2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: EDGE Rushers

Written by Christian Lysek

EDGE Top Ten and First Look:

1. Arden Key, LSU
2. Harold Landry, Boston College
3. Bradley Chubb, NC State (Shown right)
4. Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
5. Porter Gustin, USC
6. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma
7. Dorance Armstrong Jr., Kansas
8. Josh Sweat, Florida State
9. Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss
10. Da'Shawn Hand, Alabama

It looks like the NFL is going to be blessed with two straight years of great EDGE prospects. After a year where six EDGE rushers went in the first round alone, expectations are high, but this class has the athleticism and production to live up to the stacked 2017 class' standard. Where is where the prospects stand going into the 2017 college football season.

In the SEC, it takes a freak to stand out amongst a crowd of talented athletes. Arden Key is one of those freaks. Standing 6'6'' and weighing over 250 pounds, Key has a long, strong build and is extremely explosive. He rockets off of the line and is violent with his hands against tackles. Key is an excellent finisher (56 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, LSU record 12 sacks) who hits with power and lives in the backfield. He had shoulder surgery this offseason and temporarily walked away from the program after the 2016 season, but everything I have heard about these situations is that they are minor and shouldn't prevent Key from destroying the SEC this year. The 1B to Key is Boston College's Harold Landry. The 6'3'', 250 EDGE rusher may not be as explosive as Key, but his hand use is superb and his movements are so silky smooth it almost doesn't look like he is even trying. That isn't to say Landry doesn't play hard though. He is a force against the run who can set the EDGE and chase down runners. To top it off, nobody beats Landry's production (16.5 sacks, 22 TFLs). He and Key are as even as it gets going into the season and are top ten talents. Slotting in at third is Bradley Chubb, cousin of Georgia running back Nick Chubb. Bradley is an explosive athlete with a muscled out frame (6'4'', 275 pounds). Chubb is a complete player who can attack quarterbacks with strength and speed moves while also setting the edge as a run defender. Chubb's build and production (32 tackles, 21 TFLs, 10 sacks) have him in the running to be the number one EDGE rusher. Tyquan Lewis has been the model of consistency for the Buckeyes. Lewis has had back to back seasons with 8 sacks and at least 10 TFLs. He isn't exactly a speed rusher, but he is quick off of the line and is very good at using leverage to his advantage. I like him much better than teammates Sam Hubbard and Nick Bosa right now, and I expect another big year from him this upcoming season. USC is one of the top College Football Playoff picks right now, and Porter Gustin plays a big role in those expectations. At 6'5'' and 255 pounds, Gustin has an ideal EDGE build. Gustin is a tenacious defender who gives maximum effort on every play. He is a better run defender than pass rusher at this point (43 tackles, 13 TFLs, 5.5 sacks), but I am betting on Gustin breaking out this year.

The second half of my list begins with a player I am higher on than most in Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. He may not have ideal EDGE size at 6'1'' and 245 pounds, but he has awesome explosiveness and is a two way defender. Add that he can drop into coverage, and Okoronkwo seems like a versatile weapon that defensive coordinators are going to love to utilize. Dorance Armstrong has been one of the few bright spots on a bad Kansas Jayhawk team. He may only be 245 pounds, but with 56 tackles, 20 TFLs, and 10 sacks, his production is undisputed. Look for Armstrong to have another big year for the Jayhawks. Josh Sweat is looking to fill in the big shoes DeMarcus Walker has left behind. Sweat is explosive and is a two way defender, but I have him lower on the list because he struggles to create consistent pressure on the quarterback. Still, Sweat has gotten better every year, and he is a riser candidate going into the 2017 season. Marquis Haynes has been a consistent pass rushing force for the Rebels nabbing at least seven sacks every year for the past three years. Haynes does need to become better against the run however, as he has yet to crack the 30 tackle mark in a season despite being a starter. His lack of run support and his age (25) are keeping him further down this list, but he can still be a valuable pass rusher for some team. Da'Shawn Hand was a 5-star recruit to Alabama, but with only 21 tackles and 6 sacks in three years, he has mostly been a disappointment. Still, Hand is built like Luke Cage and is taking on a larger role on the team this season. He could be a round one riser.

Match-ups to Watch:

LSU vs Mississippi State, September 16th
Mississippi State doesn't have much to offer in this game in terms of pass rushers, but they do have offensive tackle Martinas Rankin. He will be going against a (hopefully) healthy Arden Key who is reportedly playing at 265 pounds (according to the team website), up almost 30 pounds from last year. Do I think he gained that much weight? No. But he did gain weight, and it will be interesting to see if Key remains explosive at his new weight.

USC vs Stanford, September 9t

This PAC-12 showdown is a good one for NFL scouts. Porter Gustin will lineup against the pro-style Stanford offense and their always strong offensive line. Stanford has a player to watch to in EDGE rusher Peter Kalambayi, a linebacker-end hybrid with riser potential.

NC State vs Florida State, September 23rd
I was tempted to put Bama vs FSU, but I needed a new matchup. Bradley Chubb will get his shot to impress against what should be a strong Seminole offense, while Josh Sweat will try to assume the role of a number one pass rusher against the Wolfpack.

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All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted

2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: Linebackers

Written by Christian Lysek

LB Top Ten and First Look:

1. Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech (shown right)
2. Cameron Smith, USC

3. Jerome Baker, Ohio State

4. Josey Jewell, Iowa

5. Keishawn Bierria, Washington
6. Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama

7. Malik Jefferson, Texas 

8. Azeem Victor, Washington

9. Micah Kiser, Virginia

10. Skai Moore, South Carolina

First off let me apologize for not getting these rankings done before the CFB season started. I am a new freshman at Virginia Tech, and I got caught up in schoolwork and college life. I am back on track now though, and ready to finish up my rankings and move forward. First up: linebackers. This year's class is confusing and analysts are all over the map on it, so read on to see where yours truly has them ranked. Note: All stats given are from the 2016 season unless otherwise noted.

If you are reading this and have read other linebacker rankings, you're probably wondering who the hell Tremaine Edmonds is and why on Earth I am so high on him. To put it simply, Edmunds is a freak tailor made for the NFL. Edmunds is about 6'4'' and 240 pounds, but he is a fluid athlete with great movement skills. He has good instincts and is a sure tackler (94 total tackles, 16.5 TFLs) who can rush the passer (4.5 sacks) and drop into coverage (1 interception, 3 pass deflections). He is a versatile player and potential game changer on defense. Next on the list is Cameron Smith, the latest in a long line of stud linebackers from USC. Smith is a big (6'2'', 250 lbs), instinctive linebacker who has started since he was a true freshman. He may get the Scooby Wright unathletic linebacker treatment by some analysts, but I see a player who moves much better than Wright and is much better in coverage than most linebackers. I expect him to have another big year for USC. Jerome Baker, like former Buckeyes Ryan Shazier and Darron Lee, is all about speed. Baker is a little undersized at 6'1'' and almost 230 pounds, but that light weight allows him to fly around the field and make big plays. Add in that he can cover, and Baker is one of the best linebackers in college football. Josey Jewell helped the Hawkeyes throttle Wyoming this past weekend with 14 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss (including two sacks), but Jewell has been the model of consistency for Iowa. Jewell has racked up at least 124 tackles and 6 TFLs in each of the last two seasons, plus he looked very good in coverage from the tape I watched. Another big year will cement his status as top five linebacker. Rounding out the top five is Keishawn Bierria. Bierria is a little undersized at 6'1'' and 223 pounds, but like Jerome Baker, Bierria is all about speed. A player as instinctual and athletic as Bierria will always be highly ranked on my board.

Shaun Dion Hamilton is back, ladies and gentleman. Hamilton played next to Reuben Foster last season and was quite impressive before he tore his ACL. Now that he is fully healthy, Hamilton looks ready to destroy the SEC with his instincts and tenacity. If he keeps on performing like he did against Florida State (8 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 sack), he will go up this draft board. Next on the list is a guy who I think is, unfortunately, overrated. Malik Jefferson definitely has every tool a linebacker needs for the NFL, including athleticism and size, but he just needs to put it all together. Until he develops his football instincts, Jefferson will stay low on my board. Azeem Victor is the other, more well-known linebacker at Washington. The senior impressed last year with 68 tackles in nine games, but he missed the rest of the season due to a broken leg. He needs to overcome his injury and off-field issues (suspended for week one due to a failed drug test) to be considered a top prospect. Micah Kiser has been a beast for the Cavaliers the past two seasons, racking up 250 tackles, 24 TFLs, and 14 sacks. Kiser isn't very athletic, but he has great instincts and a nose for the ball. He isn't likely to crack the top fifty picks, but I think he will be a steal later on in the draft. Last on our list is Skai Moore. Moore is one of the best linebackers in the SEC when he is healthy, but Moore's problem is that he is rarely healthy. He missed almost all of last season with a neck injury, which is sure to scare some teams. That being said, Moore is on this list for a reason. He is a leader and a fierce player who is athletic and excels in coverage. A healthy, productive year from Moore could rocket him up draft boards.

Match-ups to Watch:

Virginia Tech vs Clemson, September 30th
I will be at this game in person, and boy am I excited. I will be keeping a close eye on Tremaine Edwards of Tech and Kendall Joseph of Clemson, two talented linebackers who will hopefully put on a show in this game.

USC vs Texas, September 16th

USC and Texas both have explosive offenses,and it will fall onto Cameron Smith's and Malik Jefferson's shoulders to slow their respective opponents down. If they can succeed, it will be a major win for their draft stock,

Washington vs Arizona State, October 14th
Keishawn Bierria and Azeem Victor are the primary focus of this matchup, as they will have to go against the freak athlete that is running back Kalen Ballage. A big game from that duo will greatly help their stock. For the Sun Devils, the man to watch is hard-hitting linebacker DJ Calhoun, one of my favorite college football players.

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All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted

2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: Defensive Tackle

Written by Christian Lysek

DL Top Ten and First Look:

1. Christian Wilkins, Clemson

2. Da'Ron Payne, Alabama
3.Steven Richardson, Minnesota

4. Derrick Nnadi, Florida State
5. Maurice Hurst, Michigan
6. Trenton Thompson, Georgia
7. Lowell Lotulelei, Utah
8.Vita Vea, Washington (shown right)
9. Folorunso Fatukasi, UConn

10. Kahlil McKenzie, Tennessee

After a mediocre 2017 draft class for interior defensive lineman, NFL teams should be happy the 2018 class looks stronger. It is by no means elite, and this class is unlikely to reach the 2015 class in terms of talent (Chris Jones, Robert Nkemdiche, Kenny Clark, to name a few), but this class has enough talent to satisfy DL-needy teams.

In a crowded defensive tackle field, Christian Wilkins has separated himself from the field. Wilkins is 6'4'', 300 pounds, and ridiculously athletic. Due to injuries, Clemson asked him to switch to defensive end for the latter half of the season, and (amazingly) he didn't look out of place. Wilkins has excellent quickness and hand use to pair with his great strength. He posted 56 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks in 2016, and while those numbers do not seem elite, the tape shows a complete player who can rush the quarterback and play the run. The next prospect is Da'Ron Payne, a stellar athlete who was stuck behind Jonathan Allen and Dalvin Tomlinson on the depth chart last season. Because of Tomlinson's limited role, his numbers are far from elite (36 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks), but Tomlinson was still very impressive in his small sample size. Tomlinson has immense strength and violent hands to couple with impressive quickness, so I believe he will fully realize his potential and breakout in 2016. Steven Richardson is generating almost no draft twitter buzz, but Pro Football Focus' number two rated defensive lineman is a name to know. Richardson posted 31 tackles and 11 TFLs in 2016, but his most important stat was his 7 sacks. Richardson has rare quickness for a big man and uses it to provide the Gophers a consistent interior pass rush, which happens to be one of the most coveted skills in the NFL. His run defense isn't elite, but in a pass-happy league, he will be worth his weight in gold as a pass rusher. Derrick Nnadi caught fire at the end of 2016 and finished the year with 49 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and 6 sacks. Nnadi lacks the elite quickness of the first four prospects, but Nnadi is probably stronger than all of them. Nnadi reportedly benches 525 pounds and squats 750 (per Ryan Clark of Warchant.com), so it isn't that surprising that Nnadi tosses around offensive lineman as if they were in high school. Expect him to have another big year for the Seminoles. Maurice Hurst is a hot name right now, probably because he plays with such great intensity and determination. Hurst is undersized at 6'2'' and 282 pounds, but he is very strong for his weight and has elite quickness. Hurst may get the tweener label, but a player as ferocious as Hurst has a home in the NFL.

The next five players are lead by Trenton Thompson. Thompson was a force last year for the Bulldogs, racking up 56 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 5 sacks. He was also the MVP of the Liberty bowl after racking up 3 sacks against TCU. Thompson has a nice blend of strength and quickness, he just needs to demonstrate it more consistently play-to-play. If he doesn't disappear for stretches of games this season, Thompson will rise up this list. Lowell Lotulelei, the younger brother of Carolina Panther and Pro-Bowler Star Lotulelei, is a true nose tackle. The 6'2'', 310 pounder is a human cork against the run while also demonstrating some pass rushing ability thanks to his quickness and hand use (3.5 sacks in 2016). As long as Lotulelei can stay healthy, he will be taken in the first 100 picks of the 2018 draft. Vita Vea and Folorunso Fatukasi join Lowell Lotulelei in the "tough against the run but tougher on autocorrect" tier of player. In all seriousness though, all three players have the size and strength needed to be a starting nose tackle. The only thing really determining their order is how useful they are against the pass. The final player on this list is Kahlil McKenzie, a true wildcard. McKenzie only started one game (he played in seven) before tearing his pectoral muscle, but man he looks like a brute on tape. I was legitimately shocked at how disruptive he was in his limited amount of snaps. We will have to see how McKenzie fares in 2017, but my money is on him flying up draft boards.

Match-ups to Watch:

Tennessee vs Georgia, September 30th
Want to find out whether or not Kahlil McKenzie is legit? If you do, watch this game. If he can disrupt a strong Georgia offense that features Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, and Jacob Eason, McKenzie's name is on the map. Trenton Thompson will also be playing for Georgia, so we will have to see if he can be a consistent force against the Volunteer offense.

Florida State vs Alabama, September 2nd

You knew this matchup was going to make this list. Derrick Nnadi gets a chance to prove 2016 was no fluke against the preseason number one team, while Da'Ron Payne enters a bigger role against the preseason number three team. For both prospects, this is a dream scenario if they perform well.

Minnesota vs Wisconsin, November 25th
The battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe features two defensive tackles looking to raise their stock. Steven Richardson gets a prime chance to show improvement against the run versus one of the best running teams in college football. Meanwhile, Olive Sagapolu of Wisconsin will get to prove his worth as a nose tackle against a strong Minnesota backfield.

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All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted

2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: Center

Written by Christian Lysek

C Top Ten and First Look:

1. Mason Cole, Michigan
2. Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
3. Frank Ragnow, Arkansas (shown right)
4. Coleman Shelton, Washington
5. Scott Quessenberry, UCLA
6. Will Clapp, LSU
7. Bradley Bozeman, Alabama
8. Jake Bennett, Colorado State
9. Brian Allen, Michigan State
10. Nick Linder, Miami

Center is one of the least drafted positions in the NFL. In the past ten years, the average amount of centers taken per draft class is 5.66. This doesn't mean the position isn't important, however. Today's great offensive lines all have Pro-Bowl caliber centers (Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, Raiders, Steelers), and fortunately for the many teams lacking that talent, the 2018 draft class has plenty of options to choose from.

The 2018 center class seems to have a unanimous number one prospect in Mason Cole. At 6'5'' and 305 pounds, Cole has ideal size to play center. The film shows a strong blocker with a solid base and good knowledge of angles. Cole hails from a pro-style offense and has 38 consecutive starts on Michigan's offensive line despite being only 21 years old for the upcoming season. Cole has been the man since he stepped on campus and will be a top-50 pick. Behind Mason Cole is another Big Ten offensive lineman in Michael Deiter. Deiter is huge at 6'6'' and 325 pounds, and like Cole, he comes from a pro-style offense that churns out NFL players. Deiter is well coached, strong, and athletic enough to pull. He shouldn't come off the board very far behind Cole. Coming in at third is Frank Ragnow, a Pro Football Focus darling (#1 overall rated center from 2016) and rock for the Razorbacks. Ragnow has started 26 straight games and has not allowed a sack in two years. Ragnow is a rare athlete for the center position and excels when asked to pull. In open space he swallows up defenders and opens up holes for runners. Ironically, Ragnow's biggest weakness is in his pass protection. Ragnow plays way too upright and leaves himself prone to being bull rushed way too many times to be comfortable. This can be coached and fixed, however, so he does not drop too far. Coleman Shelton is yet another pro prospect from the loaded Washington Huskies. He may be a little undersized at 6'4'' and 285 pounds, but on film he shows the strength of a guy over 300 pounds (he more than held his own against Stevie T from USC, who is 330 pounds). Shelton is also very athletic and second only to Ragnow in terms of pulling. He has starter potential. Another player with starting potential is Scott Quessenberry, the younger brother of David Quessenberry (2013 draft pick of the Texans). Quessenberry is a short, squat, compact center who anchors well in pass pro. He isn't flashy, but he gets the job done.

The next five players are headlined by Will Clapp, who is a riser candidate heading into Clapp started 11 games last season at left guard and will transition to center this year. Clapp was better than Ethan Pocic last year due to his use of angles and strength, so I expect big things from him this season. Bradley Bozeman isn't the most athletic prospect on this list, but without him, the Tide's offensive line would suffer a major blow. His strength and smarts played a big roll in Bama's offensive success last season. Jake Bennett is hoping to join former Colorado State Ram and center Weston Richburg next year in the NFL. Bennett play with good leverage and has impressive strength. Bennett can take on huge nose tackles in the passing game and has enough athleticism to get to the second level.  Brian Allen is a little undersized at 6'2'' and 302 pounds, but Allen uses his short stature to win with leverage. With 38 career starts, Allen will at the very least provide experienced depth for an NFL team. Nick Linder is the brother of Jacksonville Jaguars guard Brandon Linder, and he shows great potential in his film. He needs to gain more strength as he can be a ragdoll to big nose tackles, but he is light on his feet and knows how to use angels to open holes.

Match-ups to Watch:

Colorado State vs Alabama, September 16th
This could either be the best or worst day of Jake Bennett's life. If he can hold his own against Da'Ron Payne and the rest of the Alabama defensive line, he will fly up draft boards.

Florida State vs Alabama, September 2nd

Surprised? This matchups makes the list again as it features two decent but not elite centers in Alec Eberle (Florida State) and Bradley Bozeman. Eberle gets to go against Payne,while Bozeman will lineup across from Derrick Nnadi. An impressive performance will significantly help their draft stock.

LSU vs Florida, October 7th
Florida and LSU are defensive line factories, so for pro center prospects Will Clapp and Cameron Dillard (Florida), this is a huge matchup on the way to an NFL uniform.

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All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted

2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: Offensive Guard

Written by Christian Lysek

OG Top Ten and First Look:

1. Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
2. Braden Smith, Auburn
3. Billy Price, Ohio State (shown right)
4. Wyatt Teller, Virginia Tech
5. Martez Ivey, Florida
6. Jake Raulerson, Arkansas
7. Ross Piershbacher, Alabama
8. Will Hernandez, UTEP
9. Tyrone Crowder, Clemson
10. Cody O'Connell, Washington State

Offensive guard might be the most thankless job in the NFL. They must be maulers in the running game and flawless in the passing game, otherwise football fans mercilessly berate them. Fortunately for NFL teams who understand the true value a good guard provides, 2018 seems to be a relatively good year for guards. The class' best prospect in Quenton Nelson from Notre Dame. Nelson is an experienced player (23 starts) and shows an impressive amount of polish for a college player. He is stout in the passing game, is a good athlete, and is a finisher in the running game. Nelson is the total package. Following Nelson is Braden Smith. The Auburn guard has 27 career starts under his belt and has been one of the offenses' best players. In the running game, Smith properly uses angles to keep defenders from making tackles. Against pass rushers, Smith demonstrates good balance and hands to keep defenders away from the quarterback. Billy Price is a brute of a lineman who specializes in the run game. He is very strong and uses that to his advantage in the running and passing game. If he can learn to pick up blitzes and stunts better, he could be a round one player. Wyatt Teller is easily the meanest guard on this list. Teller is a pancake machine who excels in smashing defenders into another dimension. Teller is also surprisingly good in pass protection, he just needs the limit the amount of penalties he gets. Martez Ivey was a 5-star recruit, mostly due to his great size and athleticism. He loses balance too easily and he needs to work on his angles in the running game, but no offensive guard has better physical tools than Ivey.

The next five players are headlined by Jake Raulerson. He was one of the few bright spots on a bad Arkansas offensive line. He does a great job of anchoring against the bull rush in pass protection while ripping open holes in the run game. Ross Piershbacher may not be a great athlete, but you can tell his coaching is impeccable. Piershbacher is a strong player who understands angles, and is a huge reason Bo Scarborough and Damien Harris enjoyed so much success last season. Will Hernandez is a mammoth at 6'3'' and 340 lbs, but he is surprisingly light on his feet for his size. He also shows decent balance and the nastiness needed to succeed in the pros. Tyrone Crowder is a another mammoth at 6'4'' and 340 lbs, and he too is very athletic, especially when asked to pull. He struggles with balance and hand placement, but he has the physical gifts to be successful. Cody O'Connell wins the size war at 6'7'' and 351 lbs, but he faces the same problem USC tackle Zach Banner faced last season: hen is too tall to play guard and too lumbering to play tackle. Still, if he can shed a few pounds, he could be a great asset to NFL teams no matter what position he plays.

Match-ups to Watch:

UTEP vs Oklahoma, September 2nd
UTEP opens their season against Oklahoma, and for NFL scouts, Will Hernandez should be one of the focal points. He should be able to tear open some big holes against the Sooner defense.

Virginia Tech vs Clemson, September 30th
Wyatt Teller will get the ultimate chance to prove himself as he goes against Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins. If he preforms well, the hype train will get full steam.

Clemson vs Florida State, November 11th
Tyrone Crowder is going to have to step up to the plate and face against Derrick Nnadi and the FSU defense. If he preforms well, he will be a high draft pick.

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All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted

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2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: Offensive Tackle

Written by Christian Lysek

OT Top Ten and First Look:

1. Connor Willams, Texas
2. Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame

3. Jamarco Jones, Ohio State

4. Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State (shown right)

5. Mitch Hyatt, Clemson

6. Ike Boettger, Iowa

7. Trey Adams, Washington

8. Orlando Brown, Oklahoma

9. Tyrell Crosby, Oregon

10. Cole Madison, Washington State

The 2018 draft is full of offensive line talent, especially at the tackle position. The group's most elite prospect is Connor Williams of Texas. Williams is a two year starter who has surrendered one career sack on a quarterback scramble. At 6'5'' and a little over 290 pounds, Williams has the athleticism to handle NFL defensive ends and has the strength to make big holes in the run game. He is one of the better tackle prospects of the last ten years. Behind Connor Williams is Mike McGlinchey. McGlinchey is a rock at 6'7'' and 315 pounds. He has a refined technique and experience playing both left and right tackle (38 games played). Being pro-ready will not be an issue for McGlinchey. Jamarco Jones is a name that is starting to get some buzz in the scouting community. At 6'5'' and 310 pounds, Jones is as strong as an ox in the running game. Jones also excelled in pass protection towards the end of he season against elite defenses such as Michigan and Wisconsin. Add in that he plays in a pro-style offense, and Jones could hear his name called on day one. Martinas Rankin is one of my personal favorites to watch at tackle. The JUCO transfer plays with a mean streak, and he launches his hands right into defenders to take them out of plays. He needs to improve against speed rushers and maintain his blocks better, but overall, Rankin has enormous potential worth using a high pick on. Mitch Hyatt is a experienced tackle with great athleticism. He excels in the run game and can hold his own in pass protection, however, he needs to add strength and maintain his blocks better in order to be considered a truly elite prospect. Fortunately, Hyatt is still young and can be molded into a special player.

Ike Boettger is the stereotypical Big Ten tackle: big, strong, mean, refined, and yet undervalued in the draft. Boettger is far from flashy, but he has an athleticism and strength combination that allows him to dominate against opposing pass rushers and run defenders. Trey Adams was the unheralded stud of the Washington Huskies in 2016. The 6'7'', 309 pound mammoth protected Jake Browning's blindside and ripped open holes to run through with his long arms and strong hands. His foot quickness must improve, but Adams' has the physical tools and tape to warrant a high pick. Orlando Brown is far and away the biggest player on this list at 6'8'' and 345 pounds. Obviously, Brown is incredibly strong and long. Brown is a brick wall that most opponents cannot seem to get around. Unfortunately, Brown's size is also his biggest weakness, as his ability to move laterally is very poor. Still, he has a home in the NFL, it just might be at right tackle. Tyrell Crosby has the size at 6'5'' and 310 pounds and good right tackle tape, the problem is he can't stay healthy. He is penciled in as the Duck's starting left tackle, so we will have to see if he shows the same athleticism that made him such a hyped prospect in the first place. Cole Madison was Washington State's rock at right tackle last season. He is athletic enough to get to the second level of the defense and he has the strength to take on any defender one on one. He is only a right tackle, but he will still be a valuable asset in the pros.

Match-ups to Watch:

Ohio State vs Oklahoma, September 9th
This is the first step for both Jamarco Jones and Orlando Brown to prove they are elite prospects. Jones will likely go against Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who had nine sack last season, while Brown will be matched up against Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard.

Mississippi State vs LSU, September 16th
Martinas Rankin will go against one of the most feared defenders in the nation in Arden Key. If he shuts Key down, it will cause his stock to skyrocket. This is also a chance to see Tiger tackle Toby Weathersby shine against the bulldog defense.

Oregon vs Arizona State, September 23rd
Assuming Tyrell Crosby is healthy, this will be one of his tougher challenges of the year. He will have to shut down Arizona State's Koron Crump, and if he can, scouts will start putting more faith into Crosby.

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All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted

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2018 Draft Pre-Season Positional Rankings: Tight End

Written by Christian Lysek

TE Top Ten and First Look:

1. Adam Breneman, UMass
2. Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State

3. Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
4. Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
5. Mike Gesicki, Penn State
6. DeAndre Goolsby, Florida
7. Dalton Schultz, Stanford
8. Jeb Blazevich, Georgia
9. Ethan Wolff, Tennessee
10. Cam Serigne, Wake Forest

Last year's draft class was the first year multiple tight ends were drafted since 2006, a testament to how stacked the group was. Unfortunately, this year's group is much weaker by comparison. That doesn't mean it is without talent, however. This year's group is headlined by Adam Breneman, a small school standout from the University of Massachusetts. The Penn State transfer lit up opponents for 70 receptions, 808 yards, and 8 touchdowns in 2016. He wins with his superb athleticism and hands. Add in that he can be a valuable blocker, and it makes Breneman the top tight end prospect this year. Behind Breneman is another small school star, Dallas Goedert. Goedert had 92 receptions, 1293 receiving yards, and 11 TDs in 2016, so the production is there. Goedertight be the best athlete when it comes to tight ends in this class. He has very good speed on film and has superb ball skills, allowing him to make ridiculous downfield catches. Coming in at third on the list is Troy Fumagalli from Wisconsin. Coming from a pro-style and run heavy offense, Fumagalli is a very good blocker who understands leverage and how to create opportunities for his running back. Fumagalli also has the route running, athleticism, and hands to be a valuable target in the passing game. Mark Andrews is a slot tight end with great athleticism for his size (6'5", 250 lbs). He is a decent blocker, but he will make his money being a monstrous, athletic mismatch in the middle of the field. Mike Gesicki put his name on the map towards the end of last season, when he scored a touchdown in each of Penn State's last three games. At 6'6" and 252 pounds, Gesicki is a lumberer in the open field, but he has good hands and is a willing blocker. 

DeAndre Goolsby headlines the next five tight ends. Goolsby is a very good blocker and has strong hands for receiving. He may be lacking in the YAC department, but his skills as a blocker and safety target make up for it. Dalton Schultz is looking to be next in a long line of Stanford tight ends to be drafted. Schultz is a very skilled blocker coming from Stanford, he just needs to refine his route running to become elite. Jeb Blazevich has never been the Bulldog's premier receiver, but he has played a vital role in paving the way for Sony Michel and Nick Chubb. He has a future in the NFL as an Anthony Fasano-type of player. Another standout blocker is Ethan Wolff from Tennessee. He isn't as refined as Blazevich, but he does offer more as an athlete and could develop into something special this season. Last on the list is Cam Serigne. Serigne is built like a defensive end, but he has very good hands and has been a consistent player in the ever tough ACC.

Match-ups to Watch:

Florida vs Florida State, November 25th
This is a chance for DeAndre Goolsby to show his talent. A good game against FSU will help put his name on scout's radars. Florida State also has some tight ends that could do the same in Ryan Izzo and Marvin Saunders.

UMass vs Tennessee, September 23rd
This is a big moment for Adam Breneman. If he can prove his worth against SEC talent, scouts will take notice and start believing in him like I do.

Ohio State vs Oklahoma, September 9th
With star wide receiver DeDe Westbrook moving on to the NFL, Mark Andrews has a legitimate shot to be the number one receiver for the Sooners. This is also a chance for talented Buckeye tight end Marcus Baugh to make a name for himself against an athletic Sooner defense.

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All stats come from www.sports-refrence.com unless otherwise noted