2018 Prospect thread with my final thoughts and projections for each player
QB --
1. Josh Rosen, UCLA
Most natural passer in the class. Comfortable in the pocket and can make any and all throws to all levels of the field.
"Character" concerns some coaches. Personality similar to Aaron Rodgers. "R-E-L-A-X."
Comp: Matt Ryan
1. Josh Rosen, UCLA
Most natural passer in the class. Comfortable in the pocket and can make any and all throws to all levels of the field.
"Character" concerns some coaches. Personality similar to Aaron Rodgers. "R-E-L-A-X."
Comp: Matt Ryan
2. Baker Mayfield, OU
Exciting playmaker with massive upside. Very good on the move and can make extremely tight window throws. Needs to become more comfortable with quick reactions when things go wrong.
Comp: Russell Wilson
Exciting playmaker with massive upside. Very good on the move and can make extremely tight window throws. Needs to become more comfortable with quick reactions when things go wrong.
Comp: Russell Wilson
3. Lamar Jackson
Took major steps forward as a passer in 2017. Reads through progressions and will stand in the pocket to make needed throws. Needs to become more accurate throwing down the field along the sidelines.
Will be an NFL starter and scare oppo DCs
Comp: Michael Vick
Took major steps forward as a passer in 2017. Reads through progressions and will stand in the pocket to make needed throws. Needs to become more accurate throwing down the field along the sidelines.
Will be an NFL starter and scare oppo DCs
Comp: Michael Vick
4. Sam Darnold
Flashes big play ability but often forces throws and tries to do too much. Mechanics need help from his feet to his arm.
Will need to sit and develop for at least a year and a half. I gave him a 2nd round grade. #NotAFan
Comp: Lesser Philip Rivers
Flashes big play ability but often forces throws and tries to do too much. Mechanics need help from his feet to his arm.
Will need to sit and develop for at least a year and a half. I gave him a 2nd round grade. #NotAFan
Comp: Lesser Philip Rivers
5. Josh Allen
Highest potential in the class. True definition of a project. Ability to make all throws with any arm angle.
If he lands with a team who has a sure-fire starter, I'm in on Allen. If he has to start early, we'll wonder what could have been.
Comp: Cam Newton
Highest potential in the class. True definition of a project. Ability to make all throws with any arm angle.
If he lands with a team who has a sure-fire starter, I'm in on Allen. If he has to start early, we'll wonder what could have been.
Comp: Cam Newton
6. Chase Litton, Marshall
Most underrated player in the class. Excellent arm talent and sound mechanics. Uses eyes to move defenders away from intended target.
Will work his way into a starting role within two-three years. He's a gem with a 3rd round grade.
Comp: Big Ben
Most underrated player in the class. Excellent arm talent and sound mechanics. Uses eyes to move defenders away from intended target.
Will work his way into a starting role within two-three years. He's a gem with a 3rd round grade.
Comp: Big Ben
7. Luke Falk, WSU
Very good arm talent and can make all throws into tight windows. Can struggle against pressure and occasionally make ill-advised throws.
I believe he's safer than Darnold, at their respective prices.
Late 3rd round grade.
Comp: Andy Cousins/ Kirk Dalton
Very good arm talent and can make all throws into tight windows. Can struggle against pressure and occasionally make ill-advised throws.
I believe he's safer than Darnold, at their respective prices.
Late 3rd round grade.
Comp: Andy Cousins/ Kirk Dalton
8. Mason Rudolph, OSU
Good downfield accuracy but can't anticipate at all. Receiver has to be open in order for him to pull the trigger. Very capped upside and low floor.
5th round grade. Will be a decent NFL backup. No more, no less.
Comp: Better Bryce Petty
Good downfield accuracy but can't anticipate at all. Receiver has to be open in order for him to pull the trigger. Very capped upside and low floor.
5th round grade. Will be a decent NFL backup. No more, no less.
Comp: Better Bryce Petty
9. Kurt Benkert, UVA
Interesting prospect with a relatively high ceiling. Strong arm and and good mechanics. If he lands in the right spot, could be a sneaky good backup with starter upside with time.
4th round grade. Could be a target for PIT/NO
Comp: Chad Henne
Interesting prospect with a relatively high ceiling. Strong arm and and good mechanics. If he lands in the right spot, could be a sneaky good backup with starter upside with time.
4th round grade. Could be a target for PIT/NO
Comp: Chad Henne
10. Kyle Lauletta, Richmond
Very comfortable throwing on the run. Very good accuracy and makes tight window throws. Not a ton of arm strength so he's somewhat limited there.
4th round grade with high-end backup potential. I'm not buying the hype.
Comp: Josh McCown
Very comfortable throwing on the run. Very good accuracy and makes tight window throws. Not a ton of arm strength so he's somewhat limited there.
4th round grade with high-end backup potential. I'm not buying the hype.
Comp: Josh McCown
RB --
1. Saquon Barkley, PSU
He's the RB1. Don't overthink it. Sure, he may not be able to carry the ball 500 times per season, but he'll catch passes and run the ball just fine, both between and outside the tackles.
Grade: lol
Comp: i dont know. he's that good
1. Saquon Barkley, PSU
He's the RB1. Don't overthink it. Sure, he may not be able to carry the ball 500 times per season, but he'll catch passes and run the ball just fine, both between and outside the tackles.
Grade: lol
Comp: i dont know. he's that good
2. Derrius Guice, LSU
Violent runner with savvy elusiveness. Would like to see his anticipation be a bit quicker, but other than that, not a lot of holes in his game.
1st round grade. Will be a dominate early-down runner. Also, I think he can catch.
Comp: Zeke Elliot
Violent runner with savvy elusiveness. Would like to see his anticipation be a bit quicker, but other than that, not a lot of holes in his game.
1st round grade. Will be a dominate early-down runner. Also, I think he can catch.
Comp: Zeke Elliot
3. Sony Michel, UGA
All-around talent who catch passes with ease and excel in pass pro. Goes from 0-100 really quickly, but needs to chill and be a bit more patient.
2nd round grade with a 1B role. Doubt he'll ever be a workhorse, but he'll be very good.
Comp: Lamar Miller
All-around talent who catch passes with ease and excel in pass pro. Goes from 0-100 really quickly, but needs to chill and be a bit more patient.
2nd round grade with a 1B role. Doubt he'll ever be a workhorse, but he'll be very good.
Comp: Lamar Miller
4. John ❤ Kelly, TENN
Three-down back with good elusiveness and very good power. Great route runner and natural pass-catcher. Looks for contact too often and doesn't have long speed. Quicker than fast.
Late 2nd round grade and will rise to the top of a depth chart
Comp: CJA
Three-down back with good elusiveness and very good power. Great route runner and natural pass-catcher. Looks for contact too often and doesn't have long speed. Quicker than fast.
Late 2nd round grade and will rise to the top of a depth chart
Comp: CJA
5. Nick Chubb, UGA
1st and 2nd down runner with good power and feel for running between the tackles. Lost his ability to quickly change direction and cut on a dime after the injury.
A bit overrated IMO, but will be a good early down back.
Comp: Alfred Morris
1st and 2nd down runner with good power and feel for running between the tackles. Lost his ability to quickly change direction and cut on a dime after the injury.
A bit overrated IMO, but will be a good early down back.
Comp: Alfred Morris
6. Rashaad Penny, SDST
Good combination of size and big play ability. Has some vision concerns and is horrendous in pass pro. Doesn't run through contact well. However, good pass catcher and is shifty for his size.
Late, late 3rd round grade.
Comp: Taller, thicker Marlon Mack
Good combination of size and big play ability. Has some vision concerns and is horrendous in pass pro. Doesn't run through contact well. However, good pass catcher and is shifty for his size.
Late, late 3rd round grade.
Comp: Taller, thicker Marlon Mack
7. Ronald Jones, USC
Good vision and sudden quickness/burst. Homerun speed gives him ability to score on any play. I don't think he can run through contact consistently.
Best suited for a complementary role where he gets 8-12 touches per game. Very overrated
Comp: Corey Grant
Good vision and sudden quickness/burst. Homerun speed gives him ability to score on any play. I don't think he can run through contact consistently.
Best suited for a complementary role where he gets 8-12 touches per game. Very overrated
Comp: Corey Grant
8. Kyle Hicks, TCU
Very underrated player. Great agility and quick change of direction. Natural pass catcher and has a knack for working back to the ball. QB's best friend.
Expect him to fly under the radar for a year or two. Excellent PPR target
Grade: 5th
Comp: Rex Burkhead
Very underrated player. Great agility and quick change of direction. Natural pass catcher and has a knack for working back to the ball. QB's best friend.
Expect him to fly under the radar for a year or two. Excellent PPR target
Grade: 5th
Comp: Rex Burkhead
9. Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
Smooth runner with a very good frame. Follows blocks well but vision and anticipation are big ?'s. Reliable receiver
Will need to develop for a year before making a splash.
Grade: late 4th-early 5th
Comp: Arian Foster (career path and skill set)
Smooth runner with a very good frame. Follows blocks well but vision and anticipation are big ?'s. Reliable receiver
Will need to develop for a year before making a splash.
Grade: late 4th-early 5th
Comp: Arian Foster (career path and skill set)
Royce Freeman, ORE
Bowling ball runner who can be shifty at times. Not a lot of burst and speed but it always makes the right reads and cuts. Viable receiver and pass blocker.
Will be a backup with spot-start ability. Role player for life.
Grade: 6th Rd
Comp: 2017 J-Stew
Bowling ball runner who can be shifty at times. Not a lot of burst and speed but it always makes the right reads and cuts. Viable receiver and pass blocker.
Will be a backup with spot-start ability. Role player for life.
Grade: 6th Rd
Comp: 2017 J-Stew
11. Kalen Ballage, ASU
A receiver in an OLB's body. Runs great routes and creates separation. As a runner, meh at best. BAD vision
Should carve out a role eventually but not in 2018.
Grade: 5th
Comp: David Johnson (receiver) / Latavius Murray (runner) -->take that as you wish
A receiver in an OLB's body. Runs great routes and creates separation. As a runner, meh at best. BAD vision
Should carve out a role eventually but not in 2018.
Grade: 5th
Comp: David Johnson (receiver) / Latavius Murray (runner) -->take that as you wish
12. Josh Adams, ND
Big-bodied runner with great power and underrated athleticism. Not a lot of elusiveness and doesn't avoid contact.
May find an early down role, but likely won't be a long term option. Expect a 1-2 year production window.
Grade: 6th
Comp: Jeremy Hill
Big-bodied runner with great power and underrated athleticism. Not a lot of elusiveness and doesn't avoid contact.
May find an early down role, but likely won't be a long term option. Expect a 1-2 year production window.
Grade: 6th
Comp: Jeremy Hill
13. Ito Smith, USM
Quick, twitchy runner with excellent agility and change of direction. Good pass catcher and reliable in pass pro. Not a lot of power, but that's not his game/style.
If given an opportunity, will run with it. Great PPR target
Grade: 6th
Comp: Jerome Harrison
Quick, twitchy runner with excellent agility and change of direction. Good pass catcher and reliable in pass pro. Not a lot of power, but that's not his game/style.
If given an opportunity, will run with it. Great PPR target
Grade: 6th
Comp: Jerome Harrison
14. Roc Thomas, JSU
Good all-around player with adequate size. Good combo of speed, agility, and strength. +Array of agility moves to evade defenders across all levels of the field
Likely will never be a stud, but count on a reliable backup role
Grade: 6-7th
Comp: Bilal Powell
Good all-around player with adequate size. Good combo of speed, agility, and strength. +Array of agility moves to evade defenders across all levels of the field
Likely will never be a stud, but count on a reliable backup role
Grade: 6-7th
Comp: Bilal Powell
15. Nyheim Himes, NCST
Prototype 3rd-down back with blazing speed and burst. Shifty runner who evades defenders with quick cuts. Power is minimal will never play on 1st/2nd down.
Unless he lands in the perfect situation, will likely never do much.
Grade: 7th
Comp: Tyler Ervin
Prototype 3rd-down back with blazing speed and burst. Shifty runner who evades defenders with quick cuts. Power is minimal will never play on 1st/2nd down.
Unless he lands in the perfect situation, will likely never do much.
Grade: 7th
Comp: Tyler Ervin
WR--
1. Courtland Sutton, SMU
WR1 body with all the necessary tools to be a go-to guy. High-points ball well and is sneaky good/elusive after the catch. Only concern is the fiery attitude when things go wrong
Will be very good and productive as a WR1
Grade: 1st
Comp: B-Marsh
1. Courtland Sutton, SMU
WR1 body with all the necessary tools to be a go-to guy. High-points ball well and is sneaky good/elusive after the catch. Only concern is the fiery attitude when things go wrong
Will be very good and productive as a WR1
Grade: 1st
Comp: B-Marsh
2. Anthony Miller, MEM
All-around receiver with no holes in his game. Can play outside and slot. Creates separation with routes and releases. Big-play ability. Absolute STUD
Will produce immediately
Grade: Late 1st-early 2nd
Comp: Doug Baldwin (Thanks @MattHarmon_BYB )
All-around receiver with no holes in his game. Can play outside and slot. Creates separation with routes and releases. Big-play ability. Absolute STUD
Will produce immediately
Grade: Late 1st-early 2nd
Comp: Doug Baldwin (Thanks @MattHarmon_BYB )
3. Calvin Ridley, ALA
Polished receiver who works in and out of zone very well. Good hands and even better route running. Long speed is there. Only concern is thin build, NOT age.
Will be a consistent, reliable NFL WR2 for years
Grade: Early 2nd
Comp: Emmanuel Sanders
Polished receiver who works in and out of zone very well. Good hands and even better route running. Long speed is there. Only concern is thin build, NOT age.
Will be a consistent, reliable NFL WR2 for years
Grade: Early 2nd
Comp: Emmanuel Sanders
4. James Washington, OSU
Excellent deep threat and ball-tracking ability. Can separate deep on any given play with speed and quick releases.
Somewhat limited route tree, so may take a year to develop and contribute.
Grade: 2nd
Comp: Stronger and more polished Corey Coleman
Excellent deep threat and ball-tracking ability. Can separate deep on any given play with speed and quick releases.
Somewhat limited route tree, so may take a year to develop and contribute.
Grade: 2nd
Comp: Stronger and more polished Corey Coleman
5. DJ Moore, Maryland
Best with the ball in his hands. Great underneath ability with quickness and think build. Can win downfield, but doesn't attack the ball well enough to be a true #1
Will be a good NFL WR2, but not a go-to guy. A bit overvalued
Grade: 2nd
Comp: Golden Tate
Best with the ball in his hands. Great underneath ability with quickness and think build. Can win downfield, but doesn't attack the ball well enough to be a true #1
Will be a good NFL WR2, but not a go-to guy. A bit overvalued
Grade: 2nd
Comp: Golden Tate
6. Michael Gallup, CSU
All-around solid receiver who does many things well. Good routes, physicality, and hands. Needs to not give up on routes when he isn't the primary target.
Ceiling is an NFL mid-WR2. No more. Love to see him in ATL
Grade: late 3rd
Comp: Michael Crabtree
All-around solid receiver who does many things well. Good routes, physicality, and hands. Needs to not give up on routes when he isn't the primary target.
Ceiling is an NFL mid-WR2. No more. Love to see him in ATL
Grade: late 3rd
Comp: Michael Crabtree
7. Antonio Callaway, UF
Great route running and quickness. Strong, sticky hands and can win all over the field. Great releases and speed to beat defenders
Top 3 talent, but major off the field issues. Kills value. NFL draft stock will be key
Grade: Late 1st
Comp: Antonio Brown
Great route running and quickness. Strong, sticky hands and can win all over the field. Great releases and speed to beat defenders
Top 3 talent, but major off the field issues. Kills value. NFL draft stock will be key
Grade: Late 1st
Comp: Antonio Brown
8. Equanimeous St Brown, ND
Tall, skinny frame with good deep speed. Very good presence along the sideline and high points the ball well. Soft blocker and doesn't get off press well.
Likely will be a vertical threat/3rd option in an offense
Grade: 3rd Rd
Comp: Tyrell Williams
Tall, skinny frame with good deep speed. Very good presence along the sideline and high points the ball well. Soft blocker and doesn't get off press well.
Likely will be a vertical threat/3rd option in an offense
Grade: 3rd Rd
Comp: Tyrell Williams
9. Dante Pettis, UW
Quick twitchy guy who excels on double moves and deep routes. Mid range routes need polishing and blocking isn't bad. Good hands and speed
Best returner in the recent memory. Will be an NFL WR3 with homerun ability. Boom/bust
Grade: 3rd
Comp: Tyler Lockett
Quick twitchy guy who excels on double moves and deep routes. Mid range routes need polishing and blocking isn't bad. Good hands and speed
Best returner in the recent memory. Will be an NFL WR3 with homerun ability. Boom/bust
Grade: 3rd
Comp: Tyler Lockett
10. DaeSean Hamilton, PSU
Great route runner. Creates huge separation with sharp breaks. Fluid off the line and has strong hands to come down with contested catches.
Natural slot receiver with NFL ready ability. High floor, low ceiling
Grade: Late 3rd
Comp: Nelson Agholor
Great route runner. Creates huge separation with sharp breaks. Fluid off the line and has strong hands to come down with contested catches.
Natural slot receiver with NFL ready ability. High floor, low ceiling
Grade: Late 3rd
Comp: Nelson Agholor
11. Auden Tate: FSU
Big body RZ threat with the best hands in the class. Contested catches are +++. Bad speed and doesn't separate. Struggles to box out defenders on short routes.
Will have a role no matter where he's drafted. Likely TD dependent
Grade: 4th
Comp: Eric Decker
Big body RZ threat with the best hands in the class. Contested catches are +++. Bad speed and doesn't separate. Struggles to box out defenders on short routes.
Will have a role no matter where he's drafted. Likely TD dependent
Grade: 4th
Comp: Eric Decker
12. Christian Kirk, TAMU
Quick slot-only receiver with homerun ability. Route running is good but breaks at the top of routes could be sharper.
Cannot play on the outside, so his sets/packages will be limited.
Value: NFL team >> Dynasty team
Grade: 4th
Comp: Taylor Gabriel
Quick slot-only receiver with homerun ability. Route running is good but breaks at the top of routes could be sharper.
Cannot play on the outside, so his sets/packages will be limited.
Value: NFL team >> Dynasty team
Grade: 4th
Comp: Taylor Gabriel
