(Photo by Chris Spon)
The NFL Combine is complete, and with that comes my list of the top 10 prospects, regardless of position. I selected the top 25 players on Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 Prospects list and gave each a grade out of 100.
The components of a player’s grade differ by position (the categories for each are listed below). I graded out these prospects with this mindset: a 90%+ grade in a specific category meant that player was “elite” in that area of the game. 80% + equates to “good,” 70% + to “average,” 60% + to “sub-par,” and anything below 60% “bad.” Accordingly, a player with a grade of 90/100 or above is “elite,” etc. Finally, an “elite” rating means a potential All-Pro player and “good” a potential Pro-Bowler. None of the players listed scored below the “good” range.
Okay, enough explaining; here are my rankings:
1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Grade: 92/100
NFL Comparison: David Johnson
Barkley is the consensus top player in this class, and for good reason: there is nothing he can’t do as a running back. Breakaway speed? Check. Power to run between the tackles? Check. Open field elusiveness? Check. Ability to catch passes out of the back field? Check. Dangerous kick returner? Check. Okay, you get the point. The team that drafts this Penn State playmaker is getting an instant impact player who will perform at a Pro-Bowl level in year one--I’m talking about 1,500 total yards and double-digit touchdowns.
2. Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Grade: 90/100
NFL Comparison: Steve Hutchinson
An exceptional run blocker who is also a consistent pass protector, Nelson was the best offensive lineman in college football in 2017 and will start immediately wherever he gets drafted. Remember when Zack Martin came into the NFL and asserted himself as one of the best offensive linemen in the league as a rookie? That’s what Nelson is capable of. Perhaps Nelson’s best trait is his attitude on the field. This dude is mean in the trenches. Go back and watch some clips from Notre Dame games this past year, and you’ll see what I mean.
3. Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
Grade: 89/100
NFL Comparison: Joey Bosa
Chubb compiled 44 TFL (tackles for loss) and 20 sacks over the his junior and senior seasons at N.C. State. Unlike many EDGE defenders that come out of college, Chubb is not only a prolific pass rusher, but is sound in the run game as well. Add his impressive motor, and you have one of the most complete players in this class. He’s consistent as well, recording a TFL in every game except one in 2017. I love his comparison to Joey Bosa. Expect 10+ sacks from Chubb as a rookie.
4. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Grade: 88/100
NFL Comparison: Jalen Ramsey
As a sophomore at Alabama, Fitzpatrick starred at safety, intercepting six passes and establishing himself as one of college football’s best defenders. The next year, Fitzpatrick was asked to line up at cornerback for the Crimson Tide, and he excelled there as well. A ball-hawk who can tackle in the open field and blitz with the best of ‘em, Fitzpatrick will be a star in the NFL. It is unclear which position he’ll play primarily, but I’d play him as a slot corner. Putting him in this role would take advantage of his pass rushing prowess. His overall instinctiveness on the field reminds many of a young Ed Reed.
5. Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California
Grade: 86/100
NFL Comparison: Brett Favre
Trust me, I’m well-aware of Darnold’s turnover issues. As a die-hard USC fan, I watched this young gunslinger make some really stupid decisions over the past two seasons that made me want to pull my hair out. However, for every head-scratching mistake, Darnold also made a jaw-dropping play that completely changed the course of the game. His best attribute is, without a doubt, his play in crunch time. Is there a more valuable trait for a quarterback to have than the knack to play his best when the game is on the line? Regardless, the team that selects Darnold must know what they’re getting: a risk-taker with an incredibly high ceiling.
6. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Grade: 86/100
NFL Comparison: Janoris Jenkins
After playing behind Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley at Ohio State, Ward got the chance to start for the Buckeyes in 2017, and he didn’t disappoint. He broke up 15 passes and picked off two, proving himself to be a capable tackler. He showed elite speed at the combine (4.32 40-yard dash) and looked great in on-field drills. The only concern with Ward is his slight frame (5’11, 183). He could play either on the outside or in the slot in the NFL.
7. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Grade: 83/100
NFL Comparison: Matt Ryan
Rosen is an interesting prospect. There are questions regarding his love of the game and leadership ability, and he was also injury prone during his collegiate career. However, Rosen is the most polished passer in this class. He has capable arm strength,great accuracy, and mechanical proficiency in terms of his release and footwork. Rosen never quite lived up to the hype at UCLA, but he was also never surrounded by elite talent. It is for that reason, I believe he will be a better pro than college quarterback. Another concern about Rosen is his lack of mobility, and when you pair that with his injury history, some teams may worry about his longevity.
8. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
Grade: 83/100
NFL Comparison: Thomas Davis
This guy might be my favorite player in the draft. His performances against Oklahoma and Alabama in the CFB Playoff were nothing short of heroic. Smith is one of those players that is always around the ball, and plays with a great feel for the game. He is more of a sideline-to-sideline linebacker than one who will stuff the run between the tackles (although he can do that, too) due to his slightly undersized frame (6’1, 236). Smith’s 6.5 sacks in 2017 suggest he could turn into one of the better pass rushing linebackers in the league (think Dont’a Hightower).
9. Derwin James, S, Florida State
Grade: 81/100
NFL Comparison: Eric Berry
If it weren’t for a season-ending knee injury his sophomore season, James would probably be much higher on this list. Although he returned in 2017 and remained healthy, he wasn’t quite the player he was as a true freshman. Nonetheless, James was one of the best defenders in the country. He roamed the Florida State secondary as a safety, lined up at corner, played in the box as a linebacker, and even rushed the passer at times for the Seminoles. He lit up the combine with impressive marks in the 40-yard dash (4.47 seconds), vertical jump (40’ inches), broad jump (11 feet), and bench press (21 reps).
10. Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Grade: 81/100
NFL Comparison: Anthony Barr
Edmunds was very productive at Virginia Tech, recording 202 tackles, 30.5 TFL, and 10 sacks over the past two seasons. His possesses a unique frame (6’5, 253 with 34.5 inch arms) and freaky athleticism. His natural position is outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, but his length could result in some teams trying to craft him into an edge rusher.
Grading Rubric:
QBs:
H/W (Height/Weight): 5
Mobility: 10
Arm Talent: 25
Accuracy/Mechanics: 25
Intangibles: 35
RBs:
H/W: 5
Receiving: 20
Speed/Acceleration/Agility: 25
Power: 25
Vision: 25
OGs:
H/W: 5
Toughness: 10
Pass Block: 40
Run Block: 45
EDGE (DEs/3-4 OLBs):
H/W: 5
Motor: 25
Run Game: 25
Pass Rush: 45
LBs:
H/W: 5
Coverage: 15
Pass Rush: 15
Take-On Ability: 20
Range: 20
Instincts: 25
CB:
H/W: 5
Tackling: 15
Ball Skills: 30
Coverage: 50
S:
H/W: 5
Blitz: 10
Tackling: 20
Ball Skills: 20
Coverage 20
Instincts: 25
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