Numerous teams around the country put up stellar offensive showings this week with points flying all over. Here are some of the best of the best standouts who elevated themselves into Offensive NFL Draft Risers.
Week 10’s Offensive NFL Draft Risers Contain Multiple Career-Defining Performances
WR Jordan Watkins, Ole Miss
There isn’t much to say about Watkins other than that he caught eight passes for 254 yards and five touchdowns. After this week, the fifth-year senior wideout likely induced nightmares within the Arkansas secondary and coaching staff. Watkins and quarterback Jaxson Dart were firing on all cylinders on their way to a dominant 63-31 showing.
Continuously behind star Tre Harris on the depth chart, among others, Watkins hasn’t generated much pre-draft hype to this point. That could be changing after his electric outing because of his stat line’s sheer impossibility to overlook. With three more SEC games on the horizon, he has chances to put out more high-profile tape and push himself into the NFL Draft conversation.
Potential Team Fit: Buffalo Bills
TE Joshua Simon, South Carolina
The Gamecocks’ 36-20 upset over Texas A&M headlined the weekly slate of games and Joshua Simon’s performance was a major reason why. His four snags for 132 yards and two scores were by far the best game of his collegiate career to date. The Aggies’ defense had zero answers for the 23-year-old TE and he flashed his intriguing body type and athleticism mix.
Similar to Watkins, Simon hasn’t garnered many NFL conversations in the mainstream draft media. What some scouts have pointed out, however, is that he has the makings of a much better pro player than collegiate. If he can continue to maintain his consistent production and test well next spring he could be selected fairly highly.
Potential Team Fit: Los Angeles Chargers
OL Amari Kight, UCF
Kight and the UCF offense steamrolled through Arizona en route to a convincing 56-12 victory in Week 10. The experienced OT posted the team’s third-highest offensive PFF grade this week with their highest pass-blocking grade to match. The 6’7” 318-pounder simply outmatched the entirety of the Arizona defensive line and consistently moved people effortlessly.
A likely late-round selection comes in April, and Kight could boost his stock over the next few months in a weaker class. He has sometimes shown elite sparks in his career, especially as a pass protector. His frame provides a high athletic upside and his agility and strength should give NFL scouts a reason to take a flyer on him.
Potential Team Fit: Houston Texans
OL Quinn Carroll, Minnesota
Minnesota came into ranked Illinois’s home and left with a surprising eight-point win with the help of some late heroics. Carroll posted an 88-plus PFF grade in both pass blocking and run blocking against the Fighting Illini defense. He kept QB Max Brosmer’s pocket clean the entire contest and was a technically sound blocker in all schemes.
His processing and skills in pass-blocking make him an interesting option for any team in the draft’s later rounds. He could become a starter down the line if he’s able to sure up his run-blocking abilities and overall fluidity. Saturday’s game was a big step in the right direction for Carroll as a prospect and he could make a legitimate impact on his draft position because of it.
Potential Team Fit: Cleveland Browns
Main Photo Courtesy of Nelson Chenault – Imagn Images
