4 NFL Draft prospects who can make-or-break their pro stock this weekend

Through the early portion of the 2024 college football season, the top NFL Draft prospects have shown out. Guys like Texas QB Quinn Ewers, Michigan CB Will Johnson and Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan have all stood out early and cemented their names at or near the top of the draft class for their respective positions.

Most of the top games of the week are kinda bland this upcoming week, and top prospects won’t have enough competition to properly evaluate their draft prospects. However, there are still a number of potential draft picks facing real tests that could help make or make their pro stock.

Here are some NFL Draft prospects I have my eye on heading into week three.

Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College (@ Missouri, 12:45 pm, SEC Network)

Despite having 8.5 sacks last season, Ezeiruaku burst onto the scene in Boston College’s big win over Florida State. Ezeiruaku had two sacks against the Seminoles, showcasing a lot of burst and explosion that attract NFL scouts.

Ezeiruaku is so good at using his speed to force tackles to overset, then countering with a sick swim move back inside. Against Missouri’s high powered offense, he’s going to have a big task ahead of him to slow them down at any cost with his pass rush ability.

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky (vs Georgia, 7:30 pm, ABC)

As talented as the massive Deone Walker is, Georgia has been the biggest thorn in his side. He had his worst individual game of the season against the Bulldogs last year, who also have NFL-caliber players on the offensive line. Walker is a great athlete for his size (6’6, 345 pounds) and has the capability of being a disruptive force up front, but his pad level has to improve while showing scouts that he can play on all three downs.

Going against the Bulldogs, he has the chance to further solidify his stock at the top of the NFL Draft board against a high quality opponent.

Devin Neal, RB, Kansas (vs UNLV, 7:00 pm EST, ESPN (Sep. 13)

Friday the 13th sees one of the best college football Friday slates I’ve seen in a while, beginning with the upstart UNLV Rebels heading to Kansas to play the Jayhawks and RB Devin Neal. While the Jayhawk passing game has gotten off to a slow start this year, Neal has run for over 100 yards in both of Kansas’ games and has two touchdowns. A senior prospect, Neal has such light feet and impressive footwork that allows him to make various cuts through lanes that most other backs can’t see or feel. Neal is more than likely going to make the first person miss as well, with a variety of jukes to put defenders on his highlight reel.

Kansas is going up against a UNLV team that currently is 17th in EPA per rush allowed, but only in the 40s when it comes to Success Rate allowed. If Kansas leans on Neal and the run game unlike what they did against Illinois, they should get the win.

Marcus Mbow, RT, Purdue (vs Notre Dame, 3:30 pm EST, CBS)

Mbow isn’t talked about very much (the Boilermakers’ offense as a whole isn’t, really) but he and the Boilermakers have a chance to pull off another stunner when the Fighting Irish roll into town. Mbow broke his leg last season, but is back and looks like he hasn’t missed a step. His grip strength and power he has in his hands stood out on tape, and his individual hand work is incredibly impressive.

He goes up against a Notre Dame defense that is still very, very talented. They don’t mix up a lot of coverage on the back end, and they’re attacking up front. Mbow has the chance to rocket launch himself up draft boards with a standout performance.