Each week 5 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch will be published. After the week is over, each of the players will be evaluated to see how they did. Here is the recap for the five NFL Draft Prospects to watch in week 3.
1. A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Iowa
It was a physical game between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones with Iowa coming out on top in the end. Epenesa had a pretty mundane game with just one tackle and one QB hurry. He was a player Iowa State’s offensive line needed to scheme for, which means other players were able to make plays.
Epenesa’s draft stock won’t be hurt too badly by this one bad game. He still has great physical tools and will be able to display them in plenty of games down the stretch. Iowa will have a chance to win the Big Ten West with Epenesa’s help.
2. Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
Stanford’s defense had a rough day against UCF, as they allowed 45 points. Adebo was part of a passing defense that allowed four touchdowns. He had four tackles, but this won’t be tape he, or the rest of the Stanford defense, will be happy about.
There is plenty of time for Adebo to get better tape for the 2020 NFL Draft. With more Pac-12 games coming up, Adebo should be able to recover. If he can’t do so this year, he is just a redshirt sophomore who could return to school for another year.
3. Jacob Eason, QB, Washington
The Huskies got their bounce-back win over Hawaii this weekend. Eason looked a lot better than he has all season and helped Washington put up 52 points on the Warriors. He completed 18 of 25 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns. He threw no interceptions.
Eason’s stock was falling early this season, especially because there were reports that he may not even win the starting job. With this game of good production under his belt he can now move forward into the Pac-12 season to put more good tape on film.
4. Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State
It was a sloppy game that was hard to watch, but the Sun Devils came out on top over Michigan State. Benjamin made the game-winning play by stretching the ball over the goal line to give the Sun Devils their only touchdown of the game. He had just 38 yards on 11 carries with the one touchdown. Benjamin also had two catches for 11 yards.
Benjamin isn’t quite having the season anyone expected. With just 209 yards in three games, he’ll need to pick up the pace here soon. He came into the season as one of the best draft prospects at his position, but now may have more to prove.
5. Kenny Willekes, Edge, Michigan State
Michigan State’s defense played their hearts out before giving up the one touchdown to Benjamin and losing the game. The defense didn’t deserve to lose the game for how well they played. Willekes had a great game with seven tackles, 0.5 sacks and two tackles for loss.
Willekes played well and still has more opportunities to improve his draft stock. Michigan State still has all of their tough games in the Big Ten East to play this season and if Willekes keeps it up, his draft stock will rise.
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