After years of study and the NFL Combine and all that I have seen of draft available players, these guys are my top 5 at every position starting with the all important quarterback position.
QB:
1. Josh Allen – Wyoming: So much resemblance to Philadelphia Eagle’s quarterback Carson Wentz. The Rams and experts went with Cal quarterback Jared Goff, but Wentz has been remarkably great.
2. Sam Darnold – USC: Would have been number one, but too many turnovers and the NFL is much
tougher than college ball.
3. Josh Rosen – UCLA: Fragile, but super talented.
4. Baker Mayfield – Oklahoma: Only size and off field issues keep him from being ranked higher.
5. Mason Rudolph – Oklahoma State: Prototypical NFL quarterback and 4 year starter.
Also:
6. Lamar Jackson – Louisville: He’s a quarterback, not a receiver and he may turn out as good as any of them.
7. Riley Ferguson – Memphis:
8. Logan Woodside – Toledo:
RB:
1. Saquon Barkley – Penn State: Rare talent.
2. Derrius Guice – LSU: Very tough runner.
3. Sony Michel – Georgia: Came on strong late as a senior.
4. Nick Chubb – Georgia: Great guy with huge heart and really hard worker and talented.
5. Ronald Jones – USC: Speedy back with great moves.
6. Rashaad Penny – San Diego State
7. Royce Freeman – Oregon
8. Kalen Ballage – Arizona State
9. Nyheim Hines – NC State: Speed, speed, speed
10. Kerryon Johnson – Auburn
WR:
1. Calvin Ridley – Alabama: Imagine that, an Alabama player at the top of a list. Ridley is mega talented.
2. Courtland Sutton – SMU: Love big receivers and Sutton is big.
3. Christian Kirk – Texas A%M: If not as a receiver, take him as return man where he is brilliant.
4. DJ Chark – LSU: Big guy and play maker.
5. Deon Cain – Clemson: Big play man.
Also:
6. James Washington – Oklahoma State: Mr TD
7. DJ Moore – Maryland:
8. Marcel Ateman – Oklahoma State
9. Anthony Miller – Memphis
10. Allen Lazard – Iowa State
11. Dante Pettis – Washington: 4 punt returns for TDs as a senior and talented WR.
TE:
1. Mike Gesicki – Penn State: Too great of an athlete. Ran a 4.55 at 6-6, 255 and 40 inch vertical.
2. Hayden Hurst – South Carolina: Older, but hungry with good skills as a blocker and receiver.
3. Mark Andrews – Oklahoma: Also ran a sub 4.6 40 at the combine
4. Dallas Goedert – South Dakota State: He will surprise some people.
5. Troy Fumagelli – Wisconsin: Excellent receiver.
Also:
6. Jaylen Samuels – NC State: More of an H-back type or would be number 1.
7. Christopher Herndon – Miami
8. Will Dissly – Washington:
OT:
1. Mike McGlinchey – Notre Dame: Great size at 6-8, 315 and feet.
2. Connor Williams – Texas: Missed most of junior year, but a talent that’s very athletic.
3. Tyrell Cosby – Oregon: Started as a freshman and has had injury issues.
4. Orlando Brown – Oklahoma: Some had him as the top guy until the combine.
5. Brian O’Neill – Pittsburgh: Former TE with TE skills, but also converted well to tackle.
Also:
6. Kolton Miller – UCLA: Has had struggles with quicker ends, but most do.
7. Chukwuma Okorafor – Western Michigan
8. Martinas Rankin – Mississippi State
OG:
1. Quenton Nelson – Notre Dame: Maybe best guard prospect in history of game.
2. Will Hernandez – UTEP: Physical specimen.
3. Isiah Wynn – Georgia: Played left tackle last year.
4. Braden Smith – Auburn: Very dominant interior lineman
5. Wyatt Teller – Virginia Tech: Impressive physical specimen.
Also:
6. Taylor Hearn – Clemson:
7. Sean Walsh – Iowa:
Center:
1. Billy Price – Ohio State: 4 year starter, but only last one at center.
2. Frank Ragnow – Arkansas: Also multi year starter
3. James Daniels – Iowa: Hawkeyes always produce quality linemen.
4. Scott Quessenberry – UCLA: Solid, dependable player
5. Bradley Bozeman – Alabama: Tough, inside guy.
DE:
1. Bradley Chubb – NC State: One of very top players in draft.
2. Marcus Davenport – Texas at San Antonio: Long lean guy with potential.
3. Harold Landry – Boston College: Very productive player off the edge
4. Sam Hubbard – Ohio State: Former safety moved down to defensive end that brings it.
5. Lorenzo Carter – Georgia: Underachieved for much of his career until his last season.
Also:
6. Arden Key – LSU:
7. Duke Ejiofor – Wake Forest
8. Josh Sweat – Florida State
9. Chad Thomas – Miami
10. Da’Shawn Hand – Alabama
DT:
1. Da’Ron Payne – Alabama: Freak of nature
2. Vita Vea – Washington: Super strong and quick inside lineman.
3. Harrison Phillips – Stanford: From nose guard led his team in tackles.
4. Maurice Hurst – Michigan: Very dominating.
5. Taven Bryan – Florida: More potential than results right now.
Also:
6. Derrick Nnadi – Florida State:
7. BJ Hill – NC State:
8. RJ McIntosh – Miami:
9. Tim Settle – Virginia Tech:
10. Poona Ford – Texas:
OLB:
1. Leighton Vander Esch – Boise State: Good size and speed, plus instincts.
2. Malik Jefferson – Texas: 3 year starter, but mostly out of position.
3. Uchenna Nwosu – USC: Great size and speed and a very productive player.
4. Skai Moore – South Carolina: Long term starter and has been productive.
5. Dorian O’Daniel – Clemson: A bit smallish, but very fast.
Also:
6. Jerome Baker – Ohio State:
7. Matthew Thomas – Florida State:
8. Marquis Haynes – Ole Miss:
ILB:
1. Tremaine Edmunds – Virginia Tech: He was an outside linebacker in college. Great player either way.
2. Roquan Smith – Georgia: Maybe the best pure inside linebacker.
3. Rashaan Evans – Alabama: He’s a beast, like most Crimson Tide players.
4. Micah Kiser – Virginia: Nose for football, long time starter.
5. Josey Jewell – Iowa: Not the fastest, but always around the football with an attitude.
Also:
6. Jason Cabinda – Penn State:
7. Shaun Dion Hamilton – Alabama:
CB:
1. Denzel Ward – Ohio State: Super fast with good length. Another Buckeye db.
2. Josh Jackson – Iowa: Very solid with good size
3. Jaire Alexander – Louisville: Well thought of and highly ranked.
4. Isaiah Oliver – Colorado: Was overshadowed until this past year. Good player.
5. Greg Stroman – Virginia Tech: Solid cornerback.
Also:
6. Holton Hill – Texas: Couldn’t cover anybody until his junior season and then suspended.
7. Quenton Meeks – Stanford.
Safety:
1. Derwin James – Florida State: Great, great safety for the Seminoles. Ball hawk.
2. Minkah Fitzpatrick – Alabama: Most have him as top db in country, very physical.
3. Justin Reid – Stanford: Really tall and talented safety.
4. Ronnie Harrison – Alabama: Beast back there.
5. Vernon Bates III – Wake Forest:
Others:
6. Quin Blanding – Virginia:
7. Marcus Allen – Penn State:
8. Terrell Edmunds – Va Tech:
9. Damon Webb – Ohio State: