5 Defensive NFL Draft Risers From Week 7

There were many defensive prospects who became big NFL Draft risers in Week 7 with standout performances. Here are five NFL Draft risers who boosted their draft stock in Week 7 of college football.

Top Defensive NFL Draft Risers In Week 7

Edge Romello Height, Texas Tech

Texas Tech has been one of the best pass-rushing teams in college football, and Romello Height has been a big reason for that success. Height had two sacks and six total tackles with a 94.9 overall PFF defense grade against Kansas. Height demonstrated incredible athleticism, explosiveness, and pass-rush skills in the game. He currently ranks behind only Rueben Bain Jr. with the second-best overall PFF defense grade among edge defenders. He entered the season as a projected late-round prospect, but is now projected to likely be an early-round draft pick.

DL Mateen Ibirogba, Wake Forest

Mateen Ibirogba had a great game both against the run and the pass against Oregon State. He recorded three tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. Ibirogba also finished the week as the PFF Run Defender of the Week with a 94.4 PFF run-defense grade. He did not enter the season with a ton of draft attention after spending his first two seasons with Georgetown at the FCS level, and not playing much last season for Wake Forest. However, in his play this season, he has shown he has the athleticism, strength, and ability against both the run and pass to play in the NFL.

LB C.J. Allen, Georgia

C.J. Allen has been one of the top linebackers in the country this season, and he had one of his best performances of the season in Week 7. Against Auburn, Allen recorded a season-high six solo tackles, 10 total tackles, one sack, a pass deflection, and a game-changing forced fumble. Allen is a strong tackler and instinctive linebacker who has been a great playmaker this season. Through six games, he has recorded two forced fumbles and three sacks. Allen has a chance to be one of the first linebackers taken in the draft.

CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State

Chris Johnson has been incredibly consistent this season as one of the best cornerbacks in college football. Against Nevada in Week 7, he brought in his third interception and second pick-six of the season. Johnson is an amazing coverage player with great technique, and he has the second-highest PFF overall defense grade of any cornerback in college football and the second-highest coverage grade of any cornerback in college football right now. With Johnson’s strong play this season, he has made himself a strong contender to potentially be taken in one of the first two rounds of the draft.

S Bishop Fitzgerald, USC

Bishop Fitzgerald had his second two-interception game of the season in USC’s 31-13 win over No. 15 Michigan. Fitzgerald added to his two forced turnovers with five tackles and a sack as well. Fitzgerald has tremendous ball skills and playmaking abilities, with 10 interceptions over the last three seasons, and he is currently tied with the lead for most interceptions in college football this season, with five. He also rates as the second-best safety in all of college football in overall defense grade, according to PFF.