1. DB | Minkah Fitzpatrick* | Alabama
Fitzpatrick first stood out to me playing CB in 16' for Bama early in the year. I thought he was the most talented DB on the team at the time. He switched over to safety after injuries and has remained the best DB on the team. I think he could project to both safety or CB. He's a high character team leader with length/size, athleticism, and ball skills. It's a lofty comparison but he reminds me of Charles Woodson.
2. OG | Quenton Nelson | Notre Dame
Nelson sneaks up on you. At first glance, he's just a typical looking interior offensive lineman. Then he makes a play that shocks you. Then he does it again. He's got a ridiculously powerful initial jolt. He can lock in and drive. And shows impressive awareness and lateral mobility. Comparison: David DeCastro
3. OG | Mason Cole | Michigan
Last season Cole was of of the most consistent, physical, play thru the whistle, beat your ass up interior guys in the country. This year, he's slid out to LT and looked nearly flawless. He manhandles guys and shows enough athleticism/awareness to effectively man every position upfront. Comparison Zach Martin
4. RB | Saquon Barkley* | Penn St
There hasn't been a more well rounded RB prospect since HOF'er LaDainian Tomlinson. Barkley's just stronger, more agile, and better balanced, then anyone he comes up against. The guy is a chunk play waiting to happen and does it any way you get him the football.
All that said, while he can floor you by looking like a more powerful Barry Sanders at times ... he'll also frustrate you by getting taken down occasionally one on one in the open by a jag...or get shoe stringed in the hole by a jag. Given his incredible skillset, it's as if his intensity just doesn't always seem fully dialed up. Comparison: shiftier Jonathan Stewart.
5. QB | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma
Bursting on the scene at Oklahoma, Mayfield looked like your typical, fired up, undersized run/pass college QB. The difference is he kept getting better and more consistent. His best attribute is accuracy. Then it's a combination of his mobility, improvisation, and clutchness. His arm is above average...although I think his deep ball is much better than his velocity. That "it" is that he's highly productive on the field and really likable off of it.
The love/hate thing some have with him is just that he's a chippy guy. I don't think that'll change..and I'm not sure it has to. I think he does remind you some of a Purdue Drew Brees and projects to almost another Russell Wilson. I think he's a stronger armed, edgy Colt McCoy. Not really a knock in that McCoy is a fringe starter/solid backup who could've won as a starter if actual talent was around him when he had his shot.
6. QB | Josh Rosen* | UCLA
Ergonomics phrasing keeps coming back to me whenever I watch Rosen... "if anything's wrong, it's human error, not mechanical." This guy has been practicing to be a pro QB for a long while and it shows. Elite arm talent and good footwork. He's not a runner but he resets his feet really quickly and can move in and out of the pocket efficiently.
He's easily the most talented thrower in this class. But durability is a legit concern. And decision making on throws and footwork is often inconsistent. Comparison: less durable Eli Manning
7. DT | R.J. McIntosh* | Miami
Very large and very quick is the best description here. While he's consistently shown Sunday interior pass rush and run stopping ability, R.J. is still probably just scratching the surface. He's often much too quick for interior OL but also uses his long arms and strength to stack and shed the run. Comparison: Trevor Pryce
8. RB | Derrius Guice* | LSU
It's an uncommonly good year for RBs. Guice actually outshined Fournette last year and has shown enough through nagging injuries this year, to justify a high selection. Durability might be his sole weakness. He's a legit breakaway back but also runs bigger than his size. His attacking style reminds of the "fire" from the NYG's three headed monster.
Comparison: Ahmad Bradshaw
9. DE | Bradley Chubb | N.C. State
Similar to Jonathan Allen last year, Chubb's dominance is predicated on his strong hands. He disengages with quick hands and power, then possesses the closing speed to finish. He's a solid enough athlete to chase and change direction but his game isn't as much about suddenness as power and technique.
Comparison: Oliver Vernon
10. LB | Derwin James** | Florida St
James is a freak athlete with a great motor. Those will always be bankable traits. I think he's best suited at linebacker then at safety and he ideally fits the money LB position Buchannon has assumed in Arizona. He's a throwback big hitter and strong blitzer but, like Buchannon in college, has some embarrassing whiffs tackling in open space.
Comparison: Deone Buchannon
11. DE | Harold Landry | Boston College
12. LB | Josey Jewell | Iowa
13. DE | Jerry Tillery* | Notre Dame
14. LB | Skai Moore | South Carolina
15. DT | Harrison Phillips | Stanford
16. DT | Maurice Hurst | Michigan
17. DE Clelin Ferrell** | Clemson
18. CB Denzel Ward* | Ohio St
19. OC Brian Price | Ohio St
20. CB Josh Jackson* | Iowa
21. RB Kerryon Johnson* | Auburn
22. DT Vita Vea* | Washington
23. OT Orlando Brown* | Oklahoma
24. RB Bryce Love* | Stanford
25. QB Lamar Jackson* | Louisville
26. OG Will Hernandez | UTEP
27. LB Roquan Smith* | Georgia
28. DE Arden Key* | LSU
29. CB Nick Nelson* | Wisconsin
30. OG Brady Smith | Auburn
31. LB Hercules Mata'afa | Washington St
32. OC Frank Ragnow | Arkansas
33. DE Zach Allen* | Boston College
34. RB Ronald Jones* | USC
35. CB Jaire Alexander* | Louisville
36. WR Calvin Ridley* | Alabama
37. DE Christian Wilkins | Clemson
38. DE Marcus Davenport | UTSA
39. RB Damien Harris* | Alabama
40. WR Courtland Sutton* | SMU
41. WR Anthony Miller | Memphis
42. OG Connor Williams* | Texas
43. OG Isaiah Wynn | Georgia
44. LB Josh Allen* | Kentucky
45. RB Akrum Wadley | Iowa
46. RB Rashaad Penny | San Diego St
47. TE Mark Andrews | Oklahoma
48. OT Kolton Miller* | UCLA
49. RB Mark Walton* | Miami
50. WR D.J. Chark | LSU
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