This year’s conference championships have come and gone, with offensive explosions galore. Here are some players who are Offensive Conference Championship Week NFL Draft Risers because of their performances this week.
Offensive NFL Draft Risers In The 2024 Conference Championships
RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
There truly aren’t enough things to say about how dominant Skattebo was against Iowa State this weekend. The senior RB crossed the 2,000-yard threshold on the season with a ridiculous 18-touch, 208-yard, 2-score performance. He was throwing defenders into the ground all game and was simply unstoppable every time he touched the ball.
Skattebo’s below-average athleticism and skill set, which works better at the collegiate level than the NFL, likely means he won’t be a high draft pick. Still, he should absolutely get a late-round flyer. He runs harder than just about anyone and has the grit and desire to carve out a role for himself at the next level.
Potential Team Fit: Arizona Cardinals
RB Brashard Smith, SMU
The Mustangs fell just short of taking home the ACC title, and Smith was a major reason why it was even close at all. The former Miami WR has taken the country by storm this year with a 1,200-yard season and put up another strong game against Clemson. He continued to battle through an early deficit and finished with almost 150 total yards and a TD.
Most media outlets have him getting drafted in the middle of Day 3, and he could be an exciting developmental project for teams to take a chance on. He has the speed and dynamic abilities to work through defenses and has been improving his vision and awareness. He’ll get an opportunity to continue his rise in the CFP and has been looking like a viable low-risk RB option.
Potential Team Fit: Las Vegas Raiders
WR Matthew Golden, Texas
The Houston transfer has stepped his game up as the season progressed, and despite the loss to Georgia, Golden balled out. His eight grabs for 162 yards led both teams, and he flashed the ability to succeed all over the field. He did have two drops on the night, but he showed he could win reps with both initial separation and mid-play adjustments.
Golden has the speed and fluidity to win at the line vertically and break away from the defender laterally. His sink and explosion out of the top of his routes beat defenders at a high clip. He’s flashed some high-level route running on a plethora of stems and has performed against high-level defenses consistently.
Potential Team Fit: New York Giants
WR Tez Johnson, Oregon
Johnson set the new Big 10 Championship record with 181 yards on 11 receptions and a touchdown. His elite movement skills allow him to generate space almost immediately and he had the Penn State DBs struggling all game. His connection with QB Dillon Gabriel was downright lethal and showed no signs of being a fluke.
The CFP will likely be a deciding factor in Johnson’s draft position, who’s currently projected as a third- to fourth-rounder. His frame of 5-foot-10 165 pounds introduces immediate issues when facing physical NFL defenses, but he has the tools to work around it. If he can continue to produce against some of the best secondaries in the nation over the coming weeks, his stock could skyrocket.
Potential Team Fit: Denver Broncos
Main Photo: [Jerome Miron] – USA Today Sports
