CFB Week 4 Stock Report

Written by Christian Lysek

College Football is in full swing now. Many of the Florida teams have returned to the field after Hurricane Irma, and we are starting to sort out the contenders from the pretenders. We are also getting a better sense of which prospects are legit, and which are just hype. With that in mind, let's take a peek at this week's winners and losers.

Stock Up:

Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State

The best players rise up against good competition, and that is exactly what Chubb did this weekend against Florida State. Chubb was unstoppable, racking up 7 tackles and 2 sacks en route to a NC State upset of the Seminoles. In my eyes, Chubb is a first round lock.

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

How can one's stock increase if they were already the best player in the class at their position? Saquon Barkley found a way. He had 28 carries for 211 yards and a touchdown, plus 12 receptions for 94 yards against a stout Iowa defense. Barkley is a freak, and he might be the best running back prospect of the previous decade.

Bryce Love

Bryce Love, RB, Stanford

Here's Bryce Love's season stats so far: 73 carries, 787 yards, and five rushing touchdowns in only four games. That type of production is insane, especially when you consider that he has been facing mostly good teams (Rice, USC, San Diego State, UCLA). Love has vision, speed, and explosiveness, all of which have led to his 10.8 YPC average. He is rocketing up draft boards.

Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M

I'm not the biggest Armani Watts fan at this point, but I cannot deny the production he has had so far. He has five turnovers in only four games (two forced fumbles, three picks), including a game sealing pick against Arkansas. If he continues to improve his tackling, he will rise up my board.

Azeem Victor, LB, Washington

Azeem Victor broke his leg last season and was suspended for the first game of this season for a team rules violation. The rust appeared to be getting the better of Victor in his first two games back (only 6 tackles between the two), but now, Victor is back on track. Victor helped his Huskies beat Colorado, racking up ten tackles and a sack against the Buffaloes. If Victor gets back to 100%, count on him being a high pick.

Stock Down:

Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State

I'm starting to think being a quarterback on either my stock up or names to know section is a curse. One week after lighting up LSU and beating them by 30 points, Nick Fitzgerald came crashing down to Earth by completing only 48.3% of his passes for 83 yards and 2 interceptions in a 30 point loss to Georgia. Those are not round one quarterback numbers. Fitzgerald is in the same draft range as Josh Allen: mid-to-late Day two, early Day three.

Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina

What a bummer for Deebo Samuel. Samuel was destroying the competition, scoring six touchdowns in only three games to start the season. Unfortunately, Samuel broke his lower leg, and whether or not he will make it back on the field this season is unknown.

Courtland Sutton

Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

Sutton hasn't really been lighting up the competition recently. The take away the outrageous North Texas victory stat line (8 catches, 163 yards, 4 TDs), and Sutton has only 5 catches for 54 yards and one touchdown across three games. With many other receivers lighting up the college football landscape (James Washington, Dante Pettis, and Simmie Cobbs, to name a few). Sutton has to produce more consistently to ensure he doesn't get lost in the shuffle.

Kyle Hicks, RB, TCU

Kyle Hicks was a sleeper running back heading into the season, but it appears he is suffering the same fate as Ohio State's Mike Weber: a younger guy is outplaying him. Hicks has been outtouched by two of his teammates (Darius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua), and with his nagging injuries, it is unlikely Hicks is going to get those touches back.

Ralph Webb, RB, Vanderbilt

Ralph Webb has a firm grip on Vanderbilt's starting job, but he is quickly getting lost in the crowd of this year's running back class. Webb has only averaged 2.6 yards per carry this season, and unless he creates more big plays, it's going to be hard for anybody to justify taking him over his more productive peers.

Names to Know:

David Sills V, WR, West Virginia

David Sills has had one of the weirder paths to college football stardom. According to an SI article I read (https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/08/25/david-sills-v-recruitment-usc-west-virginia) Sills was one of those kids who committed when he was in middle school. He committed as a 13 year old to USC, but later in life decided on West Virginia. At West Virginia, he was asked to play receiver, transferred to El Camino (a JUCO) to play quarterback, and then transferred back to West Virginia to play receiver. Now he and quarterback Will Grier are teaming up to light up CFB defenses. Sills has used his size (6'4'', 200 pounds) and athleticism to rack up 26 catches, 396 yards, and seven touchdown in a mere four games. Sills should see his name rise up as he keeps producing.

Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE, USC

Uchenna Nwosu

If I asked you who was leading the country in pass deflections, would you say a defensive lineman did? If you did, you are correct. Uchenna Nwosu has an absurd 8 pass deflections in only four games despite almost never dropping into coverage. Nwosu only has one sack to pair along with those deflections, but on film he is getting consistent pressure and hits on the quarterback when he isn't deflecting passes. He is working his way into the early Day 2 conversation.

Caleb Wilson, TE, UCLA

Caleb Wilson has been the only consistent receiver for Josh Rosen this season. The 6'4'', 235 pound tight end has 32 receptions for 425 yards and a touchdown this season, but what stands out to me on film is how often he moves the chains. Whether it is by sitting at the sticks or gaining a few extra yards after the catch, Wilson is finding a way to get first downs. Add in that he isn't a bad blocker, and in this weak tight end class, we have ourselves a riser.

Follow 4 Down Scouting on twitter @4DownScouting
All statistics come from ESPN stats on ESPN.com expect for TFLs, which come from sports-reference.com

CFB Week 3 Stock Report

Written by Christian Lysek

I regret to say that I watched zero college football on Saturday. None. Not even my Hokies. I spent the day at a cabin with no service or cable, so instead my friends and I enjoyed nature and had a good ole time. Thanks to the magic of Youtube, however, I have been able to catch up on some of the games, and I am able to bring you my latest stock report. Read on to find out who is soaring and who is plummeting.

Stock Up:

Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State

Rashaad Penny

Perhaps you have heard Rashaad Penny's name before today, but even if you haven't, all you need to know is that this kid is legit. At 5'11'' and 220 pounds, Penny is a bigger
back, but he has real-deal speed. He is leading the FBS right now in rushing yards with 588 and has four touchdowns in only three games. Penny's stock is soaring and he could be a top-50 or even first round guy by the end of the season.

Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Mississippi State

Nick Fitzgerald is one of those toolsy quarterbacks that scouts drool over despite having lackluster accuracy. At least, he used to have lackluster accuracy. Fitzgerald was dominate against LSU, completing 65.2% of his 23 passes for 2 touchdowns while rushing for 2 more in Mississippi State's 37-7 win. If he keeps his completion percentage up, he could quickly find his way into the first or second round.

Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas

Has Jefferson finally turned the corner? Against USC on Saturday, Jefferson sure looked like he might have. Jefferson flew all over the field racking up 11 tackles, 9 of them solo. With more games like this, Jefferson is going to fly up my board.

Duke Dawson, CB. Florida

If you want to know why a bad Florida team was still in the game against Tennessee, look no further than Duke Dawson. The senior made a crucial red zone pick to halt a Tennessee scoring drive, keeping the Gators in contention to win. Dawson has balled out so far this season, with two interceptions (one pick six) in each of the first two games. He appears to the next stud corner from Florida.

Josh Adams, RB, Norte Dame

Boston College always has a strong defense, but you wouldn't know it by the way Josh Adams ran them over. Adams had a monster day, running for 229 yards on only 18 carries. Adams is probably a late round player, but he is looking like a gem at this point.

Cam Phillips, WR, Virginia Tech

I'm giving a bonus slot this week because Cam Phillips has been balling out for my Hokies. The 6', 200 pound receiver already has 27 receptions for 417 yards and 5 touchdowns. Phillips will most likely earn a Senior Bowl invite and could be a round two or three player come the draft.

Stock Down: 

Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

There is no reason for the Josh Allen hype train to keep on chugging. None. Zero. Allen had a chance to wow scouts this weekend against an Oregon defense that is average at best, but he had a miserable day. Allen was 9 of 24 for 64 yards and a pick. I don't want to hear "Well Josh Allen has no help" or whatever. Elite quarterback prospects do not have these kinds of performances, period. At this point, Allen might not even crack my top-100.

Connor Williams, OT, Texas

Unfortunately for Connor Williams, his declining stock has nothing to do with his play on the field. Williams tore his meniscus against USC, and his status for the rest of the season is in doubt. Hopefully, Williams will make a full, healthy recovery, because he is an elite talent who deserves a shot in the pros.

Max Browne, QB, Pitt
Max Browne created a little buzz this offseason as a graduate transfer to Pitt, but it is probably safe to say that the buzz has dissipated. Browne didn't even survive two full quarters against Oklahoma State before he was benched. His draft stock is at UDFA.

Anthony Averett

Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
I recently watched the Colorado State/Alabama game, and one player I was not impressed with was Anthony Averett. Averett drew two pass interference penalties and gave up a touchdown (he also would have given up another if not for a highly questionable incompletion call), and he got beat on quite a few routes. Averett needs to perform better once the ball is in the air, especially in the red-zone, if he wants to be drafted in the top two rounds.

Antonio Callaway/Jordan Scarlett

The nightmare continues for Florida. Antonio Callaway and Jordan Scarlett along with several other players are still being suspended for credit card fraud. At this point, these Gator players will be lucky if they don't end up in jail.

Names to Know:

Shawun Lurry, CB, NIU

Shawun Lurry

While Shawun Lurry's size will not impress anybody (5'8'' 180 pounds according to the team website), Lurry's production will give him a look from NFL scouts. Lurry nabbed his 13th career interception this past weekend against Nebraska, which he returned 87 yards for a touchdown. If Lurry tests well athletically, he is a slot corner candidate in the pros.

Brandon Silvers, QB, Troy
Another week, another sleeper quarterback. Brandon Silvers is a guy I haven't been able to watch yet, but from what I am reading a hearing, his size (6'3'' 220 pounds) and production (beat New Mexico State this past weekend) have scouts on notice. I especially want to see him against LSU on the 30th of September.

Aeris Williams, RB, Mississippi State
While Nick Fitzgerald is grabbing all of the headlines, Bulldog running back Aeris Williams has quietly had a very productive start to 2017. Williams already has 48 touches for 336 yards (7 YPC) and one touchdown this season, and he is a sleeper to watch this season.


Follow 4 Down Scouting on twitter @4DownScouting
All statistics come from ESPN stats on ESPN.com expect for TFLs, which come from sports-reference.com

Mock Draft 1.0: Post NFL Week 1

Written by Christian Lysek

Week one of the NFL season is in the books! As always, this weekend was jam packed full of surprises, including Alex Smith and Sam Bradford, two of twitter's most hated quarterbacks, being the best players on their respective fields, and the Jaguars all of a sudden being good at football. With all these week one overreactions fresh in our minds, there may not be a better time to drop my first mock draft of this draft year and see who your team may pick this spring. Note: An OSOB prospect is an "other side of the ball prospect." As long as a player has not been picked in the real mock draft and plays on the opposite side of the ball of the player picked, then they can be selected for the team. Note Two: I made these rankings. 

Round 1:

1. New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

The Jets have the worst roster in the NFL and it isn't really close. With that being said, even if the team was full of Pro Bowlers, they would still need a competent quarterback (see: Jacksonville Jaguars) in order to actually compete. Sam Darnold is continuing to impress me with his accuracy and poise, and he looks like a true franchise changer at quarterback.
OSOB Prospect: Arden Key, EDGE, LSU

Sam Darnold

2. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Nipping at the heels of Darnold is the Chosen Rosen himself. Rosen has completed 67.9% of his passes for 9 touchdowns and zero picks in two games. Brian Hoyer isn't a terrible quarterback, but he is a 31 year old journeyman. Kyle Shanahan needs a young playmaker, and Rosen fits the bill. OSOB Prospect: Derwin James, S, Florida State

3. Buffalo Bills: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson

I can't see the Bills picking Lamar Jackson here because he is too similar to Tyrod Taylor (athletic, plays at a high level, gets no respect despite being good) and the Bills apparently don't want a Pro-Bowl quarterback to lead their team. So in this mock they select Christian Wilkins, a monster of a defensive lineman. He can replace the aging Kyle Williams and the aggravating Marcell Dareus.
OSOB Prospect: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

4. Indianapolis Colts: Connor Williams, OT, Texas

The Colts are a joke without Andrew Luck, plain and simple. If they want to keep Luck on the field, they need to protect him better, and selecting the best offensive tackle prospect in years should help that.
OSOB Prospect: Arden Key, EDGE, LSU

5. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
The Brown have been drafting for upside in recent years, picking athletic freaks such as Myles Garrett, Jabrill Peppers, and David Njoku. Saquon Barkley looks like he was concocted in a lab, weighing 230 pounds and running in the 4.4s for his 40. Add in that he has been a baller for Penn State since he was a true freshman, and this pick is a no brainer.
OSOB Prospect: Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State

6. Chicago Bears: Derwin James, S, Florida State

The Bears have one of the best front sevens in the league, but they also have one of the leagues worst secondaries. Enter Derwin James, a 6'3'', 211 pound enforcer with zone and man cover skills. His versatility could make this Bear's defense elite.
OSOB Prospect: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Don't let the Jaguars rout of the Texans fool you: Blake Bortles still sucks. Lamar Jackson seems immune to bad performances so far this season, and his athleticism and tools are too much to pass on for the Jaguars.
OSOB Prospect: Arden Key, EDGE, LSU

8. Los Angeles Rams: Arden Key, EDGE, LSU

Robert Quinn exploded in 2013 with 19 sacks, but he sack count has decreased every year since, bottoming out at 4 last season. Arden Key is a great fit in the Ram's new 3-4 system, and Wade Phillips would be able to tap into his enormous potential.
OSOB Prospect: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

9. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

The Bengals were shut out by the Ravens in what was easily this Sunday's worst team performance. Everyone was terrible, but especially the offensive tackles. It is time to move on from the Cedric Ogbuehi/Jake Fisher left tackle experiment and take a four year starter in Mike McGlinchey.
OSOB Prospect: Mason Rudolph

10.  Washington Redskins: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Derrius Guice

Kirk Cousins was far from impressive against the Eagles this Sunday, but in all fairness, it's not like he had much help. Derrius Guice is one of those freak who can steamroll you and juke you, sometimes in the same run. Guice would be the best Washington running back since rookie Alfred Morris.
OSOB Prospect: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

11. Arizona Cardinals: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

It may be safe to say Carson Palmer is done. The 37 year old just doesn't have the juice in his arm anymore to carry the Cardinals to the playoffs. Mason Rudolph has his fair share of detractors, but I like his accuracy (especially deep) and his production enough to take him here.
OSOB Prospect: Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama

12. Miami Dolphins: Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State

The Dolphins have not made their NFL debut yet due to hurricane Irma, but on paper, the corner position looks weak. Tarvarus McFadden is 6'2'' with tremendous athleticism and ball skills.
OSOB Prospect: Mason Cole, OL, Michigan

13. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

The biggest question about Minkah Fitzpatrick is if he is a safety or corner. Either way, he is an upgrade for the Browns, who have a need at both positions.
OSOB Prospect: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

14. Detroit Lions: Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

The Lions defense put a beating on Carson Palmer on Sunday, but the Cardinals offensive line is weak and I don't expect the defense to be so disruptive against better competition. Harold Landry had 16.5 sacks in 2016, and would make a great pairing with Ziggy Ansah.
OSOB Prospect: Ronald Jones II, RB, USC

15. New Orleans Saints: Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State

It feels like the Saints have needed a pass rusher next to Jordan Cameron since Cameron got into the league, so this might be the year they actually do it. Bradley Chubb is a complete defensive end who would be another young piece in the Saints rebuilt defense.

OSOB Prospect: Luke Faulk, QB, Washington State

16. Baltimore Ravens: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

While the Ravens defense dominated yesterday, their offense was the equivalent of stale bread. Joe Flacco only completed nine of his seventeen passes, while the Ravens stable of bargain bin running backs churned out a win. The Ravens need to take the best offensive skill player available, and for me that is Christian Kirk. He is explosive, has great hands, and has been a playmaker since day one.
OSOB Prospect: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyquan Lewis, EDGE, Ohio State

The Buccaneers were supposed to play the Dolphins this Sunday but Hurricane Irma prevented them from doing so. The Bucs have plenty of EDGE rushers, but they are inconsistent with their performances. Tyquan Lewis is a big EDGE rusher who is the model of consistency, nabbing at least 8 sacks in each of the last two seasons.
OSOB Prospect: Ronald Jones II, RB, USC

18. New York Giants: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State

The Giants offensive line made the Cowboys motley crew of a front four look like Super Bowl 50 Broncos. Jamarco Jones hails from one of College Football's offensive line U's and would immediately replace Ereck Flowers.
OSOB Prospect: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

19. Los Angeles Chargers: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

The Chargers have a playoff-caliber roster, they just cannot stay healthy. Despite this, investing a pick in a hard-hitting safety with cover skills is a steal this late in the first round.
OSOB Prospect: Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn

James Washington

20. Carolina Panthers: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

The Panthers have big bodied weapons in Greg Olsen, Kelvin Benjamin, and Devin Funchess, but none of those players are real deep threat. James Washington is a home run hitter who will act as an upgraded Ted Ginn.
OSOB Prospect: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

21. Philadelphia Eagles: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

The Eagles have been trying to get rid of Mychal Kendricks since Chip Kelly left, but they have never had a player good enough to replace him. Enter Tremaine Edmunds: a 6'4'' 240 pound linebacker with instincts, speed, and versatility. Edmunds, Jordan Hicks, and Nigel Bradham would be the NFC East's best linebacker corps.
OSOB Prospect: Ronald Jones II, RB, USC

22. Tennessee Titans: Porter Gustin, EDGE, USC

The Titans are set on offense, but they need to bolster their defense. With Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo getting older, they need to bolster their EDGE depth. Porter Gustin is an animal who has improved every year he has played and would fit the Titans mold of physicality.
OSOB Prospect: Adam Breneman, TE, UMass

23. Minnesota Vikings: Equinameous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame

The Vikings receivers went off on Monday night against the Saints, but the drop off in talent between Adam Theilen and Stefon Diggs and the rest of the Vikings receivers is dramatic. With Brown's size and athleticism, the Vikings offense could be one of the best in the league.
OSOB Prospect: Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE, Kansas

24. Denver Broncos: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

With Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. getting older, the Broncos would be wise to add youth to their secondary. Jaire Alexander is a ball hawk who thrives in the big moment, nabbing two picks and a forced fumble against Clemson last season. Add in his return ability, and the Broncos would get a steal here.
OSOB Prospect: Adam Breneman, TE, UMass

25. Atlanta Falcons: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

The Falcons don't have many holes, but they could use a second corner next to Desmond Trufant. Denzel Ward is a shorter prospect at 5'10'', but he is a great athlete with the ball skills and speed to make up for it.
OSOB Prospect: Mason Cole, OL, Michigan

26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mason Cole, OL, Michigan

The Steelers have a great offensive line, but Mason Cole would be an awesome depth piece. He could play all five positions on the offensive line, and would be a plug and play guy when a Steeler lineman is hurt or leaves the team.
OSOB Prospect: Cameron Smith, LB, USC

27. Dallas Cowboys: Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama

The Dallas Cowboys have Maliek Collins at defensive tackle, but there is barely anybody else behind them. Da'Ron Payne is an athletic freak with ideal quickness and strength for a three technique. He will boost a lackluster Cowboy's defensive line.
OSOB Prospect: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

28. New England Patriots: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Oklahoma

The loss of Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones are starting to hurt the Patriots. Outside of Trey Flowers and D'Onta Hightower, the Patriots are barren when it comes to somebody who can rush the passer. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo can rush the passer, play in space, and cover. he would be the perfect replacement for the Pro-Bowlers the Patriots gave away.
OSOB Prospect: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

29. Seattle Seahawks: Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State

The Seahawks offensive line sucks. We all know they will probably use this pick on some defensive lineman with off the field issues, but here's to hoping.
OSOB Prospect: Adonis Alexander, CB, Virginia Tech

Cameron Smith

30. Oakland Raiders: Cameron Smith, LB, USC

The Raiders are Super Bowl contenders at every position except at linebacker and corner. We will see what rookie Gareon Conley can do in his first year, but the need a stud linebacker to stop the run and pass. Cameron Smith is sneaky athletic and has the instincts and build to play day one in the NFL.
OSOB Prospect: Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon

31. Green Bay Packers: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

With Jordy Nelson getting older and Randall Cobb and Davante Adams being inconsistent, it may be time to infuse the corps with young talent. Courtland Sutton has great size at 6'4'', 220 pounds and is always open even if he is covered due to his elite catch radius. Him and Aaron Rodgers would make an awesome duo.
OSOB Prospect: Porter Gustin, EDGE, USC

32. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs): Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

When the Bills lost Sammy Watkins and Marquis Goodwin, they lost their downfield threats. In order to open up underneath throws and the running game, they need a new field stretcher. Deon Cain is a big play waiting to happen and would give the vanilla Bills offense a new dimension.
OSOB Prospect: Van Smith, S, Clemson

Follow 4 Down Scouting on twitter @4DownScouting
All statistics come from ESPN stats on ESPN.com expect for TFLs, which come from sports-reference.com

CFB Week 2 Stock Report

Christian Lysek

Another weekend, another full slate of college football. While most of my Saturday was spent watching my Hokies destroy Delaware in Lane Stadium, I have managed to catch up on all of week two's college football action. Here's who helped and hurt themselves this weekend.

Stock Up:

De'Angelo Brewer, RB, Tulsa
Against Oklahoma State, sleeper running back De'Angelo Brewer laid an egg, gaining only 33 yards on 22 carries. Apparently, Brewer got mad at his performance and decided to unleash his anger on Louisiana-Lafayette. Brewer destroyed the Ragin' Cajuns for 262 yards and three TDs on 38 carries. With more standout performances, Brewer's name will gain steam as a real sleeper come April.

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Baker Mayfield planting the flag

Almost nobody expected the Sooners to beat Ohio State, but it was made possible by Baker Mayfield. Mayfield was 27 of 35 for 386 yards and 3 touchdowns. Mayfield has shown poise and accuracy during his time at Oklahoma, and despite his size, I think it is about time we legitimately start considering him as a potential franchise quarterback. Plus planting the OU flag was awesome.

Anthony Winbush, EDGE, Ball State
Anthony Winbush is an undersized defensive end at 6'1'' and 240 pounds, but he still made noise in week one with three sacks against Illinois. He followed it up with a 1.5 sack showing against UAB this past weekend. Winbush is a 3-4 OLB sleeper whose name could rise even higher with more production.

Hercules Mata'afa, DL, Washington State
Hercules has certainly lived up to his name. While he is undersized as a true defensive tackle, Hercules has been dominating opponents, racking up 2 sacks a 5.5 tackles for loss in only two games. With these big showings, Hercules has put his name on the map.

Austin Bryant, EDGE, Clemson

Most people know the big three of the Clemson defensive line: Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, and Dexter Lawrence. After Clemson's victory against Auburn though, it may be time to add a fourth member. The 6'4'' defensive end racked up a whopping four sacks against Auburn, helping hold them to just 6 points. With more big performances, he could enter the top 50 picks or even the first round.

Stock Down:

Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Overall, McGlinchey really hasn't gotten off to a bad start this season. However, the last play of Saturday's game against Georgia, where he was burned around the edge by linebacker David Bellamy, is probably going to stick in the minds of talent evaluators come draft season.

J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State
It feels like J.T. Barrett has been in college football for the last decade. Unfortunately for him, his return to school is not working out as planned. Against Oklahoma, Barrett was unable to lead his offense effectively, completing only 54.3% of his 35 pass attempts for only 183 yards and one interception. Barrett is taking himself out of the draft conversation.

Luke Faulk, QB, Washington State

Kalen Ballage

During Washington State's overtime win over Boise State, Luke Faulk was benched: twice. The second time was for an injury, but the first time was do to poor play and an interception. Much like McGlinchey's sack, this is going to haunt Faulk come draft season.

Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
Ballage got a ton of hype this preseason and I admit I bought into it. He is a freak athlete for a running back. That being said, Ballage has not produced so far this season. He has had 33 carries for 123 yards (3.7 YPC), which have come against New Mexico State and San Diego State. We still have awhile to go and Ballage does have three touchdowns under his belt, but he needs to pick his YPC up in order to live up to the hype.

Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

If you read my stock report last week, you know that Drew Lock got off to a good start in 2017, throwing for 7 touchdowns in week one. Unfortunately, all that momentum is gone. Lock completed an abysmal 43.8% of his passes for one touchdown and two interceptions against South Carolina. Lock still has a long way to go if he wants to be an early pick.

Shane Morris

3 Players to Watch:

Shane Morris, QB, Central Michigan
Maybe you missed it, but Central Michigan upset Kansas this past weekend, led by Shane Morris' five touchdowns. Morris was a 5-star recruit who transferred from Michigan to CMU. He is a southpaw, but he has a great arm and good athleticism. He is a big-time sleeper for the 2018 quarterback class.

Darrius Phillips, CB, Western Michigan

Phillips has been balling out against big competition. In two games against USC and Michigan State, he has 2 picks and three pass breakups. This corner class isn't all that great, so he could make his way into the top ten or even top five corners if he keeps producing.

David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State
Draft twitter has a crush. Montgomery has 194 yards and three touchdowns on only 34 attempts this season (5.7 YPC), all while displaying strength and balance through contact. It helps that he plays similarity to Kareem Hunt, who just torched the Patriots on Thursday.

Follow 4 Down Scouting on twitter @4DownScouting
All statistics come from ESPN stats on ESPN.com expect for TFLs, which come from sports-reference.com

CFB Week 1 Player Stock Report

Christian Lysek

What an opening weekend for college football! I spent the whole weekend in my dorm hall with friends watching football, and what a slate of games there were to watch. After watching some games I missed, here's my scouting report from the weekend.

Stock Up:

Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
Josey Jewell is showing no signs of rust to start 2017. The stud Hawkeye linebacker played a huge role in steamrolling Josh Allen and the rest of Wyoming by racking up 14 tackles, 2 sacks, and a pass deflection. If he churns out more games like this, Jewell could be drafted in the top 100.

Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
South Carolina uses Deebo Samuel like the Chiefs use Tyreek Hill. The South Carolina receiver hauled in 5 receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns while returning a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. Samuel is an all-purpose weapon who teams will have a hard time passing on this fall.

Derwin James, S, Florida State

Deebo Samuel

What torn meniscus? Derwin James is back and he looks as good as ever. While his six tackles and .5 sacks don't jump off the page, the fact that James is back looking healthy and played well in coverage are two big wins for the elite prospect.

Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana
Simmie Cobbs missed all but one play of his 2016 season due to an ankle surgery, but he stepped right into the college football spotlight this past Thursday. The 6'4'', 220 pound receiver destroyed the Ohio State secondary with 11 catches, 149 yards, and one touchdown. With Richard Lagow throwing to him, expect Cobbs to put up big numbers all season long.

Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
After two season of being stuck in a committee backfield, Ronald Jones finally has the floor to himself. Against Western Michigan, he made an impressive 2017 debut with 18 carries, 159 yards, and 3 touchdowns. If he puts up similar performances against better competition, Jones could rocket himself into first round consideration.

Stock Down:

Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State
Mike Weber picked a bad week to injure his hamstring. In his place, true freshman J.K. Dobbins had 29 carries for 181 yards, an Ohio State record. Weber was supposed to be the man this year for the Buckeyes, but he may be forced to split carries if Dobbins continues to impress.

Josh Allen

Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Josh Allen really had a chance to make a good impression this Saturday, but he did not make the most of it. Allen struggled to read the Hawkeye's defense as he threw 23 of 40 with 2 interceptions and no touchdowns. He has an uphill climb to live up to the enormous level of hype he garnered this summer.

Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama

Florida State has a tough defense, but Bo Scarborough has to perform better. Scarbrough only managed 2.7 YPC as he ran the ball 15 times for only 40 yards, while teammate Damien Harris ran the ball only 9 times for 73 yards. Big Bo needs to play better if he wants to be the first Bama back taken this spring.

Deondre Francois, QB, Florida State
What a bummer for Francois. Francois was hanging in against a tough Bama defense, but unfortunately, he came down with a torn patellar tendon late in the game. Hopefully he will be back next year to play again and reach his sky-high potential.

Chris Warren III, RB, Texas
Unlike many of his teammates, Chris Warren did not have that bad of a game against Maryland. However, the talented back needs more carries and opportunities to raise his draft stock than he got on Saturday (6 carries for 31 yards, 2 catches for 19 yards). If he doesn't get the carries, he probably will not be drafted.

3 Players to Watch:

Jermaine Carter Jr., LB, Maryland
Jermain Carter caught my eye on the very first play of Texas vs. Maryland, where he crushed Shane Buechele on a sack (He finished the game with 7 tackles and two sacks). Carter is a mean and athletic linebacker with some coverage skills, and I am excited to see more of him against Big Ten competition.

Jaleel Scott

Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
7 touchdowns. That is how many Lock threw against Missouri State. Lock has a huge arm that scouts will fall in love with, but his most encouraging stat from the weekend was his 61.8% completion rating, up from 54.6% in 2016. If he keeps that completion percentage up, he could be a fast riser.

Jaleel Scott, New Mexico State
He is the guy who made this highlight reel catch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b470bCDiEY). Jaleel Scott shredded Arizona State's porous secondary for 8 receptions, 149 yards, and two touchdowns. Add in that he is 6'6'' and 215 pounds, and Scott could rocket up draft boards.

Follow 4 Down Scouting on Twitter @4DownScouting

All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted

2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: Safeties

Written by Christian Lysek

S Top Ten and First Look:

1. Derwin James, Florida State

2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
3. Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
4. Van Smith, Clemson
5. Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern
6. Marcus Allen, Penn State
7. Kyzir White, West Virginia (shown right)
8. Armani Watts, Texas A&M
9. Quin Blanding, Virginia
10. Jordan Whitehead, Pitt

The 2017 safety class was rare. It was full of high end talent and went so deep that starters could be found on day three. The 2018 class features an elite top three, but the rest of the class is playing catch up. Headlining the top three is Derwin James, who by all means a freak. Physically imposing at 6'3'' and 211 pounds, James is a tremendous hitter who aims to punish. He is coming off of a torn meniscus, but judging by his 2017 debut against Alabama, I couldn't even tell. He excels both against the run and in coverage and is a top ten player on my board. Next on the list is Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Crimson Tide's best defensive player. Fitzpatrick is a smooth athlete with the speed and agility to play both corner and safety. Add in his ball skills (6 picks, 7 pass deflections in 2016) and his ability to support the run, (66 tackles, 5.5 TFLs in 2016), and Fitzpatrick is only behind James by the smallest of margins. Playing alongside of Fitzpatrick is Ronnie Harrison, one of the meanest men in all of College Football. Harrison is an enforcer in the running game and plays well in both man and zone coverage. He is a first round talent in my eyes. Van Smith is one of the Clemson Tigers most unknown players, but he is also one of their better ones. The 5'11'', 195 pound safety racked up 96 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2 picks in 2016, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set that will make him a high draft pick. Godwin Igwebuike is a sleeper pick for many analysts, but I think he demonstrates a wider arrange of skills than several other safeties in this draft. Igwebuike is physical against the run and is good at reading the quarterback's eyes in coverage. I really like Igwebuike and think he could be a top-100 player.

Marcus Allen is a box safety, and a damn good one at that. Allen racked up 110 tackles and 6 TFLs in 2016, playing a huge role in Penn State's defense. I would like to see him perform better in coverage (0 career interceptions), but I still believe he is a top-100 talent. Kyzir White is the latest in a long line of hard-hitting safeties from West Virginia. He is an explosive run defender who flies to the ball and crushes runners. Like Allen, he needs to improve in coverage, but he will make a good box safety in the pros. Armani Watts has been starting since he was a freshman for the Aggies, but his draft stock is all over the map. Watts is good in coverage with 6 career picks, but until he learns to tackle better, he will stay down my list. It's hard to be the last line of defense when you whiff on every tackle. Quin Blanding has the opposite issue of Watts. Blanding excels against the run, but he doesn't have the best athleticism, and it shows in pass coverage. This doesn't break his stock, but it does limit his upside. Jordan Whitehead is a fearless run defender and shows good instincts in coverage, but he is undersized at 5'10'' and 190 pounds and he has been suspended for the first three weeks of the season. He needs to have a really standout season to rise up my board.

Match-ups to Watch:

Penn State vs Northwestern, October 7th
This will be one of the top safety matchups of the year. Clayton Thorson is a sleeper quarterback for this year, and I will be intrigued to see how Marcus Allen plays in coverage against him. Godwin Igwebuike is a good safety prospect, and this matchup will have a huge impact on whether he stays high on my board.

Clemson vs Auburn, September 9th
Van Smith will get his first real test of the season against Jarrett Stidham and Kamryn Pettway. A big game from him will skyrocket his stock.

Virginia vs. Penn State, October 28th
This is box safety vs box safety with Quin Blanding and Marcus Allen. The question is whether or not either player can excel in coverage.

Follow 4 Down Scouting on Twitter @4DownScouting

All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted

2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: Cornerbacks

Written by Christian Lysek

CB Top Ten and First Look:

1. Tarvarus McFadden, Florida State
2. Jaire Alexander, Louisville
3. Denzel Ward, Ohio State
4. Adonis Alexander, Virginia Tech
5. Brandon Facyson, Virginia Tech
6. Anthony Averett, Alabama
7. Iman Marshall, USC
8. Quenton Meeks, Stanford (shown right)
9. Duke Dawson, Florida
10. Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma

The 2018 corner draft class looks quite good. Not as good as the 2017 draft class, but still very solid. It is headlined by Tarvarus McFadden from Florida State. McFadden is 6'2'', 200 pounds with great speed and agility. He tied with former West Virginia corner Rasul Douglas for the FBS interception lead with 8 picks last season, a testament to he superior ball skills and instincts. McFadden is the total package at corner. Jaire Alexander is a little bit smaller than McFadden at 5'11'' and 192 pounds, but Alexander shares similar ball skills and athleticism. Alexander had 5 interceptions last season and nine pass deflections. Alexander has that tenacity and alpha dog mentality a corner needs to succeed, and he is a first round talent on my board. Denzel Ward is just now getting his shot at a starting role after sitting behind studs such as Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley, and Eli Apple. Ward is smaller than most of those players at 5'10'' and 191 pounds, but he is a great athlete with tremendous ball skills. He ran a 4.23 40 yard dash in the summer for the Buckeyes, a very impressive time even though he probably won't match it at the combine. On the field, Ward has shown why he is such a highly touted prospect, racking up an interception and 5 pass deflections in this year's season opener against Indiana. At number four on the list is Adonis Alexander out of Virginia Tech. Alexander is winning the size war, standing at 6'3'' and weighing 197 pounds. Alexander is a fluid mover and uses his superior length to intercept and deflect balls. Playing along side Adonis Alexander is Brandon Facyson, a 6'2'', 197 pound corner with good technique and ball skills. A healthy season from Facyson will make him a high draft pick.

The Crimson Tide make their first appearance on this list with Anthony Averett. Averett, like previous Alabama corners, can struggle when asked to cover deep, but he has the physical tools at 6' and 185 pounds and tackling ability to warrant a spot on this list. Iman Marshall was a highly sought after recruit when he selected USC, but his career has largely been inconsistent. The 6'1'', 205 pound corner has great ball skills with 3 interceptions and at least 8 pass deflections in each of his first two seasons, but he is prone to mental lapses in coverage. He needs to refine his game in order to live up to the hype. Quenton Meeks is another big corner at 6'2'' and 197 pounds. He doesn't appear to be a phenomenal athlete, but I do like his length and technique. Duke Dawson, like Denzel Ward, is a talented prospect who was stuck behind several high draft picks. Dawson doesn't offer much in terms of run support, but if he can continue to lock down receiver like he did against Michigan this weekend, he should rise up this board. Jordan Thomas is one of the more talented prospects on this list, standing 6' tall and racking up 2 picks and 17 pass breakups in 2016. Unfortunately, Thomas has been a nightmare off the field. He was suspended twice during the 2015 season and arrested on charges of assault, battery, and public intoxication in December of 2015. Until he proves these issues are behind him, he will stay down this list.

Match-ups to Watch:

Oklahoma vs Ohio State, September 9th
This is one of the most anticipated rematches of 2017. Denzel Ward will have to lock down against Baker Mayfield and the explosive Oklahoma offense, while Jordan Thomas is going to have to lineup across from Parris Campbell, who played a huge role in defeating Indiana last week.

Florida vs LSU, October 7th
Its the DBU matchup. While Ed Paris (LSU), Kevin Tolliver (LSU), and Duke Dawson don't face great quarterbacks, they will face good wide receivers in LSU's DJ Chark and Florida's Antonio Calloway. Plus, they are going to have to get physical in the running game against LSU's Derrius Guice and Florida's Jordan Scarlett.

Stanford vs USC, September 9th
This will be the PAC-12 showdown to watch. Iman Marshall is going to have a challenge against a Stanford offense that is always good, while Quenton Meeks will have to play extremely well to shut down star quarterback Sam Darnold.

Follow 4 Down Scouting on Twitter @4DownScouting

All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted