5 NFL Draft prospects Steelers fans should watch in Week 7 of the CFB season

A quarterback with local ties will take center stage this Saturday

Welcome to Week 7, fellow NFL Draft geeks!

Last weekend a player on my watchlist took a nosedive, as USC QB Miller Moss struggled in a road loss to a heavy underdog, the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Moss, a projected mid-round pick, went 23-38 for just 200 yards and threw two interceptions.

With Justin Fields returning to earth a little bit, I think it’s fair to continue to include signal-callers on this list. I’ll start with a player that many Steelers fans could be familiar with.

1. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State – @ USC, 3:30 PM ET on CBS

Allar has been spectacular this season, completing 70.9 percent of his passes and holds a TD-INT ratio of 9:1. However, no offense to Illinois, but this is his first true test of the season.

Allar has what I call the “laboratory” quarterback build. He’s tall, standing at six foot six, and weighs 240 pounds. He has an enormous arm and a good feel for the pocket. He’s the type of player who will go in the first round based on his size alone. But he needs to perform at a higher level against stiff competition. The three-year starter has yet to make a playoff, and with the Nittany Lions on the cusp in back-to-back years, it’s paramount he gets them over the top this season. A victory in this contest could go a long way to securing a berth.

2. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford – @ Notre Dame, 3:30 PM ET on NBC

Ayomanor has been the best player on an inconsistent Stanford offense. His quarterback play has been lackluster, but he still has 24 receptions for 317 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season.

He’s a strong body wideout with an impressive route tree and large catch radius. He’s currently projected to be a mid-round pick by most pundits. He’s a redshirt sophomore, so he’s nowhere near a finished product, which bodes well for his long-term ceiling.

The Fighting Irish are a 22.5-point favorite in this game, so Ayomanor will have to help issue a miracle if the Cardinal want to pull off the upset.

3. Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon – vs. Ohio State, 7:30 PM ET on NBC

In the most anticipated game of the early season, the lightning bolt will look to continue his breakout season.

Johnson has 43 catches for 395 yards and five TDs on the season and ranks sixth nationally with 8.6 catches per contest. He’s on his way to becoming a Biletnikoff Award finalist, given to the nation’s best wideout. Before the season, he was overshadowed by teammate Evan Stewart, who was projected to be a 2^nd-3^rd round pick in the NFL Draft.

Although he’s diminutive at just 5’10, 165 pounds, he can do more than just an occasional burst play out of the slot.

4. Ashton Gillotte, OLB, Louisville – at Virginia, 3:30 PM ET on ACC Network

If this year has taught us anything, you can NEVER have enough pass-rushers. Especially in a classic 3-4 defense like the Steelers have run for as long as I’ve known them.

In week six against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Steelers will be without EDGE rushes Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, AND DeMarvin Leal. It’s basically just OLB TJ Watt and an empty cupboard out there.

Gillotte is a bit of a tweener like Herbig was coming out of Wisconsin because he’s not exactly an athletic freak. But much like Herbig – he just has a nose for the football He had 11 sacks last season and continues to put together a high win rate on his tape.

5. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State, @ Oregon 7:30 PM ET on Fox

Much like the edge position, the Steelers running backs have been decimated by injury this season. Jaylen Warren has missed the past two games, and RB/WR Cordarrelle Patterson will miss a second straight game this weekend against the Raiders.

I’ve frequently mentioned in these pieces that Najee Harris is unlikely to return in black and gold next year after Pittsburgh declined his fifth-year option this offseason.

They’ll need to find another back in the middle rounds, and Judkins, a highly productive and experienced back, can fill a dual-threat role.

Once again, it’s the biggest game of the season – so this is a game where I’d imagine plenty of scouts will be in attendance. Paychecks will be on the line for both the players and scouts.

Who will you be watching this weekend? Let us know in the comments section!