Draft Headquarters Week Eleven Stock Watch

Counting down to the final weeks of the 2011 regular season, several players stood out with top performances this past weekend, among them being a running back who is making it known that he should be not only considered for the Heisman Trophy, but also as a top prospect at his position. Here is Draft Headquarters Week Eleven Stock Watch:

Rising

LaMichael James RB Oregon - Although he may not be rated as the top running back prospect in the draft, there may not be a more dazzling runner in college football than that of Oregon's LaMichael James. Electric and fast with the elusiveness to make any defender in the country to miss, James put on a show last Saturday night against undefeated Stanford, averaging 7.3-yards per carry on 20 carries to finish with 146 yards and three touchdowns. On the year, James has rushed for 1,207 yards and 12 yards while averaging an unbelievable 7.9-yards per carry on 153 carries. Although he is playing in an offense that is built towards his strengths, and not one that resembles anything he'll do in the NFL, James' ability to create separation from defenders in the open field as well as offer the durability to carry the ball 15-25 times a game proves the type of value that he can bring to a team at the next level. Following his performance against Stanford, I am comfortable giving James a second round grade with the expectation that he has a very good chance of being taken among the Top 50-60 players in this year's draft, assuming he declares. James' lack of height is going to be concern, however as a No. 2 running back for a team splitting carries with a starting back, it'd be hard to find a back better capable of handling those responsibilities than James. While it's uncertain if he will declare for the draft, my gut tells me that he will, seeing as he'll have carried the ball over 700 times by the end of this season, a very large number at a position that has shown a lack of long-term durability. I would be surprised if James isn't in the 2012 Draft, and if he is, expect for his services to be coveted by NFL teams.

Ronnell Lewis LB Oklahoma - At 6'2, 244 lbs, along with a natural ability to rush the passer, Oklahoma's Ronnell Lewis is beginning to quietly rise on teams' draft boards. Having tallied 59 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks this season, Lewis' versatility to play more than one position as well as his quickness and knack for making plays in the backfield has opened up the opportunity for him to be taken high in this year's draft thanks to a lack of elite pass rushing talent in 2012. Lewis projects as an outside rush linebacker in the 3-4 defense and is a high-upside prospect who scouts will continue to have their eye on for the remainder of the season.

Tyler Eifert TE Notre Dame - In a draft class that is currently lacking at the tight end position, Notre Dame's Tyler Eifert has moved to the top of the charts as one of the top prospects at his position in the country. Just his first year as a full-time starter after sitting behind Kyle Rudolph the last two years, Eifert has hauled in 51 receptions for 589 yards and five touchdowns through the first ten games of the 2011 season; this past weekend against Maryland, Tyler caught eight passes for 83 yards and one touchdown. A natural receiver with a big frame at 6'6, 249 lbs, Eifert is a reliable option in the middle of the field, consistently displaying an ability to extend out and catch the ball away from his body. Although it's unclear if Eifert will declare, he could end up going just as high, if not higher, than Rudolph, who was drafted in the middle of the second round last year.

Jordan White WR Western Michigan - The nation's leading receiver through the first ten games of the 2011 season, Jordan White has been extraordinarily productive this year, hauling in 108 receptions for 1,389 yards and 14 touchdowns, including nine catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns just last night against Miami (OH). At 6'0, 205 lbs, White projects inside as a slot receiver at the next level. He does not possess the type of speed or explosion that scouts look for in a split end or flanker, however his reliability to catch the ball in the middle of the field as well as his quickness should result in him finding a home inside in the slot. White has improved his draft stock from a late-round pick to as high as the fourth or fifth round right now.

Joe Adams WR Arkansas - Although his teammate Jarius Wright has received more exposure this year for his fantastic season, Razorbacks' receiver Joe Adams put on a show at the national level last Saturday night, catching two passes for 52 yards and one touchdown as well as returning a punt 60 yards for another touchdown in Arkansas' win over Tennessee. Adams is a smaller receiver at 5'11, 190 lbs, however with his quickness and agility, Adam's electric style of play should land him a niche as a slot receiver and returner for a team at the next level. Saturday night's performance was a great showing of the type of value he can bring to a team, which should continue to rise with good offseason workouts this winter.

Gary Tinsley LB Minnesota - An underrated prospect who has quietly had another very productive season in 2011, Minnesota's Gary Tinsley stepped up to the challenge against rival Wisconsin this past weekend, recording 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack against the Badgers. On pace for over 100 tackles and 10 tackles for loss, Tinsley projects as a Gary Brackett-esque linebacker at the next level; instinctive, and with a great motor, at 6'1, 240 lbs, Tinsley could project to Mike or Will linebacker in the 4-3 defense in the NFL. Although not an elite prospect, Tinsley has the tools and skillset to find a niche as a versatile linebacker for his team and should draw consideration on Day Three of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Falling

Peter Konz C Wisconsin - The top center prospect in the country was having a great 2011 campaign that had many scouts anticipating that he may declare for the 2012 Draft. However, Konz dislocated his ankle against Minnesota this past weekend, knocking him out of Wisconsin's final two regular season games. If it is determined that he can return for the bowl game and is of full strength by this winter, then there is still a chance that he could declare for the draft, however at this point, it's uncertain which direction he'll opt to go in. Konz was regarded by most scouts as a late-first round pick before the injury.