2011 NFL Draft Stock Watch: Who's Up, Who's Down in Week 7?
Another week down in the college football season and another new number one, at least until next Saturday.
For the second straight week the top team in the land fell at the hands of a conference rival and now Oklahoma and Oregon have the inside track to the National Title game.
In the process we have seen some players help and hurt their Draft stock for playing on Sundays and with about half the season to go we are starting to see who is for real and who is not.
Stock Up 1: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
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Despite losing their first game of the season, star cornerback Prince Amukamara – and one of the last week’s risers Alfonzo Dennard – limited Longhorns quarterback Garrett Gilbert to only four completions in the 20-13 defeat against Texas.
Both players got their hands on passes and made plays when they had the opportunity and Amukamara has exemplified time and time again why he is not only one of the top two corners in the nation but one of top five prospects too.
With good size, recovery speed, ball skills, tackling prowess, and ability to set the corner; there is not much he cannot do.
This week gives us a fantastic matchup as the Cornhuskers travel to Stillwater to take on undefeated Oklahoma State. Amukamara will get a chance to shut down one of the nation’s best receivers, sophomore Justin Blackmon (if he was a year older he would be flying up this list as he outperforms numbers of former Cowboy Dez Bryant).
Stock Up 2: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
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It’s hard to ignore what Newton has been doing so far this season – accounting for 25 of Auburn’s 35 touchdowns – and his team is about to do battle with another undefeated SEC rival.
A lot of what Newton is doing may not be able to translate at the next level – but a lot of the same things were said about Tim Tebow a season ago and he wound up in the first round. Ironically enough Florida could use the services of the once-Gator quarterback who backed up Tebow and was booted out of Gainesville because of “purchasing a stolen computer”.
Now it does not matter though, Newton is racking up yards and points on any defense he faces and everyone has to be taking notice, especially when he is making the right throws.
This week will bring one of the biggest tests of the season as LSU comes marching into Auburn with an undefeated record and Heisman hopeful cornerback Patrick Peterson will be waiting for one Newton mistake in his area.
Stock Up 3: Rodney Hudson, OG, Florida State
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Florida State had a lot on their hands during their battle with Boston College this weekend and quarterback Christian Ponder (you’ll see him again later) was as up and down as ever in the win.
However, when push came to shove, the ‘Noles decided to line up and run behind one of the best guards in the country, Rodney Hudson.
Hudson is not too heavy, only 282 pounds, but is extremely athletic and does a great job in lateral movement as well as using his hands. Hudson could very possibly be the best interior lineman in the country.
Florida State sits atop the ACC and will do battle with North Carolina State in Raleigh this weekend.
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Stock Up 4: Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas
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The Razorbacks fell short in a shootout with Auburn this past weekend behind backup quarterback Tyler Wilson but junior Greg Childs looked the part of an NFL receiver trying to help them win.
At 6’2, 215 pounds, he physically matches up for the next level and recorded nine catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
He displayed big-time hands, good body control, and the ability to make plays underneath and vertically. He has not been super-consistent so far this season but when he is ready to go, he makes it very tough to stop him.
The Razorbacks will take on Mississippi this weekend.
Stock Up 5: Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
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The Badgers beat up on the Buckeyes this weekend and when they needed yards, they decided it was time to go behind Carimi and his buddy John Moffitt.
Carimi though, had the distinct pleasure of matching up with Ohio State’s biggest name on defense, defensive end Cameron Heyward, who is one of the nation’s top prospects.
When this matchup was to be had, Carimi went after it pretty well and did a good job in pass blocking. He also did his job getting into the second level in the run game will have plenty of eyes on him as the season progresses.
The Badgers will travel to Iowa this weekend in what is sure to be another battle.
Stock Down 1: Christian Ponder, QB, Florida State
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The ‘Noles’ quarterback has been anything but steady so far this season and the win over Boston College was simply the season in a nutshell. 19 of 31, 170 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Ponder’s ability to be an NFL quarterback has yet to be determined and his accuracy and arm strong outside the numbers continue to be a question mark.
Ponder at times looks to be well in control of Fisher’s offense but other times just does not seem to cut it.
Scouts will have as many eyes as possible on him to determine if he really can be an NFL quarterback throughout the rest of the season.
He will lead the Seminoles against North Carolina State in Raleigh this weekend.
Stock Down 2: Jon Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh
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I’ve been on Baldwin’s case all season waiting for him to make plays in spite of inconsistent, and at times poor, quarterback play.
Finally in Week 7 Panthers’ quarterback Tino Sunseri put it all together in the Carrier Dome against Syracuse and tossed four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Baldwin only managed one reception in the win and his numbers all season have not lived up to the hype of a potential top-20 pick in the 2011 Draft.
He has all the physical tools and natural ability but just cannot seem to put it together the way he did a year ago.
There is still time for him to make amends, but if this trend continues, especially if Sunseri plays at a higher level, Baldwin’s stock will take hits.
Stock Down 3: Niles Paul, WR, Nebraska
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Coming into the showdown with Texas this past weekend people were talking about keeping eyes on Paul, well, he dropped the ball – more than once.
Paul has solid size, good ability after the catch, and is coming off a productive season in a run-oriented offense - so far this season he only has 17 catches, 227 yards, one touchdown.
In the game against Texas the senior receiver had a deep ball go through his hands and lacked the ability to control his body on passes not thrown directly to him which in turn resulted in drops in space.
Paul has ability to be a legitimate threat but inconsistency with his hands does not bode well for a guy who gets limited opportunities.
He will get a good chance to rebound this weekend when Nebraska takes on undefeated Oklahoma State in Stillwater.
Stock Down 4: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
9 of 10
The first-round ranked prospect coming into the season has yet to get into the flow of the season, has battled injuries, and has only recorded two sacks and 20 tackles so far this season.
Miller is undersized to begin with at the position but excelled at getting pressure in the backfield and has great instincts for getting after the passer.
This season has been anything close to what he hoped for as he was looking to elevate his fringe first round draft potential.
A&M will travel to Kansas to take on the Jekyll and Hyde Jayhawks.
Stock Down 5: Jerrod Johnson, QB, Texas A&M
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Not trying to pick on the Aggies but both of these prospects are taking hits in their own way.
Johnson is an above-average athlete with prototype size and a reported big arm to go with it all.
He came into this season trying to elevate his stock to a potential first or second round grade and has instead wound up with a multitude of turnovers and question marks about his arm strength.
For the first time in three games he didn’t throw an interception but he continues to struggle with accuracy and has seen his squad lose three straight contests.
Next week needs to be a bounce back week for him on the road against Kansas.
Johnson faces big time Big 12 competition the rest of the way including back-to-back game against Nebraska and Texas to close the season – he needs to fix himself before then.
Wesley O'Donnell covers the NFL, NCAA, and NFL Draft year round. He is a contributing writer to NFL Draft Bible and can be followed on twitter @wesodonnell.
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