Call it the calm before the storm.
The NFL Draft kicks off Thursday night in Dallas, and the quiet, reflective moments for players and teams are just about over. Once the festivities begin it will be sheer chaos, whether in the form of trades, unexpected picks or a player falling down the draft ladder.
Four high-profile quarterbacks could go in the top 10 picks, and one of the top running backs to come into the draft in years -- at least since Ezekiel Ellliott -- will also be a coveted chess piece. Add to that the litany of defensive talent available and it's clear that the 2018 Draft is one of intrigue and star power.
What follows is two different mock drafts -- a prediction of what the teams WILL do, and what they SHOULD do. The draft prediction has trades (though not a ton), while the GM one does not. In the GM version, need and best player available are both factored in, and am picking what I feel would best for the team.
2018 NFL DRAFT (PREDICTION)
1 CLEVELAND -- QB Josh Allen/Wyoming
2 NY GIANTS -- DE Bradley Chubb/NC State
3 NY JETS (from INDIANAPOLIS) -- QB Baker Mayfield/Oklahoma
4 CLEVELAND (from HOUSTON) -- RB Saquon Barkley/Penn State
5 ARIZONA (trade w/Denver) -- QB Sam Darnold/USC
6 INDIANAPOLIS (from NY JETS) -- OG Quenton Nelson/Notre Dame
7 TAMPA BAY -- DB Minkah Fitzpatrick/Alabama
8 BUFFALO (trade w/CHICAGO) -- QB Josh Rosen/UCLA
9 SAN FRANCISCO -- DE Marcus Davenport/UTSA
10 OAKLAND -- ILB Roquan Smith/Georgia
11 MIAMI -- DT Vita Vea/Washington
12 CHICAGO (trade w/BUFFALO) -- CB Denzel Ward/Ohio State
13 WASHINGTON -- ILB Tremaine Edmunds/Virginia Tech
14 GREEN BAY -- S Derwin James/Florida State
15 DENVER (trade w/ARIZONA) -- WR Calvin Ridley/Alabama
16 BALTIMORE -- OT Mike McGlinchey/Notre Dame
17 LA CHARGERS -- DT Da'Ron Payne/Alabama
18 SEATTLE -- DE Harold Landry/Boston College
19 DALLAS -- WR Courtland Sutton/SMU
20 DETROIT -- DT Taven Bryan/Florida
21 CINCINNATI (from BUFFALO) -- OG Will Hernandez/UTEP
22 CHICAGO (trade w/BUFFALO thru KANSAS CITY) -- OG Isaiah Wynn/Georgia
23 NEW ENGLAND (from LA RAMS) -- OT Kolton Miller/UCLA
24 CAROLINA -- C James Daniels/Iowa
25 TENNESSEE -- ILB Leighton Vander Esch/Boise State
26 ATLANTA -- DT Maurice Hurst/Michigan
27 NEW ORLEANS -- TE Hayden Hurst/South Carolina
28 PITTSBURGH -- CB Josh Jackson/Iowa
29 JACKSONVILLE -- WR DJ Moore/Maryland
30 MINNESOTA -- OLB Rashaan Evans/Alabama
31 NEW ENGLAND -- QB Mason Rudolph/Oklahoma State
32 PHILADELPHIA -- TE Dallas Goedert/South Dakota State
2018 NFL DRAFT (GM MODE)
1 CLEVELAND -- QB Josh Rosen/UCLA
2 NY GIANTS -- RB Saquon Barkley/Penn State
3 NY JETS -- QB Baker Mayfield/Oklahoma
4 CLEVELAND -- DE Bradley Chubb/NC State
5 DENVER -- QB Sam Darnold/USC
6 INDIANAPOLIS -- OG Quenton Nelson/Notre Dame
7 TAMPA BAY -- DB Minkah Fitzpatrick/Alabama
8 CHICAGO -- CB Denzel Ward/Ohio State
9 SAN FRANCISCO -- ILB Roquan Smith/Georgia
10 OAKLAND -- S Derwin James/Florida State
11 MIAMI -- DT Vita Vea/Washington
12 BUFFALO -- WR James Washington/Oklahoma State
13 WASHINGTON -- ILB Leighton Vander Esch/Boise State
14 GREEN BAY -- CB Josh Jackson/Iowa
15 ARIZONA -- WR Calvin Ridley/Alabama
16 BALTIMORE -- OT Mike McGlinchey/Notre Dame
17 LA CHARGERS -- DT Harrison Phillips/Stanford
18 SEATTLE -- DE Marcus Davenport/UTSA
19 DALLAS -- WR Michael Gallup/Colorsdo State
20 DETROIT -- OG Isaiah Wynn/Georgia
21 CINCINNATI -- OG Will Hernandez/UTEP
22 BUFFALO -- OLB Rashaan Evans/Alabama
23 NEW ENGLAND -- DE Harold Landry/Boston College
24 CAROLINA -- CB Isaiah Oliver/Colorado
25 TENNESSEE -- ILB Tremaine Edmunds//Virginia Tech
26 ATLANTA -- CB Jaire Alexander/Louisville
27 NEW ORLEANS -- TE Dallas Goedert/South Dakota State
28 PITTSBURGH -- RB Sony Michel/Georgia
29 JACKSONVILLE -- QB Mason Rudolph/Oklahoma State
30 MINNESOTA -- DT Taven Bryan/Florida
31 NEW ENGLAND -- OL Connor Williams/Texas
32 PHILADELPHIA -- RB Derrius Guice/LSU
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Monday, April 23, 2018
2018 NFL Draft Positional Rankings -- Defense
In most NFL Drafts, the quarterback position takes center stage. And that's what's happening this year -- well, sort of. There are five quarterbacks being talked about and talked up, but a lot of the discussion is what they can't do. There don't seem to be any surefire hits, at least if you believe the analysts.
That's not the case when defensive players are examined. Most of the really productive players in this year's draft are from the stop side of the line -- seven of the top 10 overall in our rankings are defensive players, led by overall number one Bradley Chubb. There are a ton of defensive line prospects, and some game-changing players on the back end, too. Teams won't be falling all over themselves to get these players, which means that some of them will turn out to be a tremendous value.
Here are defensive positional rankings for the 2018 NFL Draft, with draft round grades in parentheses. The grade is not where we believe the player will be chosen, but rather their level of talent. Some may be good right away while others take a bit of time to get up to speed. These rankings are long-term career forecasts.
DEFENSIVE END
1 Bradley Chubb/NC State (1)
Strengths: Versatile, can play in both odd and even fronts. Great motor. excellent athleticism. Excellent upfield drive to disrupt plays. Can make tackles downfield, doesn't stop at line of scrimmage. Solid drop, above average in coverage. Looks to actively strip the football. Has a variety of ways to get to the passer, has acceleration to get around the corner.
Weaknesses: Sometimes plays off balance and out of control. Will lose sight of ballcarrier after initial contact. Pad level not always consistent, affects balance through contact.
2 Marcus Davenport/UTSA (1)
Strengths: Has added size since early college career, has frame to put on even more pounds. Aggressive mindset, really comes through in his hitting. Good natural ability as pass rusher, has high ceiling with additional coaching. Wins battles on the edge with tight ends.
Weaknesses: Pad level is often too high. Change of direction in space is inconsistent. Allows blockers to get to his frame. Still raw, loses the ball on play action. Has not been asked to cover, could be a liability.
3 Harold Landry/Boston College (1-2)
Strengths: Can get around the edge thanks to great combination of size, speed and dip and rip ability. Elite pass rusher. Excellent burst off the snap. Has long arms, can bat down passes and create strip sacks. Has good pursuit against the run. Has played as a stand up end, so knows how to drop into coverage. Good change of direction.
Weaknesses: Could be a situational player early in his career. Has not developed a solid repertoire of moves. Long-armed tackles have given him problems. Doesn't always disengage quickly at point of attack. Effort level was up and down in 2017.
4 Ogbonnia Okoronwko/Oklahoma (1-2)
Strengths: High motor, makes up for some lacking traits. Flashes explosiveness and a willing worker. Gets off the ball quickly. Has natural pass rush instincts. Variety of moves, including hesitation and change of pace. Disengages from initial block.
Weaknesses: Doesn't have desired length or size teams look for in edge rusher. Struggled against talented run blockers. Must get better with technique. Was not asked to do much in coverage, can get lost in that area.
5 Hercules Mata'afa/Washington State (2)
Strengths: Very quick, won battles playing inside against bigger blockers. High motor. Explosive off the snap, has good anticipation. Good lateral quickness. Burning desire to get to the football. Excellent hitter.
Weaknesses: Played more inside in college, not experienced on the edge. May lack athleticism to be true force outside. Lacks edge rush burst. More quick than fast.
6 Arden Key/LSU (2)
7 Duke Ejiofor/Wake Forest (2)
8 Jalyn Holmes/Ohio State (2-3)
9 Sam Hubbard/Ohio State (2-3)
10 Josh Sweat/Florida State (3)
11 Jeff Holland/Auburn (3)
12 Chad Thomas/Miami Fla (3-4)
13 Lorenzo Carter/Georgia (3-4)
14 Justin Lawler/Southern Miss (4)
15 Da'Shawn Hand/Alabama (4)
16 Kylie Fitts/Utah (4)
17 Andrew Brown/Virginia (4-5)
18 Breeland Speaks/Ole Miss (4-5)
19 Tyquan Lewis/Ohio State (4-5)
20 Trevon Young/Louisville (5)
21 Dorance Armstrong Jr/Kansas (5)
22 Ja'Von Rolland-Jones/Arkansas State (5)
23 Ade Aruna/Tulane (5-6)
24 Olasunkanmi Adenyi/Toledo (5-6)
25 Joe Ostman/Central Michigan (6)
26 Jojo Wicker/Arizona State (6)
27 John Franklin/Stephen F Austin (6-7)
28 Anthony Winbush/Ball State (7)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
1 Maurice Hurst/Michigan (1)
Strengths: Gets out of the blocks in a hurry and with bad intentions. Stays low, difficult to get leverage on him. Too quick for reach blockers. Very light feet for a big man, bounces into gaps.
Weaknesses: A tad small for an interior player, lacks desired thick frame. Upper body strength is lacking. Slow to shed blocks. Could be a medical concern after a combine EKG showed irregularities.
2 Vita Vea/Washington (1)
Strengths: Great size, quick feet. Can play inside on the nose or as a run defender on the end in a 3-4. Powerful upper body. Locates the ball. Surprisingly quick in pursuit. Able to shed blockers and squeeze running lanes. Very raw, has the talent to be elite.
Weaknesses: Is on the ground too often. Sometimes plays too high. Does not anticipate second blocks and struggles to disengage. Doesn't have edge quickness you'd like to see. Sometimes reverts back to power over solid technique.
3 Harrison Phillips/Stanford (1)
Strengths: Has leverage and power to succeed against the run. Not afraid to scramble to find the football. Playmaking skills win out over average athleticism. Wrestling background, understands leverage and hip power. Ability to drive upfield. Excellent arm over move.
Weaknesses: Is built higher than most interior rushers. Sometimes plays without requisite knee-bend. Lateral movement is very average. Does not have a plan as a pass rusher.
4 Taven Bryan/Florida (1-2)
Strengths: Elite athletic ability. Has a big upfield burst off the snap. Very good lateral quickness. Rare to see his level of pursuit ability from interior player. Has the ability to play inside or outside. A true disruptive force.
Weaknesses: Atypical body type for interior lineman, rangy rather than thick. Doesn't always disengage quickly. Below average power. Lack of instincts and awareness. Production didn't match ability.
5 Da'Ron Payne/Alabama (1-2)
Strengths: Elite combation of size and athleticism. Premier run-stuffer. Naturally strong, difficult to move at point of contact. Does not go to the ground very often. Technically sound. Eats up blocks and allows linebackers to get to the ball. Showed sneaky skills as a pocket disruptor, could blossom in that area.
Weaknesses: Average get off on the snap. Even with athleticism tends to stay in the box rather than play all the way down the line. Change of direction is nothing special. Can by stymied as pass rusher by denying first move.
6 RJ McIntosh/Miami Fla (2)
7 Tim Settle/Virginia Tech (2)
8 BJ Hill/NC State (2)
9 Nathan Shephard/Fort Hays State (2-3)
10 Derrick Nnadi/Florida State (2-3)
11 Poona Ford/Texas (2-3)
12 Kendrick Norton/Miami Fla (3)
13 Deadrick Senat/South Florida (3)
14 Rasheem Green/USC (3)
15 Will Geary/Kansas State (3-4)
16 Trenton Thompson/Georgia (4)
17 Kentavius Street/NC State (4)
18 Folorunso Fatukasi/UConn (4-5)
19 Justin Jones/NC State (4-5)
20 Reginald McKenzie Jr/Tennessee (5)
21 Mike Ramsay/Duke (5)
22 Lowell Lotulelei/Utah (5-6)
23 Zaycoven Henderson/Texas A&M (5-6)
24 John Atkins/Georgia (6)
25 Dequinton Osborne/Oklahoma State (6)
26 Steven Richardson/Minnesota (6-7)
27 Taylor Stallworth/South Carolina (6-7)
28 Bilal Nichols/Delaware (6-7)
29 James Looney/California (7)
30 Joshua Frazier/Alabama (7)
OUTSIDE LINEBACKER
1 Dorian O'Daniel/Clemson (2)
Strengths: Very productive and consistent as a collegian. Technically sound as a tackler. Excellent agility, can move laterally. Was able to cover slot receivers and played near the line quite a bit. Good with the ball in his hands, had two INT returns for scores. Special teams demon.
Weaknesses: Has more of a safety frame. Needs time to get to top speed. Was neutralized by slot players vs the spread run. Plays too upright.
2 Darius Leonard/South Carolina State (2)
Strengths: Long, athletic, great straight line speed. Excellent reaction. Can elude second level blockers and seal off cutback lanes. Doesn't play out of control. Excellent closing speed and sideline-to-sideline range. Very good in coverage, had six career interceptions.
Weaknesses: Lacks desired play strength. Sometimes takes poor angles in pursuit. Instincts need work. Not as aggressive as you would like to see in a linebacker.
3 Malik Jefferson/Texas (2-3)
Strengths: Athletically gifted, excellent frame for a linebacker. Can run all over the field. Has another gear when he commits to pursuit. Great agility and recovery speed. Can cover in man. Better when just allowed to play.
Weaknesses: Wasn't nearly as productive as his athletic gifts would dictate. Lacking in instincts. Plays too upright. Does not take on blocks with aplomb. Questions about his aggressiveness. Not the best defender in zone packages.
4 Skai Moore/South Carolina (3)
Strengths: Great instincts, high football IQ. Very consistent in production. Very good at identifying screens and flowing to the ball. Had 14 interceptions in college. Eyes play past blockers in front of him.
Weaknesses: Undersized for the position. Limited athletically. Change of direction limited by heavy legs. Pad level too high, especially against second level blockers. Neck injury robbed him of a lot of playing time.
5 Kemoko Turay/Rutgers (3)
Strengths: Explosive off the edge. Has the ability to chase and tackle. Excellent lateral quickness. Does not miss many tackles. Looks effortless in pursuit and flow to the football. Good in coverage.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always get low enough at top of pass rush. Needs more variety, hands have to improve. Missed two seasons with shoulder injuries. Doesn't always hold up against initial contact.
6 Shaquem Griffin/UCF (3-4)
7 Tegray Scales/Indiana (3-4)
8 Uchenna Nwosu/USC (4)
9 Fred Warner/BYU (4)
10 Genard Avery/Memphis (4-5)
11 Jerome Baker/Ohio State (4-5)
12 Marquis Haynes/Ole Miss (5)
13 Travin Howard/TCU (5)
14 Davin Bellamy/Georgia (5-6)
15 Matthew Thomas/Florida State (5-6)
16 Tre' Williams/Auburn (6)
17 Da'Sean Downey/UMass (6)
18 Peter Kalambayi/Stanford (6-7)
19 James Hearns/Louisville (6-7)
20 Garrett Dooley/Wisconsin (7)
21 Chris Worley/Ohio State (7)
22 Mike McCray/Michigan (7)
INSIDE LINEBACKER
1 Roquan Smith/Georgia (1)
Strengths: Supremely athletic, excellent instincts and intelligence. Explosive in space. Always touted as a top notch leader. Seldom plays out of control. Elite change of direction talent. Can cover running backs in the flat. Can find receivers in zone schemes.
Weaknesses: Might be a bit undersized for the position. Can be overwhelmed by bulky blockers. Sometimes forgets to break down in space. Has problems against second level traffic and doesn't always take the most direct path to the ball.
2 Leighton Vander Esch/Boise State (1)
Strengths: Excellent instincts, loose hips allow for change of direction. Plays well vs run and pass. Long frame, athletic. Agile, excellent lateral burst. Excellent sideline-to-sideline range. Avoids traffic. Finishes tackles with solid technique. Good in coverage, smooth in drops. Has versatility to line up as edge rusher on occasion.
Weaknesses: Play strength must improve. Sometimes takes himself out of tackle opportunities with overpursuit. Tries to play too fast at times. Not the most effective at taking on blocks.
3 Tremaine Edmunds/Virginia Tech (1-2)
Strengths: Athletic gifts are off the charts. Long arms, frame to carry extra weight without a decline in play. Very good lateral quickness. Can make plays from unconventional angles. Very good tackler/finisher. Can play as an edge rusher. Good in coverage.
Weaknesses: Lacks natural instincts, can be had by misdirection. Lacks patience, tries to force the action. Needs more strength. Takes too long to process moving pieces, plays catch up too often.
4 Rashaan Evans/Alabama (1-2)
Strengths: Excellent sideline to sideline range. Has rush potential, though more at home inside. Elite speed, desired body type. Good at diagnosing plays. Tough to fool on misdirection. Has enough upfield burst to threaten the edge. Difficult to handle on delayed blitzes.
Weaknesses: Started just one year, lacks instincts of more experienced LBs. Sometimes plays too fast, allowing cutbacks. Will he be as successful without mammoth defensive line in front of him? Has an injury history.
5 Josey Jewell/Iowa (2-3)
Strengths: Highly instinctive, makes up for lack of straight ahead speed. Relentless motor, very physical. Excellent at diagnosing play and getting to the ball. Always plays downhill. Very disciplined, seldom misses or fails to finish tackles. Takes on blocks with great hand work. Can sniff out screen passes. Good in coverage (24 passes defended over three seasons).
Weaknesses: Lacking in top-end NFL speed. Won't wow anyone with change of direction. Short area quickness isn't great. Big blockers can take him away too easily. Tends to take on blockers rather than evading them. Has to pick his blitz spots.
6 Micah Kiser/Virginia (2-3)
7 Oren Burks/Vanderbilt (3)
8 Shaun Dion Hamilton/Alabama (3)
9 Christian Sam/Arizona State (3-4)
10 Jason Cabinda/Penn State (4)
11 Jack Cichy/Wisconsin (4)
12 Joel Iyiegbuniwe/Western Kentucky (4-5)
13 Nick DeLuca/North Dakota State (4-5)
14 Kenny Young/UCLA (5)
15 Trent Tanking/Kansas State (5)
16 Ja'Whaun Bentley/Purdue (5-6)
17 Andre Smith/North Carolina (5-6)
18 Keishawn Bierria/Washington (6)
19 Brett Taylor/Western Illinois (6-7)
20 Anthony Johnson/Texas Southern (7)
CORNERBACK
1 Denzel Ward/Ohio State (1)
Strengths: Has great route feel and can maintain tight coverage thanks to superior technique. Elite athlete. Plays patient in press coverage. Pedal and mirror is excellent, doesn't open hips. Very good burst aids in recovery. Can read the slant. Knows how to find the football. Allowed just over 32 percent completions over last two seasons.
Weaknesses: Thin frame. Lacking in play strength. Not a great disruptor off the line. Occasionally struggles against bigger, physical receivers. Willing tackler, but not great explosion with his pads.
2 Josh Jackson/Iowa (1)
Strengths: Long arms, understands how to use his length to disrupt the passing game. Has good route anticipation and should be right at home in press coverage. Had 27 passes defended in 2017. Very good instincts. Strong work ethic.
Weaknesses: Opens up early off of press coverage. Lacks experience. Gets turned around by precise route runners. Inconsistent tackler. Falls too often for double moves.
3 Isaiah Oliver/Colorado (1-2)
Strengths: Excellent combination of speed and length. Good in bump and run. Has excellent deep speed. Isn't afraid to challenge routes underneath from off coverage. Excellent leaper on contested throws.
Weaknesses: Stays too tall in his backpedal. Plays every play in top speed, which can be an issue on comebacks and outs. Doesn't redirect immediately. Needs to get better in run support.
4 Jaire Alexander/Louisville (1-2)
Strengths: Excellent instincts, anticipate routes and has quickness to close on the ball. Can be a playmaker. Moves smoothly, can get to top speed in a hurry. Stays connected to routes. Can climb on top of receivers and able to knock ball away. Solid against the deep ball.
Weaknesses: Slender frame. Wasn't healthy for much of 2017, so teams may wonder what they are getting. Not terribly aggressive. Doesn't seek out contact vs run. Has a tendency to grab in man coverage. Doesn't always get head around quickly.
5 Greg Stroman/Virginia Tech (1-2)
Strengths: Natural athlete, very technically sound. Feet can transition smoothly with route breaks. Stays sticky in man coverage. Has a nose for the football. Very good closing burst. Good at undercutting routes. Allowed 25.6 percent completions as a senior. Special teams standout.
Weaknesses: Thin frame, very skinny legs. Big receivers could cause problems. Below average play strength. Has trouble getting off blocks in the run game.
6 Donte Jackson/LSU (2)
7 Mike Hughes/UCF (2)
8 Parry Nickerson/Tulane (2-3)
9 Nick Nelson/Wisconsin (2-3)
10 Carlton Davis/Auburn (2-3)
11 Darius Phillips/Western Michigan (2-3)
12 MJ Stewart/North Carolina (3)
13 Darious Williams/UAB (3)
14 Holton Hill/Texas (3)
15 Kameron Kelly/San Diego State (3)
16 Quenton Meeks/Stanford (3-4)
17 DJ Reed/Kansas State (3-4)
18 Levi Wallace/Alabama (4)
19 Rashaan Gaulden/Tennessee (4)
20 Arrion Springs/Oregon (4)
21 Duke Dawson/Florida (4-5)
22 Christian Campbell/Penn State (4-5)
23 Tarvarus McFadden/Florida State (4-5)
24 Jalen Davis/Utah State (5)
25 Isaac Yiadom/Boston College (5)
26 Dane Cruikshank/Arizona (5)
27 Anthony Averett/Alabama (5-6)
28 Taron Johnson/Weber State (5-6)
29 Brandon Facyson/Virginia Tech (6)
30 Ryan Carter/Clemson (6)
31 Kevin Toliver II/LSU (6-7)
32 Avonte Maddox/Pittsburgh (6-7)
33 Michael Joseph/Dubuque (7)
34 Rashard Fant/Indiana (7)
35 Grant Haley/Penn State (7)
36 Danny Johnson/Southern (7)
STRONG SAFETY
1 Minkah Fitzpatrick/Alabama (1)
Strengths: Captain of the nation's best defense. Can play anywhere, really lacking a position. Super intense, understands the entire defense. Plays biggest in the biggest games. Can cover slot, play high safety or nickel responsibilities. Good footwork. Plays downhill and explodes through tackles. Effective as a blitzer. Special teams demon.
Weaknesses: Lacks lateral agility in coverage. Allows some separation out of breaks. Needs more patience, must resist urge to do it all. Sometimes runs himself out of position as a tackler.
2 Derwin James/Florida State (1)
Strengths: Excellent mental makeup, tone-setter. Best suited for attacking role. Excellent in run support and good as a blitzer. Has prototype size for his position. Has the range to get to the ball from the deep middle. Equally comfortable as a stand up defender against the run or peeling off to cover tight ends. Very good tackler.
Weaknesses: Slow reactions. Could use better anticipation in coverage. Doesn't always attack ballcarriers, allows them to get to him too often. Injuries cost him a decent chunk of his college career.
3 Ronnie Harrison/Alabama (2)
Strengths: Fluid athlete, can play in just about any scheme. Physical, loves to help out against the run. Can play high or low safety. Good at reading quarterback's eyes. Good route anticipation. Is an effective blitzer.
Weaknesses: Isn't always patient, especially in open field. Has difficulty against complex routes. Tends to hit with his shoulder, which has to change. Frame is a bit lean for the position.
4 DeShon Elliott/Texas (2-3)
Strengths: Good size and aggressiveness. Best suited to play near the line as he is limited athletically. High football IQ. Plays downhill. Loves physical play, sometimes mistaken for a linebacker. Tallied six interceptions in 2017.
Weaknesses: Short strides, hard to recover. Doesn't do well in change of direction. Struggles to maintain contract with route breaks in man coverage.
5 Kyzir White/West Virginia (2-3)
Strengths: Team leader. Physical player. Good length. Could end up in a hybrid role with more weight on his frame. Excellent in run support. Good at diagnosing play-action and dropping into coverage. Can cover tight ends.
Weaknesses: Play speed is just average. Limitations in man coverage. Is not great at change of direction. Lacks explosiveness. Not always the best open-field tackler.
6 Tray Matthews/Auburn (3)
7 Damon Webb/Ohio State (3)
8 Jordan Whitehead/Pittsburgh (3)
9 Tre Flowers/Oklahoma State (4)
10 Troy Apke/Penn State (5)
11 Marcell Harris/Florida (5-6)
12 Siran Neal/Jacksonville State (5-6)
13 Tracy Walker/Louisiana (7)
14 Davontae Harris/Illinois State (7)
FREE SAFETY
1 Quin Blanding/Virginia (2)
Strengths: Excellent size and productivity. Plays with good balance. Solid pursuit angles. Played in 98 percent of defensive snaps in Virginia career. Not fooled by quarterback eye movement. Very good against downfield throws.
Weaknesses: Limited quickness. Not great transitioning from backpedal. Doesn't have great range. Can sometimes take poor angles to the football.
2 Justin Reid/Stanford (2-3)
Strengths: Good athletic ability, can play man coverage. Excellent ball skills on deep throws. Technically sound, rarely out of position. Can play near the box. Excellent recognition and reaction. Can avoid blockers in space. Very good tackler.
Weaknesses: Not great against slot receivers. Has a tendency to use hands too much at the top of route. Susceptible to play fakes. Balance not always great when coming in for tackle.
3 Tarvarius Moore/Southern Miss (3)
Strengths: Has excellent speed and explosiveness. Solid in run support and able to handle coverage responsibilities. Long arms. Fluid in backpedal. Good recognition tracking the football.
Weaknesses: Needs to add size. Only started for one season, a bit raw. Allows ball to get to his frame on deep throws. Ducks his head too often as a tackler.
4 Jessie Bates III/Wake Forest (3-4)
Strengths: Solid athletic ability, good instincts and ability to handle coverage duties. Plays with aggressiveness. Good pattern recognition. Doesn't hesistate when driving toward receiver. Playmaker with the ball in his hands. Can be used in variety of coverages.
Weaknesses: Occasionally gets off balance with tackling angles. Must increase his mass. Sometimes allows routes to get behind him on misdirection. Overpursues, allowing cutback runs.
5 Armani Watts/Texas A&M (3-4)
Strengths: Smooth, excellent athletic ability. One of the better coverage safeties in the draft. Has excellent instincts and range. Plays downhill, good vs screen game.
Weaknesses: Doesn't have ideal size. Inconsistent vs the run. Overruns too many plays. Doesn't always produce max effort in tackling. Not a consistent finisher. Guesses too much in coverage.
6 Van Smith/Clemson (4)
7 Marcus Allen/Penn State (4)
8 Godwin Igwebuike/Northwestern (4-5)
9 Jeremy Reaves/South Alabama (4-5)
10 Terrell Edmunds/Virginia Tech (4-5)
11 Natrell Jamerson/Wisconsin (5)
12 Stephen Roberts/Auburn (5-6)
13 Sean Chandler/Temple (5-6)
14 Max Redfield/Indiana Pa. (6)
15 Dominick Sanders/Georgia (6-7)
16 Mason McKenrick/John Carroll (7)
Tuesday: Overall Top 100
That's not the case when defensive players are examined. Most of the really productive players in this year's draft are from the stop side of the line -- seven of the top 10 overall in our rankings are defensive players, led by overall number one Bradley Chubb. There are a ton of defensive line prospects, and some game-changing players on the back end, too. Teams won't be falling all over themselves to get these players, which means that some of them will turn out to be a tremendous value.
Here are defensive positional rankings for the 2018 NFL Draft, with draft round grades in parentheses. The grade is not where we believe the player will be chosen, but rather their level of talent. Some may be good right away while others take a bit of time to get up to speed. These rankings are long-term career forecasts.
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| Bradley Chubb (Getty Images) |
1 Bradley Chubb/NC State (1)
Strengths: Versatile, can play in both odd and even fronts. Great motor. excellent athleticism. Excellent upfield drive to disrupt plays. Can make tackles downfield, doesn't stop at line of scrimmage. Solid drop, above average in coverage. Looks to actively strip the football. Has a variety of ways to get to the passer, has acceleration to get around the corner.
Weaknesses: Sometimes plays off balance and out of control. Will lose sight of ballcarrier after initial contact. Pad level not always consistent, affects balance through contact.
2 Marcus Davenport/UTSA (1)
Strengths: Has added size since early college career, has frame to put on even more pounds. Aggressive mindset, really comes through in his hitting. Good natural ability as pass rusher, has high ceiling with additional coaching. Wins battles on the edge with tight ends.
Weaknesses: Pad level is often too high. Change of direction in space is inconsistent. Allows blockers to get to his frame. Still raw, loses the ball on play action. Has not been asked to cover, could be a liability.
3 Harold Landry/Boston College (1-2)
Strengths: Can get around the edge thanks to great combination of size, speed and dip and rip ability. Elite pass rusher. Excellent burst off the snap. Has long arms, can bat down passes and create strip sacks. Has good pursuit against the run. Has played as a stand up end, so knows how to drop into coverage. Good change of direction.
Weaknesses: Could be a situational player early in his career. Has not developed a solid repertoire of moves. Long-armed tackles have given him problems. Doesn't always disengage quickly at point of attack. Effort level was up and down in 2017.
4 Ogbonnia Okoronwko/Oklahoma (1-2)
Strengths: High motor, makes up for some lacking traits. Flashes explosiveness and a willing worker. Gets off the ball quickly. Has natural pass rush instincts. Variety of moves, including hesitation and change of pace. Disengages from initial block.
Weaknesses: Doesn't have desired length or size teams look for in edge rusher. Struggled against talented run blockers. Must get better with technique. Was not asked to do much in coverage, can get lost in that area.
5 Hercules Mata'afa/Washington State (2)
Strengths: Very quick, won battles playing inside against bigger blockers. High motor. Explosive off the snap, has good anticipation. Good lateral quickness. Burning desire to get to the football. Excellent hitter.
Weaknesses: Played more inside in college, not experienced on the edge. May lack athleticism to be true force outside. Lacks edge rush burst. More quick than fast.
6 Arden Key/LSU (2)
7 Duke Ejiofor/Wake Forest (2)
8 Jalyn Holmes/Ohio State (2-3)
9 Sam Hubbard/Ohio State (2-3)
10 Josh Sweat/Florida State (3)
11 Jeff Holland/Auburn (3)
12 Chad Thomas/Miami Fla (3-4)
13 Lorenzo Carter/Georgia (3-4)
14 Justin Lawler/Southern Miss (4)
15 Da'Shawn Hand/Alabama (4)
16 Kylie Fitts/Utah (4)
17 Andrew Brown/Virginia (4-5)
18 Breeland Speaks/Ole Miss (4-5)
19 Tyquan Lewis/Ohio State (4-5)
20 Trevon Young/Louisville (5)
21 Dorance Armstrong Jr/Kansas (5)
22 Ja'Von Rolland-Jones/Arkansas State (5)
23 Ade Aruna/Tulane (5-6)
24 Olasunkanmi Adenyi/Toledo (5-6)
25 Joe Ostman/Central Michigan (6)
26 Jojo Wicker/Arizona State (6)
27 John Franklin/Stephen F Austin (6-7)
28 Anthony Winbush/Ball State (7)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
 |
| Maurice Hurst (USAToday) |
1 Maurice Hurst/Michigan (1)
Strengths: Gets out of the blocks in a hurry and with bad intentions. Stays low, difficult to get leverage on him. Too quick for reach blockers. Very light feet for a big man, bounces into gaps.
Weaknesses: A tad small for an interior player, lacks desired thick frame. Upper body strength is lacking. Slow to shed blocks. Could be a medical concern after a combine EKG showed irregularities.
2 Vita Vea/Washington (1)
Strengths: Great size, quick feet. Can play inside on the nose or as a run defender on the end in a 3-4. Powerful upper body. Locates the ball. Surprisingly quick in pursuit. Able to shed blockers and squeeze running lanes. Very raw, has the talent to be elite.
Weaknesses: Is on the ground too often. Sometimes plays too high. Does not anticipate second blocks and struggles to disengage. Doesn't have edge quickness you'd like to see. Sometimes reverts back to power over solid technique.
3 Harrison Phillips/Stanford (1)
Strengths: Has leverage and power to succeed against the run. Not afraid to scramble to find the football. Playmaking skills win out over average athleticism. Wrestling background, understands leverage and hip power. Ability to drive upfield. Excellent arm over move.
Weaknesses: Is built higher than most interior rushers. Sometimes plays without requisite knee-bend. Lateral movement is very average. Does not have a plan as a pass rusher.
4 Taven Bryan/Florida (1-2)
Strengths: Elite athletic ability. Has a big upfield burst off the snap. Very good lateral quickness. Rare to see his level of pursuit ability from interior player. Has the ability to play inside or outside. A true disruptive force.
Weaknesses: Atypical body type for interior lineman, rangy rather than thick. Doesn't always disengage quickly. Below average power. Lack of instincts and awareness. Production didn't match ability.
5 Da'Ron Payne/Alabama (1-2)
Strengths: Elite combation of size and athleticism. Premier run-stuffer. Naturally strong, difficult to move at point of contact. Does not go to the ground very often. Technically sound. Eats up blocks and allows linebackers to get to the ball. Showed sneaky skills as a pocket disruptor, could blossom in that area.
Weaknesses: Average get off on the snap. Even with athleticism tends to stay in the box rather than play all the way down the line. Change of direction is nothing special. Can by stymied as pass rusher by denying first move.
6 RJ McIntosh/Miami Fla (2)
7 Tim Settle/Virginia Tech (2)
8 BJ Hill/NC State (2)
9 Nathan Shephard/Fort Hays State (2-3)
10 Derrick Nnadi/Florida State (2-3)
11 Poona Ford/Texas (2-3)
12 Kendrick Norton/Miami Fla (3)
13 Deadrick Senat/South Florida (3)
14 Rasheem Green/USC (3)
15 Will Geary/Kansas State (3-4)
16 Trenton Thompson/Georgia (4)
17 Kentavius Street/NC State (4)
18 Folorunso Fatukasi/UConn (4-5)
19 Justin Jones/NC State (4-5)
20 Reginald McKenzie Jr/Tennessee (5)
21 Mike Ramsay/Duke (5)
22 Lowell Lotulelei/Utah (5-6)
23 Zaycoven Henderson/Texas A&M (5-6)
24 John Atkins/Georgia (6)
25 Dequinton Osborne/Oklahoma State (6)
26 Steven Richardson/Minnesota (6-7)
27 Taylor Stallworth/South Carolina (6-7)
28 Bilal Nichols/Delaware (6-7)
29 James Looney/California (7)
30 Joshua Frazier/Alabama (7)
 |
| Dorian O'Daniel (Rubbing The Rock.com) |
1 Dorian O'Daniel/Clemson (2)
Strengths: Very productive and consistent as a collegian. Technically sound as a tackler. Excellent agility, can move laterally. Was able to cover slot receivers and played near the line quite a bit. Good with the ball in his hands, had two INT returns for scores. Special teams demon.
Weaknesses: Has more of a safety frame. Needs time to get to top speed. Was neutralized by slot players vs the spread run. Plays too upright.
2 Darius Leonard/South Carolina State (2)
Strengths: Long, athletic, great straight line speed. Excellent reaction. Can elude second level blockers and seal off cutback lanes. Doesn't play out of control. Excellent closing speed and sideline-to-sideline range. Very good in coverage, had six career interceptions.
Weaknesses: Lacks desired play strength. Sometimes takes poor angles in pursuit. Instincts need work. Not as aggressive as you would like to see in a linebacker.
3 Malik Jefferson/Texas (2-3)
Strengths: Athletically gifted, excellent frame for a linebacker. Can run all over the field. Has another gear when he commits to pursuit. Great agility and recovery speed. Can cover in man. Better when just allowed to play.
Weaknesses: Wasn't nearly as productive as his athletic gifts would dictate. Lacking in instincts. Plays too upright. Does not take on blocks with aplomb. Questions about his aggressiveness. Not the best defender in zone packages.
4 Skai Moore/South Carolina (3)
Strengths: Great instincts, high football IQ. Very consistent in production. Very good at identifying screens and flowing to the ball. Had 14 interceptions in college. Eyes play past blockers in front of him.
Weaknesses: Undersized for the position. Limited athletically. Change of direction limited by heavy legs. Pad level too high, especially against second level blockers. Neck injury robbed him of a lot of playing time.
5 Kemoko Turay/Rutgers (3)
Strengths: Explosive off the edge. Has the ability to chase and tackle. Excellent lateral quickness. Does not miss many tackles. Looks effortless in pursuit and flow to the football. Good in coverage.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always get low enough at top of pass rush. Needs more variety, hands have to improve. Missed two seasons with shoulder injuries. Doesn't always hold up against initial contact.
6 Shaquem Griffin/UCF (3-4)
7 Tegray Scales/Indiana (3-4)
8 Uchenna Nwosu/USC (4)
9 Fred Warner/BYU (4)
10 Genard Avery/Memphis (4-5)
11 Jerome Baker/Ohio State (4-5)
12 Marquis Haynes/Ole Miss (5)
13 Travin Howard/TCU (5)
14 Davin Bellamy/Georgia (5-6)
15 Matthew Thomas/Florida State (5-6)
16 Tre' Williams/Auburn (6)
17 Da'Sean Downey/UMass (6)
18 Peter Kalambayi/Stanford (6-7)
19 James Hearns/Louisville (6-7)
20 Garrett Dooley/Wisconsin (7)
21 Chris Worley/Ohio State (7)
22 Mike McCray/Michigan (7)
INSIDE LINEBACKER
 |
| Roquan Smith (USAToday) |
1 Roquan Smith/Georgia (1)
Strengths: Supremely athletic, excellent instincts and intelligence. Explosive in space. Always touted as a top notch leader. Seldom plays out of control. Elite change of direction talent. Can cover running backs in the flat. Can find receivers in zone schemes.
Weaknesses: Might be a bit undersized for the position. Can be overwhelmed by bulky blockers. Sometimes forgets to break down in space. Has problems against second level traffic and doesn't always take the most direct path to the ball.
2 Leighton Vander Esch/Boise State (1)
Strengths: Excellent instincts, loose hips allow for change of direction. Plays well vs run and pass. Long frame, athletic. Agile, excellent lateral burst. Excellent sideline-to-sideline range. Avoids traffic. Finishes tackles with solid technique. Good in coverage, smooth in drops. Has versatility to line up as edge rusher on occasion.
Weaknesses: Play strength must improve. Sometimes takes himself out of tackle opportunities with overpursuit. Tries to play too fast at times. Not the most effective at taking on blocks.
3 Tremaine Edmunds/Virginia Tech (1-2)
Strengths: Athletic gifts are off the charts. Long arms, frame to carry extra weight without a decline in play. Very good lateral quickness. Can make plays from unconventional angles. Very good tackler/finisher. Can play as an edge rusher. Good in coverage.
Weaknesses: Lacks natural instincts, can be had by misdirection. Lacks patience, tries to force the action. Needs more strength. Takes too long to process moving pieces, plays catch up too often.
4 Rashaan Evans/Alabama (1-2)
Strengths: Excellent sideline to sideline range. Has rush potential, though more at home inside. Elite speed, desired body type. Good at diagnosing plays. Tough to fool on misdirection. Has enough upfield burst to threaten the edge. Difficult to handle on delayed blitzes.
Weaknesses: Started just one year, lacks instincts of more experienced LBs. Sometimes plays too fast, allowing cutbacks. Will he be as successful without mammoth defensive line in front of him? Has an injury history.
5 Josey Jewell/Iowa (2-3)
Strengths: Highly instinctive, makes up for lack of straight ahead speed. Relentless motor, very physical. Excellent at diagnosing play and getting to the ball. Always plays downhill. Very disciplined, seldom misses or fails to finish tackles. Takes on blocks with great hand work. Can sniff out screen passes. Good in coverage (24 passes defended over three seasons).
Weaknesses: Lacking in top-end NFL speed. Won't wow anyone with change of direction. Short area quickness isn't great. Big blockers can take him away too easily. Tends to take on blockers rather than evading them. Has to pick his blitz spots.
6 Micah Kiser/Virginia (2-3)
7 Oren Burks/Vanderbilt (3)
8 Shaun Dion Hamilton/Alabama (3)
9 Christian Sam/Arizona State (3-4)
10 Jason Cabinda/Penn State (4)
11 Jack Cichy/Wisconsin (4)
12 Joel Iyiegbuniwe/Western Kentucky (4-5)
13 Nick DeLuca/North Dakota State (4-5)
14 Kenny Young/UCLA (5)
15 Trent Tanking/Kansas State (5)
16 Ja'Whaun Bentley/Purdue (5-6)
17 Andre Smith/North Carolina (5-6)
18 Keishawn Bierria/Washington (6)
19 Brett Taylor/Western Illinois (6-7)
20 Anthony Johnson/Texas Southern (7)
 |
| Denzel Ward (Eleven Warriors) |
1 Denzel Ward/Ohio State (1)
Strengths: Has great route feel and can maintain tight coverage thanks to superior technique. Elite athlete. Plays patient in press coverage. Pedal and mirror is excellent, doesn't open hips. Very good burst aids in recovery. Can read the slant. Knows how to find the football. Allowed just over 32 percent completions over last two seasons.
Weaknesses: Thin frame. Lacking in play strength. Not a great disruptor off the line. Occasionally struggles against bigger, physical receivers. Willing tackler, but not great explosion with his pads.
2 Josh Jackson/Iowa (1)
Strengths: Long arms, understands how to use his length to disrupt the passing game. Has good route anticipation and should be right at home in press coverage. Had 27 passes defended in 2017. Very good instincts. Strong work ethic.
Weaknesses: Opens up early off of press coverage. Lacks experience. Gets turned around by precise route runners. Inconsistent tackler. Falls too often for double moves.
3 Isaiah Oliver/Colorado (1-2)
Strengths: Excellent combination of speed and length. Good in bump and run. Has excellent deep speed. Isn't afraid to challenge routes underneath from off coverage. Excellent leaper on contested throws.
Weaknesses: Stays too tall in his backpedal. Plays every play in top speed, which can be an issue on comebacks and outs. Doesn't redirect immediately. Needs to get better in run support.
4 Jaire Alexander/Louisville (1-2)
Strengths: Excellent instincts, anticipate routes and has quickness to close on the ball. Can be a playmaker. Moves smoothly, can get to top speed in a hurry. Stays connected to routes. Can climb on top of receivers and able to knock ball away. Solid against the deep ball.
Weaknesses: Slender frame. Wasn't healthy for much of 2017, so teams may wonder what they are getting. Not terribly aggressive. Doesn't seek out contact vs run. Has a tendency to grab in man coverage. Doesn't always get head around quickly.
5 Greg Stroman/Virginia Tech (1-2)
Strengths: Natural athlete, very technically sound. Feet can transition smoothly with route breaks. Stays sticky in man coverage. Has a nose for the football. Very good closing burst. Good at undercutting routes. Allowed 25.6 percent completions as a senior. Special teams standout.
Weaknesses: Thin frame, very skinny legs. Big receivers could cause problems. Below average play strength. Has trouble getting off blocks in the run game.
6 Donte Jackson/LSU (2)
7 Mike Hughes/UCF (2)
8 Parry Nickerson/Tulane (2-3)
9 Nick Nelson/Wisconsin (2-3)
10 Carlton Davis/Auburn (2-3)
11 Darius Phillips/Western Michigan (2-3)
12 MJ Stewart/North Carolina (3)
13 Darious Williams/UAB (3)
14 Holton Hill/Texas (3)
15 Kameron Kelly/San Diego State (3)
16 Quenton Meeks/Stanford (3-4)
17 DJ Reed/Kansas State (3-4)
18 Levi Wallace/Alabama (4)
19 Rashaan Gaulden/Tennessee (4)
20 Arrion Springs/Oregon (4)
21 Duke Dawson/Florida (4-5)
22 Christian Campbell/Penn State (4-5)
23 Tarvarus McFadden/Florida State (4-5)
24 Jalen Davis/Utah State (5)
25 Isaac Yiadom/Boston College (5)
26 Dane Cruikshank/Arizona (5)
27 Anthony Averett/Alabama (5-6)
28 Taron Johnson/Weber State (5-6)
29 Brandon Facyson/Virginia Tech (6)
30 Ryan Carter/Clemson (6)
31 Kevin Toliver II/LSU (6-7)
32 Avonte Maddox/Pittsburgh (6-7)
33 Michael Joseph/Dubuque (7)
34 Rashard Fant/Indiana (7)
35 Grant Haley/Penn State (7)
36 Danny Johnson/Southern (7)
STRONG SAFETY
 |
| Minkah Fitzpatrick (SaturdayDownSouth) |
1 Minkah Fitzpatrick/Alabama (1)
Strengths: Captain of the nation's best defense. Can play anywhere, really lacking a position. Super intense, understands the entire defense. Plays biggest in the biggest games. Can cover slot, play high safety or nickel responsibilities. Good footwork. Plays downhill and explodes through tackles. Effective as a blitzer. Special teams demon.
Weaknesses: Lacks lateral agility in coverage. Allows some separation out of breaks. Needs more patience, must resist urge to do it all. Sometimes runs himself out of position as a tackler.
2 Derwin James/Florida State (1)
Strengths: Excellent mental makeup, tone-setter. Best suited for attacking role. Excellent in run support and good as a blitzer. Has prototype size for his position. Has the range to get to the ball from the deep middle. Equally comfortable as a stand up defender against the run or peeling off to cover tight ends. Very good tackler.
Weaknesses: Slow reactions. Could use better anticipation in coverage. Doesn't always attack ballcarriers, allows them to get to him too often. Injuries cost him a decent chunk of his college career.
3 Ronnie Harrison/Alabama (2)
Strengths: Fluid athlete, can play in just about any scheme. Physical, loves to help out against the run. Can play high or low safety. Good at reading quarterback's eyes. Good route anticipation. Is an effective blitzer.
Weaknesses: Isn't always patient, especially in open field. Has difficulty against complex routes. Tends to hit with his shoulder, which has to change. Frame is a bit lean for the position.
4 DeShon Elliott/Texas (2-3)
Strengths: Good size and aggressiveness. Best suited to play near the line as he is limited athletically. High football IQ. Plays downhill. Loves physical play, sometimes mistaken for a linebacker. Tallied six interceptions in 2017.
Weaknesses: Short strides, hard to recover. Doesn't do well in change of direction. Struggles to maintain contract with route breaks in man coverage.
5 Kyzir White/West Virginia (2-3)
Strengths: Team leader. Physical player. Good length. Could end up in a hybrid role with more weight on his frame. Excellent in run support. Good at diagnosing play-action and dropping into coverage. Can cover tight ends.
Weaknesses: Play speed is just average. Limitations in man coverage. Is not great at change of direction. Lacks explosiveness. Not always the best open-field tackler.
6 Tray Matthews/Auburn (3)
7 Damon Webb/Ohio State (3)
8 Jordan Whitehead/Pittsburgh (3)
9 Tre Flowers/Oklahoma State (4)
10 Troy Apke/Penn State (5)
11 Marcell Harris/Florida (5-6)
12 Siran Neal/Jacksonville State (5-6)
13 Tracy Walker/Louisiana (7)
14 Davontae Harris/Illinois State (7)
 |
| Quin Blanding (Virginia Sports) |
1 Quin Blanding/Virginia (2)
Strengths: Excellent size and productivity. Plays with good balance. Solid pursuit angles. Played in 98 percent of defensive snaps in Virginia career. Not fooled by quarterback eye movement. Very good against downfield throws.
Weaknesses: Limited quickness. Not great transitioning from backpedal. Doesn't have great range. Can sometimes take poor angles to the football.
2 Justin Reid/Stanford (2-3)
Strengths: Good athletic ability, can play man coverage. Excellent ball skills on deep throws. Technically sound, rarely out of position. Can play near the box. Excellent recognition and reaction. Can avoid blockers in space. Very good tackler.
Weaknesses: Not great against slot receivers. Has a tendency to use hands too much at the top of route. Susceptible to play fakes. Balance not always great when coming in for tackle.
3 Tarvarius Moore/Southern Miss (3)
Strengths: Has excellent speed and explosiveness. Solid in run support and able to handle coverage responsibilities. Long arms. Fluid in backpedal. Good recognition tracking the football.
Weaknesses: Needs to add size. Only started for one season, a bit raw. Allows ball to get to his frame on deep throws. Ducks his head too often as a tackler.
4 Jessie Bates III/Wake Forest (3-4)
Strengths: Solid athletic ability, good instincts and ability to handle coverage duties. Plays with aggressiveness. Good pattern recognition. Doesn't hesistate when driving toward receiver. Playmaker with the ball in his hands. Can be used in variety of coverages.
Weaknesses: Occasionally gets off balance with tackling angles. Must increase his mass. Sometimes allows routes to get behind him on misdirection. Overpursues, allowing cutback runs.
5 Armani Watts/Texas A&M (3-4)
Strengths: Smooth, excellent athletic ability. One of the better coverage safeties in the draft. Has excellent instincts and range. Plays downhill, good vs screen game.
Weaknesses: Doesn't have ideal size. Inconsistent vs the run. Overruns too many plays. Doesn't always produce max effort in tackling. Not a consistent finisher. Guesses too much in coverage.
6 Van Smith/Clemson (4)
7 Marcus Allen/Penn State (4)
8 Godwin Igwebuike/Northwestern (4-5)
9 Jeremy Reaves/South Alabama (4-5)
10 Terrell Edmunds/Virginia Tech (4-5)
11 Natrell Jamerson/Wisconsin (5)
12 Stephen Roberts/Auburn (5-6)
13 Sean Chandler/Temple (5-6)
14 Max Redfield/Indiana Pa. (6)
15 Dominick Sanders/Georgia (6-7)
16 Mason McKenrick/John Carroll (7)
Tuesday: Overall Top 100
Sunday, April 22, 2018
2018 NFL Draft Positional Rankings -- Offense
It's natural for most of the attention in this year's draft to gravitate toward the quarterbacks, but that can be attributed more to team needs than true franchise talent available. There are some real offensive gems available in this year's draft, and a deep receiving corps means that value can be had at that position. There aren't a lot of difference-makers on the offensive line, continuing a trend that has been going on for three years.
The following is our ranking by position of the offensive talent in the 2018 NFL Draft, with round grade in parentheses. That isn't the round we believe the player will be drafted, but is where we rate their talent. There are 10 true round one talents on offense this year, at least to these eyes. The top five at each position have comments about their play.
QUARTERBACK
1 Josh Rosen/UCLA (1)
Strengths: Excellent mechanics and exemplary footwork make Rosen the most naturally gifted thrower in this draft. Great poise in the pocket, very good identifying defenses and pre-snap reads. Anchors himself well in the pocket, but can climb the pocket when necessary. Isn't afraid of pressure, will hang on to the ball in the face of a rush (completed 63 percent vs. the blitz in 2017). Can throw receivers open, and has excellent touch.
Weaknesses: There are questions about his leadership, about whether he is passionate enough about football to be truly great. Durability issues, was hurt often at UCLA. Has not been great on deep throws, needs to drive the football more in that area. Arm strength just average. Not mobile, so will need to go to a team with great protection or creative protection schemes.
2 Baker Mayfield/Oklahoma (1)
Strengths: Has a gunslinger mentality and led the nation in yards per attempt as a senior (11.8). Excellent mobility, able to keep plays alive and find open targets. High football IQ, able to process reads very quickly. Quick setup in pocket. Good at moving safeties with his eyes. Better than expected arm strength and talent. Gets added zip on the ball by utilizing his lower body on throws. Top-end production as a red zone passer.
Weaknesses: Could be scheme dependent. Gets a lot of passes batted down at line of scrimmage, largely due to his drop-down release. Has to improve consistency of footwork. Sometimes creeps up into pressure. Makes too many back foot throws. Must find a way to put more zip on his deep passes as they have a tendency to hang in the air.
3 Sam Darnold/USC (1)
Strengths: Prototype NFL build and arm talent. Better athlete than his frame indicates. Excellent mobility in the pocket and can read the field as well as any of this year's prospects. Great velocity. Keeps his eyes downfield, looks off safeties and takes what the defense gives rather than forcing the issue. Excellent anticipation. Fearless with his throws. Can make the deep out throw with ease, is precise with his timing. Has been lauded for his toughness and leadership abilities.
Weaknesses: Propensity for turnovers (13 INTs, 11 fumbles) is a worry, much of it due to ball dropping to his waist on setup. Has a very elongated release. Turnovers more a product of poor decision-making than bad throws. Zips short passes too often. Doesn't always do a great job leading his target, and his deep touch could be better.
4 Mason Rudolph/Oklahoma State (1-2)
Strengths: Excels at downfield throws and off of play-action. Solid at reading defenses and very good with his timing. Lets routes develop and receivers get clear. Keeps his eyes downfield. Good at reading safeties and going through his progressions.
Weaknesses: Ball will sail due to lack of drive from lower body. Arm is accurate, but lacks velocity. Gets thrown off rhythm when he has to scramble. Was assisted at times on downfield throws by receivers willing to fight for the ball. Can be lacking in ball security.
5 Lamar Jackson/Louisville (1-2)
Strengths: Though there are concerns about his accuracy, he improved each season. Off the charts athleticism. Has a lively arm, and a delivery that is very smooth. Despite operating in an RPO offense he has pocket poise. Excellent improvisational skills, can keep plays alive. Will be dangerous option in the red zone, more with his legs but also with his quick delivery.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always drive the ball, and his wrist flick allows deep balls to hang in the air. Has a very thin base, and his footwork leaves a lot to be desired. At times flips the ball rather than throwing it. Is reluctant to challenge safeties down the seam. Despite his height he gets an alarming number of passes tipped, due mainly to a low release point. Athleticism belies the fact that his rollout accuracy is poor. Does not have great touch on intermediate passes over the middle.
6 Josh Allen/Wyoming (2)
7 Kyle Lauletta/Richmond (3)
8 Chase Litton/Marshall (3-4)
9 Mike White/Western Kentucky (4)
10 Logan Woodside/Toledo (4)
11 Kurt Benkert/Virginia (4-5)
12 John Wolford/Wake Forest (5)
13 Nick Stevens/Colorado State (5)
14 Riley Ferguson/Memphis (5-6)
15 Nic Shimonek/Texas Tech (6)
16 Luke Falk/Washington State (6)
17 JT Barrett/Ohio State (6-7)
18 Jeremiah Briscoe/Sam Houston State (7)
RUNNING BACK
1 Saquon Barkley/Penn State (1)
Strengths: Outstanding speed (4.4) for his size (233 pounds). Excellent speed and vision in the open field. A volume ball carrier, gets stronger as the game progresses. Very good footwork, explodes off of cuts. Breaks ankles with his start-stop ability and jump cuts. Excellent lateral burst. Very good as a pass catcher and was elite in the return game for Penn State.
Weaknesses: Not as powerful as his size would dictate. Didn't break a lot of tackles. Has to go north/south more often and not dance behind the line. Often does too much juking instead of running, allowing tacklers to get to him. Not consistent in pass protection.
2 Ronald Jones II/USC (1)
Strengths: Slasher, with explosiveness to take any carry to the end zone. Trusts his blockers and doesn't tip off his cutback intentions. Puts his foot in the ground and goes. Has the quickness to get out of traffic and make something out of nothing. Isn't afraid to take on contact. Ball security a plus, fumbled just twice in nearly 600 carries at USC. Willing blocker.
Weaknesses: Lean frame means his touch count needs to be monitored. Doesn't always run with a plan, too much improvisation. Sometimes is impatient behind his blockers. Takes too many hits in quest for extra yardage. Need to improve in setting up cutbacks on stretch plays.
3 Sony Michel/Georgia (1-2)
Strengths: Good vision and physicality. At his best when running north/south. Very decisive with his runs. Excellent on inside zone plays. Good acceleration at the second level allows him to make big plays. Can break tackles. Very good in blitz pickup and isn't afraid to block in pass protection.
Weaknesses: Not terribly agile, which affects his late cutting ability. Some of his runs were scheme related, he didn't create a ton of his own yardage. Inconsistent with open field balance. Needs work catching passes.
4 Derrius Guice/LSU (1-2)
Strengths: Violent runner, loves taking on contact. Excellent combo of speed, balance and power. Very good vision for a power runner, can make sudden cuts. Sets up his blocks. Adept at getting out of trouble with spin move. Home run threat in the open field.
Weaknesses: Even with his power, he needs to be more decisive through the line. Average burst. Tends to duck head at contact rather than getting low pad level. Isn't great at eluding tacklers when running downhill. Doesn't always finish his blocks in pass protection.
5 Nick Chubb/Georgia (2)
Strengths: Powerful, does a good job running through arm tackles and first contact. Low center of gravity makes him hard to bring down at point of contact. Has one-cut ability. Good at staying disciplined between the tackles. Patient runner, good ball security.
Weaknesses: Explosion isn't what you would want from a feature back. Lacks elusiveness in tight quarters. Vision isn't anything special. May not have much value on third downs as he wasn't used in the passing game at Georgia. Is sometimes hesitant in reading his blocks.
6 Rashaad Penny/San Diego State (2)
7 Royce Freeman/Oregon (2-3)
8 Kerryon Johnson/Auburn (2-3)
9 Nyheim Hines/NC State (3)
10 Ito Smith/Southern Miss (3-4)
11 Kalen Ballage/Arizona State (3-4)
12 Darrel Williams/LSU (3-4)
13 John Kelly/Tennessee (4)
14 Mark Walton/Miami Fla (4)
15 Josh Adams/Notre Dame (4-5)
16 Justin Crawford/West Virginia (4-5)
17 Dalyn Dawkins/Colorado State (4-5)
18 Roc Thomas/Jacksonville State (5)
19 Jordan Wilkins/Ole Miss (5)
20 Justin Jackson/Northwestern (5-6)
21 Boston Scott/Louisiana Tech (5-6)
22 Jeffery Wilson/North Texas (5-6)
23 Chase Edmonds/Fordham (6)
24 Bo Scarbrough/Alabama (6)
25 Phillip Lindsay/Colorado (6-7)
26 Chris Warren III/Texas (6-7)
27 Lavon Coleman/Washington (6-7)
28 Mike Boone/Cincinnati (7)
29 Jarvion Franklin/Western Michigan (7)
30 Martez Carter/Grambling State (7)
WIDE RECEIVER
1. James Washington/Oklahoma State (1)
Strengths: Good athletic background, played tennis and ran track in high school. Great body control, especially on sideline routes. Excellent ability tracking the football. Gets faster as routes progress. Downfield threat, averaged over 20 yards per catch for the last three seasons at Oklahoma State. Can create space on his own, especially deep. Has long arms and excellent catch radius. Was comfortable working outside or in the slot.
Weaknesses: Didn't face much press coverage, will have to show he can get off. Limited route tree. Frame keeps him from sinking into cuts. Route running not consistent, lacks smoothness and fluidity. For his size, not great on contested catches underneath.
2. Michael Gallup/Colorado State (1)
Strengths: Has burst and agility to get himself open. Light on his feet. Can get off press coverage with quick hands. Has speed to second level that allows him to climb over corners. Improved route runner. Good leaper, wins most contested balls. Adept at the back shoulder catch.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always get his head around fast enough on downfield throws. Inconsistent adjustments to poor throws. Too cognizant of midfield safeties, loses focus. Looks overwhelmed at times as a run blocker.
3 Calvin Ridley/Alabama (1-2)
Strengths: Expansive route tree, excellent route runner. Elite separation. Looks effortless running routes. Excellent in and out of breaks and can open throwing windows. Hands catcher on the move. Very good after the catch.
Weaknesses: Thin build, concerns about getting off of press coverage. Can get easily knocked off route by contact. Needs to improve body control to gain leverage on deep sideline routes. Drops too many passes when he senses a defender. May have trouble catching the ball in traffic. Goes down often on first contact. Had 20 drops in three seasons at Alabama.
4. Courtland Sutton/SMU (1-2)
Strengths: Size and frame to excel as a possession receiver. Wins contested passes. Can get off contact and continue route. Isn't afraid to operate over the middle. Excels at slants and crosses. Willing to work back to quarterback on underthrows. Very good blocker, physical at point of attack. Inviting red zone target.
Weaknesses: Lacks top end explosiveness, which could limit his ceiling. Sometimes relies on size over technique in route running. Doesn't have much separation on first and second levels. Limited in yards after catch.
5. Anthony Miller/Memphis (1-2)
Strengths: Played out wide and in slot, versatile performer. Can get open and work all three levels of the field. Good head fakes. Accelerates out of cuts. Ultra-competitive, originally a walk-on. Tracks the ball well in flight. Good body control on tougher catches. Will help out his quarterback outside the pocket. Good yards after catch.
Weaknesses: Hands inconsistent. Can often be herky-jerky in routes, too much wasted motion. Loses focus on shorter routes. Didn't always secure the football.
6. DJ Moore/Maryland (2)
7. Auden Tate/Florida State (2)
8. Cedrick Wilson/Boise State (2)
9. Christian Kirk/Texas A&M (2-3)
10. Marcell Ateman/Oklahoma State (3)
11. Keke Coutee/Texas Tech (3)
12. Tre'Quan Smith/UCF (3)
13. Equanimeous St. Brown/Notre Dame (3-4)
14. Dante Pettis/Washington (3-4)
15. Cam Phillips/Virginia Tech (3-4)
16. Deontay Burnett/USC (3-4)
17. DJ Chark/LSU (3-4)
18. Allen Lazard/Iowa State (4)
19. Jaleel Scott/New Mexico State (4)
20. Deon Cain/Clemson (4-5)
21. DaeSean Hamilton/Penn State (4-5)
22. J'Mon Moore/Missouri (4-5)
23. Trey Quinn/SMU (5)
24. Richie James/Middle Tennessee (5)
25. Simmie Cobbs/Indiana (5-6)
26. Javon Wims/Georgia (5-6)
27. Korey Robertson/Southern Miss (6)
28. Daurice Fountain/Northern Iowa (6)
29. Justin Watson/Penn (6-7)
30. Darren Carrington/Utah (6-7)
31. Steve Ishmael/Syracuse (7)
32. Jake Wieneke/South Dakota State (7)
33. Antonio Callaway/Florida (7)
34. Dylan Cantrell/Texas Tech (7)
TIGHT END
1. Dallas Goedert/South Dakota State (1-2)
Strengths: Has made eye-popping catches look routine. Possesses the size, speed and ability to make a real impact. Can work all three levels of the field. Can get off jams and disengage from defenders in space. Very good body control, basketball background. Understands positioning, uses frame to seal off defenders. Wasn't asked to block very often, but has good pad level and knee bend to be successful in that area.
Weaknesses: Level of competition. Doesn't sell routes very well. Sometimes has trouble getting secondary separation. Isn't great runner after the catch. Questions about effort level in blocking. Tries too hard to make the highlight reel catch.
2. Mike Gesicki/Penn State (1-2)
Strengths: Excellent at finding soft spots in coverage and getting open. Wins contested balls, background in basketball and volleyball. Excellent body control. Creates separation on second and third level routes. Has the ability to run complex patterns, not just a seam guy. Leaping ability creates rare catch radius.
Weaknesses: Frame lacks bulk, could get pushed off routes at the next level. Doesn't have a lot of quickness in and out of breaks. Seemed to lack willingness as a blocker. Below average play strength.
3. Mark Andrews/Oklahoma (2)
Strengths: Excellent route runner, started career as receiver. Great feel for route adjustments and kills it in zone coverages. Can make catches in tight windows. Excellent in the red zone. Very good at route adjustment. Has the frame to provide a mismatch against defensive backs. Footwork and athleticism stand out in this tight end crop.
Weaknesses: Doesn't play as fast as his frame would dictate. Inconsistent beyond the second level. Does not have quickness or acceleration to shake man coverage downfield. Has not shown willingness as a blocker. Seems to be missing a nasty streak. Will be a liability in the run game, limiting his usage.
4. Ian Thomas/Indiana (2)
Strengths: Has a passion for the game. Prototype frame for the position. Can create space coming out of breaks and turns. Has the speed to be a downfield option. Will not shy away from contact with the ball in his hands. The best blocker in this class, works well on the line and can seal off defensive ends. Better as an in-line blocker, but solid all around in that aspect.
Weaknesses: Technique is sometimes lacking when blocking, especially hand placement. Doesn't always have optimum play speed. Raw. Limited route tree at Indiana, will need to learn more complex schemes. Sometimes will take on a defender instead of running away from them, sacrificing yardage for contact.
5. Hayden Hurst/South Carolina (2-3)
Strengths: Size and quickness combination makes him dangerous. Was used all over the field. Has a quick release into his routes. Pass catching threat at all three levels. Very good at snatching the ball out of the air. Runs with power after catch. Plays like his hair is on fire.
Weaknesses: Limited window as he will be 25 years old when season starts. Sometimes tips his routes. Needs work as an in-line blocker. Below average on out-breaking routes.
6. Troy Fumagalli/Wisconsin (3)
7. Durham Smythe/Notre Dame (3-4)
8. Jaylen Samuels/NC State (3-4)
9. Jordan Akins/UCF (4)
10. Tyler Conklin/Central Michigan (4-5)
11. Christopher Herndon/Miami (5-6)
12. Marcus Baugh/Ohio State (6)
13. Ryan Izzo/Florida State (6-7)
14. Dalton Schultz/Stanford (7)
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Mike McGlinchey/Notre Dame (1)
Strengths: Technique is almost flawless. Fluid athlete, former tight end. Good knee bend. Very balanced at point of attack. Ideal form in pass sets. Good instincts.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal strength. Doesn't always finish. Pads get too high when asked to be a move blocker. Too easily pushed back into pocket by strong rushers.
2. Connor Williams/Texas (1-2)
Strengths: Will make a living as an elite run blocker. Technically sound, good lateral footwork and slide steps. Sustains blocks, has powerful hands. Good finisher. Excellent body control in pass sets.
Weaknesses: Wasn't as good in 2017 as he was the year before. Lateral quickness was lacking. Does not have ideal length for a tackle. Gets too straight-legged on initial bull moves.
3. Orlando Brown/Oklahoma (2)
Strengths: You don't see his size and length very often, and he knows how to use that to his advantage. Has a nasty demeanor and a solid physical skill set. Engulfs linebackers when he gets to second level. Arm extension makes life difficult for pass rushers. Keeps his feet moving in pass protection.
Weaknesses: Woefully unathletic. Plays too straight-legged and lacks good footwork. Bigger than he is strong. Balance is sometimes an issue on redirect. Slow laterally off the snap.
4. Tyrell Crosby/Oregon (2-3)
Strengths: Mean streak, nasty as a run blocker. Has length and strength. Straight ahead bulldozer in run game. Very good drive blocker. Can play on either side of the formation.
Weaknesses: Technical issues aplenty. Does not have great initial quickness, and finesse game is lacking. Did not make many pure pass sets in college. Footwork is spotty. Average body control. Could move inside to guard if he can't get more consistent in pass protection.
5. Jamarco Jones/Ohio State (2-3)
Strengths: Long arms, good technique. Solid lateral movement and slide quickness. Improved in pass protection in 2017. Plus agility.
Weaknesses: Height and length combination not optimum for position. Plays too high, not great with his hips. Below averge body control. Could play tougher. Poor combine showing casts questions about athleticism.
6. Kolton Miller/UCLA (2-3)
7. Martinas Rankin/Mississippi State (2-3)
8. Chukwuma Okorafor/Western Michigan (3)
9. Will Richardson/NC State (3-4)
10. Desmond Harrison/West Georgia (3-4)
11. Brandon Parker/North Carolina A&T (4)
12. Geron Christian/Louisville (4)
13. Joe Noteboom/TCU (4-5)
14. Brian O'Neill/Pittsburgh (4-5)
15. Toby Weathersby/LSU (5)
16. Archie Lewis/Boise State (5-6)
17. Greg Senat/Wagner (6)
18. Cole Madison/Washington State (6-7)
19. Zachary Crabtree/Oklahoma State (6-7)
20. David Bright/Stanford (7)
21. Alex Cappa/Humboldt State (7)
OFFENSIVE GUARD
1. Quenton Nelson/Notre Dame (1)
Strengths: Elite power, good size and a first-rate finisher. Technically sound, intelligent. Good pad level off the snap. Aggressive at point of attack and will block until the whistle. Excellent lateral movement. Wide base on pass sets.
Weaknesses: Occasionally has a hitch when coming out of his stance on pulling plays. Doesn't always play fast. Has been injured a bit. Good pass blocker, but not elite against athletic rush men.
2. Isaiah Wynn/Georgia (1)
Strengths: Technically sound, great attitude. Top-level athleticism as a run blocker. Above average in pass protection as he started his Georgia career at tackle. Fluid, good knee bend. Solid finisher. Good body control and balance, handles counter moves very well.
Weaknesses: Questions about how well he can handle power rushers. Arm extension could be better. Sometimes impatient, doesn't wait for defenders to come to him.
3. Will Hernandez/UTEP (1-2)
Strengths: Good blend of power and athletic ability. Excellent run blocker and has sufficient footwork to be an asset in pass protection. Good movement for his size. Explodes at the point of attack. Very aggressive, plays to the whistle. Surprisingly quick feet.
Weaknesses: Height (6-3) is not ideal. Has short arms, and defenders with long arms are able to get into his body. Initiates contact without getting set. Pad level is sometimes deficient.
4. Braden Smith/Auburn (2-3)
Strengths: Has the desired frame for the position. Excellent power. Plays strong. Can be a mauler, comes off the ball very well. Good drive blocker.
Weaknesses: A beat behind in picking up defensive line twists. Feet aren't super quick, can be had by counter rush moves. Has trouble getting to second level. Looks stiff at times.
5. Wyatt Teller/Virginia Tech (3)
Strengths: Excellent body control and hands. Very good frame, hard to move. Excellent hand placement. Maintains balance through contact. Has a mean streak.
Weaknesses: Did not play nearly as well last year as he did in 2016. Questions about consistent effort. Good straight ahead, below average laterally. Has trouble when call on to pull.
6. Tony Adams/NC State (3)
7. Tyrone Crowder/Clemson (3-4)
8. Colby Gossett/Appalachian State (3-4)
9. Jamil Demby/Maine (4)
10. Sam Jones/Arizona State (4)
11. KC McDermott/Miami Fla. (4-5)
12. Skyler Phillips/Idaho State (4-5)
13. Taylor Hearn/Clemson (5-6)
14. KJ Malone/LSU (7)
15. Sean Welsh/Iowa (7)
CENTER
1. Frank Ragnow/Arkansas (1-2)
Strengths: Very physical. Takes good angles to blocks. Very good quickness on down blocks. Strong hands, can ride out blocks to completion. Has played both guard and center, so versatility is there. Can go from first to second block with good timing. Good leader.
Weaknesses: Not terribly athletic. Doesn't always drop pads to desired level. Is on the ground too much. Defenders with quick get-off could be a problem.
2. Billy Price/Ohio State (2)
Strengths: A mauler, but can also be effective on the move for traps. Excellent explosiveness off the snap. Great power and leverage. Excellent on the redirect. Flexibility in hips, excellent drive blocker. Coaches loved his leadership and intelligence. Mean streak. Has played both center and guard.
Weaknesses: Impatient as a blocker. Has a tendency to lunge and lose balance against shade defenders. Footwork isn't always consistent. Not a long frame, so sustaining blocks is sometimes an issue.
3. James Daniels/Iowa (2)
Strengths: Very fluid in movements. Initial quickness helps him win in positioning on zone blocks. Good quickness off the snap. Technically sound, slides feet and turns hips when securing blocks. Excellent finisher. Has a wide base on pass sets.
Weaknesses: Needs to get stronger. Average power off the ball. Struggles against bull rushers. Wasn't used a lot as a drive blocker, will need more proficiency.
4. Bradley Bozeman/Alabama (4)
Strengths: Proficient at getting to second level. Size is a plus, difficult to move. Plays with toughness. Good hand placement.
Weaknesses: Quickness off the snap is lacking. Not athletic. Not as powerful from his lower body as his size would indicate. Can be thrown off balance by bull rushers.
5. Will Clapp/LSU (4-5)
Strengths: Very steady performer, played both center and guard at a high level. Consistent in his footwork. Good hand strength, sustains well. Great recognition against blitzers.
Weaknesses: Short arms. Athletic ability is suspect. Doesn't always do well at the second level. Heavy feet in pass sets, a liability against speedy interior defenders.
6. Coleman Shelton/Washington (4-5)
7. Austin Corbett/Nevada (4-5)
8. Brian Allen/Michigan State (5-6)
9. Scott Quessenberry/UCLA (6)
10. Austin Golson/Auburn (7)
MONDAY: Defensive Positional Rankings
The following is our ranking by position of the offensive talent in the 2018 NFL Draft, with round grade in parentheses. That isn't the round we believe the player will be drafted, but is where we rate their talent. There are 10 true round one talents on offense this year, at least to these eyes. The top five at each position have comments about their play.
QUARTERBACK
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| Josh Rosen (Palm Beach Post) |
Strengths: Excellent mechanics and exemplary footwork make Rosen the most naturally gifted thrower in this draft. Great poise in the pocket, very good identifying defenses and pre-snap reads. Anchors himself well in the pocket, but can climb the pocket when necessary. Isn't afraid of pressure, will hang on to the ball in the face of a rush (completed 63 percent vs. the blitz in 2017). Can throw receivers open, and has excellent touch.
Weaknesses: There are questions about his leadership, about whether he is passionate enough about football to be truly great. Durability issues, was hurt often at UCLA. Has not been great on deep throws, needs to drive the football more in that area. Arm strength just average. Not mobile, so will need to go to a team with great protection or creative protection schemes.
2 Baker Mayfield/Oklahoma (1)
Strengths: Has a gunslinger mentality and led the nation in yards per attempt as a senior (11.8). Excellent mobility, able to keep plays alive and find open targets. High football IQ, able to process reads very quickly. Quick setup in pocket. Good at moving safeties with his eyes. Better than expected arm strength and talent. Gets added zip on the ball by utilizing his lower body on throws. Top-end production as a red zone passer.
Weaknesses: Could be scheme dependent. Gets a lot of passes batted down at line of scrimmage, largely due to his drop-down release. Has to improve consistency of footwork. Sometimes creeps up into pressure. Makes too many back foot throws. Must find a way to put more zip on his deep passes as they have a tendency to hang in the air.
3 Sam Darnold/USC (1)
Strengths: Prototype NFL build and arm talent. Better athlete than his frame indicates. Excellent mobility in the pocket and can read the field as well as any of this year's prospects. Great velocity. Keeps his eyes downfield, looks off safeties and takes what the defense gives rather than forcing the issue. Excellent anticipation. Fearless with his throws. Can make the deep out throw with ease, is precise with his timing. Has been lauded for his toughness and leadership abilities.
Weaknesses: Propensity for turnovers (13 INTs, 11 fumbles) is a worry, much of it due to ball dropping to his waist on setup. Has a very elongated release. Turnovers more a product of poor decision-making than bad throws. Zips short passes too often. Doesn't always do a great job leading his target, and his deep touch could be better.
4 Mason Rudolph/Oklahoma State (1-2)
Strengths: Excels at downfield throws and off of play-action. Solid at reading defenses and very good with his timing. Lets routes develop and receivers get clear. Keeps his eyes downfield. Good at reading safeties and going through his progressions.
Weaknesses: Ball will sail due to lack of drive from lower body. Arm is accurate, but lacks velocity. Gets thrown off rhythm when he has to scramble. Was assisted at times on downfield throws by receivers willing to fight for the ball. Can be lacking in ball security.
5 Lamar Jackson/Louisville (1-2)
Strengths: Though there are concerns about his accuracy, he improved each season. Off the charts athleticism. Has a lively arm, and a delivery that is very smooth. Despite operating in an RPO offense he has pocket poise. Excellent improvisational skills, can keep plays alive. Will be dangerous option in the red zone, more with his legs but also with his quick delivery.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always drive the ball, and his wrist flick allows deep balls to hang in the air. Has a very thin base, and his footwork leaves a lot to be desired. At times flips the ball rather than throwing it. Is reluctant to challenge safeties down the seam. Despite his height he gets an alarming number of passes tipped, due mainly to a low release point. Athleticism belies the fact that his rollout accuracy is poor. Does not have great touch on intermediate passes over the middle.
6 Josh Allen/Wyoming (2)
7 Kyle Lauletta/Richmond (3)
8 Chase Litton/Marshall (3-4)
9 Mike White/Western Kentucky (4)
10 Logan Woodside/Toledo (4)
11 Kurt Benkert/Virginia (4-5)
12 John Wolford/Wake Forest (5)
13 Nick Stevens/Colorado State (5)
14 Riley Ferguson/Memphis (5-6)
15 Nic Shimonek/Texas Tech (6)
16 Luke Falk/Washington State (6)
17 JT Barrett/Ohio State (6-7)
18 Jeremiah Briscoe/Sam Houston State (7)
RUNNING BACK
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| Saquon Barkley (Cleveland.com) |
1 Saquon Barkley/Penn State (1)
Strengths: Outstanding speed (4.4) for his size (233 pounds). Excellent speed and vision in the open field. A volume ball carrier, gets stronger as the game progresses. Very good footwork, explodes off of cuts. Breaks ankles with his start-stop ability and jump cuts. Excellent lateral burst. Very good as a pass catcher and was elite in the return game for Penn State.
Weaknesses: Not as powerful as his size would dictate. Didn't break a lot of tackles. Has to go north/south more often and not dance behind the line. Often does too much juking instead of running, allowing tacklers to get to him. Not consistent in pass protection.
2 Ronald Jones II/USC (1)
Strengths: Slasher, with explosiveness to take any carry to the end zone. Trusts his blockers and doesn't tip off his cutback intentions. Puts his foot in the ground and goes. Has the quickness to get out of traffic and make something out of nothing. Isn't afraid to take on contact. Ball security a plus, fumbled just twice in nearly 600 carries at USC. Willing blocker.
Weaknesses: Lean frame means his touch count needs to be monitored. Doesn't always run with a plan, too much improvisation. Sometimes is impatient behind his blockers. Takes too many hits in quest for extra yardage. Need to improve in setting up cutbacks on stretch plays.
3 Sony Michel/Georgia (1-2)
Strengths: Good vision and physicality. At his best when running north/south. Very decisive with his runs. Excellent on inside zone plays. Good acceleration at the second level allows him to make big plays. Can break tackles. Very good in blitz pickup and isn't afraid to block in pass protection.
Weaknesses: Not terribly agile, which affects his late cutting ability. Some of his runs were scheme related, he didn't create a ton of his own yardage. Inconsistent with open field balance. Needs work catching passes.
4 Derrius Guice/LSU (1-2)
Strengths: Violent runner, loves taking on contact. Excellent combo of speed, balance and power. Very good vision for a power runner, can make sudden cuts. Sets up his blocks. Adept at getting out of trouble with spin move. Home run threat in the open field.
Weaknesses: Even with his power, he needs to be more decisive through the line. Average burst. Tends to duck head at contact rather than getting low pad level. Isn't great at eluding tacklers when running downhill. Doesn't always finish his blocks in pass protection.
5 Nick Chubb/Georgia (2)
Strengths: Powerful, does a good job running through arm tackles and first contact. Low center of gravity makes him hard to bring down at point of contact. Has one-cut ability. Good at staying disciplined between the tackles. Patient runner, good ball security.
Weaknesses: Explosion isn't what you would want from a feature back. Lacks elusiveness in tight quarters. Vision isn't anything special. May not have much value on third downs as he wasn't used in the passing game at Georgia. Is sometimes hesitant in reading his blocks.
6 Rashaad Penny/San Diego State (2)
7 Royce Freeman/Oregon (2-3)
8 Kerryon Johnson/Auburn (2-3)
9 Nyheim Hines/NC State (3)
10 Ito Smith/Southern Miss (3-4)
11 Kalen Ballage/Arizona State (3-4)
12 Darrel Williams/LSU (3-4)
13 John Kelly/Tennessee (4)
14 Mark Walton/Miami Fla (4)
15 Josh Adams/Notre Dame (4-5)
16 Justin Crawford/West Virginia (4-5)
17 Dalyn Dawkins/Colorado State (4-5)
18 Roc Thomas/Jacksonville State (5)
19 Jordan Wilkins/Ole Miss (5)
20 Justin Jackson/Northwestern (5-6)
21 Boston Scott/Louisiana Tech (5-6)
22 Jeffery Wilson/North Texas (5-6)
23 Chase Edmonds/Fordham (6)
24 Bo Scarbrough/Alabama (6)
25 Phillip Lindsay/Colorado (6-7)
26 Chris Warren III/Texas (6-7)
27 Lavon Coleman/Washington (6-7)
28 Mike Boone/Cincinnati (7)
29 Jarvion Franklin/Western Michigan (7)
30 Martez Carter/Grambling State (7)
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| James Washington (Getty Images) |
1. James Washington/Oklahoma State (1)
Strengths: Good athletic background, played tennis and ran track in high school. Great body control, especially on sideline routes. Excellent ability tracking the football. Gets faster as routes progress. Downfield threat, averaged over 20 yards per catch for the last three seasons at Oklahoma State. Can create space on his own, especially deep. Has long arms and excellent catch radius. Was comfortable working outside or in the slot.
Weaknesses: Didn't face much press coverage, will have to show he can get off. Limited route tree. Frame keeps him from sinking into cuts. Route running not consistent, lacks smoothness and fluidity. For his size, not great on contested catches underneath.
2. Michael Gallup/Colorado State (1)
Strengths: Has burst and agility to get himself open. Light on his feet. Can get off press coverage with quick hands. Has speed to second level that allows him to climb over corners. Improved route runner. Good leaper, wins most contested balls. Adept at the back shoulder catch.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always get his head around fast enough on downfield throws. Inconsistent adjustments to poor throws. Too cognizant of midfield safeties, loses focus. Looks overwhelmed at times as a run blocker.
3 Calvin Ridley/Alabama (1-2)
Strengths: Expansive route tree, excellent route runner. Elite separation. Looks effortless running routes. Excellent in and out of breaks and can open throwing windows. Hands catcher on the move. Very good after the catch.
Weaknesses: Thin build, concerns about getting off of press coverage. Can get easily knocked off route by contact. Needs to improve body control to gain leverage on deep sideline routes. Drops too many passes when he senses a defender. May have trouble catching the ball in traffic. Goes down often on first contact. Had 20 drops in three seasons at Alabama.
4. Courtland Sutton/SMU (1-2)
Strengths: Size and frame to excel as a possession receiver. Wins contested passes. Can get off contact and continue route. Isn't afraid to operate over the middle. Excels at slants and crosses. Willing to work back to quarterback on underthrows. Very good blocker, physical at point of attack. Inviting red zone target.
Weaknesses: Lacks top end explosiveness, which could limit his ceiling. Sometimes relies on size over technique in route running. Doesn't have much separation on first and second levels. Limited in yards after catch.
5. Anthony Miller/Memphis (1-2)
Strengths: Played out wide and in slot, versatile performer. Can get open and work all three levels of the field. Good head fakes. Accelerates out of cuts. Ultra-competitive, originally a walk-on. Tracks the ball well in flight. Good body control on tougher catches. Will help out his quarterback outside the pocket. Good yards after catch.
Weaknesses: Hands inconsistent. Can often be herky-jerky in routes, too much wasted motion. Loses focus on shorter routes. Didn't always secure the football.
6. DJ Moore/Maryland (2)
7. Auden Tate/Florida State (2)
8. Cedrick Wilson/Boise State (2)
9. Christian Kirk/Texas A&M (2-3)
10. Marcell Ateman/Oklahoma State (3)
11. Keke Coutee/Texas Tech (3)
12. Tre'Quan Smith/UCF (3)
13. Equanimeous St. Brown/Notre Dame (3-4)
14. Dante Pettis/Washington (3-4)
15. Cam Phillips/Virginia Tech (3-4)
16. Deontay Burnett/USC (3-4)
17. DJ Chark/LSU (3-4)
18. Allen Lazard/Iowa State (4)
19. Jaleel Scott/New Mexico State (4)
20. Deon Cain/Clemson (4-5)
21. DaeSean Hamilton/Penn State (4-5)
22. J'Mon Moore/Missouri (4-5)
23. Trey Quinn/SMU (5)
24. Richie James/Middle Tennessee (5)
25. Simmie Cobbs/Indiana (5-6)
26. Javon Wims/Georgia (5-6)
27. Korey Robertson/Southern Miss (6)
28. Daurice Fountain/Northern Iowa (6)
29. Justin Watson/Penn (6-7)
30. Darren Carrington/Utah (6-7)
31. Steve Ishmael/Syracuse (7)
32. Jake Wieneke/South Dakota State (7)
33. Antonio Callaway/Florida (7)
34. Dylan Cantrell/Texas Tech (7)
TIGHT END
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| Dallas Goedert (Mitchell Daily Republic) |
1. Dallas Goedert/South Dakota State (1-2)
Strengths: Has made eye-popping catches look routine. Possesses the size, speed and ability to make a real impact. Can work all three levels of the field. Can get off jams and disengage from defenders in space. Very good body control, basketball background. Understands positioning, uses frame to seal off defenders. Wasn't asked to block very often, but has good pad level and knee bend to be successful in that area.
Weaknesses: Level of competition. Doesn't sell routes very well. Sometimes has trouble getting secondary separation. Isn't great runner after the catch. Questions about effort level in blocking. Tries too hard to make the highlight reel catch.
2. Mike Gesicki/Penn State (1-2)
Strengths: Excellent at finding soft spots in coverage and getting open. Wins contested balls, background in basketball and volleyball. Excellent body control. Creates separation on second and third level routes. Has the ability to run complex patterns, not just a seam guy. Leaping ability creates rare catch radius.
Weaknesses: Frame lacks bulk, could get pushed off routes at the next level. Doesn't have a lot of quickness in and out of breaks. Seemed to lack willingness as a blocker. Below average play strength.
3. Mark Andrews/Oklahoma (2)
Strengths: Excellent route runner, started career as receiver. Great feel for route adjustments and kills it in zone coverages. Can make catches in tight windows. Excellent in the red zone. Very good at route adjustment. Has the frame to provide a mismatch against defensive backs. Footwork and athleticism stand out in this tight end crop.
Weaknesses: Doesn't play as fast as his frame would dictate. Inconsistent beyond the second level. Does not have quickness or acceleration to shake man coverage downfield. Has not shown willingness as a blocker. Seems to be missing a nasty streak. Will be a liability in the run game, limiting his usage.
4. Ian Thomas/Indiana (2)
Strengths: Has a passion for the game. Prototype frame for the position. Can create space coming out of breaks and turns. Has the speed to be a downfield option. Will not shy away from contact with the ball in his hands. The best blocker in this class, works well on the line and can seal off defensive ends. Better as an in-line blocker, but solid all around in that aspect.
Weaknesses: Technique is sometimes lacking when blocking, especially hand placement. Doesn't always have optimum play speed. Raw. Limited route tree at Indiana, will need to learn more complex schemes. Sometimes will take on a defender instead of running away from them, sacrificing yardage for contact.
5. Hayden Hurst/South Carolina (2-3)
Strengths: Size and quickness combination makes him dangerous. Was used all over the field. Has a quick release into his routes. Pass catching threat at all three levels. Very good at snatching the ball out of the air. Runs with power after catch. Plays like his hair is on fire.
Weaknesses: Limited window as he will be 25 years old when season starts. Sometimes tips his routes. Needs work as an in-line blocker. Below average on out-breaking routes.
6. Troy Fumagalli/Wisconsin (3)
7. Durham Smythe/Notre Dame (3-4)
8. Jaylen Samuels/NC State (3-4)
9. Jordan Akins/UCF (4)
10. Tyler Conklin/Central Michigan (4-5)
11. Christopher Herndon/Miami (5-6)
12. Marcus Baugh/Ohio State (6)
13. Ryan Izzo/Florida State (6-7)
14. Dalton Schultz/Stanford (7)
 |
| Mike McGlinchey (USA Today) |
1. Mike McGlinchey/Notre Dame (1)
Strengths: Technique is almost flawless. Fluid athlete, former tight end. Good knee bend. Very balanced at point of attack. Ideal form in pass sets. Good instincts.
Weaknesses: Lacks ideal strength. Doesn't always finish. Pads get too high when asked to be a move blocker. Too easily pushed back into pocket by strong rushers.
2. Connor Williams/Texas (1-2)
Strengths: Will make a living as an elite run blocker. Technically sound, good lateral footwork and slide steps. Sustains blocks, has powerful hands. Good finisher. Excellent body control in pass sets.
Weaknesses: Wasn't as good in 2017 as he was the year before. Lateral quickness was lacking. Does not have ideal length for a tackle. Gets too straight-legged on initial bull moves.
3. Orlando Brown/Oklahoma (2)
Strengths: You don't see his size and length very often, and he knows how to use that to his advantage. Has a nasty demeanor and a solid physical skill set. Engulfs linebackers when he gets to second level. Arm extension makes life difficult for pass rushers. Keeps his feet moving in pass protection.
Weaknesses: Woefully unathletic. Plays too straight-legged and lacks good footwork. Bigger than he is strong. Balance is sometimes an issue on redirect. Slow laterally off the snap.
4. Tyrell Crosby/Oregon (2-3)
Strengths: Mean streak, nasty as a run blocker. Has length and strength. Straight ahead bulldozer in run game. Very good drive blocker. Can play on either side of the formation.
Weaknesses: Technical issues aplenty. Does not have great initial quickness, and finesse game is lacking. Did not make many pure pass sets in college. Footwork is spotty. Average body control. Could move inside to guard if he can't get more consistent in pass protection.
5. Jamarco Jones/Ohio State (2-3)
Strengths: Long arms, good technique. Solid lateral movement and slide quickness. Improved in pass protection in 2017. Plus agility.
Weaknesses: Height and length combination not optimum for position. Plays too high, not great with his hips. Below averge body control. Could play tougher. Poor combine showing casts questions about athleticism.
6. Kolton Miller/UCLA (2-3)
7. Martinas Rankin/Mississippi State (2-3)
8. Chukwuma Okorafor/Western Michigan (3)
9. Will Richardson/NC State (3-4)
10. Desmond Harrison/West Georgia (3-4)
11. Brandon Parker/North Carolina A&T (4)
12. Geron Christian/Louisville (4)
13. Joe Noteboom/TCU (4-5)
14. Brian O'Neill/Pittsburgh (4-5)
15. Toby Weathersby/LSU (5)
16. Archie Lewis/Boise State (5-6)
17. Greg Senat/Wagner (6)
18. Cole Madison/Washington State (6-7)
19. Zachary Crabtree/Oklahoma State (6-7)
20. David Bright/Stanford (7)
21. Alex Cappa/Humboldt State (7)
OFFENSIVE GUARD
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| Quenton Nelson (NBC Sports) |
1. Quenton Nelson/Notre Dame (1)
Strengths: Elite power, good size and a first-rate finisher. Technically sound, intelligent. Good pad level off the snap. Aggressive at point of attack and will block until the whistle. Excellent lateral movement. Wide base on pass sets.
Weaknesses: Occasionally has a hitch when coming out of his stance on pulling plays. Doesn't always play fast. Has been injured a bit. Good pass blocker, but not elite against athletic rush men.
2. Isaiah Wynn/Georgia (1)
Strengths: Technically sound, great attitude. Top-level athleticism as a run blocker. Above average in pass protection as he started his Georgia career at tackle. Fluid, good knee bend. Solid finisher. Good body control and balance, handles counter moves very well.
Weaknesses: Questions about how well he can handle power rushers. Arm extension could be better. Sometimes impatient, doesn't wait for defenders to come to him.
3. Will Hernandez/UTEP (1-2)
Strengths: Good blend of power and athletic ability. Excellent run blocker and has sufficient footwork to be an asset in pass protection. Good movement for his size. Explodes at the point of attack. Very aggressive, plays to the whistle. Surprisingly quick feet.
Weaknesses: Height (6-3) is not ideal. Has short arms, and defenders with long arms are able to get into his body. Initiates contact without getting set. Pad level is sometimes deficient.
4. Braden Smith/Auburn (2-3)
Strengths: Has the desired frame for the position. Excellent power. Plays strong. Can be a mauler, comes off the ball very well. Good drive blocker.
Weaknesses: A beat behind in picking up defensive line twists. Feet aren't super quick, can be had by counter rush moves. Has trouble getting to second level. Looks stiff at times.
5. Wyatt Teller/Virginia Tech (3)
Strengths: Excellent body control and hands. Very good frame, hard to move. Excellent hand placement. Maintains balance through contact. Has a mean streak.
Weaknesses: Did not play nearly as well last year as he did in 2016. Questions about consistent effort. Good straight ahead, below average laterally. Has trouble when call on to pull.
6. Tony Adams/NC State (3)
7. Tyrone Crowder/Clemson (3-4)
8. Colby Gossett/Appalachian State (3-4)
9. Jamil Demby/Maine (4)
10. Sam Jones/Arizona State (4)
11. KC McDermott/Miami Fla. (4-5)
12. Skyler Phillips/Idaho State (4-5)
13. Taylor Hearn/Clemson (5-6)
14. KJ Malone/LSU (7)
15. Sean Welsh/Iowa (7)
 |
| Frank Ragnow (ArkansasRazorbacks.com) |
1. Frank Ragnow/Arkansas (1-2)
Strengths: Very physical. Takes good angles to blocks. Very good quickness on down blocks. Strong hands, can ride out blocks to completion. Has played both guard and center, so versatility is there. Can go from first to second block with good timing. Good leader.
Weaknesses: Not terribly athletic. Doesn't always drop pads to desired level. Is on the ground too much. Defenders with quick get-off could be a problem.
2. Billy Price/Ohio State (2)
Strengths: A mauler, but can also be effective on the move for traps. Excellent explosiveness off the snap. Great power and leverage. Excellent on the redirect. Flexibility in hips, excellent drive blocker. Coaches loved his leadership and intelligence. Mean streak. Has played both center and guard.
Weaknesses: Impatient as a blocker. Has a tendency to lunge and lose balance against shade defenders. Footwork isn't always consistent. Not a long frame, so sustaining blocks is sometimes an issue.
3. James Daniels/Iowa (2)
Strengths: Very fluid in movements. Initial quickness helps him win in positioning on zone blocks. Good quickness off the snap. Technically sound, slides feet and turns hips when securing blocks. Excellent finisher. Has a wide base on pass sets.
Weaknesses: Needs to get stronger. Average power off the ball. Struggles against bull rushers. Wasn't used a lot as a drive blocker, will need more proficiency.
4. Bradley Bozeman/Alabama (4)
Strengths: Proficient at getting to second level. Size is a plus, difficult to move. Plays with toughness. Good hand placement.
Weaknesses: Quickness off the snap is lacking. Not athletic. Not as powerful from his lower body as his size would indicate. Can be thrown off balance by bull rushers.
5. Will Clapp/LSU (4-5)
Strengths: Very steady performer, played both center and guard at a high level. Consistent in his footwork. Good hand strength, sustains well. Great recognition against blitzers.
Weaknesses: Short arms. Athletic ability is suspect. Doesn't always do well at the second level. Heavy feet in pass sets, a liability against speedy interior defenders.
6. Coleman Shelton/Washington (4-5)
7. Austin Corbett/Nevada (4-5)
8. Brian Allen/Michigan State (5-6)
9. Scott Quessenberry/UCLA (6)
10. Austin Golson/Auburn (7)
MONDAY: Defensive Positional Rankings
Friday, April 13, 2018
2018 NFL Draft Top 100 Players
With the NFL Combine and individual Pro Days now safely in the books, it's time for the arduous task of ranking players for the NFL Draft, which will be held in Dallas August 26th-28th. The rankings that follow are a rating of how each player will do long term, not out of the box. Some players will flash immediately, others may take a little time to get going. But when it's all said and done, this is how the NFL Draft class of 2018 will shake out.
1 DE Bradley Chubb/NC State 6-4/275
2 OG Quenton Nelson/Notre Dame 6-5/329
3 RB Saquon Barkley/Penn State 5-11/223
4 DB Minkah Fitzpatrick/Alabama 6-1/201
5 DT Maurice Hurst/Michigan 6-2/282
6 ILB Roquan Smith/Georgia 6-1/225
7 DT Vita Vea/Washington 6-5/344
8 CB Denzel Ward/Ohio State 5-10/191
9 DE Marcus Davenport/UTSA 6-7/255
10 QB Josh Rosen/UCLA 6-4/220
11 SS Derwin James/Florida State 6-3/211
12 WR James Washington/Oklahoma State 6-0/205
13 OG Isaiah Wynn/Georgia 6-2/302
14 ILB Leighton Vander Esch/Boise State 6-4/242
15 QB Baker Mayfield/Oklahoma 6-1/218
16 RB Ronald Jones II/USC 6-1/195
17 DT Harrison Phillips/Stanford 6-4/285
18 WR Michael Gallup/Colorado State 6-1/195
19 CB Josh Jackson/Iowa 6-1/192
20 OT Mike McGlinchey/Notre Dame 6-8/312
21 WR Courtland Sutton/SMU 6-4/215
22 QB Sam Darnold/USC 6-4/225
23 OG Will Hernandez/UTEP 6-3/330
24 DT Taven Bryan/Florida 6-5/293
25 QB Mason Rudolph/Oklahoma State 6-5/230
26 ILB Tremaine Edmunds/Virginia Tech 6-5/236
27 CB Isaiah Oliver/Colorado 6-1/190
28 RB Sony Michel/Georgia 5-11/222
29 QB Lamar Jackson/Louisville 6-3/200
30 DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo/Oklahoma 6-1/242
31 DT Da'Ron Payne/Alabama 6-2/308
32 RB Derrius Guice/LSU 5-11/212
33 WR Anthony Miller/Memphis 5-11/190
34 CB Jaire Alexander/Louisville 5-11/192
35 ILB Rashaan Evans/Alabama 6-3/234
36 C Frank Ragnow/Arkansas 6-5/319
37 OT Connor Williams/Texas 6-6/320
38 RB Nick Chubb/Georgia 5-10/228
39 CB Greg Stroman/Virginia Tech 6-0/180
40 QB Josh Allen/Wyoming 6-5/233
41 OLB Dorian O'Daniel/Clemson 6-1/215
42 OLB Darius Leonard/South Carolina State 6-3/220
43 TE Dallas Goedert/South Dakota State 6-4/255
44 WR Calvin Ridley/Alabama 6-1/190
45 OLB Malik Jefferson/Texas 6-3/240
46 WR Auden Tate/Florida State 6-5/225
47 OG Braden Smith/Auburn 6-6/303
48 OT Orlando Brown/Oklahoma 6-8/360
49 C Billy Price/Ohio State 6-4/312
50 DE Harold Landry/Boston College 6-3/250
51 RB Rashaad Penny/San Diego State 5-11/220
52 CB Donte Jackson/LSU 5-11/173
53 CB Mike Hughes/UCF 5-11/185
54 DE Hercules Mata'afa/Washington State 6-2/255
55 TE Mike Gesicki/Penn State 6-6/252
56 SS Ronnie Harrison/Alabama 6-3/214
57 WR Cedrick Wilson/Boise State 6-3/188
58 CB Parry Nickerson/Tulane 6-0/180
59 WR DJ Moore/Maryland 5-11/215
60 WR Christian Kirk/Texas A&M 5-11/200
61 CB Nick Nelson/Wisconsin 5-11/207
62 OT Tyrell Crosby/Oregon 6-5/320
63 WR Marcell Ateman/Oklahoma State 6-4/220
64 RB Royce Freeman/Oregon 5-11/231
65 DE Arden Key/LSU 6-6/238
66 FS Quin Blanding/Virginia 6-2/215
67 TE Mark Andrews/Oklahoma 6-5/253
68 OT Jamarco Jones/Ohio State 6-5/310
69 ILB Josey Jewell/Iowa 6-2/236
70 CB Carlton Davis/Auburn 6-1/203
71 RB Kerryon Johnson/Auburn 6-0/212
72 WR Keke Coutee/Texas Tech 5-11/180
73 QB Kyle Lauletta/Richmond 6-3/215
74 DT RJ McIntosh/Miami Fla. 6-4/293
75 DE Duke Ejiofor/Wake Forest 6-4/270
76 OLB Skai Moore/South Carolina 6-2/221
77 WR Tre'Quan Smith/UCF 6-1/200
78 CB Darius Phillips/Western Michigan 5-10/190
79 OLB Kemoko Turay/Rutgers 6-5/241
80 CB MJ Stewart/North Carolina 6-0/200
81 RB Nyheim Hines/NC State 5-9/197
82 OLB Shaquem Griffin/UCF 6-1/213
83 DE Jalyn Holmes/Ohio State 6-5/270
84 QB Chase Litton/Marshall 6-6/223
85 SS DeShon Elliott/Texas 6-2/205
86 DB Kyzir White/West Virginia 6-2/218
87 WR Equanimeous St. Brown/Notre Dame 6-5/204
88 DE Sam Hubbard/Ohio State 6-5/265
89 FS Justin Reid/Stanford 6-1/202
90 WR Dante Pettis/Washington 6-1/192
91 DT Tim Settle/Virginia Tech 6-3/328
92 DE Josh Sweat/Florida State 6-5/250
93 OG Wyatt Teller/Virginia Tech 6-5/308
94 FS Tarvarius Moore/Southern Miss 6-1/199
95 OT Kolton Miller/UCLA 6-8/310
96 CB Darious Williams/UAB 5-10/179
97 OT Martinas Rankin/Mississippi State 6-5/305
98 TE Ian Thomas/Indiana 6-5/250
99 QB Mike White/Western Kentucky 6-4/225
100 OT Chukwuma Okorafor/Western Michigan 6-6/330
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| North Carolina State DE Bradley Chubb (YouTube) |
1 DE Bradley Chubb/NC State 6-4/275
2 OG Quenton Nelson/Notre Dame 6-5/329
3 RB Saquon Barkley/Penn State 5-11/223
4 DB Minkah Fitzpatrick/Alabama 6-1/201
5 DT Maurice Hurst/Michigan 6-2/282
6 ILB Roquan Smith/Georgia 6-1/225
7 DT Vita Vea/Washington 6-5/344
8 CB Denzel Ward/Ohio State 5-10/191
9 DE Marcus Davenport/UTSA 6-7/255
10 QB Josh Rosen/UCLA 6-4/220
11 SS Derwin James/Florida State 6-3/211
12 WR James Washington/Oklahoma State 6-0/205
13 OG Isaiah Wynn/Georgia 6-2/302
14 ILB Leighton Vander Esch/Boise State 6-4/242
15 QB Baker Mayfield/Oklahoma 6-1/218
16 RB Ronald Jones II/USC 6-1/195
17 DT Harrison Phillips/Stanford 6-4/285
18 WR Michael Gallup/Colorado State 6-1/195
19 CB Josh Jackson/Iowa 6-1/192
20 OT Mike McGlinchey/Notre Dame 6-8/312
21 WR Courtland Sutton/SMU 6-4/215
22 QB Sam Darnold/USC 6-4/225
23 OG Will Hernandez/UTEP 6-3/330
24 DT Taven Bryan/Florida 6-5/293
25 QB Mason Rudolph/Oklahoma State 6-5/230
26 ILB Tremaine Edmunds/Virginia Tech 6-5/236
27 CB Isaiah Oliver/Colorado 6-1/190
28 RB Sony Michel/Georgia 5-11/222
29 QB Lamar Jackson/Louisville 6-3/200
30 DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo/Oklahoma 6-1/242
31 DT Da'Ron Payne/Alabama 6-2/308
32 RB Derrius Guice/LSU 5-11/212
33 WR Anthony Miller/Memphis 5-11/190
34 CB Jaire Alexander/Louisville 5-11/192
35 ILB Rashaan Evans/Alabama 6-3/234
36 C Frank Ragnow/Arkansas 6-5/319
37 OT Connor Williams/Texas 6-6/320
38 RB Nick Chubb/Georgia 5-10/228
39 CB Greg Stroman/Virginia Tech 6-0/180
40 QB Josh Allen/Wyoming 6-5/233
41 OLB Dorian O'Daniel/Clemson 6-1/215
42 OLB Darius Leonard/South Carolina State 6-3/220
43 TE Dallas Goedert/South Dakota State 6-4/255
44 WR Calvin Ridley/Alabama 6-1/190
45 OLB Malik Jefferson/Texas 6-3/240
46 WR Auden Tate/Florida State 6-5/225
47 OG Braden Smith/Auburn 6-6/303
48 OT Orlando Brown/Oklahoma 6-8/360
49 C Billy Price/Ohio State 6-4/312
50 DE Harold Landry/Boston College 6-3/250
51 RB Rashaad Penny/San Diego State 5-11/220
52 CB Donte Jackson/LSU 5-11/173
53 CB Mike Hughes/UCF 5-11/185
54 DE Hercules Mata'afa/Washington State 6-2/255
55 TE Mike Gesicki/Penn State 6-6/252
56 SS Ronnie Harrison/Alabama 6-3/214
57 WR Cedrick Wilson/Boise State 6-3/188
58 CB Parry Nickerson/Tulane 6-0/180
59 WR DJ Moore/Maryland 5-11/215
60 WR Christian Kirk/Texas A&M 5-11/200
61 CB Nick Nelson/Wisconsin 5-11/207
62 OT Tyrell Crosby/Oregon 6-5/320
63 WR Marcell Ateman/Oklahoma State 6-4/220
64 RB Royce Freeman/Oregon 5-11/231
65 DE Arden Key/LSU 6-6/238
66 FS Quin Blanding/Virginia 6-2/215
67 TE Mark Andrews/Oklahoma 6-5/253
68 OT Jamarco Jones/Ohio State 6-5/310
69 ILB Josey Jewell/Iowa 6-2/236
70 CB Carlton Davis/Auburn 6-1/203
71 RB Kerryon Johnson/Auburn 6-0/212
72 WR Keke Coutee/Texas Tech 5-11/180
73 QB Kyle Lauletta/Richmond 6-3/215
74 DT RJ McIntosh/Miami Fla. 6-4/293
75 DE Duke Ejiofor/Wake Forest 6-4/270
76 OLB Skai Moore/South Carolina 6-2/221
77 WR Tre'Quan Smith/UCF 6-1/200
78 CB Darius Phillips/Western Michigan 5-10/190
79 OLB Kemoko Turay/Rutgers 6-5/241
80 CB MJ Stewart/North Carolina 6-0/200
81 RB Nyheim Hines/NC State 5-9/197
82 OLB Shaquem Griffin/UCF 6-1/213
83 DE Jalyn Holmes/Ohio State 6-5/270
84 QB Chase Litton/Marshall 6-6/223
85 SS DeShon Elliott/Texas 6-2/205
86 DB Kyzir White/West Virginia 6-2/218
87 WR Equanimeous St. Brown/Notre Dame 6-5/204
88 DE Sam Hubbard/Ohio State 6-5/265
89 FS Justin Reid/Stanford 6-1/202
90 WR Dante Pettis/Washington 6-1/192
91 DT Tim Settle/Virginia Tech 6-3/328
92 DE Josh Sweat/Florida State 6-5/250
93 OG Wyatt Teller/Virginia Tech 6-5/308
94 FS Tarvarius Moore/Southern Miss 6-1/199
95 OT Kolton Miller/UCLA 6-8/310
96 CB Darious Williams/UAB 5-10/179
97 OT Martinas Rankin/Mississippi State 6-5/305
98 TE Ian Thomas/Indiana 6-5/250
99 QB Mike White/Western Kentucky 6-4/225
100 OT Chukwuma Okorafor/Western Michigan 6-6/330
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