2018 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Updated Rankings
Bad news, draft fans: The upcoming class doesn't look that great.
Maybe we've been spoiled with really strong draft classes in the 2010s—except for 2013, which was awful and we should all forget it happened—but this year's group doesn't stand out as on a level with the classes of this decade.
Why not?
The top three quarterbacks are still ranked inside my top 10 players, but so far none has elevated his game to a level of an Andrew Luck-type prospect. My early grades on the top three (Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen) would fall behind the grades given to Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz in previous drafts. The depth at quarterback is intriguing throughout the top seven or eight guys, but after that leaves much to be desired.
At every position group, except for running back and safety, there is not a top-tier player currently standing out. We can thank Saquon Barkley (RB, Penn State) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (S, Alabama) for saving the top end of the class.
There is still plenty of time for elite players to emerge. The offensive line and edge-rusher groups could look much better in February if key players like Connor Williams (Texas) and Arden Key (LSU) return to form after injuries. Compared to the 2017 offensive line class, this is an improvement, but it is overall a down year still.
How does this class break down? Below are my top 25 players overall and the top 10 players at each position.
Top 25 Overall Players
1 of 13
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | RB Saquon Barkley | Penn State |
| 2 | QB Sam Darnold | USC |
| 3 | QB Josh Rosen | UCLA |
| 4 | S Minkah Fitzpatrick | Alabama |
| 5 | QB Josh Allen | Wyoming |
| 6 | DE Harold Landry | Boston College |
| 7 | S Derwin James | FSU |
| 8 | OT Connor Williams | Texas |
| 9 | DE Bradley Chubb | NC State |
| 10 | OG Quenton Nelson | Notre Dame |
| 11 | RB Derrius Guice | LSU |
| 12 | DT Christian Wilkins | Clemson |
| 13 | S Ronnie Harrison | Alabama |
| 14 | DE Arden Key | LSU |
| 15 | LB Malik Jefferson | Texas |
| 16 | DE Dorance Armstrong | Kansas |
| 17 | DE Clelin Ferrell | Clemson |
| 18 | CB Tarvarus McFadden | FSU |
| 19 | CB Denzel Ward | Ohio State |
| 20 | DT Maurice Hurst | Michigan |
| 21 | DT Dre'Mont Jones | Ohio State |
| 22 | RB Ronald Jones II | USC |
| 23 | RB Damien Harris | Alabama |
| 24 | WR Calvin Ridley | Alabama |
| 25 | OT Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame |
Top 10 Quarterbacks
2 of 13
Biggest Riser: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Biggest Faller: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Most NFL-Ready: Josh Rosen, UCLA
Best Arm: Josh Allen, Wyoming
Best Runner: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Best Potential: Josh Allen, Wyoming
Biggest Question Mark: Josh Allen, Wyoming
Biggest Sleeper: Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Sam Darnold | USC |
| 2 | Josh Rosen | UCLA |
| 3 | Josh Allen | Wyoming |
| 4 | Mason Rudolph | Oklahoma State |
| 5 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma |
| 6 | Luke Falk | Washington State |
| 7 | Lamar Jackson | Louisville |
| 8 | Jarrett Stidham | Auburn |
| 9 | Nick Fitzgerald | Miss. State |
| 10 | Jake Browning | Washington |
Top 10 Running Backs
3 of 13
Biggest Riser: Damien Harris, Alabama
Biggest Faller: Mark Walton, Miami (injury)
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: Nick Chubb, Georgia (injury history)
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 | Damien Harris | Alabama |
| 5 | Rashaad Penny | San Diego State |
| 6 | Mark Walton | Miami (Fla.) |
| 7 | Sony Michel | Georgia |
| 8 | Nick Chubb | Georgia |
| 9 | Bo Scarbrough | Alabama |
| 10 | Akrum Wadley | Iowa |
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Top 10 Wide Receivers
4 of 13
Biggest Riser: Anthony Miller, Memphis
Biggest Faller: Antonio Callaway, Florida (off-field)
Most NFL-Ready: Deon Cain, Clemson
Best Boundary Receiver: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Best Slot Receiver: Deontay Burnett, USC
Best Hands: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Best Route-Runner: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Best Potential: Courtland Sutton, SMU
Biggest Question Mark: Antonio Callaway, Florida
Biggest Sleeper: Anthony Miller, Memphis
| 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 | Dante Pettis | Washington |
| 7 | James Washington | Oklahoma State |
| 8 | Anthony Miller | Memphis |
| 9 | Auden Tate | FSU |
| 10 | Deontay Burnett | USC |
Top 10 Tight Ends
5 of 13
Biggest Riser: Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
Biggest Faller: Tyler Petite, USC
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: Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Mark Andrews | Oklahoma |
| 2 | Mike Gesicki | Penn State |
| 3 | Troy Fumagalli | Wisconsin |
| 4 | Adam Breneman | UMass |
| 5 | Dallas Goedert | South Dakota State |
| 6 | Drew Sample | Washington |
| 7 | Ryan Izzo | FSU |
| 8 | Brandon Fritts | North Carolina |
| 9 | Dalton Schultz | Stanford |
| 10 | Tyler Petite | USC |
Top 10 Offensive Tackles
6 of 13
Biggest Riser: Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
Biggest Faller: Brian O'Neill, Pitt
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 (scheme)
Biggest Sleeper: Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Connor Williams | Texas |
| 2 | Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame |
| 3 | Orlando Brown | Oklahoma |
| 4 | Trey Adams | Washington |
| 5 | Mitch Hyatt | Clemson |
| 6 | Chukwuma Okorafor | Western Michigan |
| 7 | Brian O'Neill | Pitt |
| 8 | Toby Weathersby | LSU |
| 9 | Tyrell Crosby | Oregon |
| 10 | Jamarco Jones | Ohio State |
Top 10 Offensive 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: Martinas Rankin, Miss. State
Biggest Faller: Nick Linder, Miami (Fla.)
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: Sean Welsh, Iowa
| 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: Trevon Young, Louisville
Biggest Faller: Arden Key, LSU
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 | Bradley Chubb | North Carolina State |
| 3 | Arden Key | LSU |
| 4 | Dorance Armstrong | Kansas |
| 5 | Clelin Ferrell | Clemson |
| 6 | Sam Hubbard | Ohio State |
| 7 | Trevon Young | Louisville |
| 8 | Josh Sweat | FSU |
| 9 | Ogbonnia Okoronkwo | Oklahoma |
| 10 | Porter Gustin | USC |
Top 10 Defensive Linemen
10 of 13
Biggest Riser: Harrison Phillips, Stanford
Biggest Faller: Kahlil McKenzie, Tennessee
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: Da'Ron Payne, Alabama
Biggest Sleeper: Harrison Phillips, Stanford
| 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 | Harrison Phillips | Stanford |
| 7 | Da'Ron Payne | Alabama |
| 8 | Taven Bryan | Florida |
| 9 | Rasheem Green | USC |
| 10 | Da'Shawn Hand | Alabama |
Top 10 Linebackers
11 of 13
Biggest Riser: Uchenna Nwosu, USC
Biggest Faller: Jerome Baker, Ohio State
Most NFL-Ready: Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
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: Jerome Baker, Ohio State
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 | Uchenna Nwosu | USC |
| 7 | T.J. Edwards | Wisconsin |
| 8 | Christian Miller | Alabama |
| 9 | Josey Jewell | Iowa |
| 10 | Kendall Joseph | Clemson |
Top 10 Cornerbacks
12 of 13
Biggest Riser: Isaiah Oliver, Colorado
Biggest Faller: Damon Arnette, Ohio State
Most NFL-Ready: Tarvarus McFadden, FSU
Best Slot Cornerback: Denzel Ward, Ohio State
Best Man Coverage: Jaire Alexander, Louisville
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 | Denzel Ward | Ohio State |
| 3 | Jaire Alexander | Louisville |
| 4 | Isaiah Oliver | Colorado |
| 5 | Anthony Averett | Alabama |
| 6 | M.J. Stewart | North Carolina |
| 7 | Quenton Meeks | Stanford |
| 8 | Kevin Toliver | LSU |
| 9 | Iman Marshall | USC |
| 10 | D.J. Reed | Kansas State |
Top 10 Safeties
13 of 13
Biggest Riser: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Most NFL-Ready: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
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 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | Alabama |
| 2 | Derwin James | FSU |
| 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 |
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