2018 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Latest Rankings
Bad news, draft fans: The upcoming class doesn't look 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 happened—but this year's group doesn't stand out as level with the classes of the decade.
Why not?
The top three quarterbacks are still ranked inside my top 10 players, but so far none has elevated his game to the level of an Andrew Luck-type prospect. My early grades on the top three (Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen) fall behind the grades I gave Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz in previous drafts. The depth among the top seven or eight quarterbacks is intriguing, but there is much to be desired after that.
At every position group except running back and safety, there is no top-tier player who stands out. We can thank Saquon Barkley (running back, Penn State) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (safety, 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 one is an improvement, but it is still a down year overall.
How does this class break down? Below are my top 25 players overall and the top 10 players at each position. Please note: The risers and fallers are relative to how far players moved up and down on my overall board and not in their respective position.
Top 25 Overall Players
1 of 13
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | RB Saquon Barkley | Penn State |
| 2 | QB Sam Darnold | USC |
| 3 | S Minkah Fitzpatrick | Alabama |
| 4 | DE Bradley Chubb | NC State |
| 5 | OG Quenton Nelson | Notre Dame |
| 6 | QB Josh Rosen | UCLA |
| 7 | OT Connor Williams | Texas |
| 8 | LB Rashaan Evans | Alabama |
| 9 | QB Josh Allen | Wyoming |
| 10 | S Derwin James | Florida State |
| 11 | RB Derrius Guice | LSU |
| 12 | DE Harold Landry | Boston College |
| 13 | S Ronnie Harrison | Alabama |
| 14 | QB Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma |
| 15 | WR Calvin Ridley | Alabama |
| 16 | DE Clelin Ferrell | Clemson |
| 17 | DT Christian Wilkins | Clemson |
| 18 | RB Ronald Jones II | USC |
| 19 | CB Josh Jackson | Iowa |
| 20 | CB Denzel Ward | Ohio State |
| 21 | CB Isaiah Oliver | Colorado |
| 22 | OT Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame |
| 23 | RB Damien Harris | Alabama |
| 24 | DE Sam Hubbard | Ohio State |
| 25 | DL Da'Ron Payne | Alabama |
Top 10 Quarterbacks
2 of 13
Biggest Riser: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
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: 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 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma |
| 5 | Lamar Jackson | Louisville |
| 6 | Mason Rudolph | Oklahoma State |
| 7 | Luke Falk | Washington State |
| 8 | Nick Fitzgerald | Mississippi State |
| 9 | Will Grier | West Virginia |
| 10 | Jarrett Stidham | Auburn |
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: Sony Michel, Georgia
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Saquon Barkley | Penn State |
| 2 | Derrius Guice | LSU |
| 3 | Ronald Jones II | USC |
| 4 | Damien Harris | Alabama |
| 5 | Sony Michel | Georgia |
| 6 | Bryce Love | Stanford |
| 7 | Josh Adams | Notre Dame |
| 8 | Rashaad Penny | SDSU |
| 9 | Mark Walton | Miami |
| 10 | Nick Chubb | Georgia |
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Top 10 Wide Receivers
4 of 13
Biggest Riser: Michael Gallup, Colorado State
Biggest Faller: Antonio Callaway, Florida (off-field)
Most NFL-Ready: Deon Cain, Clemson
Best Boundary Receiver: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Best Slot Receiver: Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
Best Hands: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Best Route-Runner: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Best Potential: Courtland Sutton, SMU
Biggest Question Mark: James Washington, Oklahoma State (scheme)
Biggest Sleeper: Anthony Miller, Memphis
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Calvin Ridley | Alabama |
| 2 | Courtland Sutton | SMU |
| 3 | Deon Cain | Clemson |
| 4 | Christian Kirk | Texas A&M |
| 5 | Simmie Cobbs Jr. | Indiana |
| 6 | Dante Pettis | Washington |
| 7 | James Washington | Oklahoma State |
| 8 | Michael Gallup | Colorado State |
| 9 | Anthony Miller | Memphis |
| 10 | Auden Tate | Florida State |
Top 10 Tight Ends
5 of 13
Biggest Riser: Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
Biggest Faller: Cam Serigne, Wake Forest
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: Ian Thomas, Indiana
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Dallas Goedert | South Dakota State |
| 2 | Mark Andrews | Oklahoma |
| 3 | Ian Thomas | Indiana |
| 4 | Mike Gusicki | Penn State |
| 5 | Troy Fumagalli | Wisconsin |
| 6 | Adam Breneman | UMass |
| 7 | Christopher Herndon | Miami |
| 8 | DeAndre Goolsby | Florida |
| 9 | Cam Serigne | Wake Forest |
| 10 | Drew Sample | Washington |
Top 10 Offensive Tackles
6 of 13
Biggest Riser: Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
Biggest Faller: Brian O'Neill, Pitt
Most NFL-Ready: Connor Williams, Texas
Best Run-Blocker: Connor Williams, Texas
Best Pass-Blocker: Connor Williams, Texas
Best Potential: Connor Williams, Texas
Biggest Question Mark: Alex Cappa, Humboldt State
Biggest Sleeper: Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Connor Williams | Texas |
| 2 | Mike McGlinchey | Notre Dame |
| 3 | Orlando Brown | Oklahoma |
| 4 | Chukwuma Okorafor | Western Michigan |
| 5 | Martinas Rankin | Mississippi State |
| 6 | Mitch Hyatt | Clemson |
| 7 | Brian O'Neill | Pitt |
| 8 | Tyrell Crosby | Oregon |
| 9 | Jamarco Jones | Ohio State |
| 10 | Alex Cappa | Humboldt State |
Top 10 Offensive Guards
7 of 13
Biggest Riser: Will Hernandez, UTEP
Biggest Faller: None
Most NFL-Ready: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
Best Run-Blocker: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
Best Pass-Blocker: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
Best Potential: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
Biggest Question Mark: Tyrone Crowder, Clemson
Biggest Sleeper: KC McDermott, Miami
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Quenton Nelson | Notre Dame |
| 2 | Will Hernandez | UTEP |
| 3 | Braden Smith | Auburn |
| 4 | Martez Ivey | Florida |
| 5 | KC McDermott | Miami |
| 6 | KJ Malone | LSU |
| 7 | Cody O'Connell | Washington State |
| 8 | Tyrone Crowder | Clemson |
| 9 | Skyler Phillips | Idaho State |
| 10 | Wyatt Teller | Virginia Tech |
Top 10 Centers
8 of 13
Biggest Riser: Sean Welsh, Iowa
Biggest Faller: Coleman Shelton, Washington
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: Brian Allen, Michigan State
Biggest Sleeper: Sean Welsh, Iowa
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Billy Price | Ohio State |
| 2 | Frank Ragnow | Arkansas |
| 3 | Mason Cole | Michigan |
| 4 | Michael Deiter | Wisconsin |
| 5 | Sean Welsh | Iowa |
| 6 | Scott Quessenberry | UCLA |
| 7 | Coleman Shelton | Washington |
| 8 | Brian Allen | Michigan State |
| 9 | Toa Lobendahn | USC |
| 10 | Bradley Bozeman | Alabama |
Top 10 Edge-Rushers
9 of 13
Biggest Riser: Austin Bryant, Clemson
Biggest Faller: Arden Key, LSU
Most NFL-Ready: Bradley Chubb, NC State
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 Jr., Kansas
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Bradley Chubb | NC State |
| 2 | Harold Landry | Boston College |
| 3 | Clelin Ferrell | Clemson |
| 4 | Sam Hubbard | Ohio State |
| 5 | Austin Bryant | Clemson |
| 6 | Dorance Armstrong Jr. | Kansas |
| 7 | Arden Key | LSU |
| 8 | Josh Sweat | Florida State |
| 9 | Hercules Mata'afa | Washington State |
| 10 | Ogbonnia Okoronkwo | Oklahoma |
Top 10 Defensive Linemen
10 of 13
Biggest Riser: Harrison Phillips, Stanford
Biggest Faller: Vita Vea, Washington
Most NFL-Ready: Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Best Run-Stopper: Maurice Hurst, Michigan
Best Pass-Rusher: Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Best Potential: Da'Ron Payne, Alabama
Biggest Question Mark: Da'Ron Payne, Alabama (lack of production)
Biggest Sleeper: Harrison Phillips, Stanford
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Christian Wilkins | Clemson |
| 2 | Da'Ron Payne | Alabama |
| 3 | Maurice Hurst | Michigan |
| 4 | Harrison Phillips | Stanford |
| 5 | Dre'Mont Jones | Ohio State |
| 6 | Da'Shawn Hand | Alabama |
| 7 | Rasheem Green | USC |
| 8 | Vita Vea | Washington |
| 9 | Derrick Nnadi | Florida State |
| 10 | Lowell Lotulelei | Utah |
Top 10 Linebackers
11 of 13
Biggest Riser: Rashaan Evans, Alabama
Biggest Faller: Jerome Baker, Ohio State
Most NFL-Ready: Rashaan Evans, Alabama
Best Run-Stopper: Cameron Smith, USC
Best Pass Coverage: Malik Jefferson, Texas
Best Pass-Rusher: Lorenzo Carter, Georgia
Best Potential: Rashaan Evans, Alabama
Biggest Question Mark: Roquan Smith, Georgia (size)
Biggest Sleeper: Josey Jewell, Iowa
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Rashaan Evans | Alabama |
| 2 | Malik Jefferson | Texas |
| 3 | Roquan Smith | Georgia |
| 4 | Jerome Baker | Ohio State |
| 5 | T.J. Edwards | Wisconsin |
| 6 | Uchenna Nwosu | USC |
| 7 | Lorenzo Carter | Georgia |
| 8 | Josey Jewell | Iowa |
| 9 | Cameron Smith | USC |
| 10 | Micah Kiser | Virginia |
Top 10 Cornerbacks
12 of 13
Biggest Riser: Josh Jackson, Iowa
Biggest Faller: Holton Hill, Texas (suspended)
Most NFL-Ready: Josh Jackson, Iowa
Best Slot Cornerback: Denzel Ward, Ohio State
Best Man Coverage: Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Best Zone Coverage: Anthony Averett, Alabama
Best Potential: Josh Jackson, Iowa
Biggest Question Mark: Holton Hill, Texas (suspended)
Biggest Sleeper: Isaiah Oliver, Colorado
| Rank | Player | School |
| 1 | Josh Jackson | Iowa |
| 2 | Denzel Ward | Ohio State |
| 3 | Isaiah Oliver | Colorado |
| 4 | Tarvarus McFadden | FSU |
| 5 | Carlton Davis | Auburn |
| 6 | Anthony Averett | Alabama |
| 7 | Jaire Alexander | Louisville |
| 8 | Duke Dawson | Florida |
| 9 | Tony Brown | Alabama |
| 10 | M.J. Stewart | North Carolina |
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: Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
Best Potential: Derwin James, FSU
Biggest Question Mark: Quin Blanding, Virginia
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 | Armani Watts | Texas A&M |
| 7 | Quin Blanding | Virginia |
| 8 | Godwin Igwebuike | Northwestern |
| 9 | Jordan Whitehead | Pitt |
| 10 | Van Smith | Clemson |
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