We’ve already covered in-depth many of the teams that are involved in the big games this week. So we’re going to change it up and target specific matchups of NFL prospects in key games. We’ll continue to iterate and make this more Patriots-focused as we get closer to the draft.
NO. 11 MICHIGAN STATE AT RUTGERS, Noon on BTN
Michigan State RB #9 Kenneth Walker vs. Rutgers LB #3 Olakunle Fatukasi
Walker is a transfer from Wake Forest who has immediately made an impression for the Spartans and vaulted himself into the top half of the draft. He has decent size (5-foot-10, 220 pounds) and some all-around skills. He does a good job making defenders miss but also breaks his share of tackles due to his running strength. He is currently leading the country in rushing.
Fatukasi is a really good college linebacker and has a reputation of being “student of the game”. He’s a tackling machine, has almost 50 tackles so far this year, and 3.5 sacks. He’s a two-time captain and has a lot of Big Ten Conference accolades. I think a good comparison is former Patriot Brandon Spikes, albeit not quite the athleticism. He’s good at finding the ball but he’s at his best when going forward. He checks some boxes for the Patriots - he is team captain, loves the game, is productive, and they have a history of drafting Rutgers players when Greg Schiano has been coach. While the Patriots will need some LB help in this draft, they need to get more athletic. Unless he tests well I wouldn’t expect them to target him until later in the draft.
NO. 3 IOWA AT NO. 4 PENN ST, 4:00 PM on FOX
Iowa CB #8 Matt Hankins & CB #33 Riley Moss vs. Penn State WR #5 Jahan Dotson
The Iowa corners are playing some of the best ball in the country. They started the year as Day 3 picks but they are improving their draft stock each week. The match-up with Penn State WR Jahan Dotson (and sophomore Parker Washington) is a highlight of the weekend.
Both Hankins and Moss have plus size for cornerbacks, offer value in run support, and show good instincts to attack the football. Between the two of them they’ve allowed only 6 first downs and have a combined 5 interceptions. Their testing and measurables at the combine will be a big factor on where they get drafted, especially given they play in a zone scheme.
Penn State’s Jahan Dotson is a really good WR that is dynamic with the football. He’s not a very big guy but he seems to have a bigger catch radius than his size would indicate. Great body control and competitiveness in contested coverage. The Nittany Lions find ways to get him the football (screens, runs, motion, punt returns, etc.). He’s a second-round pick with upside.
Iowa TE #84 Sam LaPorta vs. Penn State S #1 JaQuan Brisker
Sam LaPorta is leading the Hawkeyes in catches and touchdowns. This is the beginning of his breakout season and he’ll continue to be a focal point for the offense. He has very good size, he is a crafty route runner, and he’s tough over the middle. He’s going to be the next good Hawkeye TE to enter the league (George Kittle, TJ Hockenson, Noah Fant, Scott Chandler, etc.).
Penn State S JaQuan Brisker is a physical and talented player. He has done a good job this year addressing some of the concerns about his coverage skills. He’s been playing with nagging injuries, which scouts will like and appeals to his toughness and leadership traits. He has very good instincts and trusts them (see: game-ending play against Wisconsin when he dropped down into the box as “Robber” to intercept the pass and win the game. He’s a top 60 pick.
Iowa C #65 Tyler Linderbaum vs. Penn State LB’s #12 Brandon Smith, #13 Ellis Brooks
Linderbaum is the best center in college football. He’s not going to be for every team at the next level because he’s not very big (current Charger Corey Linsley is a good comparable). He was a former wrestler and started his career on defense and it shows in his play style; great leverage, good on the move, and a tough player (as are most from this program). Safe pick and I expect him to go in the back third of the first round or very early second round.
I love Brandon Smith as a player. If Iowa is Tight End U then it’s fair to say Penn State is Linebacker U (Alabama probably has something to say about that). He’s not Micah Parsons (current Cowboy who’s the favorite for DROY) but he has all the physical traits and is a really good player. Smith could have changed the Auburn game with a key pick and he can find himself out of place in zone coverage but he has great range and instincts. Linebackers aren’t as valued as they were years ago, but the Patriots could use his athleticism and I expect him to be picked somewhere in the first 3 rounds.
Teammate Ellis Brooks is having a strong season. The strength of the Nittany Lion defense is up the middle and Brooks is a big part of that. While I think Brandon Smith is a better pro prospect, Ellis Brooks is a draftable player that will look the part in an NFL uniform. He has a chance to be a top 100 player.
NO. 9 MICHIGAN AT NEBRASKA, 7:30 PM on ABC
Michigan S #30 Dax Hill, DE #97 Aidan Hutchinson vs. Nebraska TE #11 Austin Allen
Michigan S Dax Hill plays all over the field for the Wolverines. He’ll line up in the box, man coverage from the slot position, or deep safety. He has game-breaking talent but I think his NFL position is still TBD. His coverage ability isn’t in question but his ability to body NFL TEs is still up for debate. Playing against the very large Austin Allen will be a good test for Dax Hill.
Either way, he’s the best DB Michigan has had since Jabrill Peppers. With a good season he will cement himself as a top 60 player.
Michigan DE, Aidan Hutchinson, is playing like one of the best players in the country (18 tackles, 5.5 sacks, FF). He has a really good mix of bend, strength, and athleticism. He reminds me a lot of former NFL star Ryan Kerrigan. Hutchinson started the year as a mid to late first-round pick and is moving himself up into the top half of the draft. I don’t expect him to be available for the Pats by the time they pick (assuming they get things turned around).
TE Austin Allen is an under-the-radar prospect who could have a good NFL career. He's a huge target (6-foot-9, 255 pounds) who doesn’t look awkward at that size. Some teams will be intrigued to utilize that frame in the red zone. He’s a plus blocker and that’s where to focus on his match-up against Michigan DE Hutchinson. Nebraska will need to be physical and run the ball at the point of attack to win (Michigan should expect a challenging game). Allen is a name to know and if the junior declares he’ll be draftable.
LSU AT NO. 16 KENTUCKY, 7:30 PM on SEC NETWORK
Kentucky WR #1 Wan’Dale Robinson vs. LSU CB #25 Cordale Flott (CB)
Robinson started his career at Nebraska before transferring home to Kentucky. Robinson is most effective, and a weapon, out of the slot. Not very tall but he has a solid build with a nice blend of speed and toughness when carrying the football. He’s a top 100 prospect and a fair comparison is Percy Harvin.
Flott is a tall, lanky prospect that is very thin for the NFL game. He’s best in the nickel position which is where he’ll match up with Robinson for most of the night. He has good hips, changes direction pretty well and he uses his size to redirect smaller wide receivers. Flott is playing well and while he’s still an under-the-radar prospect, he’s about to start getting more attention with the injury to top prospect Derek Stingley Jr. (grandson of Patriot Darryl Stingley).
NO. 1 ALABAMA AT TEXAS A&M, 8 PM on CBS
Texas A&M DE #8 DeMarvin Leal vs. Alabama OT #73 Evan Neal
Not very often do we get to see matchups between future top 10 draft picks. This is a delicacy and what a great tape for scouts to review. Leal is a 290-pounder who often lines up on the edge. His best attributes are strength and great quickness. I compared him a couple of weeks ago to former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Gerald McCoy. Over the last two weeks (against Arkansas & MSU) he’s had 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and multiple pressures.
Evan Neal is a mountain of a man (6-foot-7, 350 pounds) and has the athleticism to fill out the physical profile. He’s having another solid season; equally effective in the run and pass game. Neal is a slightly more athletic version of Jets LT Mehki Becton. Evan Neal top 8 pick in the NFL draft.
Texas A&M T #55 Kenyon Green vs. Alabama DT #48 Phidarian Mathis
Kenyon Green is currently playing RT for the Aggies but I think his future in the NFL is at guard. He’s been good at tackle this year but he has potential to be the top guard taken. Great core strength and he finishes strong once locked on the defender. Green will need to have a great game against the Alabama defensive line to spring the Aggies talented RB’s (Isaiah Spiller, Ainias Smith, Devon Achane) and give Texas A&M a chance. He’s a little bit of a projection but I believe he’s a first-rounder.
Over the years, Mathis has consistently been in the defensive line rotation for Alabama but guys like current Patriot Christian Barmore always got more attention. This year he has been asked to take on an expanded role for the Tide and he is playing excellent. Most teams have started to double or combo block Mathis. Despite the attention, he was very good in the Florida game. He’s been really strong against the run and is leading the team in sacks (3.5). Defensive tackles from Alabama are traditionally well coached and draftable. Coming into the season, the book on Mathis was that he was a potential Day 3 pick. He won’t last that long, he’s playing himself into the first 75 picks.
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