A couple of key Big Ten games on the docket this weekend. Focusing on key areas of potential need for the Patriots — corners, wide receivers, tight ends, tackles, and interior defense line.
NO. 13 PENN STATE AT NO. 2 OHIO STATE, Noon on FOX
Penn St CB #9 Joey Porter Jr. (6-foot-2, 194 pounds) vs. Ohio St WR #11 Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6-1, 200)
The son of former Steeler, Joey Porter, is an outside corner with long arms. He’s at his best when he can jam and use his frame, which is ideal for the NFL game. He has to watch his penalties (last year he averaged almost 1 game) and he hasn’t been terribly committed to the run game this season. That said, he played very well against Ohio State last season and through 6 games he has 11 PBUs and only 11 catches allowed (less than 50% completion percentage). This game, and the matchups against top talent, will determine if he’s a first-rounder.
Smith-Njigba has been slowed by a hamstring injury which has kept him off the field, but he’s expected to play on Saturday. I still have him as the top WR in this class. I think he’s a true baller and he’s the reason that last year's first-round pick, Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions), transferred away from Ohio State to Alabama. He couldn’t jump Smith-Njigba on the depth chart. He may not have elite speed but he’s great after the catch. He put up 1,606 receiving yards and set the Rose Bowl receiving record.
Ohio State has a deep stable of WRs that will play at the next level. Julian Fleming is a decent prospect, and Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeke Egbuka are future stars.
Penn St LT # 74 Olumuyiwa Fashanu (6-6, 308) vs. Ohio St DE #9 Zach Harrison (6-6, 272)
Those inside the Nittany Lion program were talking about his potential. I was surprised when last year’s starting LT, Rasheed Walker, declared early (7th round pick, Packers). Well, it makes a little more sense now. Fashanu was waiting in the wings. He hasn’t allowed a QBH all season and only 6 hurries. He’s physical, has effective mirroring skills and enough strength to anchor. I was impressed with him against Auburn’s talented rushers and Saturday will be his next big test. I’d like to see more before I give a grade, but he’s been impressive thus far.
Given the positional need for the Patriots, also watch the Ohio State tackles (#79 Dawand Jones & #77 Paris Johnson). Positionally, I had Jones ranked #1 and Johnson ranked #4 entering the season.
As an edge rusher, Harrison looks the part and he'll make the occasional highlight play, but I haven’t had him in the top tier because he's never been consistent. While he has significant athleticism (he's a potential 4.5 guy) he's not a bend-around-the-edge player. He’s playing better when he rushes from the inside. Kudos to the Buckeye coaches for being creative. I believe he might be better suited as a strongside DE or adding some weight to play a 3 technique. He could end up being top 100 just because of the traits.
MICHIGAN STATE AT NO. 4 MICHIGAN, 7:30 p.m. on ABC
Michigan NT #58 Mazi Smith (6-3, 337) vs. MSU DT #64 Jacob Slade (6-4, 305)
Smith is 3rd on the team in tackles which is incredible given his interior position on the defensive line. He’s a big guy that plays a lot (not always the case at DT) which speaks to his stamina, smarts and athleticism to play situational football. He has elite strength and he’s incredibly agile. He’s never going to put up sack numbers but last season he did a good job redirecting passes. He’s an intriguing guy for the Patriots.
Slade is a late-round pick that could last in the league. He’s going to have almost 30 career starts for the Spartans. He’s coming off injury but historically he’s been durable (last year he led the Spartans in snaps which is incredible at that position). He doesn’t put up sack numbers, but he does pressure the QB at a good clip because of his constant motor and physical style.
Michigan TE Luke Schoonmaker (6-6, 250) vs. Michigan State TE #9 Daniel Barker (6-4, 250)
Schoonmaker is another New England (Hamden, CT) success story playing for Michigan. He’s largely been a second option for Michigan behind some NFL players (and current TE Erik Ali is out for the year with injury) but he’s well respected by coaches in the conference and his teammate. He has a long frame, carries his weight well and has room to add more. He’s good in the red area because of his size and hands. He’s one of the better blocking TEs in college football which will help him this spring.
Barker is a graduate transfer from Illinois who will have over 30 starts in the Big Ten. He set the Illini record for career TDs for a TE with 11 and he has 1 this year. The best part of his game is that he can play in-line, slot or out wide. Unlike Schoonmaker, I question Barker’s blocking at the next level, but I do think he has enough receiving chops and athleticism to contribute.
Both these guys are potential depth TE picks for the Patriots next year.
Michigan CB #5 DJ Turner (6-0, 180) vs. Michigan State WR #1 Jayden Reed (6-0, 190)
Turner caught my attention against OSU last year and he’s getting better with more playing time. I watched the game against Maryland (3 NFL WR prospects), and he was good again. He’s an outside corner with man skills, NFL speed and agility. Pats fans, he reportedly runs an elite 3 cone drill! I love it too. His size lets him play aggressively at the LOS and he’s good on a jam. Turner has 2 turnovers and 4 PBUs so far this year.
Also, keep an eye on Everett native, CB Mike Sainristil (#0), who moved from offense to a nickel CB role. He’s still adjusting but a smart NFL team will take a chance on him next season. I would love it if the Patriots targeted him as PFA.
Jayden Reed would have been drafted if he declared last season. He’s the leading WR for the Spartans again this season and he has good rapport with the QB. He needs to show up and show out for the Spartans to win but he’s capable of that. While he has good speed, he needs to develop better routes and more consistency on the intermediate stuff but he’s a competitor with the ball in the air and dangerous once it’s in his hands. I think he’s a Day 2 player.
Recapping Last Week
NO. 5 CLEMSON: DE Myles Murphy was really good in this game. His strength is his best asset. On one play early in the game, he got held by the LT Bergeron and was still able to sack the QB. His secondary moves need some more work but he’s playing really well, and Murphy will contribute for an NFL team next season. …DE KJ Henry had a good game as well. He dropped into coverage a few times and he’s athletic enough to do it. I think he could be an OLB in a 3-4 defense. He had 3 tackles, a handful of pressures, and a huge sack late in the fourth quarter…LB Trenton Simpson was just average last week. A couple tackles, a key sack, and another pressure. He was keyed on Tucker most of the game, which Syracuse used to their advantage on misdirection plays.
NO. 16 SYRACUSE: RB Sean Tucker is going to be a third-down back at the next level. I don’t think he’s completely healthy, otherwise Syracuse coaches must explain why they didn’t get him the ball more. He had 10 touches for 72 yards and 1 TD. Smoother catcher out of the backfield…LT Matt Bergeron struggled against top prospect Myles Murphy for most of the day (at least in the pass game). Syracuse gave him a lot of help. He did a good job shifting his weight, but he struggled with Murphy’s power. While he was better in the run game, I didn’t leave the tape thinking he’s a Day 2 pick. He’ll be a name to watch but I don't see him in the top tier.
NO. 8 OREGON: Christian Gonzalez was really effective. He only gave one catch of note (first down) and he had 2 passes defensed. He hasn’t been the best in run support, but he was better last week, with 5 tackles (1 TFL) in this game…LB Noah Sewell continues to underwhelm. This kid may play himself out of the draft. He had 5 tackles and 2 pressures (1 which forced an INT) but the stat line doesn’t tell the full story. He gave up a pass TD (to Bobo) in zone coverage and doesn’t seem to be quickly or effectively reading his keys. Tons of potential but he needs to start putting it back together.
NO. 12 UCLA: RB Zach Charbonnet had a really strong game. He finished with 151 yards on 20 carries (1 TD) and another 4 catches out of the backfield. He runs a bit upright but shows forward lean as he approaches contact which makes him a tough tackle and strong after contact. He's a durable player that can handle a workload…WR Jake Bobo had another productive game. The local product led the Bruins with 8 catches for 101 yards and 1 TD. He’s nothing special athletically but he finds the holes in a defense, and he has good hands.
NORTHWESTERN: LT Peter Skoronski was effective, once again, on Saturday. Consistently has good positioning and footwork. There was a sack coming off his edge, but the scheme call had him down blocking. He’s only been credited with two pressures this year. First-rounder.
MARYLAND: LT Jaelyn Duncan is talented for sure. I continue to be a fan, but he needs more consistency. When Maryland needed a play, they ran towards his side. He’s effective at pulling but could be more accurate at the second level. He would have had a clean sheet but (famous last word) he had two errors. A sack on bull rush (QB should have gotten rid of the ball but still) and a false start in the red zone.