As the regular season wrapped up, players around the country had some incredible games. Many players made final pushes to raise their draft stock before the postseason. Here are some players who are Week 14’s Offensive NFL Draft Risers because of their performances this week.
Pair Of SEC Superstars Marked With Week 14’s Offensive NFL Draft Risers
QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
The LSU quarterback has seen some electrifying highs and destructive lows this season but was spot-on against Oklahoma. In potentially his best all-around game of the year, Nussmeier fought through an early injury taken on a sack. He peppered the field en route to 277 yards and three scores. The first-year starter led the Tigers to a huge 37-17 victory and flashed NFL arm talent and leadership to match.
Nussmeier’s deep ball was on point, firing two long strikes to Chris Hilton Jr. He was surgical in the short-to-intermediate game and the Sooners’ defense was lost. His draft stock is truly anyone’s guess, same with whether or not he declares. If he does, a team could take a chance early to attempt to develop him into a franchise quarterback.
Potential Team Fit: Tennessee Titans
RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Sampson has been one of the nation’s best backs all season and put an exclamation point on his near-1,500-yard campaign against Vanderbilt. He carried the ball 25 times for 178 yards in a technical shredding of the Commodores defense. His 7.1 yards per carry helped Tennessee fight back from an early deficit and take control in their 36-23 win.
He’s just a junior, but he could be on his way to the draft this season because of how absurd his season was. Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton have been labeled the main headliners in the class, but Sampson is pushing to be amongst them. His speed and power make him intriguing for many teams and he could rise into a premium selection.
Potential Team Fit: Indianapolis Colts
WR LaJohntay Wester, Colorado
The FAU transfer has been a sparkplug for Colorado’s offense this season and ran circles around Oklahoma State this weekend. The Buffaloes trounced the Cowboys 52-0 and Wester was unstoppable. His 175 yards on 11 catches for two touchdowns are all season-highs and he tore up the Cowboys defense.
Wester showed his ability to fly downfield after the catch and even win 50/50 balls at his shorter stature. His speed and the pure destruction he causes as a ball carrier could make him a legitimate option for teams in the late rounds. He has some special traits that could add value to a short-game NFL offense and has put himself on the radar.
Potential Team Fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OL Josh Conerly Jr, Oregon
Unranked Washington didn’t have much of a chance against #1 Oregon, and Conerly Jr. made sure the Ducks controlled the trenches all game. His elite footwork and movement skills were on display and he simply showed out. He was rarely attacked head-on by the Huskies’ front seven and when he was, he dominated.
Conerly Jr. was ripping through the line and paved massive holes in the run game. He could be moved inside at the next level, but he’s showing teams they have every reason to take him in the top two rounds. Oregon is getting set for a National Championship push, and continued high-level play could continue to drive his draft stock up.
Potential Team Fit: Baltimore Ravens
Main Photo Courtesy of Steve Roberts – Imagn Images
