2018 NFL Draft watch: Marquee matchups help sort out top prospects

Ron Clements

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2018 NFL Draft watch: Marquee matchups help sort out top prospects image

Each week during this year's college football regular season we will highlight some of the top draft-eligible performers from around the country.

While Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield shined, running backs like Notre Dame's Josh Allen and Georgia's Nick Chubb struggled on Saturday. 

With several marquee matchups, NFL teams had numerous scouts in the field to watch the top prospects face elite competition. 

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Against the nation's sixth-ranked defense, Mayfield had his way while leading Oklahoma to a 38-20 victory over TCU. Mayfield was 18 of 27 for 333 yards and three touchdowns and has all-but locked up the Heisman Trophy. Next for the 6-1, 220-pound senior, who has 31 touchdown passes to only five interceptions, will be next year's NFL Draft. While he may not be 6-5, the success of NFL quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson should make NFL teams realize height isn't everything — especially when it comes to an aggressive competitor and efficient passer like Mayfield. 

As for Adams and Chubb, two of the nation's top running backs, they had a tough go of it. Adams was held to 40 yards on 16 carries in the 41-8 loss to Miami, which remained unbeaten thanks to a suffocating defense led by junior defensive back Jaquan Johnson, junior defensive lineman RJ McIntosh and senior defensive end Trent Harris. 

On a day when Chubb passed Bo Jackson for fourth on the SEC's all-time rushing list, he was limited to 27 yards on 11 carries in a 40-17 loss to Auburn as the top-ranked Bulldogs were upset in a big way. 

Here are some of Saturday's top NFL Draft-eligible players

Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State — The 6-4, 220-pound senior has ideal size for the NFL and caught four passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns in Saturday's win at Iowa State. He understands how to use his height to his advantage.

Beau Benzschawel, OG, Wisconsin — Benzschawel, a 6-6, 317-pound redshirt junior, was a big reason the Badgers were able to run for 247 yards in the 38-14 win over Iowa.  Benzschawel is a three-year starter and should continue Wisconsin's strong tradition of sending offensive linemen to the NFL. He and freshman center Tyler Biadisz paved the way for Kendric Pryor's end-around 25-yard touchdown.

Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State — Chubb was a one-man wrecking crew in N.C. State's 17-14 win at Boston College. The 6-4, 275-pound senior had eight tackles with 2 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble. He continues to assert himself as the top defensive draft prospect. 

Sam Darnold, QB, USC — Darnold may return to college, but the 6-4, 220-pound redshirt sophomore had himself a day. Darnold threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-34 passing. He also ran for 31 yards and a score in USC's 38-24 win over Colorado. 

T.J. Edwards, LB, Wisconsin — The 6-1, 244-pound redshirt junior had another impressive outing for the Badgers defense. Edwards had five tackles and a pass breakup to go with an athletic interception, his fourth of the season. 

DeShon Elliott, S, Texas — Not only did Elliott begin Saturday as the nation's leader with six interceptions, the Texas junior has ideal size at 6-2, 210 pounds. He didn't hve an interception during Saturday's 42-27 win over Kansas, but did have seven tackles and a forced fumble with a pass defensed.

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU — Guice ran for 147 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries as LSU rolled to a 33-10 win over Arkansas. The 5-11, 212-pound junior is on the cusp of eclipsing 1,000 yards for the second straight year and will likely follow former LSU running back Leonard Fournette to the NFL next spring. 

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa — Jackson might be the top cornerback in the draft and is the front-runner for the Jim Thorpe Award. The 6-1, 192-pound junior was the only reason the Hawkeyes scored in the blowout loss in Madison. Jackson had a pair of pick-sixes to account for both of Iowa's touchdowns and added a forced fumble. He now has a nation-leading seven interceptions, five of which have come in the last two weeks. 

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville — Jackson may not be in the Heisman discussion this year, but he probably should be. Jackson was 15 of 26 through the air for 195 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 147 yards and a score in Louisville's 38-21 win over Virginia. Jackson is not just a great athlete, but has shown great touch on his passes and an ability to play quarterback at the next level. Last year's Heisman winner is the first quarterback in NCAA history with at least 3,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons.

Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn — Not only did the 6-foot, 212-pound junior run for 167 yards on 32 carries, he caught two passes for 66 yards and a touchdown in Auburn's 40-17 rout of No. 1 Georgia. Johnson now has over 1,000 rushing yards on the season and did a lot Saturday to boost his draft stock.

Allen Lazard, WR, Iowa State — Lazard did his part to keep the Cyclones in it against Oklahoma State. The 6-5, 222-pound senior caught nine passes for 126 yards and two scores in the 49-42 loss. It was the third 100-yard game of the season for Lazard. 

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama — The 6-1, 190-pound senior caught five passes for 171 yards, including a 31-yard reception on Alabama's final drive to set up the game-winning 26-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Jalen Hurts to freshman receiver DeVonta Smith for the 31-24 win. Ridley continues to be one of the best big-play receivers in the country. 

Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State — Rudolph was nearly perfect in Saturday's shootout win at Iowa State. The 6-5, 230-pound senior was 25 of 31 for 376 yards and three touchdowns in Oklahoma State's 49-42 victory. 

Olive Sagapolu, DT, Wisconsin — The massive 6-2, 346-pound Samoan had a great all-around game against Iowa. Sagapolu helped the Badgers hold Iowa to 25 rushing yards and added a sack that was nearly a safety late in the first half of Wisconsin's 38-14 win.

Ron Clements