herbert and Oregon have rolled over some weak opponents thus far, but the Cardinal has a tough defense to test him.
Stanford running back Bryce Love is one of the superstars in college football after dominating the Pac-12 in 2017, and he had an impressive game against USC in Week 2 this year. Love was held out last week against a cupcake opponent, so Stanford was probably saving him for the Ducks. Love could be a three-down starter in the NFL, and with his elite speed, he is a threat to take any carry the distance. Oregon edge rusher Jalen Jelks will have his run defense tested by Stanford. Jelks has early-round potential and is a dangerous pass-rusher.
Wisconsin vs. Iowa; Saturday, Sep. 21, 8:30 PM ET FOX
The Badgers played two weak opponents before taking on a quality program in BYU in Week 3, but in Week 4, they will have an important game for their 2018 season as they go to Iowa. Wisconsin has a trio of linebackers who made NFL teams’ preseason watch list of top-half-of-the-draft talents in T.J. Edwards, Ryan Connelly and Andrew Van Ginkel. They will be tested by one of the top tight end talents for the NFL in Iowa’s Noah Fant. Fant will also need to run block well on those Badger linebackers to help keep Wisconsin’s powerful rushing attack on the sideline.
Wisconsin guard Michael Deiter and right tackle David Edwards have early-round potential. They will be tested by a potential first-rounder for the 2020 NFL Draft in Iowa defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa.
Arizona State vs. Washington; Saturday, Sept. 21, 10:30 PM ET ESPN
There is a nice matchup in this game with Arizona State wide receiver K’Neal Harry going against Washington cornerback Jordan Miller, safety Taylor Rapp and safety JoJo McIntosh. Other good Huskies draft prospects to watch include defensive tackle Greg Gaines, offensive tackle Kaleb McGary and running back Myles Gaskin.
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