NFL Draft 2018: 1st-Round Order and Projections for Underrated Prospects

Draft season is well underway, meaning every NFL draft hopeful falling into the "underrated" category has a chance to climb the stock ladder in the coming months. 

While each marquee quarterback prospect will get torn down by the process, every position has a chance to capitalize on events such as the Senior Bowl, pro days and of course, the NFL Scouting Combine. For now, it isn't hard to pinpoint the guys flying under the radar who could ride a wave of hype to a higher slot. 

Underrated players at this point in the process vary. They could be coming off a down year, fall well below the biggest hype-earners at their position or simply didn't produce big numbers but tout what the NFL loves—huge upside. 

Below, let's look at an updated mock based on team need and the prospect stock market before pointing out underrated players to know. 

2018 NFL Mock Draft 

1. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

2. New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

3. Indianapolis Colts: Derwin James, S, Florida State

4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

5. Denver Broncos: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

6. New York Jets: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

8. Chicago Bears: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

*9. San Francisco 49ers: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

*10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

11. Miami Dolphins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

12. Cincinnati Bengals: Connor Williams, OT, Texas

13. Washington: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

14. Green Bay Packers: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU

15. Arizona Cardinals: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

16. Baltimore Ravens: Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

18. Seattle Seahawks: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

19. Dallas Cowboys: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

20. Detroit Lions: Bryce Love, RB, Stanford 

21. Tennessee Titans: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

22. Buffalo Bills: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa

23. Atlanta Falcons: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

24. Carolina Panthers: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

26. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs): Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

27. Los Angeles Rams: Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State

28. New Orleans Saints: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas

29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Davenport, DE/OLB, UTSA

30. Minnesota Vikings: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

32. New England Patriots: Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson

* depicts tiebreakers to be decided by a coin flip. Picks Nos. 21-32 will be determined by playoff results.

Underrated Prospects to Know 

16. Baltimore Ravens: Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College

Mary Schwalm/Associated Press

How underrated is Boston College pass-rusher Harold Landry? He posted north of 15 sacks last year and didn't declare for the NFL draft. 

When it comes to hype, Landry still isn't getting the attention he deserves alongside other rushers such as Bradley Chubb of NC State. What makes it all the more perplexing is this isn't the strongest pass-rushing class to begin with. 

Meaning, Landry is likely in a for a huge rise based on upside and the premier status of what he does, beginning at the Senior Bowl on Jan. 27. Hyped or not, Landry downright terrorized quarterbacks all season once again: 

Defensive-minded teams like Baltimore won't blink at a chance to grab a player like Landry in the middle of the round and stand him up while thinking about life after Terrell Suggs. At 6'3" and 250 pounds with measurables off the charts, the Ravens have the staff in place to fine-tune Landry's technique and can teach him an array of moves on a rotational basis to start his career. 

Landry is one of those "hindsight" prospects—if he lands in the right situation like Baltimore, several teams could be kicking themselves for passing on him. 

24. Carolina Panthers: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

John Raoux/Associated Press

Oklahoma State's James Washington isn't a household name yet. 

The key word being "yet." 

A wideout with 1,549 yards and 13 touchdowns over the course of his senior year doesn't often fly under the radar, yet that's Washington. Reasons abound, though the Cowboys offense has a perception of creating gaudy stats and Washington's senior status will make some shy away because of his age (turns 22 in April). 

Being underrated isn't new to Washington, though, as Marshall Scott of OColly.com, the OK State student publication, pointed out: 

In this particular class, Washington isn't seeing the same level of hype as the top-tier guys such as Courtland Sutton and Calvin Ridley. Not only could he provide a similar instant impact, though, he's a different type of player. 

Washington, at 6'1" and 205 pounds, is more of a deep threat with big-play ability, hence his averaging more than 20 yards per catch in two of his last three seasons. In the right offense, this role could have him posting the best rookie numbers of any wideout. 

In the scenario above, it's the Carolina Panthers that pull the trigger. The team added Curtis Samuel last year, who ended up on injured reserve, and the front office traded away Kelvin Benjamin. Samuel and Washington on the same field to stretch defenses vertically would give Cam Newton plenty of options. 

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

John Raoux/Associated Press

No running back is going to have an easy time grabbing shine behind Penn State's Saquon Barkley, who looks like No. 1 pick material. Bryce Love out of Stanford makes it difficult for anyone else to climb draft boards, too. 

The overall talent of the class pushes LSU's Derrius Guice down the board into "underrated" territory, which is impressive considering a note by Andrew Lopez of nola.com: 

"

Derrius Guice (@DhaSickest) will finish 2nd in SEC history in yards per rush (min. 400 rushes).

Guice's career total of 6.50 is behind Bo Jackson's record of 6.62 and just ahead of Todd Gurley's 6.44.

Pretty good company.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) January 2, 2018"

Like Leonard Fournette before him, Guice simply bullied the SEC into submission, running for 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns on a 5.3 yard-per-carry average. That's impressive, considering the quagmire that is LSU's offense for running backs, who have to go to work without a threat of a quarterback hurting defenses. 

It's all about the landing spot for Guice, who has the raw ability to be the biggest rookie producer in the class. Landing with the Philadelphia Eagles would work wonders, as Guice would easily take snaps from guys like LeGarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi, if not others should his ability as a receiver keep progressing. 

For now, Guice has some flashy numbers and highlights, but his position overall and those entering the draft with him work against his stock. The extensive draft process, though, is something Guice can seize and begin an upward stock climb. 

Stats courtesy of NFL.com.