National Football League

2017 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects to watch during Conference Championships

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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With some massive conference championship games being played on the national stage, here are a few NFL draft prospects to keep an eye on this weekend.

After a college football regular season filled with upsets and breakout performances, conference championship weekend is expected to feature plenty of drama. While programs are playing for conference titles and College Football Playoff berths, there are a handful of players hoping to solidify their respective draft stocks.

From Power Five conference championship games to the MAC Championship, here are five NFL draft prospects to keep an eye on this weekend.

Oct 15, 2016; Akron, OH, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) tosses the ball after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Akron Zips at InfoCision Stadium. Western Michigan Broncos won 41-0. Mandatory Credit: Jason Mowry-USA TODAY Sports

Corey Davis

WR, Western Michigan

It has been an incredible season for P.J. Fleck’s Western Michigan Broncos. The program heads into the MAC Championship with a 12-0 record and a chance at a New Year’s Six bowl game with a win over Ohio on Friday.

One of the biggest contributors to Western Michigan’s run this year has been wide receiver Corey Davis. The senior has already caught 83 passes for 1,283 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, breaking the FBS record for career receiving yards in the process with 5,068 yards during his four seasons with the Broncos.

Davis is making a strong argument as the No. 1 receiver in this draft class, although Clemson’s Mike Williams and Washington’s John Ross have also looked impressive. What makes Davis such an appealing prospect is his size at 6’3” and 213 pounds, fantastic route running and ability to pick up yards after the catch.

Anyone who hasn’t seen Davis play yet should definitely take some time to watch the Broncos receiver play on Friday night. With a big game on a national stage, Davis could have a chance to start generating some more draft buzz.

Nov 26, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) runs along the sidelines during the third quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Wayne Gallman

RB, Clemson

The Clemson Tigers offense has been under a microscope since the start of the season. While Deshaun Watson and Mike Williams have been getting almost all of the attention, Clemson running back Wayne Gallman has been starting to make some noise at his position as well.

Gallman has been overshadowed at running back because prospects like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook and D’Onta Foreman have all looked like first-round picks. While he’s not going to be taken in the first day of the NFL draft, Gallman has started to look like he could be a great value pick in the middle rounds.

While the Clemson running back isn’t the most athletic prospect, he still has a solid 6’0”, 210-pound frame with some decent physical tools. Gallman’s instincts are what help him stand out, showing some great vision and decisiveness to go along with an elite jump cut to find some space and take off.

Scouts will really like Gallman’s willingness the block in pass protection and his ability to fight for extra yards by keeping his feet moving. He’ll be going against a Virginia Tech Hokies defense that gives up just 3.9 yards per carry in the ACC Championship. If he can break off some big runs in that game, then he could start getting the respect he deserves as a draft prospect.

Sep 24, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Wisconsin offensive lineman Ryan Ramczyk (65) blocks Michigan State defensive end Evan Jones (85) during the second quarter of their game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Ramczyk

OT, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers are trying to make their own case for the College Football Playoff, and a win over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Championship will help them with their claim to a top-four spot.

Strong offensive line play has been a staple of the Badgers offense for years, and that’s no exception in 2016. Wisconsin has been helped in a big way by offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, and he’s beginning to make an awfully strong case as the top tackle in this draft class.

Ramczyk was a Division III transfer, but has quickly developed into an elite left tackle in the Big Ten. The Wisconsin prospect is a solid 6’6” 314 pounds, and can do things like this in the running game.

Jumped into the Ryan Ramczyk tape and oh look here's him blocking two guys on the edge for a first down. pic.twitter.com/Y5nHImoTqM

— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) November 17, 2016

Ramczyk is a mauler in the trenches who is also capable of reaching the second level to make crucial blocks. In pass protection, Ramczyk rarely gives up pressure, although he could struggle more at the next level against elite edge rushers.

Saturday’s Big Ten Championship will be a great place for scouts to get a better feel of Ramczyk. If he has another strong outing, he could quickly solidify himself as the No. 1 tackle prospect.

Oct 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during a NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Colorado 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chidobe Awuzie

CB, Colorado

One of the biggest surprises of the year has been the Colorado Buffaloes, who will have a chance to win the Pac-12 title on Friday during the championship game against the Washington Huskies.

There are a number of players who have helped contribute to Colorado’s stellar season, including senior cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. Cornerback is arguably the deepest position in this draft class with players like Quincy Wilson, Desmond King, Marlon Humphrey, Adoree Jackson and a few others, but Awuzie is quickly moving into the top of this class.

Awuzie has developed into a solid overall cornerback at 6’0” and 205 pounds. He does a great job of reading the QB’s eyes and jumping routes to break up passes. Along with that, he’s a reliable tackler and excellent blitzer as made evident by his four sacks this year.

The Colorado corner will have his toughest test of the year on Saturday going against a potential first-round receiver in Washington’s John Ross. If he contain the Huskies’ dynamic playmaker, he could start showing up in the conversation as a first or second-round pick.

Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Allen

DL, Alabama

There are so many NFL draft prospects to watch out for during the SEC Championship between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Florida Gators. However, there is no prospect more talented than Alabama’s Jonathan Allen.

Allen is currently the No. 1 player on my big board, and his dominance has been on display all season. In the regular season, Allen picked up 11.5 tackles for loss, 13 QB hurries, seven sacks and two fumbles returned for touchdowns.

At 6’3” and 294 pounds, Allen looks like a future defensive end or tackle depending on the defensive scheme. He’s explosive off of the snap and has violent hands that allow him to disengage from blockers. These skills allow him to consistently generate interior pressure to collapse the pocket and blow up plays.

Florida doesn’t have the most dominant offense, but that just means that it’s another opportunity for Allen to show up and make some big plays as he continues to make the argument that he’s worth being taken No. 1 overall.