Draft Quack: Pac-12 Midseason Review

There are several big time and some lesser known names in the conference that are eligible in the 2019 NFL Draft. How are they doing so far into the season? I’ll break them down by offense and defense for this exercise.

OFFENSE

QB

1. Justin Herbert 6’5 225 Junior Oregon

- Herbert has been by far the best quarterback prospect in the country. He’s been very consistent unlike the other top QB prospects who have been up and down. There’s a reason that he’s billed as a potential top overall draft pick. Has made some ridiculous throws at seemingly impossible angles on several occasions. He has a bad habit of overthrowing receivers. QB1 discussion is over. Reportedly coming back for a true senior season. Stock: HOLDING

2. Steven Montez 6’4 225 RS Junior Colorado

- Montez has been a solid QB for the somewhat surprising Buffaloes that is in contention for the Pac-12 South crown. It’s likely that he comes back for a RS Senior season. Stock: UP

3. Jake Browning 6’1 210 Senior Washington

- The exact definition of good college player but not a good pro prospect. He just doesn’t have the physical skill set for the NFL but is a good enough game manager for the Huskies. It’s quite laughable that he was in contention for a Heisman a couple of years ago. Could catch on as a backup at the next level ala Colt McCoy. Stock: DOWN

RB

1. Zack Moss 5’10 217 Junior Utah

- Utah will not go quietly in the night in the topsy turvy South division and Moss is a big part of that. He plays much heavier than his listed size and relishes contact. Instinctive as a runner and knows how to find the different angles of a hole. Rarely loses yardage. Pretty good straight line runner. Stock: UP

2. Myles Gaskin 5’9 191 Senior Washington

- He’s been the MG that we all know about as a senior. Nothing really new there. Entered the season as the second best back in the conference. He missed the most recent game due to an injury suffered during the contest with Oregon. Stock: HOLDING

3. Bryce Love 5’9 196 Senior Stanford

- Love hasn’t been the same this season. He’s been a shell of his former self and could have severely damaged his stock beyond repair. While it’s admirable that he came back to pursue his degree, the on field product has been dismal. He looks a step slow due to the myriad of injuries that have piled up through the years. Stock: DOWN

4. J.J Taylor 5’6 180 RS Sophomore Arizona

- Taylor is having an interesting season as he is the second leading rusher in the conference with 817 yards and 4 touchdowns. His size will be a question throughout the process should he choose to declare. Could be a specialist at the next level. Stock: UP

WR

1. N’Keal Harry 6’3 216 Junior Arizona State

- Harry is the WR1 in this year’s class, no questions asked. This is true especially after Ole Miss WR D.K. Metcalf went down with a neck injury. Harry is a big physical target for the Sun Devils and should warrant all the attention. He has made several highlight reel catches so far. The physical measurements are elite. We will see how he tests in the offseason at the Combine and at Pro Day. Should come out as a junior. Stock: HOLDING

2. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside 6’2 222 Senior Stanford

- Whiteside has carried the Cardinal offense at times this year due to the lack of Bryce Love. Simply put, he’s baby Mike Evans. Stock: UP

3. Aaron Fuller 5’10 187 Junior Washington

- Fuller is the go to weapon for Jake Browning and it shows. He’s the second leading receiver in terms of yardage in the conference. Has enjoyed a breakout junior campaign. Profiles as an excellent slot weapon at the next level. Stock: UP

4. Dillon Mitchell 6’3 201 Junior Oregon

- No other receiver in the Pac-12 dominates the ball for his offense other than Colorado’s Laviskie Shenault. Mitchell has come on as junior despite being the only receiver that opposing defenses have to respect for the Ducks. He’s turning into an useful weapon on the outside. Is currently fourth in yardage in the conference. Stock: UP

DEFENSE

EDGE

1. Porter Gustin 6’4 255 Senior USC

- Underrated athlete as an edge rusher. He’s a veteran edge rusher that has seen a lot of offensive schemes to go against. Technically inefficient. He recently picked up a season ending injury so the medical will be scary he’s been hurt a lot in his career. The leading sacker in the conference. Stock: DOWN

2. Jalen Jelks 6’5 245 RS Senior Oregon

- Jelks has been largely involved but hasn’t put up monster stats. He’s definitely getting drafted within the first three rounds, maybe even the first. Has talent but needs to pop more on film before I can definitively do some more work on him without any bias. Stock: HOLDING

3. Justin Hollins 6’4 238 RS Senior Oregon

- Oregon’s other redshirt senior has been popping on the film of every Oregon rewatch I’ve seen. He’s been a terror off the edge with 4 sacks to go along with 37 tackles. Has the wow factor comparatively speaking of the Ducks DL. Seemingly makes every play towards him. Stock: UP

4. Bradlee Anae 6’3 254 Junior Utah

- Utah’s best pass rusher. He has 5 sacks and 22 total tackles. Fundamentally sound. Arsenal of pass rush moves is decent. Stock: UP

DT/NT

1. Greg Gaines 6’1 332 DT / NT RS Senior

- The next man up in the Huskies’ recent trend of standout interior defensive linemen. He’s a classic space eating type of 3-4 nose tackle. A monster in the middle when rushing the passer. Lack of athleticism like his predecessors will hurt his stock a bit. Stock: HOLDING

LB

1. Troy Dye 6’3 224 Junior Oregon

- Dye is the closer for the Ducks defense. He’s the leader in the middle. The frame has questions though. He could be better moving back a level to safety given his listed size. An elite athlete that can cover sideline to sideline when asked. Arguably the best linebacker in the conference. Stock: HOLDING

2. Chase Hansen 6’2 220 RS Senior Utah

- Could be the most improved linebacker in the conference full of intriguing prospects at his position. Has the numbers to back it up with 63 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions. He’s a baller on Utah’s suddenly resurgent defense. Stock: UP

3. Ben Burr-Kiven 6’0 222 Senior Washington

- BBK is a stat sheet monster. He has close to 100 tackles already. He’s an athlete at the position. A bowling ball of energy. Ball skills are a plus. Size will limit him to a specialized role at the next level. Stock: UP

CB

1. Myles Bryant 5’8 180 Junior Washington

- Size wise, he compares to the Rams’ standout cornerback Lamarcus Joyner. He plays a lot bigger than what he’s listed at. Due to size, he won’t be CB1 but will still play a bit as the third cornerback at the next level. Lateral agility is a plus and instincts are as well. Versatile athlete with great speed. Could be argued that he’s the best corner in the conference. Stock: HOLDING

2. Byron Murphy 6’0 175 RS Sophomore Washington

- Washington’s other starter at corner is pretty good in his own right. He’s a solid athlete that will test well should he declare early for the draft. Pops off the screen when I watch him play. Doesn’t get beat often but when he does, he makes up for it. Stock: UP

3. Iman Marshall 6’0 205 Senior USC

- Athleticism is a huge plus. Work ethic and character are pluses as well. Has the speed and agility to keep up with the fastest receivers. He’s been inconsistent thus far in his career. Stock: HOLDING

S

1. Taylor Rapp 6’0 212 Junior Washington

- He is the best safety in the conference and possibly among the best in the nation. His 2018 season is just more evidence of this. He’s simply a play maker that flies around the field with calculative abandon. Stock: HOLDING

2. Ugo Amadi 5’9 197 Senior Oregon

- The do everything safety for the Ducks has had a great year in terms of draft projection so far. He’s been a clutch play machine for the defense. Teams will love his versatility of playing both corner and safety. He’s the ultimate chess piece that DC Jim Leavitt could deploy anywhere on the field. Currently tied for the lead in interceptions. Expect him to be drafted high. Stock: UP

3. Jalen Thompson 6’0 191 Junior Washington State

- Thompson has had a great junior campaign thus far and excelled against Oregon. In the Oregon game, he was all over the place. He’s a pretty good athlete. Fundamentally sound in coverage. Stock: UP