PFF Draft Watch: Draft Board Risers - Week 3

Each week, we'll give you a list of draft board risers, who improved their 2018 NFL draft stock with their performance from the weekend prior.

Edge Uchenna Nwosu, USC

Steve Palazzolo singled out Nwosu in his Edge position overview as a player who had the tools to make a big leap as a pass-rusher this season and that is exactly what has happened as Nwosu has at least one QB hit and one batted pass in three-straight games. Nwosu has yet to collect his first sack in 2017 but sacks don’t tell the story of Nwosu’s disruptive play through three games as he has seven QB hits, eight hurries and a nation-high five batted passes on his 95 pass-rushing snaps.

OG Will Hernandez, UTEP

Hernandez has been a favorite of PFF analysts since fellow analyst Taylor Wright singled-out his play in 2016. Hernandez hasn’t allowed a sack or a QB hit through three games and 105 pass blocking snaps this season. Hernandez has now played 15-straight games with out allowing a sack or hit of his quarterback. Hernandez has also continued his excellent run blocking from 2016 and is giving no signs of a drop in play as his senior campaign unfolds.

CB Joshua Jackson, Iowa

Jackson has been displaying an ability to repeatedly make plays on the ball in coverage thus far in 2017. Jackson has two interceptions and has broken up five other passes through three games on the season. Opposing quarterbacks only have a 45.6 passer rating when throwing into Jackson’s coverage.

WR Jaleel Scott, New Mexico State

Scott has already has 22 receptions in 2017 which matches his 2016 season total. Scott burst onto the scene in Week 1 with a dominant performance against Arizona State as he caught eight passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Scott is a large target for the red zone – 6-foot-6 and 215-pounds – and has at least one touchdown catch in each of his three games this season. Scott’s blend of size and red zone production are really getting attention.

RB Rashaad Penny, San Diego State

Penny continues to produce in three-phases for the Aztecs and against tough competition. San Diego State only had two Power-5 opponents on their 2017 regular season schedule – Arizona State and Stanford – but Penny has rushed for over 180 yards in each game. Penny has forced 19 missed tackles as a runner in 2017, while also contributing in the Aztecs’ pass game showing his next-level versatility. Penny has caught nine of his 11 targets for 69 yards and one touchdown, forcing two missed tackles as a receiver. Penny is also a game-breaking kick returner and showed that once again in Week 2 by returning a kick 99-yards for a touchdown against Arizona State.

CB Darius Phillips, Western Michigan

Phillips had extremely strong start against the two Power-5 teams on Western Michigan’s schedule – in USC and Michigan State – but actually had his worst game against Idaho in Week 3. Phillips gave up a touchdown in the low red zone against Idaho as he left his man to go after a scrambling quarterback but other than that catch-22 situation he’s been a lockdown force for Western Michigan in 2017. Through three games, Phillips has only allowed five catches on 12 targets for 25 yards and one touchdown. He has also collected two interceptions and broken up four passes. The passer rating when throwing into Phillips coverage is only 37.5 and he has shown his playmaking ability by forcing and recovering a fumble against Michigan State and returning it for a TD. Phillips is also a dangerous return man and has two returns for touchdowns this season and now five on his career. Phillips' mix of slot coverage ability, ball skills and return ability make him an attractive draft prospect for NFL teams.

Edge Lorenzo Carter, Georgia

Georgia’s Carter has been on a pass-rushing tear over the last two weeks as he has earned two sacks, four QB hits and seven hurries on his 40 pass-rushing snaps in Weeks 2 and 3. Carter has also been a solid run defender in every game this season. Georgia is headed into conference play with eight-straight SEC games on the horizon so Carter’s level of production will be something to monitor through the tough stretch of schedule ahead.