5 NFL Draft prospects Steelers fans should watch in Week 9 of the CFB season

There’s been a surprising change at the top of the quarterback class

Is the college football season really halfway over? I feel like the preseason rankings were just unveiled last week. What in tarnation is going on?

A player on my watchlist from last weekend took a huge leap as Maryland WR Tai Fenton caught nine passes for 84 yards in an upset over the USC Trojans. As the season carries on, I’m going to continue to familiarize you with wide receiver prospects – given the massive need the Steelers have at said position.

Here are five players to keep an eye on this weekend:

1. Theo Wease Jr., WR, Missouri

Wease Jr. is a bit of a forgotten man in this year’s wide receiver pecking order, mostly because his teammate Luther Burden III is a consensus top 20 NFL Draft selection. The big bodied wideout has worked his way from a likely day three pick to a potential day two pick, due to his consistency. He has 19 total receptions in the Tigers last five games and has eclipsed the fifty-yard mark in four of those.

The senior has big play ability, averaging 13.9 yards per reception last season. He’s a polished route-runner who also has the versatility to line up at Z, Y, or in the slot. His blocking skills leave a lot to be desired, which may hinder the Steelers’ interest given offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s propensity to run the rock.

Wease Jr. and his Tigers will head on the road to Texas this weekend, which means he will certainly be in the limelight on a big stage.

2. Jack Bech, WR, TCU

Bech is a reliable weapon who demonstrates a great feel for the game. He’s been one of the most productive pass-catchers in all of college football this season, as he has 42 catches for 748 yards (eighth in the country) and seven touchdowns (tied for eighth in the country) through seven games. In week three Bech hauled in nine passes for 200 yards and a tuddy.

His TCU Horned Frogs welcome Texas Tech this weekend, in what will assuredly be a shootout in Texas. Bech is a reliable chain mover, but I’ll be watching his separation in man coverage. He’s been clocked around the 4.5 forty-yard dash range, which leaves a lot to be desired.

He’s a projected mid-round pick.

3. Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU

Nussmeier could have easily transferred last season, and no one would have blamed him. He didn’t have much of a shot at playing time because the Heisman winning QB Jayden Daniels shined over the past two years in Baton Rouge.

However, he stuck it out – and now he’s a Heisman contender himself. He has 18 TD’s to just six interceptions – and oh yeah, he has his LSU Tigers in first place in the SEC.

4. Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska

Robinson ranks third in college football among all interior defensive lineman with 22 pressures this season. It’s even more impressive that he’s doing it at 6’5, 311 lbs.

He will face what will likely be his most difficult task of the season, going up against Ohio State in Columbus. If he’s able to disrupt an elite group of guards and help keep Nebraska in the game as a heavy underdog, he will quickly rise up draft boards. Outside of DT Keeanu Benton, the Steelers are getting a bit long in the tooth in the trenches, and Robinson would strengthen a defense that could make a case as the NFL’s top unit.

5. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

I’ve included Ewers on this list before, but his upcoming stretch of games will define his draft position, starting against Missouri this Saturday. Although he was recovering from an oblique injury, the highly touted quarterback was benched in the first half in a home loss to Georgia last weekend. He did return in the second half, but only completed 25-of-43 pass attempts, an incredibly concerning rate for someone who is a candidate to be the first quarterback off the board.

He still has plenty of time to silence the doubters, but the noise is growing louder with each passing day.

Who are you excited to watch this weekend? Let us know in the comments section!