2018 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Early Rankings
Think of the NFL draft process like a ladder with 10 rungs on it. Going on school visits over the summer (for scouts) is the first rung. That's where you get accurate height, weight, speed times and do an initial character visit.
The second rung is where we are right now: the early part of the season when scouts are still getting out to see players live for the first time. That's what I've been doing, too.
The rest of the ladder: in-season school visits, bowl games, Senior Bowl, scouting combine, pro days and private workouts before the end of April when the 2018 NFL draft takes place.
Properly evaluating a player takes a lot of time. I prefer to not write up strengths or weaknesses on a player until I've watched three games of film. There's nothing wrong with watching a game on TV or YouTube if that's all you have, but when writing up a player for a scouting report, I focus only on that player throughout the game. Doing this in person is best, but going off the All-22 works too.
As you can imagine, there aren't enough hours in the day to see every prospect at that level yet. In fact, it takes me (and two assistants) until March to generally feel good about each player. That makes this list but an early start to the final rankings for this year's class. A lot will change. No evaluator should be so bullish on summer rankings that they won't change them.
Top 25 Overall Players
1 of 13
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | QB Sam Darnold | USC |
| 2 | RB Saquon Barkley | Penn State |
| 3 | QB Josh Allen | Wyoming |
| 4 | S Derwin James | FSU |
| 5 | QB Josh Rosen | UCLA |
| 6 | DE Harold Landry | Boston College |
| 7 | DE Arden Key | LSU |
| 8 | OT Connor Williams | Texas |
| 9 | RB Derrius Guice | LSU |
| 10 | DT Christian Wilkins | Clemson |
| 11 | WR Calvin Ridley | Alabama |
| 12 | S Minkah Fitzpatrick | Alabama |
| 13 | CB Tarvarus McFadden | FSU |
| 14 | LB Malik Jefferson | Texas |
| 15 | DE Dorance Armstrong | Kansas |
| 16 | OT Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame |
| 17 | WR Deon Cain | Clemson |
| 18 | WR Courtland Sutton | SMU |
| 19 | RB Ronald Jones II | USC |
| 20 | LB Jerome Baker | Ohio State |
| 21 | DE Clelin Ferrell | Clemson |
| 22 | S Ronnie Harrison | Alabama |
| 23 | DT Maurice Hurst | Michigan |
| 24 | WR Christian Kirk | Texas A&M |
| 25 | DT Dre'Mont Jones | Ohio State |
Top 10 Quarterbacks
2 of 13
Biggest Riser: Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
Biggest Faller: Luke Falk, Washington State
Most NFL-Ready: Josh Rosen, UCLA
Best Arm: Josh Allen, Wyoming
Best Runner: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Best Potential: Josh Allen, Wyoming
Biggest Question Mark: Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
Biggest Sleeper: Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Sam Darnold | USC |
| 2 | Josh Allen | Wyoming |
| 3 | Josh Rosen | UCLA |
| 4 | Mason Rudolph | Oklahoma State |
| 5 | Lamar Jackson | Louisville |
| 6 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma |
| 7 | Luke Falk | Washington State |
| 8 | Jarrett Stidham | Auburn |
| 9 | Nick Fitzgerald | Miss. State |
| 10 | Jake Browning | Washington |
Top 10 Running Backs
3 of 13
Biggest Riser: Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
Biggest Faller: Nick Chubb, Georgia
Most NFL-Ready: Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Best Third-Down Back: Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Best Speed: Ronald Jones II, USC
Best Power: Derrius Guice, LSU
Best Potential: Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Biggest Question Mark: Mike Weber, Ohio State
Biggest Sleeper: Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Saquon Barkley | Penn State |
| 2 | Derrius Guice | LSU |
| 3 | Ronald Jones II | USC |
| 4 | Sony Michel | Georgia |
| 5 | Rashaad Penny | San Diego State |
| 6 | Mike Weber | Ohio State |
| 7 | Akrum Wadley | Iowa |
| 8 | Bo Scarbrough | Alabama |
| 9 | Royce Freeman | Oregon |
| 10 | Mark Walton | Miami (Fla.) |
.jpg?w=256 "Bills Broncos Football")
Top 10 Wide Receivers
4 of 13
Biggest Riser: Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Biggest Faller: Antonio Callaway, Florida
Most NFL-Ready: Deon Cain, Clemson
Best Boundary Receiver: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Best Slot Receiver: Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Best Hands: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Best Route-Runner: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Best Potential: Courtland Sutton, SMU
Biggest Question Mark: Antonio Callaway, Florida
Biggest Sleeper: Simmie Cobbs Jr., Indiana
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Calvin Ridley | Alabama |
| 2 | Deon Cain | Clemson |
| 3 | Courtland Sutton | SMU |
| 4 | Christian Kirk | Texas A&M |
| 5 | Simmie Cobbs Jr. | Indiana |
| 6 | Deebo Samuel | South Carolina |
| 7 | James Washington | Oklahoma State |
| 8 | Dante Pettis | Washington |
| 9 | Antonio Callaway | Florida |
| 10 | Deontay Burnett | USC |
Top 10 Tight Ends
5 of 13
Biggest Riser: Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
Biggest Faller: Ryan Izzo, FSU
Most NFL-Ready: Mike Gesicki, Penn State
Best Slot Tight End: Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
Best Hands: Mike Gesicki, Penn State
Best Route-Runner: Mike Gesicki, Penn State
Best Blocker: Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
Best Power: Adam Breneman, UMass
Biggest Question Mark: Adam Breneman, UMass
Biggest Sleeper: Drew Sample, Washington
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Mike Gesicki | Penn State |
| 2 | Mark Andrews | Oklahoma |
| 3 | Troy Fumagalli | Wisconsin |
| 4 | Adam Breneman | UMass |
| 5 | Brandon Fritts | North Carolina |
| 6 | Dalton Schultz | Stanford |
| 7 | DeAndre Goolsby | Florida |
| 8 | Tyler Petite | USC |
| 9 | Ryan Izzo | FSU |
| 10 | Drew Sample | Washington |
Top 10 Tackles
6 of 13
Biggest Riser: Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
Biggest Faller: Tyrell Crosby, Oregon
Most NFL-Ready: Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
Best Run-Blocker: Connor Williams, Texas
Best Pass-Blocker: Connor Williams, Texas
Best Potential: Connor Williams, Texas
Biggest Question Mark: Jamarco Jones, Ohio State
Biggest Sleeper: Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Connor Williams | Texas |
| 2 | Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame |
| 3 | Orlando Brown | Oklahoma |
| 4 | Brian O'Neill | Pittsburgh |
| 5 | Trey Adams | Washington |
| 6 | Mitch Hyatt | Clemson |
| 7 | Chukwuma Okorafor | Western Michigan |
| 8 | Tyrell Crosby | Oregon |
| 9 | Jamarco Jones | Ohio State |
| 10 | Geron Christian | Louisville |
Top 10 Guards
7 of 13
Biggest Riser: Will Hernandez, UTEP
Biggest Faller: Tyrone Crowder, Clemson
Most NFL-Ready: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
Best Run-Blocker: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
Best Pass-Blocker: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
Best Potential: Will Hernandez, UTEP
Biggest Question Mark: Braden Smith, Auburn
Biggest Sleeper: Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Quenton Nelson | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Will Hernandez | UTEP |
| 3 | Braden Smith | Auburn |
| 4 | Martez Ivey | Florida |
| 5 | Beau Benzschawel | Wisconsin |
| 6 | William Clapp | LSU |
| 7 | Ross Pierschbacher | Alabama |
| 8 | Brandon Fanaika | Stanford |
| 9 | Cody O'Connell | Washington State |
| 10 | Tyrone Crowder | Clemson |
Top 10 Centers
8 of 13
Biggest Riser: Coleman Shelton, Washington
Biggest Faller: none
Most NFL-Ready: Billy Price, Ohio State
Best Run-Blocker: Billy Price, Ohio State
Best Pass-Blocker: Billy Price, Ohio State
Best Potential: Billy Price, Ohio State
Biggest Question Mark: Martinas Rankin, Miss. State
Biggest Sleeper: Nick Linder, Miami (Fla.)
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Billy Price | Ohio State |
| 2 | Frank Ragnow | Arkansas |
| 3 | Mason Cole | Michigan |
| 4 | Martinas Rankin | Miss. State |
| 5 | Coleman Shelton | Washington |
| 6 | Bradley Bozeman | Alabama |
| 7 | Sean Welsh | Iowa |
| 8 | Nick Linder | Miami (Fla.) |
| 9 | Jake Bennett | Colorado State |
| 10 | Austin Golson | Auburn |
Top 10 Edge-Rushers
9 of 13
Biggest Riser: Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State
Biggest Faller: Porter Gustin, USC (injury)
Most NFL-Ready: Harold Landry, Boston College
Best Run-Stopper: Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
Best Pass-Rusher: Arden Key, LSU
Best Potential: Arden Key, LSU
Biggest Question Mark: Arden Key, LSU
Biggest Sleeper: Dorance Armstrong, Kansas
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Harold Landry | Boston College |
| 2 | Arden Key | LSU |
| 3 | Dorance Armstrong | Kansas |
| 4 | Clelin Ferrell | Clemson |
| 5 | Sam Hubbard | Ohio State |
| 6 | Bradley Chubb | North Carolina State |
| 7 | Josh Sweat | FSU |
| 8 | Austin Bryant | Clemson |
| 9 | Ogbonnia Okoronkwo | Oklahoma |
| 10 | Porter Gustin | USC |
Top 10 Defensive Linemen
10 of 13
Biggest Riser: Maurice Hurst, Michigan
Biggest Faller: none
Most NFL-Ready: Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Best Run-Stopper: Maurice Hurst, Michigan
Best Pass-Rusher: Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Best Potential: Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Biggest Question Mark: Vita Vea, Washington
Biggest Sleeper: Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Christian Wilkins | Clemson |
| 2 | Maurice Hurst | Michigan |
| 3 | Dre'Mont Jones | Ohio State |
| 4 | Vita Vea | Washington |
| 5 | Derrick Nnadi | FSU |
| 6 | Da'Ron Payne | Alabama |
| 7 | Rasheem Green | USC |
| 8 | Da'Shawn Hand | Alabama |
| 9 | Trenton Thompson | Georgia |
| 10 | Kahlil McKenzie | Tennessee |
Top 10 Linebackers
11 of 13
Biggest Riser: Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
Biggest Faller: none
Most NFL-Ready: Jerome Baker, Ohio State
Best Run-Stopper: Cameron Smith, USC
Best Pass Coverage: Malik Jefferson, Texas
Best Pass-Rusher: Lorenzo Carter, Georgia
Best Potential: Malik Jefferson, Texas
Biggest Question Mark: none
Biggest Sleeper: Josey Jewell, Iowa
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Malik Jefferson | Texas |
| 2 | Jerome Baker | Ohio State |
| 3 | Tremaine Edmunds | Virginia Tech |
| 4 | Lorenzo Carter | Georgia |
| 5 | Cameron Smith | USC |
| 6 | T.J. Edwards | Wisconsin |
| 7 | Christian Miller | Alabama |
| 8 | Shaun Dion Hamilton | Alabama |
| 9 | Josey Jewell | Iowa |
| 10 | Kendall Joseph | Clemson |
Top 10 Cornerbacks
12 of 13
Biggest Riser: M.J. Stewart, North Carolina
Biggest Faller: Damon Arnette, Ohio State
Most NFL-Ready: Tarvarus McFadden, FSU
Best Slot Cornerback: Denzel Ward, Ohio State
Best Man Coverage: Tarvarus McFadden, FSU
Best Zone Coverage: Anthony Averett, Alabama
Best Potential: Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Biggest Question Mark: Iman Marshall, USC
Biggest Sleeper: Kevin Toliver, LSU
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Tarvarus McFadden | FSU |
| 2 | Jaire Alexander | Louisville |
| 3 | Denzel Ward | Ohio State |
| 4 | Anthony Averett | Alabama |
| 5 | Quenton Meeks | Stanford |
| 6 | Kevin Toliver II | LSU |
| 7 | M.J. Stewart | North Carolina |
| 8 | Damon Arnette | Ohio State |
| 9 | Iman Marshall | USC |
| 10 | Kendall Sheffield | Ohio State |
Top 10 Safeties
13 of 13
Biggest Riser: Kyzir White, West Virginia
Most NFL-Ready: Derwin James, FSU
Best Coverage: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Best Strong Safety: Derwin James, FSU
Best Free Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Best Hybrid Defender: Derwin James, FSU
Best Run-Stopper: Derwin James, FSU
Best Potential: Derwin James, FSU
Biggest Question Mark: Armani Watts, Texas A&M
Biggest Sleeper: Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Derwin James | FSU |
| 2 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | Alabama |
| 3 | Ronnie Harrison | Alabama |
| 4 | Marcus Allen | Penn State |
| 5 | Kyzir White | West Virginia |
| 6 | Jordan Whitehead | Pittsburgh |
| 7 | Quin Blanding | Virginia |
| 8 | Godwin Igwebuike | Northwestern |
| 9 | Armani Watts | Texas A&M |
| 10 | Van Smith | Clemson |
.jpg?w=480 "Bills Broncos Football")
