With college football season entering its stretch run, plenty of NFL draft news and rumors are circulating across the country. For NFL organizations, team needs continue to come into focus as scouts focus their attention on their favorite draft prospects.
In this mailbag, we take a look at TCU’s dynamic Quentin Johnston, Georgia’s Jalen Carter, Oregon’s Bo Nix, and much more.
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NFL Draft News and Rumors Mailbag
Q: Despite his recent injury, where does TCU WR Quentin Johnston rank on your board and what kind of offense does he fit into in the NFL?
He’s presently the fourth-rated receiver on my board with a second-round grade. He’s big, physical, and fast. And while he makes a lot of acrobatic and highlight-reel receptions, Johnston also drops a lot of easy throws and needs a ton of work on his route running. I could see him fitting any sort of offense except a west coach offense
Q: Bo Nix leads the country in touchdowns, but how much credit goes to him vs. Kenny Dillingham (his offensive coordinator)?
Oregon’s passing and running attack have been really good this year — tops in the Pac-12 — and the OC deserves credit for that. But the metamorphosis for Nix really began last year at Auburn when he went from an athlete aimlessly running around and chucking the ball into the air to a passer. Nix has watched his game take off the past two seasons.
Q: Any updates on Jalen Carter after his performance against Tennessee?
Carter played exceptionally well and looked incredibly athletic, forcing the action. One thing I don’t do, and no one should, is have a big swing in a prospect’s grade off of a single game or single performance.
Q: It’s hard to overlook two performances from this past week: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon, and Mohamed Ibrahim, RB, Minnesota. What are their pro prospects?
Ibrahim is a really good college ball carrier with average speed and an injury history. He’ll sneak into the late rounds, and if he stays healthy, I absolutely see him making a next-level roster as a 4th or 5th back.
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Christian Gonzalez is a player on the rise. And even last year when people were singing the praises of Mykael Wright, I said he was the better corner at Oregon. I have Gonzalez as a mid-round pick at the present time.
Trikweze Bridges of Oregon is an underclassman defensive back I really like.
Q: Texas gets TCU and GameDay this weekend – which Texas players should we be watching?
Obviously, both of the running backs. I like linebacker DeMarvion Overshown more than most. Ditto for defensive tackle Keondre Coburn.
Tight end Jahleel Billingsley has been slow out of the gate since returning from his suspension. Offensive tackle Christian Jones seems to be going in reverse.
I do like underclassman center Jake Majors.
