Official 2018 Draft Thread- We Have the 17th Pick

[Formula 21]

In fact, today I'd like to spotlight 26 particular prospects -- six elite talents, 15 difference makers and five wild cards with high upside -- and of the 26, only three play quarterback. Let's get into it:


ALL-PROS


These are the elite prospects in the class. They should rank among the top five players at their respective positions in two to three years. I've ordered them according to how they grade out in my book.

1) Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
2) Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
3) Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
4) Derwin James, S, Florida State
5) Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
6) Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

PRO BOWLERS


These prospects are regarded as difference makers based on their raw talent. They should make immediate contributions as rookies and rank among the top 10 at their position within two to three years. I've ordered them according to how they grade out in my book.

1) Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
2) Sam Darnold, QB, USC
3) Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
4) Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
5) Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
6) Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College
7) Vita Vea, DT, Washington
8) Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
9) Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
10) James Daniels, C, Iowa
11) Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
12) Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
13) Billy Price, C, Ohio State
14) Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
15) Marcus Davenport, Edge


UTSA RED STAR PLAYERS

On the "Move the Sticks" podcast, Daniel Jeremiah and I routinely discuss how scouts will stand on the table for guys they believe will outperform their draft slot. In the scouting world, these players are called "red star" guys because they are destined to make their mark in the league despite not being the most ballyhooed prospects. After surveying the 2018 class for players with the right skills and intangibles to surpass most expectations, here are my five red-star prospects to watch.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville: The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner hasn't been celebrated as one of the top quarterbacks in the class, but it's hard to ignore a dynamic athlete with A+ arm talent and playmaking ability. Jackson eclipsed 3,500 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons, improving his completion rate and overall efficiency in the process. Despite being erroneously perceived by many as a typical spread-option quarterback, Jackson's experience in a pro-style offense under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach (Bobby Petrino) should help him assimilate to the pro game quicker than most expect. If he lands with the right team led by a creative coach, the Louisville standout could evolve into a more polished version of Michael Vick. Just ask Vick himself.

Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State: The former high school lacrosse player is an explosive hybrid with the athleticism and movement skills to make an impact off the edge. Whether acting as a disruptive pass rusher racing around the corner or a Swiss Army Knife stand-up player in a 3-4, Hubbard's unique skills could make him a star on Sundays. With teams looking for solid options on the edges, Hubbard is a safe bet to at least carve out a nice career.

Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford: Dominant defenses always employ at least a few blue-collar guys. That's why I'm willing to bet on Phillips being a productive starter for a team as an interior defender. The Cardinal standout is a rock-solid defender at the point of attack, exhibiting exceptional strength, power and leverage against single- and double-teams. As a former wrestler with a no-nonsense attitude, Phillips is the kind of "hard hat and lunch pail" player who logs 10-plus years in the league.

Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M: Despite being generally pegged as a slot, Kirk might end up being the best receiver in the draft, with the potential to blossom into a WR1 on the outside. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound pass catcher is a polished route runner with sticky hands and electric running skills. Kirk can deliver splash plays on vertical routes or catch-and-run concepts that allow him to shine as a Steve Smith-like playmaker on the perimeter. Although he doesn't fit the typical profile of a No. 1 receiver, I wouldn't rule out Kirk becoming just that, based on his athleticism, skill set and blue-collar mentality.

Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State: The 6-1, 228-pound playmaker is rarely discussed as one of the top running backs in the class, but teams looking for a big back with skills as a runner and receiver might uncover a gem in this ASU product. Ballage has the potential to emerge as a Le'Veon Bell-like threat, with the size and speed to hurt defenses as a runner and the explosiveness to torch linebackers as a receiver. Although he needs to add some more grit to his game, Ballage's talents as a multi-purpose back could make him an unexpected star in the league.

Follow Bucky Brooks on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

[Formula 21]

From ESPN NFL Nation mock draft:

Taven Bryan at 20, Payne at 26, Hurst not making the top 32. The DT rankings are fluid.

[Bolt-O]

From ESPN NFL Nation mock draft:

[Steve]

And this is my long shot for the Bolts

RANK
24

Taven Bryan, DT, Florida



Bryan is a very athletic, twitched-up defensive tackle. As a pass rusher, he has an excellent get-off. He launches out of his stance and flashes an impressive push/pull move to generate pressure. When he has proper hand placement, he can push the pocket with outstanding power. He does needs to add more hand moves to his arsenal, but he has the raw tools to develop into an outstanding interior pass rusher at the next level. Bryan is very inconsistent against the run. He plays too high, struggles to resist pressure on angle blocks and loses sight of the ball. He's at his best when slanting and shooting gaps. Overall, Bryan isn't a finished product, but he has Pro Bowl-caliber traits and could emerge as a premier interior pass rusher.

Bryan is grat athlete who is still learning to play DT. He used to work out with his dad a lot (former Navy Seal), so the kid has a work ethic. I like him, I am just not necessarily sold on him in the 1st round. I would like him better if he had better technique and/or better production.

I do think that Giff Smith is probably the best DL coach in the NFL, so I think there is a good chance that a kid like Bryan might work better for us than a lot of teams.

Hand was a 5 star guy, but he has had some of the best college coaching you can get, and the guy is still just a prospect. I was hoping he had a good final year at Alabama, but he didn't do much. If we can get him in the right round, he could be a good fit, but he might end up being a developmental guy who never pans out. I am a little tired of that after years of Liuget.

The other guy I am interested in is Kentavious Street. Like Hand, he seriously underwhelmed everyone his senior year despite having the other 3 members of the NC state DL draw all the attention. He is a workout warrior with unbelieveable weight room numbers, and good workouts overall. But then at the Shrine game practices, he got everyone excited as a 3 tech DT (he played DE his whole time at NC STate, because of their other 3 draft ready guys), and suddenly looked like he could play. At 275-280, he is kinda light, but he could be another John Randle type guy (another under producing college DE who found a home at DT).

[Steve]

I find scouting LB much tougher these days than it used to be. Everyone I watch seems to be waiting to see the ball and then react. It used to be, when so many college teams played pro style offenses, or ran the option out of pro sets, the LB had to read their keys and react. That is what they do in the NFL. So you could kinda tell who could read and react at the next level based on how they played. The guys who waited to see the ball and then react were too slow. Now, I don't think I can tell the difference between the guys who can read and the guys who wait. IT seems like they all wait and see the ball, because in the spread the ball is on display.

If Fitzpatrick falls, we have our Earl Thomas or Cam Chancellor. He isn't as good as a deep middle read the QB eyes (like Thomas) and he isn't the in the box thumper that Chancellor is, but he is better in one on one coverage matchups than either. The hardest part would be deciding if he is better at SS or FS. I see him as more of a FS, but I think he could be great at either.

[Formula 21]

I’m not seeing much enthusiasm for safeties right now.

[bonehead]

I have seen 3 mocks that have Derwin James falling to 17

[chargerkdb]

He’s a decent prospect but I think he falls late first to mid 2. I personally would take Settle over him. I’m curious about Da’shawn Hand later in draft. You want to see 300lbs of granite he is it. He was a top 5 star who was slow to get into rotation at Bama. Similar situation to Settle who left some eligibility out there. Skills are there but will light ever come on. Settle probably a shade at next level, I think Hand can kick inside in a 4-3

[charger1993]

I'm getting more on board with a Rashaad Evans pick. I wouldn't be upset though with Payne, but Evans would be on the field A LOT more.
And staying at Tuscaloosa, I'd be happy with Harrison in the second round.
The only offensive player I'd consider in the first 3 rounds is Penny in round 3, if he's available.
We have holes all over the fielld- our top 3 picks need to contribute. And Penny would see a large number of reps on teams and O.

I wouldnt be on his train so hard.. Watch his tape hes a chase linebacker they never work in the nfl

[Panamamike]

Telesco values college production a lot so I don’t see this as our pick.

[Panamamike]

I give it less than a 2% chance of happening.

[Formula 21]

Plus you can get a fat ass to defend the run anywhere in the draft. This is a pass rusher, a rare player from the DT spot. We've had too many years where the DL is just ineffective rushing the QB. This will complete the change to an effective pass rush DL.