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Top 50 Players in the 2018 NFL Draft

Kyle Posey gives you his top 50 players and describes them in one line

By Kyle Posey
NCAA Football: Rutgers at Maryland Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports

In previous years I’ve done positional rankings then released a big board. This year I’m keeping it simple. Last week I went over the 16 players I’d take in the 1st. Today, a top 50 with 1 line to describe each guy. Remember, this doesn’t take into account positional value. These are just the best players I’ve watched this year.

Player Position School Grade Notes
Derrius Guice RB LSU Top 5 The best pass protector in the draft that refuses to go down on 1st contact.
Maurice Hurst DT Michigian Top 5 All I want is for Hurst to stay healthy so he can show his talent.
Denzel Ward CB Ohio State Top 5 Ward is quicker than fast & he ran a 4.32 40. He's a nuisance for receivers and is the safest player in the draft.
Derwin James S Florida State Top 5 We know how great of a football player he is but leadership matters and he holds guys accountable. He's a stud.
Quenton Nelson OG Notre Dame Top 5 More issues than we talk about but he's still so good that he's a top 5 player in the draft.
Harold Landry Edge Boston College Top 10 Landry is my pick for defensive rookie of the year as he's a pass rushing machine even if he's a 1-trick pony.
Sony Michel RB Georgia Top 10 Michel is a complete back that is decisive with and without the ball in his hands. He's also a big play threat.
Lamar Jackson QB Louisville Mid 1st Jackson's ability to escape and create without turning the ball over, not to mention his pocket presence make him QB1.
Rashaan Evans LB Alabama Mid 1st The do-it-all LB that wants to run through whatever is in his way. He's more of a "sure thing" than the other top LBs.
Minakh Fitzpatrick S Alabama Mid 1st People say he's a jack of all master of none, but Fitzpatrick has real value and has shown to be a playmaker. Instincts are off the charts.
Bradley Chubb Edge NC State Mid 1st Chubb's production was impressive and with his hand usage & explosiveness his floor is high. He'll be a good starter.
Isaiah Oliver CB Colorado Mid 1st Size and athleticism are obvious with Oliver but he's a sneaky technician that has the highest upside at the position in the class.
Isaiah Wynn OT Georgia Mid 1st Wynn is good at everything and has the quickness, range, & power you love in a lineman. An instant starter.
Saquon Barkley RB Penn State Fringe 1st Barkley is electric and should be given every opportunity to make plays in space as a rookie. That's where he thrives at.
Roquan Smith LB Georgia Fringe 1st Roquan has immense value as a guy that can chase & in coverage. It's when you run at him that hurts his stock.
Justin Reid S Stanford Fringe 1st Reid is a high energy player that has the athleticism that'll help him succeed all over the field. Better pro than collegiate.
Sam Darnold QB USC Early 2nd Tremendous under pressure and in the pocket but it's a curse as he tries to do too much at times. Darnold will be around for a long time.
Frank Ragnow OL Arkansas Early 2nd Ragnow will embarrass you if you don't bring it every play. His play strength is impressive but he has no issue covering ground, either.
Will Hernandez OG UTEP Early 2nd Lineman that play a lot in their career usually translate better. Lineman that are as strong as Hernadez don't come along often. Player.
Courtland Sutton WR SMU Early 2nd The lack of nuance may hurt him but he is a lot more fluid most WRs his size & is a red zone nightmare.
Rashaad Penny RB SDSU Early 2nd Insane burst that'll allow him to break a lot of long runs. Penny has 1st round balance & the first defender rarely brings him down.
Josh Rosen QB UCLA Early 2nd From a touch/accuracy point of view, Rosen is the best in the draft. His issue is he's a completely different player under pressure.
Tremaine Edmunds LB Virginia Tech Early 2nd One of the tougher evaluations for me given all the projection. Obvious tools, not a lot of consistency. A run and chase player with the arrow pointing up.
Taven Bryan DT Florida Early 2nd Bryan has the most upside of any player in the class. One game he'll dominate & look top 5. The next he looks like he has no clue how to play the game.
James Daniels OL Iowa Early 2nd Daniels is the most athletic lineman in the draft and playing with proper pad level negates his lack of power. A zone blocking superhero.
Leighton Vander Esch LB Boise State Mid 2nd He's good at everything yet inconsistent in each trait you like as well. His speed & effort will make him a good starter pending health.
Mike Gesicki TE Penn State Mid 2nd If the 1st thing you mention with Gesicki is his blocking, you're doing it wrong. A high end athlete that can run by you and catch anyting in his area.
Nick Nelson CB Wisconsin Mid 2nd Nelson is always in position. That's half of the battle. That's not going to change at the next level. If his ball skills do, he'll be the best corner in the draft.
Vita Vea DT Washington Mid 2nd Vea's strength is obvious and if he gets his hands inside on you that's all she wrote. His range and pad level are an issue & he doesn't play a ton of snaps.
Carlton Davis CB Auburn Mid 2nd He will erase you at the line of scrimmage. His change of direction isn't great, but is recognition in off coverage is. Should be a solid starter.
Antonio Callaway WR Florida Mid 2nd A true burner that is an underrated route runner and a demon after the catch. His whole issue is, ya know, the catching part. Inconsistent.
Anthony Miller WR Memphis Mid 2nd Miller can do it all. Can beat press, win at the top, after the catch, go up and get it. Can find soft spots in zones. He's comfortable everywhere & has deep speed.
Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma Late 2nd Another difficult eval as there is plenty to like as far as extending plays, touch & accuracy. So many plays that show nothing & his tools getting exposed
Josh Sweat Edge Florida State Late 2nd Injuries and playing out of position hurt his stock but when he did play outside he showed his skill. High end athlete that's already a very good run defender.
Da'Ron Payne DT Alabama Late 2nd Payne is dominant against the run. He's a true anchor. He offers next to nothing as a pass rusher which kills his value.
Connor Williams OL Texas Late 2nd Williams might be a guard due to length but that also might be a better fit so he can get his hands on guys right away & isn't exposed to speed off the edge
Jerome Baker LB Ohio State Late 2nd Baker was a stud in 2016. He didn't have a bad '17, just not as flashy & played through injuries. I like him quite a bit and think he is an instant starter.
Ronald Jones RB USC Late 2nd Quick cutter that is dangerous in the open-field. Has a variety of moves to make you miss. Home-run threat though does like to bounce & balance isn't great.
Tarvarius Moore S Southern Miss Late 2nd Explosive athlete that plays as fast as he ran. This years Kevin Byard. Can close make plays near the line or jump routes in the pass.
Mike McGlinchey OT Notre Dame Late 2nd McGlinchey has played a lot of football and it shows in his understanding of the game & hand usage. Speed will hurt him early in his career.
Jaire Alexander CB Louisville Late 2nd When people describe Iowa's CB, they mean Alexander. Good awareness and feel, plus his athleticism is great. Inconsistent in coverage & bad in red zone.
Billy Price OL Ohio State Late 2nd Another guy who played a ton and it shows in his technique. Power guy that wins with leverage. Length & athleticism limit his ceiling.
Korey Robertson WR Soutern Miss Late 2nd Can go up and get it and adjust to poor passes. Won't separate, but offsets with contested catch ability. Gives off a James Jones+ vibe.
Calvin Ridley WR Alabama Late 2nd Start & stop is off the charts and that helps him as a route runner. Tracks the ball well but drops are a concern as is slight frame & age.
Donte Jackson CB LSU Late 2nd Jackson is competitive and fast. He can play inside and out. Jackson likes to jump routes in off coverage and can get away with it with his athleticism.
Josh Allen QB Wyoming Top 3rd Have you seen how far he can throw the ball?!?
Tim Settle DT Virginia Tech Top 3rd Settle is a wrecking ball that has a good get off and is so disruptive. His balance isn't good and needs some refinement, but the skill is there.
Marcus Davenport Edge UTSA Top 3rd Strong, high effort player that will take some time as he simply plays too high & lacks a plan.
Kerryon Johnson RB Auburn Top 3rd Johnson plays like a scatback but doesn't look like one. He can make you miss and is best in space. He has underrated burst and is very good in pass pro.

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