The start of the 2017 college football season is quickly approaching, meaning it is time to dive deeper into the prospect pool for the 2018 NFL Draft. The talk of the draft will be the quarterback class due to the appearance of the New York Jets tanking for the top overall pick – but this draft is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball.
There will be a lot of focus on defenders such as Derwin James, Christian Wilkins and Minkah Fitzpatrick – but the running back class should be the talk of this class. Saquon Barkley, Derrius Guice, Bo Scarborough, Nick Chubb and others continue the trend of explosive running backs that will be the talk of the draft come next spring.
The offensive tackle class also makes a big rebound in the initial top-50 after a lackluster class in 2017.
Think a player is too high? Too low? Missing? Let Matt know one Twitter, @Matt_LaPan.
- Derwin James – S – Florida State
- Christian Wilkins – DL – Clemson
- Saquon Barkley – RB – Penn State
- Sam Darnold – QB – USC
- Minkah Fitzpatrick – CB – Alabama
- Derrius Guice – RB – LSU
- Connor Williams – OT – Texas
- Josh Allen – QB – Wyoming
- Arden Key – EDGE – LSU
- Da’Shawn Hand – DL – Alabama
- Cuortland Sutton – WR – SMU
- Mike McGlinchey – OT – Notre Dame
- Malik Jefferson – LB – Texas
- Sam Hubbard – EDGE – Ohio State
- Harold Landry – EDGE Boston College
- Deon Cain – WR – Clemson
- Marcus Allen – S – Penn State
- Tarvarus McFadden – CB – Florida State
- Orlando Brown – OT – Oklahoma
- Jerome Baker – LB – Ohio State
- Bo Scarborough – RB – Alabama
- Calvin Ridley – WR – Alabama
- Cameron Smith – LB – USC
- Mason Rudolph – QB – Oklahoma State
- Christian Kirk – WR – Texas A&M
- Vita Vea – DL – Washington
- Bradley Chubb – EDGE – N.C. State
- Josh Rosen – QB – UCLA
- Nick Chubb – RB – Georgia
- Mitch Hyatt – OT – Clemson
- Tyquan Lewis – EDGE – Ohio State
- Jaire Alexander – CB – Louisville
- Derrick Nnadi – DL – Florida State
- Luke Falk – QB – Washington State
- Quenton Nelson – OG – Notre Dame
- Marquis Haynes – EDGE – Mississippi
- Armanti Watts – S – Texas A&M
- Martinas Rankin – OT – Mississippi State
- Jamar Summers – CB – Connecticut
- Quin Blanding – S – Virginia
- Royce Freeman – RB – Oregon
- Azeem Victor – LB – Washington
- Lowell Lotulelei – DL – Utah
- James Washington – WR – Oklahoma State
- Mason Cole – C – Michigan
- Dante Booker – EDGE – Ohio State
- Maurice Hurst – DL – Michigan
- Antonio Callaway – WR – Florida
- Godwin Igwebuike – S – Northwestern
- Sony Michel – RB – Georgia