Each week here at PFF, we will not only highlight those top draft-eligible prospects, NFL draft board-risers and deep statistical updates of the top draft-eligible quarterbacks, we will also be giving you an advanced look at those top prospects when they will be matching up against one another.
Last week our focus was primarily on linemen, and while there are several intriguing matchups on the interior again this week, there are also several major skill position battles. Headlining this week’s group features one of the top players in the country on the country’s top team going against possibly the best natural slot receiver in all of FBS.
Florida OT Martez Ivey vs. LSU Edge Arden Key
With Key not yet playing up to form, this matchup may be a chance for him to “get right.” Ivey continues to struggle in the ground game (his run blocking grade sits at 38.5), and against Vanderbilt gave up three more pressures to bring his total through four games up to 10. Key racked up a sack, a hit and a QB hurry in Week 3 against Mississippi State, his first action of the season, but managed just two hurries in Week 4 and no pressures last week against Troy (albeit with just 16 pass-rush attempts). Last season, he averaged nearly a sack and a hit in every game, and Ivey’s play thus far suggests Key should get back on track this weekend.
Buffalo WR Anthony Johnson vs. Western Michigan CB Darius Phillips
At 6-feet-2 and 207 pounds, Johnson has the size advantage over Phillips, and thus far he is putting together an impressive senior season. He has racked up 26 grabs for 436 yards and an average of 16.8 yards per catch. Phillips had a monster performance against Michigan State in Week 2 (he posted an interception and four pass breakups on five throws into his coverage), but has been unable to match that week’s lofty level of play since. In the three games since, he has surrendered nine catches on 12 throws into his coverage with one touchdown allowed and no passes defensed.
Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk vs. Alabama CB Minkah Fitzpatrick
Kirk is an explosive playmaker who makes his home in the slot, and has seen at least six targets in every game this season. His best effort came in Week 4 against Arkansas, when he snagged five balls for 110 yards (79 coming after the catch) and two touchdowns, including one that went for 81 yards. In five games this year, Fitzpatrick has surrendered just 83 total yards on 24 throws into his coverage. Last year when these two faced off, Kirk caught both targets of his into Fitzpatrick’s coverage for 24 yards.
Michigan State C Brian Allen vs. Michigan DI Maurice Hurst
Allen has graded extremely well this season, as he has surrendered just one pressure and has a run-blocking grade of 83.0. His No. 3 overall grade among centers (86.9) will be put to the test this week against one of the best all-around defenders in the country. Hurst’s 89.6 overall grade is still the best in the nation among defensive interiors, and he is coming off his most productive game of the season with two sacks, three hits and two hurries against Purdue in Week 4.
Washington State LG Cody O'Connell vs. Oregon DL Jalen Jelks
O’Connell continues to play like one of the top guard prospects in the country, in particular in pass protection, where he has yielded no sacks, one hit and just four total pressures this season. Jelks is having a breakout season with 20 total defensive stops and 22 total pressures. His past two games have been nothing short of dominant performances, as he’s accumulated four sacks, four hits five hurries, five passes batted at the line of scrimmage and eight run stops against Oregon’s first two Pac-12 opponents.
Penn State TE Mike Gesicki vs. Northwestern S Kyle Queiro
With Gesicki splitting snaps between in-line tight end and slot receiver alignments and Queiro having spent 164 snaps this season at either a linebacker or slot cornerback position, the two are bound to see action against each other in coverage. Gesicki isn’t having the monster season receiving-wise that was expected coming off last year’s breakthrough performance (although his run-blocking has improved considerably), as he’s averaged just 8.4 yards per reception on 20 catches, and has not snared a touchdown in the last three games. He may find a matchup against Queiro this week a difficult challenge as well, as the Northwestern safety is allowing a passer rating of just 43.8 on throws into his coverage.
Pittsburgh OT Alex Bookser vs. Syracuse LB Parris Bennett
Bookser has split reps this season at both right guard and right tackle, but is expected to be settling in at his edge position this week. In 640 career pass-blocking snaps for the Panthers, he has given up just two sacks and no hits, and to date in 2017, has surrendered just four total pressures and improved his run-blocking from last season. Bennett has been a jack-of-all trades for Syracuse, as he has graded well in all three phases. He has 13 total defensive stops through five games, and has made a huge impact on the pass rush with seven quarterback hits (No. 1 in the country among all off-the-ball linebackers) and five hurries.
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