While the 2020 NFL Draft is still far off in the distance, players that will be drafted early are on the field now. Each week presents unique matchups for draft prospects and this week is no different. Here are five NFL Draft prospects to watch in college football week 4.
1. Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
Fromm has been getting NFL looks since leading Georgia to the College Football Playoff as a freshman. He is one of the best quarterbacks for the 2020 NFL Draft class, but he could improve his stock with some good play this season. The junior has thrown for 601 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions on 75 percent completion.
This week Notre Dame will be visiting Georgia in a marquee matchup. Notre Dame has several NFL-level players on their defense, so Fromm will need to operate efficiently to give Georgia the best chance to win. Even though Georgia is favored to win, this is one of their toughest games of the year, so Fromm will have the chance to impress on the national stage.
2. Khalid Kareem, Edge, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame saw Kareem break onto the scene last year with 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He is already being scouted by the NFL, but really needs to take a step forward this year. In two games, he has just five total tackles and one tackle for loss. Those numbers won’t help his case to be a first-round draft pick, but he could improve his stock this weekend.
Kareem won’t only have to go up against Fromm and some talented Georgia running backs, but he’ll also have some battles in the trenches with good offensive linemen. Playing well could lead to a Notre Dame upset, but it also could help him put some good tape in front of the NFL before the draft in April.
3. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia Bulldogs
One player on the offensive line to watch this week is Andrew Thomas. Thomas has been protecting Fromm’s blindside for a few seasons now and is very experienced. His play has helped Georgia’s program rise to prominence over the last few years.
His main job will be protecting Fromm’s blindside, but he can also help clear holes for D’Andre Swift in the running game. Thomas’ play will not be appreciated because he isn’t making plays, but his blocking will help Georgia move the ball. A good game against talented defensive linemen will give Thomas a good chanced to improve his draft status.
4. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin Badgers
Taylor has been climbing up the record books for a few years now, since he started dominating as a freshman. This season, he has even added to this game and is now a receiving threat out of the backfield. He has already rushed for 237 yards and five touchdowns in the first two games of the season.
His matchup this week will be tough, as he plays against a talented Michigan defense. Taylor will have to rush for nearly 100 yards and a touchdown or two to give Wisconsin a chance. They will not be able to rely on their quarterback, so Michigan will stack the box. Running well in this situation will improve his draft stock, even if he does have a lot of wear and tear on him already.
5. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn Tigers
While he had the chance to enter the 2019 NFL Draft, Brown decided to return to Auburn for one more season. He is now part of a very formidable front seven that will have a few future pros on it. Brown has just one tackle for loss this season, but he has still played well through the first few weeks.
Brown will have a tough matchup against a Texas A&M offense that puts up some points. They are led by quarterback Kellen Mond, who Brown will have to make uncomfortable. If he is able to take on double teams and generate pressure, Brown can see his draft stock go up.
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