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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Northwestern vs. Iowa; Saturday, Nov. 10, 3:30 PM ET FOX
Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson had impressive performances against Michigan and Nebraska, dominated Michigan State, and then turned in some underwhelming games in wins over Rutgers and Wisconsin. After a mixed game taking on Notre Dame, Thorson could use a good tape to help his draft grade.
Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley has some physical talent, and some draft analysts have projected him highly, but he’s had some ugly games in recent weeks. He needs a bounceback performance against Northwestern.
Other prospects to watch include Northwestern cornerback Montre Hartage and linebacker Nate Hall. They could be charged with covering Iowa tight end Noah Fant. One of the top tight end prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama; Saturday, Nov. 10, 3:30 PM ET CBS
This game has a lot of future NFL talent. The top prospect in this game is Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. WalterFootball.com was first to report that NFL teams were viewing Williams as a high first-round talent, and Mississippi State’s interior offensive line could be the best line that Williams will face this year. Bulldogs center Elgton Jenkins is in the running to be the top center center selected, and he figures to see a lot of Williams. Fellow Crimson Tide defensive tackle Raekwon Davis is a top-20 talent, while the third tackle, Isaiah Buggs, could go in the early rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft. Thus, Jenkins is going to see the biggest challenge of his season.
Behind that star studded line are early-round prospects at linebacker in Mack Wilson and Anfernee Jennings. Safety Deionte Thompson is the top safety prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft. Crimson Tide cornerback Trevon Diggs could be the first corner selected, but he will miss this game due to breaking his foot.
On the other side of the field, there will be some excellent draft matchups. Mississippi State defensive tackle Jeff Simmons is a top-20 talent like the Alabama defensive tackles. He will see a good interior line. An excellent draft matchup in the trenches is Mississippi State speed rusher Montez Sweat taking on Alabama left tackle Jonah Williams. Sweat has been one of the most consistent pass-rushers in college football over the past two years, and he could be a first-round pick next April. Williams is a smart blocker with good technique, but his skill set to handle a speed rusher will be put to the test by Sweat. Alabama running back Damien Harris is one of the top tailback prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft. Tight end Irv Smith Jr. is also a dangerous receiving tight end who will be an early-round pick. They will be a big test for Mississippi State safety Johnathan Abram. Abram is one of the better safety prospects and could be a second-day pick.
Auburn vs. Georgia; Saturday, Nov. 10, 7:00 PM ET ESPN
Georgia cornerback DeAndre Baker is a top-20 talent who is enjoying a fine senior year. He has gone largely untested by Florida and Kentucky over the past two weeks, but that should change versus Auburn, as the Tigers throw the ball more with quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Stidham needs to have a hot finish to this season to have any shot at being a first-round pick next April if he enters the 2019 NFL Draft. Last week, Stidham was better than he had been recently, leading a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Texas A&M. If Stidham can play well against Georgia and then play well again in the Iron Bowl versus Alabama, those would be big steps toward rehabbing his draft stock.
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown is the top prospect in this game and is coming off an excellent performance against Texas A&M. He made big plays in the pass rush and run defense to help Auburn pull off the comeback against the Aggies. The Tigers will need Brown to perform well in both phases to limit the passing of Jake Fromm and the tough Georgia rushing attack.
Another good draft matchup in this game will be Auburn cornerback Jamel Dean taking on Georgia wide receiver Riley Ridley. Dean has early-round ability and Ridley will be a good test for Dean.
Florida State vs. Notre Dame; Saturday, Nov. 10, 7:30 PM ET NBC
Florida State quarterback Deondre Francois has a pro skill set, but he has been pummeled on a weekly basis because the Seminoles have a pathetic offensive line. That line could get especially exposed by the Fighting Irish, and Francois is going to see a very tough test with Notre Dame’s excellent front seven. Defensive tackle Jerry Tillery could be a first- or second-round pick next April, and he has put a lot of heat on quarterbacks this year. Tillery and some talented young edge rushers will test Francois to get the ball out quickly while remaining composed under pressure.
Seminoles edge rusher Brian Burns is a skilled quarterback hunter who will be taking on one of the best offensive lines he will go against all year. Burns has issues in run defense, and this outing will be an opportunity for him to show improvement as Notre Dame has a tough ground game. Other prospects to watch include Notre Dame linebacker Te’Von Coney, Notre Dame cornerback Julian Love and Florida State defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas.
Clemson vs. Boston College; Saturday, Nov. 10, 8:00 PM ET ABC
This game features four potential first-round picks on the defensive line. Boston College defensive end Zach Allen is putting together his second straight impressive season, and while he does not get the hype of other players, he could be one of the most well-rounded defensive lineman who goes in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell has become a more well-rounded lineman since returning to school for 2018. He has been a consistent speed rusher over the past two years but has really improved his run defense in 2018. Both Ferrell and Allen could be top-20 choices in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Clemson defensive tackles Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence are also potential first-round picks. They will be seeing a future NFL starting guard in Chris Lindstrom. This will be a critical tape for Lindstrom, because the Tigers duo is by far the best tackles he will see this season. If Lindstrom does well versus Wilkins and Lawrence, that would be huge for his draft stock.
Boston College likes to run the ball up the middle with star sophomore A.J. Dillon. The big pounding back Dillon will be a test for Clemson linebacker Tre Lamar, who is another early-round talent.
Other prospects to watch include Clemson left tackle Mitch Hyatt, Boston College safety Lukas Denis, and Clemson cornerback Travon Mullen. Mullen could be a first-round pick next April.
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