We are now past week six in the college football season, which is for many teams, the halfway point. Knowing this, it is about time to update my position rankings for the 2018 draft class. Read on to check out my top five for each position and my top 25 big board.
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| Baker Mayfield |
1. Josh Rosen, UCLA
2. Sam Darnold, USC
3. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
4. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
5. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Biggest Disappointment: Josh Allen
Most Improved: Baker Mayfield
Sleeper: Will Grier, West Virginia
If it's one way to sum up this year's quarterback class, it's with the word confusing. Sam Darnold was my top quarterback going into the year, but he has ceded his top rankings due to his 9 interceptions. Josh Rosen has claimed that top spot, as he is performing well (64.9% comp, 17 TDs to 5 picks) and carrying a UCLA team that would be one of the worst in the PAC-12 without him.. Mason Rudolph is a passing machine that the media is torn on, but I think his tools and experience at quarterback are worth betting on in the first round. Lamar Jackson has been so red hot at points this season that there are times I wonder if he should be the first quarterback taken (UNC game), but there are other times (Clemson game) where he looks like a day two player. His true stock lies somewhere in the middle. I have been blown away by Baker Mayfield this season. Despite his small stature, his confidence and ability to play outside of structure are elite. He is a baller, and has moved into the top 50 pick discussion for me. By far the biggest disappointment is Josh Allen. Allen was viewed by some as a top-5 player going into the season, but poor showings against Power-5 teams and a lack of statistical improvement has lowered his stock. He has completed only 55.4% of his passes for 6 TDs and 3 picks through five games. While he certainly has amazing tools and the team around him genuinely sucks, I cannot warrant him being a first rounder. I said earlier after the Oregon game that he might not crack the top-100, but I after some reevaluations of the tape, I think he is more of a pick 55 to 80 type of a player at this point. My sleeper pick was Will Grier, the West Virginia transfer from Florida, who has completed 63% of his passes for 16 touchdown and 4 interceptions. Honestly though, while this class might not be as elite as we thought it would be, it is full of sleepers like Grier, including Jarrett Stidham from Auburn and Brandon Silvers from Troy.
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RB
1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
2. Derrius Guice, LSU
3. Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
4. Bryce Love, Stanford
5. Ronald Jones II, USC
Biggest Disappointment: Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt
Most Improved: Bryce Love
Sleeper: Diocemy Saint Juste, Hawaii
This running back class has lived up to the hype and then some. Saquon Barkley is a special player, and is the top overall player on my board at this point. Derrius Guice isn't close to producing like he was last season, but he is banged up and LSU's offense is behind only Florida in the unbearable to watch category. Rashaad Penny has been awesome this season, running for 993 yards and 9 touchdowns in only six games. At 6'1'' and 220 pounds, Penny is a big, strong player, but how well he moves for that size is what has blown me away. I mean for crying out loud the dude returns kickoffs at 220 pounds. He is that fast and that good. Bryce Love was I guy I thought would be one to watch this season as a Day 3 sleeper, but you're kidding yourself if you think this dude is escaping the top 50 at this point. Love has averaged 10.5 yards per carry through 6 games, and the only total joke team he played was Rice. Love has the balance, speed, and vision a back needs to succeed in the pros. Ronald Jones II was a guy just outside of my top ten back going into the season, but he has elevated his game to another level. Jones is runs like how Russell Westbrook plays basketball: fast, violent, and angry. He has been extremely impressive and is a top-50 guy. My disappointment slot goes to Ralph Webb, who is only averaging 2.8 YPC this season and has only 245 yards on the ground. I also considered Bo Scarbrough and Kalen Ballage for this selection, as neither is producing as their immense physical gifts suggest they should. There are about 110 sleepers at the running back position in this class, so I decided to go really deep and pick Diocemy Saint Juste, who is currently 4th in rushing yards in the country. I really like his burst and acceleration, and he is a name to know come April.
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| Christian Kirk |
1. Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
2. Courtland Sutton, SMU
3. James Washington, Oklahoma State
4. Calvin Ridley, Alabama
5. Dante Pettis, Washington
Biggest Disappointment: Antonio Calloway, Florida
Most Improved: Simmie Cobbs Jr, Indiana
Sleeper: Jaleel Scott, New Mexico State
This wide receiver class has been just as confusing as the quarterbacks. Despite this, Christian Kirk still tops my list. He is just 5'11'' and 200 pounds, Kirk is ridiculously explosive and has good hands. He is a weapon NFL teams will covet. Courtland Sutton has moved up to my number two spot after two big time performance in the past two weeks against Houston and UConn. He has the size and hands, and he looks faster this year. James Washington is the best deep threat in the nation, currently averaging 23.1 yards per catch. He is excellent at tracking the ball, has great hands, and also picks up valuable YAC. Calvin Ridley has moved up to the number 4 slot, and a lot of my decision was based on his standout game against Florida State, where he had 7 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. Ridley is a smooth, fluid mover who is underutilized in the Alabama offense, but I like his play at this point in the season. Rounding out the top-5 is Dante Pettis. His production has come in chunks this season (6 reception TDs in two games, 0 in the rest). He is a really good athlete, however, and I love his ability to make tough catches and his route running. Plus he already has three punt return touchdowns this season. This biggest disappointment has easily been Antonio Calloway. He was a top-50 lock based on talent, but he is undraftable at this point due to the credit card scandal at Florida. My most improved award goes to Simmie Cobbs Jr, who missed virtually all of last season. He has balled out this season, and his size at 6'4'' 220 pounds along with his knack for spectacular catches will see him go probably in the first two rounds. My sleeper is Jaleel Scott for New Mexico State. He has caught 35 passes for 543 yards and 5 touchdowns on this season, but it is his physical gifts that really stand out. Scott is 6'6'' and 215 pounds, but he is silky smooth as a mover. He can be a vertical threat, work across the middle, and gain yards after the catch. He is quickly rising up my board.
TE
1. Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
2. Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
3. Adam Breneman, UMass
4. Jaylen Samuels, NC State
5. Mike Gesicki, Penn State
Biggest Disappointment: None
Most Improved: Jaylen Samuels
Sleeper: Blake Mack, Arkansas State
This isn't a spectacular tight end class, but there have been some standouts at the position. Mark Andrews is averaging 18.7 yards per catch as a tight end, which is a testament to his superb athleticism for the position. He reminds me a lot of Evan Engram from last year's class, and he will probably go in the late first or early second round. Dallas Goedert is a guy I haven't been able to watch much of this season, but I love what I have seen of him too much to drop him down these rankings. Adam Breneman may not have the upside that Andrews and Goedert have, but his production (500 receiving yards, number one for a tight end this year) and reliability as a pass catcher bring a ton of value. Jaylen Samuels is a man without a position, lining up as a wide receiver, fullback, and tight end for the Wolfpack. Despite his tweener status, I like his ability to make tough catches in traffic and his route running. Mike Gesicki is a big, lumbering tight end, but he has deceptive athleticism and reliable hands. His game isn't flashy, but teams that need a red zone threat and check down man should look for Gesicki. My sleeper pick for this season is Blake Mack, a small school prospect. He is a little small at 6'3'' and 245 pounds, but I think he can thrive in an h-back role. He has good athleticism and is a guy to watch for the rest of the season.
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| Trey Adams |
1. Connor Williams, Texas
2. Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
3. Trey Adams, Washington
4. Jamarco Jones, Ohio State
5. Orlando Brown, Oklahoma
Biggest Disappointment: None
Most Improved: Trey Adams, Washington
Sleeper: Brian O'Neill, Pitt
This is a good tackle class, and headlining it is Connor Williams. I know he hurt his knee, but he isn't going to need surgery, and he is still an elite talent. Mike McGlinchey isn't flashy, but he is a Day one starter in my book, and that hasn't changed. Trey Adams is a riser, due to good strength and technique. He looks like a first rounder. Jamarco Jones has not been as impressive as he was at the end of last season, but he still has been very good. He looks like a plug play starter on the offensive line. Orlando Brown is a mammoth of a man, and I think he looks a little quicker so far this season. He will probably never be a great player against the speed rush, but he has impressed in every other area. My sleeper pick is Brian O'Neill. O'Neill has pro-typical size and length at 6'6'' and 305 pounds. He could find his way into the top 75 picks.
OG
1. Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
2. Braden Smith, Auburn
3. Billy Price, Ohio State
4. Will Hernandez, UTEP
5. Wyatt Teller, Virginia Tech
Biggest Disappointment: None
Most Improved: Will Hernandez, UTEP
Sleeper: Maea Teuhuma, Southeastern Louisiana
There has not been a lot of movement with the interior offensive line group. Quenton Nelson, Braden Smith, and Billy price have all been playing very good football through the first six weeks. The biggest riser has been Will Hernandez, who has been an absolute steamroller for UTEP. He is a top three round player. My sleeper pick is Maea Teuhuma, who was booted from LSU this past offseason. He could be an intriguing late rounder at 6'5'' and 315 pounds.
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| Scott Quessenberry |
1. Mason Cole, Michigan
2. Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
3. Frank Ragnow, Arkansas
4. Coleman Shelton, Washngton
5. Scott Quessenberry, UCLA
Biggest Disappointment: None
Most Improved: None
Sleeper: None
Nothing has changed in my center rankings, so we will keep it nice and short.
DL
1. Christian Wilkins, Clemson
2. Da'Ron Payne, Alabama
3. Maurice Hurst, Michigan
4. Derrick Nnadi, Florida State
5. Lowell Lotulelei, Utah
Biggest Disappointment: Steven Richardson, Minnesota
Most Improved: None
Sleeper: Taven Bryan, Florida
Not too much has changed among the interior defensive lineman. Christian Wilkins has been an absolute stud, and it is impossible to watch Clemson without seeing him tear up offensive lineman. Da'Ron Payne only has .5 sacks this season, but Alabama constantly rotates their defensive lineman and Payne jumps out on film as somebody who is consistently disrupting plays. Maurice Hurst has no sacks this season, but like Payne and Wilkins, Hurst has been very disruptive for the Wolverines. Despite being undersized, he will probably be a high selection in next year's draft. Derrick Nnadi is one of the best players on a loaded Seminole defense, and his play strength sets him apart from the rest of this group. I expect him to be a top two round pick in April. Lowell Lotulelei is healthy and looking very good as a nose tackle. He should be a plug and play starter. My biggest disappointment is Steven Richardson, who, despite having 7 sacks last season, has only .5 tackles for loss and zero sacks to this point in the season. He is going to need to improve down the road if he wants to have a good spot in these rankings. My sleeper is Taven Bryan from Florida. Bryan is 6'5'', 293 pounds, and lives in the backfield. He is constantly disrupting plays, and he already has 1.5 sacks this season. I expect his name to continue to trend upwards as the year goes on.
EDGE
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| Clelin Ferrell |
1. Bradley Chubb, NC State
2. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma
3. Harold Landry, Boston College
4. Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
5. Hercules Mata'afa, Washington State
Biggest Disappointment: Arden Key, LSU
Most Improved: Mercules Matat'afa
Sleeper: Anthony Winbush, Ball State
This EDGE class looks pretty dang good at the halfway point. Bradley Chubb has mauled his way to my top spot. Chubb has 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in only 6 games. He looks like a top ten player at this point. Defenses have had no answer for Chubb, and they haven't had any for Ogbonnia Okoronkwo either. Okoronkwo has used speed, technique, and instincts to wreck defenses for 9 TFLs and 5 sacks. He looks like a great option for a 3-4 defense. Harold Landry has also had great production with 8 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, but he is getting moved down because he hasn't shown many pass moves other than a speed/bend rush. Still, he is a first round talent. Clelin Ferrell hasn't been lighting up the stat sheet, having only two sacks this season, but he has been getting consistent pressure on quarterbacks and has played well against the run. Finishing off the top five is Hercules Mata'afa, who technically plays defensive tackle for the Cougars but projects as a defensive end. Hercules is tearing apart the competition with 10 TFLs and 4.5 sacks, showcasing a red-hot motor and excellent burst off the line of scrimmage. He looks like a top-50 caliber player. By far the biggest disappointment this season has been Arden Key. Through four games, Key only has ten total tackles and .5 a sack, a major drop-off from last season. It seems like the weight gain and shoulder injury I wrote about before the season is negatively affecting Key's game. My sleeper pick is Anthony Winbush, who has 7.5 sacks through six games for Ball State. He is undersized at 6'1'' and 240 pounds, but he could be a good 3-4 OLB in the pros.
LB
1. Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
2. Roquan Smith, Georgia
3. Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama
4. Josey Jewell, Iowa
5. Cameron Smith, USC
Biggest Disappointment: None
Most Improved: Roquan Smith, Georgia
Sleeper: Jermaine Carter Jr. Maryland
Six weeks into the season, and analysts are still torn on this linebacker class.. Tremaine Edmunds is still LB1 for me. His tremendous physical gifts are on display every time I watch him, and he has had good production (49 tackles, 4.5 TFLs), especially when he is playing next to another NFL-caliber linebacker in Andrew Motuapuaka. Next on the list is a guy who came out of nowhere for me, Roquan Smith. Smith is a little undersized at 6'1'' and 230 pounds, but this dude is an animal. He is everywhere on the field, and he looks like a top-50 guy. Shaun Dion Hamilton is back from his knee injury and looking quite good for the Crimson Tide. He speed and tackling skills are on full display every time I watch Alabama, and he is definitely worth an early round 2 selection. Josey Jewell has been nothing short of dominant this season for Iowa. Jewell has 68 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 1 interception in only six games. Jewell has athleticism questions, but his instincts are top notch. In that same boat with Jewell is Cameron Smith, who has racked up 46 tackles, 6 being for a loss. Both project as round 2 players who could be starters. My sleeper in Jermain Carter Jr. out of Maryland, who has 34 tackles, 4.5 for loss. He is the same size as Roquon Smith, and I see similar traits between the two in terms of speed and tenacity.
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| Isaiah OIiver |
1. Tarvarus McFadden, Florida State
2. Denzel Ward, Ohio State
3. Jaire Alexander, Louisville
4. Adonis Alezander, Virginia Tech
5. Isaiah Oliver, Colorado
Biggest Disappointment: Anthony Averett, Alabama
Most Improved: Isaiah Oliver
Sleeper: Shawun Lurry, NIU
Not much has changed in this cornerback class. Tarvarus McFadden is still my CB1. He doesn't have any picks this season, but he has shut down some big named wide receivers such as Ahmmon Richards. Denzel Ward has an interception and 9 pass deflections this season, plus he is laying the wood against the run. Jaire Alexander hasn't played much due to injury, so we will see where his stock is when he is healthy. For now, he doesn't fall very far. Adonis Alexander continues to impress with his length and athleticism, and I like what I have seen from the Hokie. Isaiah Oliver has stepped up with Chidobe Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon in the NFL. Oliver has 2 picks and 7 pass deflections so far this season, and he is one to watch down the stretch. My sleeper pick is Shawun Lurry. He is tiny at 5-8 and 170 pounds, but he has good instincts in coverage. He is a late round prospect to watch out for.
S
1. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
2. Derwin James, Florida State
3. Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
4. Jordan Whitehead, Pitt
5. Marcus Allen, Penn State
Biggest Disappointment: None
Most Improved: Armani Watts, Texas A&M
Sleeper: Godwen Igwebuike, Northwestern
Safety is a position that had some shakeup at the top of the board. Minkah Fitzpatrick is the best player on the Crimson Tide, and he has been really impressive this season. He can play corner or safety, is a good tackler, and knows what to do in the passing game. He is a complete safety and will be a very high draft pick. Derwin James is back from his knee injury and looking pretty good for the Seminoles. James might only be a strong safety at the next level, but he will be a tremendous enforcer and will still be a high pick. Harrison is putting together a very nice season and is showing he can cover and defend the run (3 TFLs and 2 picks). He looks like a first round player. Jordan Whitehead is back from his three game suspension and playing at a high level for the Panthers. Whitehead is a fearless hitter and big time playmaker tailor made to play free safety at the next level. Marcus Allen is a strong safety who has always racked up tackles, but he nabbed his first career interception against Georgia State, which should help his stock among scouts. My most improved player has to be Armani Watts. Watts already has 45 tackles (7 for loss) and 3 picks on the season. He can still be inconsistent when it comes wrapping up opponents and playing man coverage, but improvement is improvement. Godwin Igwebuike was my number 5 safety going into the season, but the play of other safeties has been a little bit better than his at this point. I felt bad for dropping him down the list when he is having a good season (40 tackles, 1 interception), so here he is to make an appearance.
Big Board:
1. Sauqon Barkley, RB, Penn State
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
3. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
4. Sam Darnold, QB, USC
5. Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State
6. Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
7. Connor Williams, OT, Texas
8. Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
9. Tavarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
10. Derwin James, S, Florida State
11. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, EDGE, Oklahoma
12. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
13. Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College
14. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
15. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
16. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
17. Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
19. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
20. Trey Adams, OT, Washington
21. Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
22. Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
23. James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
24. Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
25. Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
Follow 4 Down Scouting on twitter @4DownScouting
All statistics come from ESPN stats on ESPN.com expect for TFLs, which come from sports-reference.com
All statistics come from ESPN stats on ESPN.com expect for TFLs, which come from sports-reference.com
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