5 NFL Draft Prospects in Need of a Strong Finish

Unfortunately for college football fans, there are only a few weeks remaining in the regular season. 

As the season winds down, NFL draft prospects take the field knowing their final performances could leave a lasting impression on scouts and front office executives at the next level. 

The final weeks can make a difference for anyone, especially for those prospects whose seasons got off to a slow start. 

The following slideshow features five players who entered the season as highly regarded prospects, but who are now in need of a strong end to the year in order to maintain their high grades heading into draft season.

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

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Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is one of the most dynamic athletes in this year's class of draft-eligible defensive backs, but his lack of size raises some concerns. 

Listed at just 5'10", 195 pounds, Ekpre-Olomu may struggle to handle the bigger receivers at the next level when lined up on the outside. 

An NFC West scout recently told NFL.com that Ekpre-Olumu may simply lack the "fluidity" to play on the outside, making him a better fit in the role of a nickel corner at the next level. 

We have seen undersized defensive backs selected in the first round in recent years, such as San Diego Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett, but Ekpre-Olomu could certainly improve his odds with a strong finish to the season. 

Oregon will face Colorado in late November, giving Ekpre-Olomu a chance to match up with Nelson Spruce, who has quietly been torching Pac-12 defensive backs this season.

Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor

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Shawn Oakman is a physical specimen who is virtually guaranteed a spot in the first round based on potential alone. But how high he goes in the draft will depend on how much development he continues to show. 

Much like Ezekiel Ansah when he entered the draft out of BYU, Oakman's performance doesn't match his physical talent. Unlike Ansah, however, Oakman doesn't have the excuse of limited experience. 

The one area where Oakman could potentially show significant improvement down the stretch is his explosion off the snap. Compared to other more polished pass-rushers—such as Missouri's Shane Ray or Nebraska's Randy Gregory—Oakman struggles to explode off the snap, which may simply be the result of limited focus and effort.

Oakman will have the NFL's attention during Baylor's upcoming games against Oklahoma and Kansas State, giving him an opportunity to make a strong impression to close out the season.

Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State

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Cameron Erving's stock took a hit earlier this season when Clemson's Vic Beasley dominated their battle from start to finish, exposing Erving's struggles against more athletic speed-rushers. 

"

Cameron Erving/T/FSU looks completely intimidated by Vic Beasley/DE-OLB/Clemson and his draft stock is taking a hit.

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) September 21, 2014"

Erving bounced back slightly with a solid performance against Louisville and their star pass-rusher Lorenzo Mauldin, but there are still some questions to be answered.

In order to re-establish himself a solid first-round prospect, Erving may need to close out the regular season with a dominant performance against Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. 

Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor

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Bryce Petty has played exceptionally well within the Baylor offense, but it's a scheme designed almost perfectly for his skill set. 

Despite the on-field success, there are obvious flaws in Petty's game that he will need to improve upon at the next level. 

Petty struggles when he's flushed from the pocket, most notably due to his shaky footwork, which affects his accuracy down the field. 

In his next two games, Petty will face the capable pass-rushers of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, giving him a chance to show off his development in this area. Strong performances in these games could help boost his stock, while continued struggles could cement his status a system quarterback in the eyes of scouts. 

Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

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Brett Hundley has been arguably the most disappointing draft prospect in the nation this season.

This past week, Hundley admitted that the pressure of attempting to improve as a pocket passer for his NFL future slowed his performance. And while that admission is probably good news for UCLA fans, it doesn't necessarily bode well for Hundley's future. 

Every prospect faces the pressure of trying to improve to some degree, but few let it so dramatically affect their ability to perform at the college level. 

One of the most concerning red flags that have been raised in Hundley's game is his lack of accuracy down the field. He's been erratic throughout the year and has simply not placed the ball with an NFL level of consistency. 

If his accuracy issues are stemming from his desire to impress scouts, perhaps he'll show improvement down the stretch now that he's addressed that concern and decided to settle down and simply be himself.