2018 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Post-Regular-Season Rankings

Matt Miller@nfldraftscoutNFL Draft Lead WriterJanuary 8, 2018

2018 NFL Draft Big Board: Matt Miller's Post-Regular-Season Rankings

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    Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

    If you're a fan of the Cleveland Browns or any other non-playoff team, chances are you've already moved into draft mode and are curious to see which players will be available April 26-28 to fix your squad. This list has you covered with an updated top 50 players and positional top 10s. 

    The lists here include some projections since we're not quite to the January 15 deadline for underclassmen to declare. Most of the top juniors have made their intentions clear, but not all of them. The top quarterbacks—Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen—are all in, though, and that's where the conversations about this class start.

    How many quarterbacks will go in Round 1? I have four ranked there: Rosen, Darnold, Allen and Baker Mayfield. What about running backs? It's early, but an absurd five are in my top 26 players. If you're looking for the strength of this class, running back is a great place to start. You'll also like the depth at defensive tackle, cornerback and safety. 

    Overall, the 2018 draft class looks weak compared to the top-end talent of 2017's draft. That's OK, though, because the depth this year might be even better. That's thanks to a good senior class and another heavy crop of underclassmen. That makes this draft class higher on potential than production, but good scouts will clean up in the middle rounds.

    OK, let's get into it. Here are the 50 best players for this year's class.

Top 50 Overall Players

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    Rick Scuteri/Associated Press
    RankPlayerSchool
    1RB Saquon BarkleyPenn State
    2S Minkah Fitzpatrick Alabama
    3OG Quenton NelsonNotre Dame
    4LB Roquan SmithGeorgia
    5QB Josh RosenUCLA
    6DE Bradley ChubbNC State
    7QB Sam DarnoldUSC
    8OT Connor WilliamsTexas
    9RB Derrius GuiceLSU
    10CB Josh JacksonIowa
    11CB Denzel WardOhio State
    12QB Josh AllenWyoming
    13QB Baker MayfieldOklahoma
    14LB Rashaan EvansAlabama
    15WR Calvin RidleyAlabama
    16S Derwin JamesFSU
    17DE Clelin FerrellClemson
    18DT Christian WilkinsClemson
    19DE Harold LandryBoston College
    20S Ronnie HarrisonAlabama
    21CB Isaiah OliverColorado
    22OT Mike McGlincheyNotre Dame
    23LB Malik JeffersonTexas
    24RB Ronald Jones IIUSC
    25RB Damien HarrisAlabama
    26RB Kerryon JohnsonAuburn
    27DE Sam HubbardOhio State
    28WR Courtland Sutton SMU
    29C Billy PriceOhio State
    30DT Maurice HurstMichigan
    31TE Dallas GoedertSouth Dakota St. 
    32DT Vita VeaWashington
    33DE Arden KeyLSU
    34CB Carlton DavisAuburn
    35DT Dre'Mont JonesOhio State
    36WR Christian KirkTexas A&M
    37QB Mason RudolphOklahoma St.
    38OT Orlando BrownOklahoma
    39DE Austin BryantClemson
    40OT Chukwuma Okorafor Western Michigan 
    41DT Derrick NnadiFSU
    42DT Da'Ron PayneAlabama
    43OT Kolton MillerUCLA
    44WR Deon CainClemson
    45CB Tarvarus McFaddenFSU
    46DT Harrison PhillipsStanford
    47DT Da'Shawn HandAlabama
    48DT Rasheem GreenUSC
    49DE Dorance Armstrong Jr.Kansas
    50LB Leighton Vander Esch Boise State

Top 10 Quarterbacks

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    Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

    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: Allen

    Biggest Question Mark: Allen

    Biggest Sleeper: Mike White, Western Kentucky

        

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Josh RosenUCLA
    2Sam DarnoldUSC
    3Josh AllenWyoming
    4Baker MayfieldOklahoma
    5Mason RudolphOklahoma State
    6Lamar JacksonLouisville
    7Kurt BenkertVirginia
    8Mike WhiteWestern Kentucky 
    9Luke FalkWashington State
    10Tanner LeeNebraska

Top 10 Running Backs

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    John Raoux/Associated Press

    Biggest Riser: Kerryon Johnson, Auburn

    Biggest Faller: Josh Adams, Notre Dame

    Most NFL-Ready: Saquon Barkley, Penn State

    Best Third-Down Back: Barkley

    Best Speed: Ronald Jones II, USC

    Best Power: Derrius Guice, LSU

    Best Potential: Barkley

    Biggest Question Mark: Nick Chubb, Georgia (injury history)

    Biggest Sleeper: Sony Michel, Georgia

        

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Saquon BarkleyPenn State
    2Derrius GuiceLSU
    3Ronald Jones II USC
    4Damien HarrisAlabama
    5Kerryon Johnson Auburn
    6Sony MichelGeorgia
    7Mark WaltonMiami
    8Rashaad PennySDSU
    9Bryce LoveStanford
    10Josh AdamsNotre Dame

Top 10 Wide Receivers

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    Butch Dill/Associated Press

    Biggest Riser: Michael Gallup, Colorado State

    Biggest Faller: Anthony Miller, Memphis

    Most NFL-Ready: Calvin Ridley, Alabama

    Best Boundary Receiver: Courtland Sutton, SMU

    Best Slot Receiver: Christian Kirk, Texas A&M

    Best Hands: Ridley

    Best Route-Runner: Ridley

    Best Potential: Sutton

    Biggest Question Mark: James Washington, Oklahoma State (scheme)

    Biggest Sleeper: Korey Robertson, Southern Miss

         

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Calvin RidleyAlabama
    2Courtland SuttonSMU
    3Christian KirkTexas A&M
    4Deon CainClemson
    5DJ MooreMaryland
    6Simmie CobbsIndiana
    7Korey RobertsonSouthern Miss
    8DJ CharkLSU
    9James Washington Oklahoma State 
    10Michael GallupColorado State

Top 10 Tight Ends

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    Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

    Biggest Riser: Hayden Hurst, South Carolina

    Biggest Faller: Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan

    Most NFL-Ready: Mike Gesicki, Penn State

    Best Slot Tight End: Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State

    Best Hands: Gesicki

    Best Route-Runner: Gesicki

    Best Blocker: Mark Andrews, Oklahoma

    Best Power: Adam Breneman, UMass

    Biggest Question Mark: Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin

    Biggest Sleeper: Christopher Herndon, Miami

         

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Dallas GoedertSouth Dakota State 
    2Mark AndrewsOklahoma
    3Hayden HurstSouth Carolina
    4Mike GesickiPenn State
    5Adam BrenemanUMass
    6Troy FumagalliWisconsin
    7Dalton SchultzStanford
    8Ian ThomasIndiana
    9Christopher Herndon Miami
    10Tyler ConklinCentral Michigan

Top 10 Offensive Tackles

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    Tim Warner/Getty Images

    Biggest Riser: Kolton Miller, UCLA

    Biggest Faller: Tyrell Crosby, Oregon

    Most NFL-Ready: Connor Williams, Texas

    Best Run-Blocker: Williams

    Best Pass-Blocker: Williams

    Best Potential: Williams

    Biggest Question Mark: Desmond Harrison, West Georgia

    Biggest Sleeper: Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan

        

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Connor WilliamsTexas
    2Mike McGlincheyNotre Dame
    3Orlando BrownOklahoma
    4Chukwuma OkoraforWestern Michigan
    5Kolton MillerUCLA
    6Desmond HarrisonWest Georgia
    7Brian O'NeillPitt
    8Tyrell CrosbyOregon
    9Martinas RankinMississippi State
    10Jamarco JonesOhio State

Top 10 Offensive Guards

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    Dylan Buell/Getty Images

    Biggest Riser: Braden Smith, Auburn    

    Biggest Faller: None

    Most NFL-Ready: Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame

    Best Run-Blocker: Nelson

    Best Pass-Blocker: Nelson

    Best Potential: Nelson

    Biggest Question Mark: Isaiah Wynn, Georgia

    Biggest Sleeper: Skyler Phillips, Idaho State

        

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Quenton NelsonNotre Dame
    2Braden SmithAuburn
    3Will HernandezUTEP
    4Sam JonesArizona State
    5Taylor HearnClemson
    6KC McDermottMiami
    7Skyler PhillipsIdaho State
    8Wyatt TellerVirginia Tech
    9Timon ParrisStony Brook
    10Isaiah WynnGeorgia

Top 10 Centers

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    Joe Robbins/Getty Images

    Biggest Riser: Sean Welsh, Iowa

    Biggest Faller: Coleman Shelton, Washington

    Most NFL-Ready: Billy Price, Ohio State

    Best Run-Blocker: Price

    Best Pass-Blocker: Price

    Best Potential: Price

    Biggest Question Mark: Toa Lobendahn, USC

    Biggest Sleeper: Welsh

        

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Billy PriceOhio State
    2Frank RagnowArkansas
    3Mason ColeMichigan
    4Michael DeiterWisconsin
    5Sean WelshIowa 
    6Scott Quessenberry UCLA
    7Coleman SheltonWashington
    8Brian AllenMichigan State 
    9Toa LobendahnUSC
    10Bradley BozemanAlabama

Top 10 Defensive Linemen

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    Joe Robbins/Getty Images

    Biggest Riser: Derrick Nnadi, FSU

    Biggest Faller: Da'Shawn Hand, Alabama

    Most NFL-Ready: Christian Wilkins, Clemson

    Best Run-Stopper: Maurice Hurst, Michigan

    Best Pass-Rusher: Wilkins

    Best Potential: Da'Ron Payne, Alabama

    Biggest Question Mark: Payne

    Biggest Sleeper: Harrison Phillips, Stanford

        

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Christian WilkinsClemson
    2Maurice HurstMichigan
    3Vita VeaWashington
    4Dre'mont JonesOhio State
    5Derrick NnadiFSU
    6Da'Ron PayneAlabama
    7Harrison PhillipsStanford
    8Da'Shawn HandAlabama 
    9Rasheem GreenUSC
    10Taven BryanFlorida

Top 10 Edge-Rushers

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    Grant Halverson/Getty Images

    Biggest Riser: Jeff Holland, Auburn

    Biggest Faller: Josh Sweat, FSU

    Most NFL-Ready: Bradley Chubb, NC State

    Best Run-Stopper: Sam Hubbard, Ohio State

    Best Pass-Rusher: Arden Key, LSU

    Best Potential: Key

    Biggest Question Mark: Key

    Biggest Sleeper: Dorance Armstrong Jr., Kansas

        

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Bradley ChubbNC State
    2Clelin FerrellClemson
    3Harold LandryBoston College
    4Sam HubbardOhio State
    5Arden KeyLSU
    6Austin BryantClemson
    7Dorance Armstrong Jr.Kansas
    8Jeff HollandAuburn
    9Hercules Mata'afaWashington State
    10Ogbonnia OkoronkwoOklahoma

Top 10 Linebackers

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    Harry How/Getty Images

    Biggest Riser: Roquan Smith, Georgia

    Biggest Faller: Jerome Baker, Ohio State

    Most NFL-Ready: Smith

    Best Run-Stopper: Smith

    Best Pass Coverage: Malik Jefferson, Texas

    Best Pass-Rusher: Lorenzo Carter, Georgia

    Best Potential: Smith

    Biggest Question Mark: Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama (injuries)

    Biggest Sleeper: Josey Jewell, Iowa

        

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Roquan SmithGeorgia
    2Rashaan EvansAlabama
    3Malik JeffersonTexas
    4Leighton Vander Esch Boise State
    5Jerome BakerOhio State 
    6Uchenna NwosuUSC
    7Josey JewellIowa
    8Lorenzo CarterGeorgia
    9Davin BellamyGeorgia
    10Shaun Dion HamiltonAlabama

Top 10 Cornerbacks

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    Joe Robbins/Getty Images

    Biggest Riser: Carlton Davis, Auburn    

    Biggest Faller: Holton Hill, Texas

    Most NFL-Ready: Josh Jackson, Iowa

    Best Slot Cornerback: Denzel Ward, Ohio State

    Best Man Coverage: Ward

    Best Zone Coverage: Anthony Averett, Alabama

    Best Potential: Jackson

    Biggest Question Mark: Hill (suspended)

    Biggest Sleeper: Nick Nelson, Wisconsin

    RankPlayerSchool
    1-tJosh JacksonIowa
    1-tDenzel WardOhio State
    3Isaiah OliverColorado
    4Carlton DavisAuburn
    5Tarvarus McFadden FSU 
    6Nick NelsonWisconsin
    7Anthony AverettAlabama
    8Jaire AlexanderLouisville
    9M.J. StewartNorth Carolina
    10Duke DawsonFlorida

Top 10 Safeties

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    Butch Dill/Associated Press

    Biggest Riser: Jordan Whitehead, Pitt

    Most NFL-Ready: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama

    Best Coverage: Fitzpatrick

    Best Strong Safety: Derwin James, FSU

    Best Free Safety: Fitzpatrick

    Best Hybrid Defender: James

    Best Run-Stopper: Ronnie Harrison, Alabama

    Best Potential: James

    Biggest Question Mark: Quin Blanding, Virginia 

    Biggest Sleeper: Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern

        

    RankPlayerSchool
    1Minkah FitzpatrickAlabama
    2Derwin JamesFSU
    3Ronnie HarrisonAlabama
    4Marcus AllenPenn State
    5Jordan WhiteheadPitt
    6Kyzir WhiteWest Virginia
    7Armani WattsTexas A&M
    8Quin BlandingVirginia 
    9Godwin Igwebuike Northwestern 
    10Kameron KellySDSU
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