Each week here at PFF, we will not only highlight those top draft-eligible prospects, NFL draft board-risers and deep statistical updates of the top draft-eligible quarterbacks, we will also be giving you an advanced look at those top prospects when they will be matching up against one another.
Be it a wide receiver matching up against a cornerback, an edge defender going up against an offensive tackle or any and all in between, we give you the most intriguing draft-eligible prospect matchups for Week 2:
Clemson WR Deon Cain vs. Auburn CBs Carlton Davis & Javaris Davis
Cain wasn’t called on often last week against Kent State, but still delivered a 61-yard touchdown reception. The long ball was the hallmark of his game in 2016 as well, as he ranked fifth among returning receivers in deep pass receptions (passes that travel at least 20 yards through the air) and ninth in deep pass yards. Davis, on the other hand, allowed just two receptions over 25 yards last year, and just three as a rookie in 2015. Cain could also see Javaris Davis lined up across from him as well, and he was equally impressive last year. He also surrendered just two grabs longer than 25 yards on 31 throws into his coverage, and opposing quarterbacks had a rating of just 55.2 when challenging him.
Clemson DI Christian Wilkins vs Auburn RG Braden Smith
Smith was flawless on 29 pass protection reps last week against Georgia Southern, and his 89.6 run-blocking grade ranked sixth nationally among all guards. He’ll have his hands full this week against Wilkins who has moved inside to his more natural position this year after playing primarily on the edge in 2016. He got off to a bit of a slow start with just one run stop last week (no pressures on two pass rush reps), but his 41 total pressures, nine batted passes and 27 total stops last year suggest he’ll quickly pick up the pace. Considering he played 22-of-27 snaps last week at either left defensive end or left nose tackle, he should see plenty of Smith lined up opposite him this Saturday.
Oklahoma edge Ogbonnia Okoronkwo vs Ohio State LT Jamarco Jones
While these two didn’t face off often in last year’s contest, Okoronkwo was able to twice defeat Jones on inside moves, and considering the Oklahoma standout played 23 of his 36 snaps last week from the right side of the Sooner defense, this matchup could be more heavily featured in Saturday’s rematch. Okoronkwo’s inside moves were on display throughout 2016, as he notched an inside pressure once every 10.4 pass rushes, the best ratio among 2018 edge prospects. While Jones gave up just one sack and six hits last year, his ratio of one inside pressure for every 49 pass blocking reps ranks just 90th among returning tackles.
Stanford RB Bryce Love vs. USC LB Cameron Smith
In Week 1, Love gave the Cardinal faithful reason for optimism in the wake of losing star RB Christian McCaffrey to the NFL, as Love ripped apart the Rice defense for 180 yards on 13 carries, 114 of them coming after contact (he forced six missed tackles). Smith, meanwhile, showed off his versatility against Western Michigan, posting a strong 83.2 run defense grade while allowing two receptions into his coverage to go for a grand total of three yards. Look for Love to challenge Smith directly in both run and pass phases this week.
Oklahoma LT Orlando Brown vs. Ohio State Edges Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis
Hubbard and Lewis were in mid-season form against Indiana last week, as they combined to rack up two sacks, three hits and seven hurries during the Week 1 matchup. Brown surrendered just one sack and six combined pressures in 2016, and last week picked up right where he left off last year by posting a clean sheet against UTEP. Last year’s game against the Buckeyes was the only time all season he yielded multiple pressures, but against such a formidable group, matching last year’s total of one hit and one hurry would be considered a victory for the Sooner stalwart.
Georgia Edges Davin Bellamy and Lorenzo Carter vs. Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey
Bellamy and Carter are breakout candidates this year after combining for nine sacks and 48 total pressures on just 431 combined rushes, but McGlinchey is one of the best tackle prospects in the country. Starting at right tackle in 2015, then left tackle last year for the Irish, McGlinchey has given up just two combined sacks and four hits in pass protection.
Oklahoma TE Mark Andrews vs. Ohio State LB Chris Worley
Worley is an excellent hybrid defender for Ohio State who is capable of playing both linebacker and slot cornerback. This means he is likely to see significant coverage snaps matchup up against Oklahoma’s top offensive playmaker, TE Mark Andrews. Last year, Worley allowed just 50.0 percent completions into his coverage and surrendered just one reception longer than 20 yards. Andrews, our No. 1 TE prospect heading into the 2017 season, racked up 12 deep pass receptions last year, making this one of the more exciting individual draft prospect matchups of the weekend.
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