Mel Kiper's preseason Big Board: Ranking top 2018 prospects
Me Leper Jr
ESPN INSIDER
8/31/17
Did you miss me? Studying NFL draft prospects never stops, of course, but I'm back from my summer vacation armed with an updated Big Board for the 2018 draft.
My way-too-early top 25 for this draft class came out in May, and this edition brings a few prospects moving up and down the board, plus some making their debuts.
A few notes before we get started:
The write-ups here won't change much from my way-too-early Big Board. Only a few games have been played so far, so I'm still waiting to see who has taken a step forward since last season.
Keep in mind that several prospects here have started only one season, so my projections are based on size, athletic ability, statistics and what I hear from people around the league.
Speaking of sizes, what's listed here is what schools give out. These could vary greatly when players show up at the NFL combine. True height and weight really matters for almost every position.
All right, let's get to it. Oh, and check out Todd McShay's first top 32 here, and get ready for our weekly college football stories.
Note: One asterisk denotes player is a junior, and two asterisks denote player is a redshirt sophomore for the 2017 season.
1. **Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California
Darnold has everything that NFL teams want in a starter. He has a big frame (6-foot-4, 225 pounds), makes quick decisions and is an accurate and natural passer. He completed 67.2 percent of his passes last season and ranked second in the nation in Total QBR (86.8). Darnold has an unorthodox, long delivery, however, that will have to be retooled. And the third-year sophomore has started only 10 games. I'm excited to see him in his second season as a starter, and he has two tough games in the first month of the season -- at home against Stanford and Texas.
2. *Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The buzz around the 6-5, 233-pound Allen just keeps growing. Now everyone wants to see him play. He can really sling it. Allen's numbers weren't great last season -- 28 touchdown passes, 15 interceptions while completing 56 percent of his passes -- but NFL teams will take into account the talent around him. And Wyoming also lost a few offensive players to the NFL after last season. Allen is raw but talented, and he'll get a big test from Iowa in Week 1.
3. *Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Coming off a stellar freshman season in 2015, Rosen was a sleeper pick to win the Heisman Trophy last season. Things didn't go well, as he had only 10 touchdown passes in six starts before injuring his shoulder and missing the rest of the season. Based on what I saw of him as a freshman, the 6-4, 218-pound Rosen is an NFL talent. Scouts are banking on him returning to form now that he's healthy again.
4. **Derwin James, S, Florida State
James played only two games in 2016 after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee. The former five-star recruit was terrific as a freshman for the Seminoles with 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. FSU coaches are going to use the 6-3, 211-pound James all over the field this season. Florida State vs. Alabama in Atlanta this weekend is going to be fantastic.
5. *Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
There is some projection here because Fitzpatrick (6-1, 203) has played both corner and safety and will move around this season. The versatility is a plus, and coach Nick Saban loves him. Fitzpatrick has eight interceptions in two seasons, and four of those were returned for touchdowns. I also like that Fitzpatrick will get after it on special teams. He had 11 special-teams tackles in 2016.
6. *Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Barkley is a lights-out athlete with a great lower body and quick feet who shows tremendous balance. He rushed for 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and had 1,076 yards as a freshman. Barkley (5-11, 230) also has 48 career catches, so he'll help in the passing game. He plays extremely hard, too.
7. Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
After leading the nation in sacks (16.5) last season, Landry could have been a late first- or early second-round pick if he had entered the 2017 draft. He also had 22 tackles for loss. There is value in his versatility. The 6-3, 257-pound Landry can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense or end in a 4-3.
8. *Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Williams is the first new entrant from my way-too-early Big Board back in May. And I said then that I hadn't watched every 2018 prospect -- my focus was on 2017. After digging into more of Williams' tape, I really like what I saw. He's a pure left-tackle prospect with great feet and balance, and he just doesn't get beat in pass protection. Williams (6-6, 315) is the most consistent tackle I've graded in this class.
9. *Arden Key, OLB, LSU
The 6-6, 265-pound Key is a fantastic pass-rushing talent who can close quickly on quarterbacks. He has 17.0 sacks in two seasons (12 in 2016). He needs to improve against the run, but that should come in time when he adds weight to his frame. After taking a leave of absence from the LSU team in the spring, Key had shoulder surgery, and he's set to miss the Tigers' opener and potentially more games. I'll be keeping a close eye on how he looks when he returns.
10. *Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Kirk's size (5-11, 200) might ding him in the eyes of scouts, but he's a tremendous receiver and return man with excellent speed. He has 163 catches and 16 receiving touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he had three punt-return TDs in 2016. From everything I've heard, Kirk is a studious guy who is always looking to learn. His 576 yards after the catch last season ranked eighth in the country.
11. *Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
With 161 catches and 14 touchdowns in two seasons, the cat-quick Ridley (6-1, 188) has been one of the nation's top wide receivers since he stepped onto the field. What I really like about him is his competitiveness. He's a nightmare to try to tackle in the open field. Now, how's he going to fare against Florida State's talented secondary? I can't wait to watch.
12. *Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
You should get to a TV at some point this season to check out the Mustangs. Sutton is ready to explode onto the scene. Yes, he had 76 catches and averaged 16.4 yards per catch last season -- and has 19 touchdowns over the past two seasons -- but he's still under the radar. The 6-4, 215-pound Sutton is a big-bodied matchup nightmare on the outside.
13. *Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Guice isn't the athletic specimen of Leonard Fournette, but I liked everything I saw from him last season. Guice rushed for 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns -- and averaged 7.6 yards per carry -- while Fournette battled injuries. Guice (5-11, 218) showed good burst running between and outside the tackles, and he's a physical runner.
14. *Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
Looking for a player who could break out in 2017? Harrison, who has gone overlooked at times on a loaded Crimson Tide defense, fits the part. He's aggressive and loves to hit. Harrison (6-3, 216) can cover, too. He had two interceptions last season, including a pick-six at Tennessee.
15. *Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
Clemson just keeps producing first-round picks. Wilkins could be next. At 6-4, 300, he moves inside and outside for the Tigers. Wilkins is a Jonathan Allen-type lineman. He could be an end in a 3-4 defense or a 3-technique tackle in a 4-3. He had 3.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season. Wilkins and the defending champs have a tough slate to open the season, playing in Auburn on Sept. 9 and at Louisville the following week.
16. *Vita Vea, DT, Washington
At 6-4, 346, Vea is more than a space eater. He has some quickness and can penetrate along the interior. He had 5.0 sacks and 39 total tackles last season. I think Vea can be an every-down player in the NFL, not just a two-down tackle. He reminds me of Haloti Ngata, who had three NFL seasons with 5.0 sacks or more.
17. *Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
McFadden was tremendous in his lone season as a starter, picking off eight passes in 2016. At 6-2, 198, he's a big corner with ball skills. Those are two traits NFL teams love. McFadden will get a chance to lock down Calvin Ridley this weekend. Should be a fun one to watch.
18. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
The Wolverines had a senior-laden defensive line in 2016, and Hurst didn't start. But the 6-2, 282-pound tackle had 4.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss and stood out while consistently splitting double teams and getting into the backfield.
19. *Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Alexander is a playmaker. He had five interceptions and a punt-return touchdown last season. He has a slight frame (5-11, 170), but he reads quarterbacks well and has a good feel for the position.
20. *Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
I think Ward has a chance to be the next great Ohio State cornerback and first-round pick. He's polished. Ward didn't have an interception last season, but he plays the ball well and showed good instincts in coverage. He broke up nine passes. Listed at 5-10, 191, Ward plays bigger than that. I really liked what I saw on his 2016 tape, even as the Buckeyes had higher-ranked corners.
21. Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
Like Ward, Averett didn't have any interceptions last season, but the Crimson Tide corner really played well and has center fielder-type ball skills. He broke up eight passes and tracked the flight of the ball well in coverage. He also added three tackles for loss and two fumbles. Averett (6-0, 183) was steady and dependable opposite first-round pick Marlon Humphrey.
22. *Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
This is an upside pick because Ferrell hasn't played a ton. He'll be a third-year sophomore in 2017. But I like what I've seen, and he came on strong last season with 6.0 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. At 6-5, 260, Ferrell has the size that makes scouts turn their heads, and he showed some quickness off the edge.
23. *Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
Hubbard isn't a pass-rusher on the same talent level as former Buckeye Joey Bosa, but he's consistently solid and reliable. At 6-5, 265, he stands out on a super-talented Ohio State defense. Hubbard had 3.5 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss in 2016 after posting 6.5 sacks, 8.0 tackles for loss and an interception the season before. Along with Tyquan Lewis and Nick Bosa, Ohio State has an immensely talented defensive line.
24. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Like Harold Landry, Chubb could have entered the 2017 draft and been in the first-round discussion. He had 10.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss last season after having 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2015. Chubb (6-4, 260) showed good takeoff from the edge as a pass-rusher, and he has an excellent mix of speed and power.
25. *Jerome Baker, OLB, Ohio State
The 6-1, 225-pound Baker fits today's NFL, in which linebacker size doesn't matter like it did 15 years ago. He's not a traditional 'backer, but he's fast, can cover pass-catchers, rush the passer and is always in the middle of the action. Baker had 3.5 sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 9.5 tackles for loss last season.
Me Leper Jr
ESPN INSIDER
8/31/17
Did you miss me? Studying NFL draft prospects never stops, of course, but I'm back from my summer vacation armed with an updated Big Board for the 2018 draft.
My way-too-early top 25 for this draft class came out in May, and this edition brings a few prospects moving up and down the board, plus some making their debuts.
A few notes before we get started:
The write-ups here won't change much from my way-too-early Big Board. Only a few games have been played so far, so I'm still waiting to see who has taken a step forward since last season.
Keep in mind that several prospects here have started only one season, so my projections are based on size, athletic ability, statistics and what I hear from people around the league.
Speaking of sizes, what's listed here is what schools give out. These could vary greatly when players show up at the NFL combine. True height and weight really matters for almost every position.
All right, let's get to it. Oh, and check out Todd McShay's first top 32 here, and get ready for our weekly college football stories.
Note: One asterisk denotes player is a junior, and two asterisks denote player is a redshirt sophomore for the 2017 season.
1. **Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California
Darnold has everything that NFL teams want in a starter. He has a big frame (6-foot-4, 225 pounds), makes quick decisions and is an accurate and natural passer. He completed 67.2 percent of his passes last season and ranked second in the nation in Total QBR (86.8). Darnold has an unorthodox, long delivery, however, that will have to be retooled. And the third-year sophomore has started only 10 games. I'm excited to see him in his second season as a starter, and he has two tough games in the first month of the season -- at home against Stanford and Texas.
2. *Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The buzz around the 6-5, 233-pound Allen just keeps growing. Now everyone wants to see him play. He can really sling it. Allen's numbers weren't great last season -- 28 touchdown passes, 15 interceptions while completing 56 percent of his passes -- but NFL teams will take into account the talent around him. And Wyoming also lost a few offensive players to the NFL after last season. Allen is raw but talented, and he'll get a big test from Iowa in Week 1.
3. *Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Coming off a stellar freshman season in 2015, Rosen was a sleeper pick to win the Heisman Trophy last season. Things didn't go well, as he had only 10 touchdown passes in six starts before injuring his shoulder and missing the rest of the season. Based on what I saw of him as a freshman, the 6-4, 218-pound Rosen is an NFL talent. Scouts are banking on him returning to form now that he's healthy again.
4. **Derwin James, S, Florida State
James played only two games in 2016 after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee. The former five-star recruit was terrific as a freshman for the Seminoles with 91 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. FSU coaches are going to use the 6-3, 211-pound James all over the field this season. Florida State vs. Alabama in Atlanta this weekend is going to be fantastic.
5. *Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
There is some projection here because Fitzpatrick (6-1, 203) has played both corner and safety and will move around this season. The versatility is a plus, and coach Nick Saban loves him. Fitzpatrick has eight interceptions in two seasons, and four of those were returned for touchdowns. I also like that Fitzpatrick will get after it on special teams. He had 11 special-teams tackles in 2016.
6. *Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Barkley is a lights-out athlete with a great lower body and quick feet who shows tremendous balance. He rushed for 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns last season and had 1,076 yards as a freshman. Barkley (5-11, 230) also has 48 career catches, so he'll help in the passing game. He plays extremely hard, too.
7. Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
After leading the nation in sacks (16.5) last season, Landry could have been a late first- or early second-round pick if he had entered the 2017 draft. He also had 22 tackles for loss. There is value in his versatility. The 6-3, 257-pound Landry can play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense or end in a 4-3.
8. *Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Williams is the first new entrant from my way-too-early Big Board back in May. And I said then that I hadn't watched every 2018 prospect -- my focus was on 2017. After digging into more of Williams' tape, I really like what I saw. He's a pure left-tackle prospect with great feet and balance, and he just doesn't get beat in pass protection. Williams (6-6, 315) is the most consistent tackle I've graded in this class.
9. *Arden Key, OLB, LSU
The 6-6, 265-pound Key is a fantastic pass-rushing talent who can close quickly on quarterbacks. He has 17.0 sacks in two seasons (12 in 2016). He needs to improve against the run, but that should come in time when he adds weight to his frame. After taking a leave of absence from the LSU team in the spring, Key had shoulder surgery, and he's set to miss the Tigers' opener and potentially more games. I'll be keeping a close eye on how he looks when he returns.
10. *Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Kirk's size (5-11, 200) might ding him in the eyes of scouts, but he's a tremendous receiver and return man with excellent speed. He has 163 catches and 16 receiving touchdowns over the past two seasons, and he had three punt-return TDs in 2016. From everything I've heard, Kirk is a studious guy who is always looking to learn. His 576 yards after the catch last season ranked eighth in the country.
11. *Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
With 161 catches and 14 touchdowns in two seasons, the cat-quick Ridley (6-1, 188) has been one of the nation's top wide receivers since he stepped onto the field. What I really like about him is his competitiveness. He's a nightmare to try to tackle in the open field. Now, how's he going to fare against Florida State's talented secondary? I can't wait to watch.
12. *Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
You should get to a TV at some point this season to check out the Mustangs. Sutton is ready to explode onto the scene. Yes, he had 76 catches and averaged 16.4 yards per catch last season -- and has 19 touchdowns over the past two seasons -- but he's still under the radar. The 6-4, 215-pound Sutton is a big-bodied matchup nightmare on the outside.
13. *Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Guice isn't the athletic specimen of Leonard Fournette, but I liked everything I saw from him last season. Guice rushed for 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns -- and averaged 7.6 yards per carry -- while Fournette battled injuries. Guice (5-11, 218) showed good burst running between and outside the tackles, and he's a physical runner.
14. *Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
Looking for a player who could break out in 2017? Harrison, who has gone overlooked at times on a loaded Crimson Tide defense, fits the part. He's aggressive and loves to hit. Harrison (6-3, 216) can cover, too. He had two interceptions last season, including a pick-six at Tennessee.
15. *Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
Clemson just keeps producing first-round picks. Wilkins could be next. At 6-4, 300, he moves inside and outside for the Tigers. Wilkins is a Jonathan Allen-type lineman. He could be an end in a 3-4 defense or a 3-technique tackle in a 4-3. He had 3.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last season. Wilkins and the defending champs have a tough slate to open the season, playing in Auburn on Sept. 9 and at Louisville the following week.
16. *Vita Vea, DT, Washington
At 6-4, 346, Vea is more than a space eater. He has some quickness and can penetrate along the interior. He had 5.0 sacks and 39 total tackles last season. I think Vea can be an every-down player in the NFL, not just a two-down tackle. He reminds me of Haloti Ngata, who had three NFL seasons with 5.0 sacks or more.
17. *Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
McFadden was tremendous in his lone season as a starter, picking off eight passes in 2016. At 6-2, 198, he's a big corner with ball skills. Those are two traits NFL teams love. McFadden will get a chance to lock down Calvin Ridley this weekend. Should be a fun one to watch.
18. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
The Wolverines had a senior-laden defensive line in 2016, and Hurst didn't start. But the 6-2, 282-pound tackle had 4.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss and stood out while consistently splitting double teams and getting into the backfield.
19. *Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Alexander is a playmaker. He had five interceptions and a punt-return touchdown last season. He has a slight frame (5-11, 170), but he reads quarterbacks well and has a good feel for the position.
20. *Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
I think Ward has a chance to be the next great Ohio State cornerback and first-round pick. He's polished. Ward didn't have an interception last season, but he plays the ball well and showed good instincts in coverage. He broke up nine passes. Listed at 5-10, 191, Ward plays bigger than that. I really liked what I saw on his 2016 tape, even as the Buckeyes had higher-ranked corners.
21. Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
Like Ward, Averett didn't have any interceptions last season, but the Crimson Tide corner really played well and has center fielder-type ball skills. He broke up eight passes and tracked the flight of the ball well in coverage. He also added three tackles for loss and two fumbles. Averett (6-0, 183) was steady and dependable opposite first-round pick Marlon Humphrey.
22. *Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
This is an upside pick because Ferrell hasn't played a ton. He'll be a third-year sophomore in 2017. But I like what I've seen, and he came on strong last season with 6.0 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. At 6-5, 260, Ferrell has the size that makes scouts turn their heads, and he showed some quickness off the edge.
23. *Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
Hubbard isn't a pass-rusher on the same talent level as former Buckeye Joey Bosa, but he's consistently solid and reliable. At 6-5, 265, he stands out on a super-talented Ohio State defense. Hubbard had 3.5 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss in 2016 after posting 6.5 sacks, 8.0 tackles for loss and an interception the season before. Along with Tyquan Lewis and Nick Bosa, Ohio State has an immensely talented defensive line.
24. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Like Harold Landry, Chubb could have entered the 2017 draft and been in the first-round discussion. He had 10.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss last season after having 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2015. Chubb (6-4, 260) showed good takeoff from the edge as a pass-rusher, and he has an excellent mix of speed and power.
25. *Jerome Baker, OLB, Ohio State
The 6-1, 225-pound Baker fits today's NFL, in which linebacker size doesn't matter like it did 15 years ago. He's not a traditional 'backer, but he's fast, can cover pass-catchers, rush the passer and is always in the middle of the action. Baker had 3.5 sacks, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 9.5 tackles for loss last season.
