mcshay's current top 32 prospects from espn insider:
Spoiler
Quote:
With the college football regular season nearly at end, draft season is really set to begin. There aren't any top 32 prospects in the Army-Navy game this weekend, so this is my final set of player rankings for the CFB regular season. And they will be the final rankings before Mock Draft 1.0, which will come out next Wednesday.
Here are my top prospects for the 2018 NFL draft right now:
Note: Players not in their senior years are marked with asterisks.
1. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA*
Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 4
Yes, we finally have a change at No. 1. This is still a close race between Sam Darnold and Rosen, but I watched the USC-UCLA game from the sideline and there is a gap between the two QBs right now. As I noted in our draft primer, Rosen is far superior going through his progressions and has a pretty deep ball. He's a better QB right now, but that doesn't mean he will be down the line.
2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State*
Grade: 94 | Previous rank: 2
Barkley is the best running back in the nation this season. With good balance and terrific lateral agility, he can run away from the defense when he gets to the second level. He has been bottled up as good defenses have started to focus on him, but that doesn't change what I think of him. Barkley is a special talent and one of the best prospects in this class.
3. Sam Darnold, QB, USC*
Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 1
Darnold has made some questionable decisions throwing the football this season (12 INTs is more than his total from 2016) and has picked up some bad habits at USC this season. His accuracy is terrific and he has special intangibles, but there is definitely a question now as to if he'll declare for the draft. If he comes out, he'll still be in the mix for the No. 1 pick.
4. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama*
Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 3
Fitzpatrick played 14 of 15 games as a true freshman in 2015, started all 15 in 2016 (collecting a team-high six interceptions) and has started every game in 2017. He has an intriguing skill set and has been all over the field this season. He is a true shutdown corner, but can also be used as a safety. A solid all-around player, he could be in the mix for the No. 1 pick depending on the team.
5. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 6
A two-year starter and 2016 team captain, Chubb ended the '16 season ranked fourth in the nation with 22 tackles for loss. He isn't an elite pass-rusher, but he has a good first step and bends well for his size. Chubb is another player who has been productive, with a remarkable 25.0 TFL and 10.0 sacks on the season. He's a great all-around player.
6. Derwin James, S, Florida State*
Grade: 93 | Previous rank: 5
James is one of the most versatile players we've ever evaluated. A third-year sophomore, James tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee in the second game of 2016 and received a medical redshirt. He has played well despite a disappointing season for Florida State. James recently declared for the draft and is another prospect that could be in the mix at No. 1.
7. Arden Key, DE, LSU*
Grade: 92 | Previous rank: 7
The more I watch Key play, the more he reminds me of Miami Dolphins great Jason Taylor. Key missed spring practice for personal reasons and his production wasn't great this season off of his shoulder injury (4.0 sacks, 5.5 TFL), but he's likely the best natural pass-rusher in this class.
8. Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 9
Landry led the nation with 16.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles last season. I still have concerns about his size (listed at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds), but he should be an every-down player in the NFL and teams will value his versatility.
9. Christian Wilkins, DE, Clemson*
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 10
A disruptive run defender with the foot speed and quick hands to slip blocks rapidly, Wilkins is a high-motor guy who does a great job of getting his hands up in passing windows. He had 140 tackles (17.5 for loss) and 5.5 sacks the past two seasons, and has 4.5 sacks in 2017. His stock has risen considerably from our preseason evaluation.
10. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 12
Ward wasn't high enough on my radar, but I went back and watched some tape from this season -- and, boy, was I impressed. Spending last season behind Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker and Gareon Conley (all 2017 first-round picks), he didn't get much playing time, but he has elite fluidity, quickness and recovery speed. He's closing the gap with Fitzpatrick.
11. Connor Williams, OT, Texas*
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 13
A true junior who started all 23 games in which he appeared coming into this season, Williams is a scheme-versatile blocker. Unfortunately he suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in his left knee, along with a meniscus tear, against USC and missed most of the season. He recently declared for the draft.
12. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU*
Grade: 91 | Previous rank: 14
Guice isn't Leonard Fournette, but he has great quickness and the ability to stick his foot in the ground and get upfield. He has had two breakout games the past three weeks, racking up five TDs and more than 350 rushing yards. Guice really played well late in the season after a slow start.
13. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 15
Ridley doesn't get a chance to showcase his full potential in Alabama's run-heavy offense, but he has averaged 16.2 yards per catch this season. He also has scored three touchdowns. A player with outstanding foot quickness and a nightmare in the open field, Ridley has good acceleration. He's the clear No. 1 receiver in this class.
14. Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 16
In 2016, McGlinchey moved from right tackle to the left side vacated by Ravens first-round pick Ronnie Stanley. An above-average zone blocker, McGlinchey plays angles well and gives good effort. He has first-round potential.
15. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming*
Grade: 90 | Previous rank: 8
Outside of scouting circles, Allen was a relative unknown coming into the season. He didn't have a Division I scholarship out of high school. His three appearances in the national spotlight (at Iowa, vs. Oregon, at Boise State) didn't go well, but it's not all on his shoulders. He has an elite arm and frame (listed at 6-foot-5, 233 pounds) and can make every throw. The postseason process will be key for him, as this is a big fall from where I thought he'd be ending the regular season.
16. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M*
Grade: 89 | Previous rank: 17
Kirk hasn't been running an NFL route tree at Texas A&M, but he's a solid all-around player and dangerous punt returner. He has seven touchdowns this season and was sensational in the 50-43 win over Arkansas. He may be a slot receiver in the NFL.
17. Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame*
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 18
Nelson is a road-grader with the size (listed at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds), strength, polish and toughness to start immediately in the NFL.
18. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson*
Grade: 88 | Previous rank: 19
This is Ferrell's second appearance on my top 32 list this season, and it's due mostly to his phenomenal performance against Syracuse, when he collected 3.5 sacks and 5.5 TFL. He has good size (6-foot-5, 260 pounds) and is explosive coming off the edge. He's continuing to rise.
19. Roquan Smith, OLB, Georgia*
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 20
An athletic sideline-to-sideline weakside linebacker, Smith has impressed recently. Even with all of the speed on Georgia's defense, he stands out. He has 5.5 sacks and 10.5 TFL on the season, but his potential far outweighs those numbers.
20. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU*
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 21
My fifth-ranked wide receiver coming into the season, Sutton is a smooth route runner who has the ability to make the first defender miss.
21. Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa*
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 22
When you make a highlight-reel interception in a big-time game as Jackson did against Ohio State, you tend to make these lists. And when you record three INTs in that game? You definitely do. Jackson is long with natural cover skills and attacks the ball like a wide receiver. He's still developing consistency with his footwork and eyes, but he looks like, at worst, an early Day 2 pick if he comes out. He has seven INTs this season, which is tied for tops in the nation.
22. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama*
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: 23
Harrison is a player who really grew on me during film study. He has some tightness when playing man-to-man, and his ball skills need to improve, but he has the potential to be a starting free safety in the NFL.
23. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn*
Grade: 87 | Previous rank: NR
His first appearance on the top 32 this season, I've been impressed with Johnson this season. With 17 TDs and more than 1,300 yards rushing, he carried Auburn within a game of the College Football Playoff, playing through a shoulder injury.
24. Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma*
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 25
The son of the late Orlando "Zeus" Brown, the younger Brown is a better fit at right tackle in the pros, though he has played exclusively at left tackle in a run-heavy Oklahoma scheme. He is part of an offensive line that was extremely impressive in Week 2 against Ohio State's stout defensive front. I'll be interested to see how he holds up against Georgia's front in the CFB Playoff.
25. Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 27
A two-year starter, Nnadi is coming off his most productive season (49 tackles, 10.5 TFL, six sacks). He is an outstanding run defender and consistently displays a low center of gravity to occupy multiple blockers.
26. Billy Price, OG, Ohio State
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 26
An experienced three-year starter at guard heading into his senior year, Price is a plug-and-play NFL starter who should be steady in the league. He's playing center for the Buckeyes in 2017, although he has struggled with some high snaps recently.
27. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 28
My ninth-ranked QB entering the season, Mayfield has done a ton to improve his draft stock. A former walk-on and Texas Tech transfer, he has finished third and fourth in Heisman voting the past two seasons, respectively. I don't think he'll finish third on Saturday. I wrote before the season that Mayfield was a Day 3 prospect. That certainly isn't the case anymore.
28. Vita Vea, DT, Washington*
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 29
Listed at 6-foot-4, 346 pounds, the former high school running back is a space-eater in the middle of Washington's defense. With 3.5 sacks and 5.5 TFL, he has quickness to get in the backfield as well.
29. Mo Hurst, DT, Michigan
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: 11
Hurst is a quick and powerful one-gap penetrator who is highly disruptive against the run. He has a powerful upper body and disengages quickly, but I had him rated a little too high previously.
30. Ronald Jones II, RB, USC*
Grade: 86 | Previous rank: NR
Man, this running back class is really deep. Jones had an extremely productive season for the Trojans, racking up 18 TDs and nearly 1,500 rushing yards. He has great short-area quickness and the speed to run away from defenses.
31. Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech*
Grade: 85 | Previous rank: 32
I've been impressed with Edmunds this season. He is a versatile linebacker with a great frame and speed for his size (6-foot-5, 236 pounds). He has been flying around the field, with 102 tackles, 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Edmunds had 18.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2016.
32. Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State
Grade: 85 | Previous rank: 31
There's a lot of buzz surrounding Rankin, who is a juco transfer and has only one year of SEC experience. He has the length to handle speed off the edge and the athletic ability to mirror inside pass rushing moves. He performed well against some elite SEC pass-rushers late in the season.
Browns hired ex-Chiefs GM John Dorsey as general manager.
The hiring ***8212; announced just 11 hours after the Browns fired executive vice president Sashi Brown ***8212; must have been in the works for some time. The Browns claimed Thursday evening that they had also satisfied the Rooney Rule by interviewing a minority candidate. It's arguably the best-case outcome for the Browns after they panicked and pulled the plug on their outside-the-box analytical approach (bad process). Aside from some salary cap issues in Kansas City, Dorsey had emerged as one of the league's top general managers before his stunning June firing. With Brown stockpiling draft picks and young talent, Dorsey has the skill to put the project over the top. His first order of business will be deciding on a 2018 quarterback plan.
"The ninth overall pick in this year***8217;s NFL draft, Ross was perhaps this year***8217;s most disappointing rookie: He touched the ball only once all season, and fumbled that one time."
LOL
Last edited by The Magical Zoo; 12-08-2017 at 03:16..
