We are now just two days away from the 2019 NFL Draft; to celebrate, here is a draft guide including a top 50 big board and top five positional rankings.
We can now count the days until the 2019 NFL Draft on one hand as the main event is vastly approaching. In preparation for the NFL Draft, a finalized top 50 big board, with the top-five players at every position, has been completed, including grades for those players.
In this year’s class, 17 first round grades were given out, while 23 second round grades appear in this big board. Rounding out the top-50 are 10 third round grades. The grading is broken down into five categories: Top 10 grades, first round grades, early second round grades, second round grades, and third round grades (this system is not my own, but one used by The Draft Network in order to differentiate between rounds).
This is not a mock draft, so there is no need to grade 32 players as first round prospects. Based off of team needs, players with second round grades, and even some with third round grades, may fall in the first round. Visa-versa, someone with a first round grade may not be drafted in the first round if a team need is not desperate enough at the position the player plays.
Evaluations are based on film, athletic testing (numbers pulled from both Kent Lee Platte and MockDraftable) and production of each player. Broken down into every conceivable category, here is this writer’s top-50 big board ahead of the draft, and top-five positional rankings.
Finalized Top-50 Big Board
Top Ten Grades:
1. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
2. Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
3. Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
4. Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
5. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
6. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
First Round Grades:
7. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
8. Devin Bush Jr., LB, Michigan
9. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
10. Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
11. Devin White, LB, Louisiana State
12. Garrett Bradbury, IOL, North Carolina State
13. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State**
14. Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma
15. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
16. Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
17. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
Early Second Round Grades:
18. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
19. Chris Lindstom, IOL, Boston College
20. Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
21. Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
22. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
23. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
24. Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
Second Round Grades:
25. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
26. Nasir Adderley, S, Nasir Adderley
27. Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
28. Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
29. Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
30. Erik McCoy, IOL, Texas A&M
31. N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
32. Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia**
33. Chase Winovich, EDGE, Michigan
34. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
35. Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia
36. Elgton Jenkins, IOL, Mississippi State
37. Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan
38. Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State
39. Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
40. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Third Round Grades:
41. Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
42. Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State
43. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
44. Greedy Williams, CB, Louisiana State
45. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
46. Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida
47. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
48. Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
49. Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
50. Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
** denotes injury
Let’s get further into this, though, looking at the schools and positions of strength in the 2019 NFL Draft class.
Breaking down the class
By School
Seeing a breakdown by school here, the SEC and Big Ten field the most players on this big board, but the school at the top of the list is a bit surprising to say the least.
Mississippi State: 4
Clemson: 3
Florida: 3
Michigan: 3
Ohio State: 3
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Alabama: 2
Iowa: 2
Louisiana State: 2
Oklahoma: 2
Ole Miss: 2
Washington: 2
Arizona State: 1
Boston College: 1
Central Michigan: 1
Delaware: 1
Florida State: 1
Georgia: 1
Houston: 1
Iowa State: 1
Kansas State: 1
Kentucky: 1
Maryland: 1
Michigan State: 1
Minnesota: 1
Missouri: 1
North Carolina State: 1
Notre Dame: 1
Penn State: 1
South Carolina: 1
Temple: 1
Texas A&M: 1
Virginia: 1
Washington State: 1
West Virginia: 1
Seeing at what positions the depth lies, here is a breakdown by position. The 2019 NFL Draft, to nobody’s surprise, is extremely lopsided towards the defensive side of the football. However, it has turned out to be a fairly deep class for defensive lineman as well, but not a single running back ranks in the top 50 in this year’s class.
By Position:
Quarterback: 3
Running back: 0
Wide Receiver: 5
Tight End: 2
Offensive Tackle: 6
Interior Offensive Linemen: 5
EDGE: 8
Defensive Tackle: 6
Linebacker: 3
Cornerback: 7
Safety: 5
Now let’s move on to the positional rankings.
Quarterbacks
1. (15) Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
First round grade
Kyler Murray has all of the hype and, while he is a great player and could translate to be a franchise quarterback at the next level, Dwayne Haskins appears to be the most pro-ready. He only has one season as a starter under his belt, but the leadership and poise he showed during a rocky year for Ohio State is nothing short of a born leader. Not to mention he has a cannon and is capable of making difficult throws into tight windows.
2. (18) Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
Early second round grade
Murray comes in as the second quarterback in a two-quarterback race, really. After Murray, this class is faced with a steep drop off. Murray possess great athleticism and mobility, something Haskins does not, can flat out spin it. His film leaves much to be questioned as he was often throwing to wide open receivers and did not have to throw receivers open. His ball placement on quick throws needs work too as he will get his receivers killed at the next level.
3. (45) Drew Lock, Missouri
Third round grade
Drew Lock took a serious step back in 2018 after having a fantastic junior year. While last year’s class was more crowded, it has to be pondered as to whether or not he should have come out in 2018. Lock is suspect with the football at times, and while he has a rocket attached to his shoulder, he often times places his passes too low as he tries to rifle the ball into tight windows.
4. (n/a) Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
Fourth Round Grade
Tyree Jackson remains the most interesting quarterback in this class, and may even have the highest ceiling of any of his counterparts in this year’s class. He is big, fast, and strong, but raw does not even begin to define Jackson as a passer. He may have the strongest arm in this class, but his short to intermediate accuracy is not good to be frank. As it stands now, he has a fourth round grade, but could develop into a potential starter in the NFL.
5. (n/a) Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
Fourth Round Grade
Nothing about Daniel Jones screams Round 1 pick, or two or three for that matter. He may be more accurate than Jackson or Lock, but does not match up to Murray or Haskins at all. It is lying season, and it is hard to believe he could be the second quarterback off the board on Thursday night as his game flashes comparisons to Blaine Gabbert or Christian Ponder.
Running Backs
1. (n/a) Darrell Henderson, Memphis
Third round grade
While no running back lands in the top 50, Darrell Henderson from Memphis tops the charts in the positional ranking. Henderson possesses the best combination of speed, strength, and vision of any back in the class, flashing explosive plays as well as the ability to grind out tough yards. Named an All-American for good reason in 2018, Henderson has the production to match his film and testing numbers.
2. (n/a) Miles Sanders, Penn State
Third round grade
No one running back saw their stock soar at the combine the way Miles Sanders did. He posted great numbers at Penn State in his first season without Saquon Barkley stealing carries, and proved he has the athletic traits to make sure his game translates at the next level. Sanders ran an identical time as Henderson, and looked smooth catching the ball out of the backfield in Indianapolis. A player who could hear his name called as early as the second round, Sanders grades out as a third round prospect here.
3. (n/a) David Montgomery, Iowa State
Third round grade
David Montgomery is not an athletic freak, but is efficient at everything he does, whether that is running the ball, catching the ball out of the backfield, or in pass protection. He is the definition of a one-cut runner with short area burst, who finishes runs with strength. Montgomery compares to current Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt with his ability to perform the all-around tasks of being a running back without jumping off the page with one particular trait.
4. (n/a) Josh Jacobs, Alabama
Third round grade
The Josh Jacobs love is baffling. While he flashes on tape late in the season, why did he not show up earlier and why was he losing carries to Damien Harris, who does not crack the top five here? His production and film combined does not merit anything higher than a third round grade, and that still feels generous given his athletic testing numbers. Jacobs does not have enough of a sample size to put together accurate data to make a safe judgement, and with that being said, using anything other than a late Day 2 pick warrants too much risk.
5. (n/a) Justice Hill, Oklahoma State
Fifth round grade
Justice Hill will make a great change-of-pace back at the next level, but does not possess the size or skill to endure the beating of an everyday back. He ran a blazing 4.4-second 40 at the combine and proved to be explosive with a vertical of 40 inches and a broad jump of nearly 11 feet. A good comparison to a current pro may be current San Francisco 49ers running back Jerrick McKinnon with a bit higher upside. In the right system, however, Hill could thrive.
Wide Receivers
1. (22) Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Early second round grade
An unpopular take here: Deebo Samuel is the best wide receiver in the 2019 NFL Draft class. He is fast, with elite explosiveness, and above average agility that will allow him to separate in space. Dominating cornerbacks at the Senior Bowl, Samuel looks like a clean route runner who can win both deep and underneath coverage. Watching his film, Samuel has an element of Antonio Brown to his game that allows him to win in one-on-one coverage by making clean breaks on his routes, high pointing the football, and continuously finding ways to get open.
2. (28) Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
Second round grade
The dropped balls are a big concern for Hakeem Butler; how a man with nearly 11-inch hands drops as many passes is completely staggering. However, Butler ranks in the 95th percentile or above in every possible measurement, and still managed to run a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash and leap over 10 feet on his broad jump.
He has displayed his ability to be an above average route runner and to make big plays down the field. Given his route running saavy, size, and speed, Butler has all of the tools to be a big-time playmaker at the next level.
3. (31) N’Keal Harry, Arizona State
Second round grade
Something does not add up between N’Keal Harry’s testing and his game film. His testing shows he has the agility required to separate, run routes and win underneath, yet his film displays a receiver who is forced to make difficult catches in tight coverage. Does he not go full go every play? Is his conditioning an issue? Other than that, Harry has the make-up of a receiver who could be everything Braylon Edwards was supposed to be when he was the third overall pick back in 2005.
4. (34) D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
Second round grade
D.K. Metcalf might be the best deep threat in this year’s class and will most certainly be the first receiver off of the board, but his poor agility numbers are frightening. Sure he can burn defenses over the top and break off of press coverage, but can he separate one-on-one and get open underneath or is he pigeon-holed to nine routes? Not to mention, his injury history is scary as well.
5. (43) A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Third round grade
Back-to-back are the Ole Miss teammates; first Metcalf, now A.J. Brown. Brown is far and away the best slot receiver in this class, but it is fair to ask the question: is he anything more than that? It would be easier to peg Brown if he had completed the 20 yard shuttle and the 3-cone drill, but he did not so his agility remains a mystery.
He ran a sub-4.5 second 40 yard dash, and hit 36 inches on his vertical jump, so he is an above average athlete. However, based on his film, Brown is a receiver that does not have a proven track record of winning outside the numbers.
Tight Ends
1. (5) Noah Fant, Iowa
Top-10 grade
While the debate between which of the two Iowa tight ends is the better prospect rages on, this writer settled that long ago. Noah Fant is the best tight end in this class, and is a superb athlete. At 6-4 and 249 pounds, Fant’s 4.5-flat 40-yard dash, nearly 40-inch vertical jump, and 6.81-second 3-cone drill show a tight end that can win at every layer of the field.
While his run blocking could use some work, teams will not be looking to draft Fant to stay in and run, but to make explosive plays all over the field. Fant is the most qualified pass catcher, tight end or wide receiver, in this class to make impact plays for an offense on day-one.
2. (9) T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
First round grade
While Fant may be the most explosive weapon in this entire draft on the offensive side of the ball, his Hawkeye counterpart T.J. Hockenson is the most well-rounded tight end in the draft. Hockenson comes in right around the same size as Fant and slightly less athletic. However, Hockenson could provide an offense a better pass blocker than his college teammate could. This year’s tight end class is a two-man race, as the quality of prospect drops off tremendously after the Iowa duo.
3. (n/a) Dawson Knox, Ole Miss
Third round grade
Shadowed underneath Metcalf and Brown at Ole Miss, tight end Dawson Knox is ready to explode onto the scene at the next level. Knox, an elite athlete does not have the production desired from top talent in the NFL, but it may have more to do with the quarterback play and amount of passes to receiver ratio. If a team like the New England Patriots or New Orleans Saints can get their hands on Knox, he could thrive in the NFL and become a top-tier tight end.
4. (n/a) Irv Smith Jr., Alabama
Third round grade
Undersized and below average testing has Irv Smith Jr. receiving only a fourth round grade after being mocked in the second round early on in the draft process. Smith has good film, but a tight end who ranks in the bottom tenth percentile in every conceivable measurement and in the bottom 50th percentile in traits, which measure explosiveness and agility, are not a great combination at the next level. At just 6-2, Smith Jr.’s ceiling looks like that of Trey Burton.
5. (n/a) Kahale Warring, San Diego State
Fourth round grade
The sleeper of the class at the tight end position is Kahale Warring of San Diego State University. Testing as an elite athlete at the combine, the 6-5 and 252-pound weapon ran a 4.67-second 40-yard dash while hitting the 36.5-inch mark on his vertical jump and over 10 feet on his broad jump. Do not count out Warring as the Rob Gronkowski of this class; a mid-round sleeper with excellent size, quick burst and enough speed to separate down the field against safeties and linebackers.
Offensive Tackles
1. (7) Jawaan Taylor, Florida
First round grade
Jawaan Taylor is far and away the best offensive tackle in the class. The former Florida Gator has ideal size at 6-5, 312 pounds and an 84.75-inch wingspan and 35.125-inch arms. Taylor only tested in the bench press where he hit 24 reps, but on the field, he had the smoothest movements of any lineman in Lucas Oil Stadium and has the film to back up his success in the drills. Taylor gets a first round grade here and looks to be a top-10 lock come Thursday night.
2. (14) Cody Ford, Oklahoma
First round grade
The second tackle on this list is Oklahoma’s Cody Ford, who is listed as a tackle here. Ford also has the versatility to swing inside and play guard as well, but his most natural position will more than likely be at right tackle in the NFL.
Blocking for back-to-back Heisman winners in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, Ford has the makings of a cornerstone piece of an offensive line for a decade to come. While Ford is not an athletic chart-breaker, he tests steadily at every important element required of an offensive lineman and will be just that at the next level: steady.
3. (21) Andre Dillard, Washington State
Early second round grade
Andre Dillard is the best pass blocker in this year’s class, but due to his lacking in the run game, he drops to the third overall tackle on this big board. He is also the most athletic tackle, so an offensive system who looks for quick boundary plays, such as the Carolina Panthers will benefit most from Dillard.
At 6-5 and 315 pounds, Dillard displays elite agility and explosiveness that will allow him to shield off talented edge rushers at the next level. If Dillard can improve his run blocking ability, he has the potential to have the highest ceiling of any offensive lineman in this class.
4. (23) Jonah Williams, Alabama
Early second round grade
While many envisioned him as the best tackle prospect in this class, Jonah Williams is the fourth ranked offensive tackle on this board. His combination of being undersized and his lack of athletic ability make him a risky product heading into Thursday night.
While he still gets an early second round grade here, he is likely to be a top-20 pick, and there is not much evidence he will live up to his draft position. Another concern was the exposure of Williams’ play down the stretch of the 2018 season and the beating he took in the national championship under the brightest of lights.
5. (32) Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia**
Third round grade
OT5 is West Virginia’s Yodny Cajuste, and while he may not be the fifth tackle off the board due to his injury, on film he is a mauler and a great all-around tackle prospect in this year’s draft class. While Taylor and Dillard may win with finesse and technique, Cajuste looks to win by flat out dominating the man across from him play after play.
With that being said, Cajuste could use a little fine tuning on his technique. One lucky team is going to land Cajuste for a third round pick due to his injury and come away with a solid tackle to plug-and-play as soon as he is healthy.
**denotes injury
Interior Offensive Linemen
1. (12) Garrett Bradbury, North Carolina State
First round grade
Not only is Garrett Bradbury the most polished player of any interior offensive lineman in this class, but he is also the most athletic. At nearly 6-3 and 306 pounds, Bradbury ran a 4.92-second 40-yard dash, hit 34 reps on the bench press, 31 inches on his vertical jump, and 7.41 seconds on his 3-cone drill.
He ranked in the 84th percentile or above in every test at the combine aside from the broad jump, and was above the 90th percentile in drills designed to test explosiveness. A four year starter at NC State at both center and guard, Bradbury is a day-one starter and will make an immediate impact wherever he lands.
2. (19) Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
Early second round grade
While Bradbury receives the only first round grade of the class, the other four on this list all receive a second round grade, signifying a deep class. Another elite athlete in this year’s crop of interior offensive lineman is Boston College’s Chris Lindstrom.
While he may be a hair less athletic than Bradbury, Lindstom still displays an elite amount of athleticism, netting him an early second round grade and having the potential to make significant improvements to any offensive line he lands on, getting the biggest bang for your buck as a guard.
3. (30) Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
Second round grade
Running the fastest 40-yard dash time of any interior lineman on this list, Erik McCoy from Texas A&M also ran one of the slower 3-cone drills, showing he does not have great agility or change of direction. Better suited as a center than a guard, McCoy is adept at getting to the second level in the run game, while having the strength to shield off the big boys in the trenches. McCoy could be a day-one starter as a center but may need some reps and grooming if he were to slide out to guard.
4. (36) Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State
Second round grade
Somehow Mississippi State’s Elgton Jenkins continues to fly under the radar. While he did not run the 40-yard dash at the combine, he displayed good agility and explosiveness. Jenkins, while playing center during his last year for the Bulldogs, could be plugged in at any of the three interior positions along the offensive line, but may need a year to learn the speed of the NFL.
Playing against SEC competition, Jenkins to play well as a run blocker in a read-option heavy offensive system and showed great ability to pull and get to the second level. Stop sleeping on Jenkins.
5. (38) Dalton Risner, Kansas State
Second round grade
Dalton Risner can also play tackle at the next level with his nearly 6-5 and 312-pound frame. While his quickness and agility do not match that of Bradbury’s, Risner still displays a large amount of explosiveness in his first step, and thrives as a run blocker. Risner could sneak into the first round and also has the potential, with minimal fine tuning, to be a day-one starter.
EDGE
1. (2) Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Top-10 grade
This year’s EDGE class is completely loaded as there are four prospects with top-10 grades. Leading all of them in this class is Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, who comes in as the second overall ranked prospect. It is a shame his season was cut short with a core injury, as it would have been wonderful to get a look at his production in 2018.
However, the film he does have flashes brilliance and elite technique off the edge. Not to mention, he tested better than his brother Joey, who went third overall in the 2016 draft. While Bosa is not as fast as the other pass rushers in this class, his strength, technique and use of hands remain unmatched.
2. (3) Josh Allen, Kentucky
Top-10 grade
No one player saw their draft stock skyrocket by making the decision to return to school for their senior year than Josh Allen. H was listed as a third-round target a year ago, but now looks like a top-five lock in the draft and receives a top-10 grade here.
How does 17.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, and SEC Defensive Player of the Year sound for production? At the combine, Allen displayed elite burst and agility as well after measuring in at nearly 6-5 and 262 pounds. While Allen may not be as well rounded as Bosa, the edge is razor thin between the two.
3. (4) Brian Burns, Florida State
Top-10 grade
In potentially the biggest surprise on this big board, this writer is extremely high on Florida State pass rusher Brian Burns. If he were 15-20 pounds heavier, we would be talking about Burns as the consensus No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
However, at the combine, Burns put on about 15 pounds, weighing in at 249 at nearly 6-4 and still managed to test as an elite athlete, potentially the best athlete in the entire class. Burns ranked in the 97th percentile in both his 40-yard dash and broad jump, while eclipsing the 81st percentile or above with his vertical jump and 3-cone drill.
Burns is long, fast, explosive, agile and has an absolutely unbelievable bend on film. While he may slip out of the top 10 due to concerns about his size, Burns is an elite prospect and finds himself as the fourth best prospect on this big board.
4. (10) Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
First round grade
Speaking of good combines, nobody had a better one than Montez Sweat of Mississippi State. Sweat ranked in the 92nd percentile or above in the 40-yard dash and broad jump while testing in the 81st percentile or above with his vertical jump and 3-cone drill.
Sweat may have the most explosive first step of anyone in this class, but his film often shows a lack of moves once he gets controlled by a blocker. While some teams have taken Sweat off their boards due to a heart condition which arose at the combine, Sweat gets a first round grade and will still hear his name called in the first round Thursday night.
5. (20) Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
Early second round grade
Clelin Ferrell, for whatever reason, made the decision to skip a handful of tests at the combine, and it may have been the wrong move as guys like Sweat and Burns tested off the charts and leapfrogged him on the big board; the tests Ferrell did do, however, he tested as just average.
Measuring in at 6-4 and 264 pounds, Ferrell ran a 7.26-second 3-cone drill and posted 25 reps on the bench press. While Ferrell possesses some of the best moves off the line of scrimmage, he lacks a certain explosiveness off the line of scrimmage, which will work against him in the NFL and dropping him to an early second round grade.
Interior Defensive Linemen
1. (1) Quinnen Williams, Alabama
Early first round grade
Without a doubt, Quinnen Williams is the absolute best player in this year’s draft class. The Alabama defensive tackle even received one Heisman vote, and rightfully so; Williams was a monster up the middle of the Crimson Tide defense in 2018. A man who is 6-3 and 303 pounds should not be able to run a 4.83-second 40-yard dash, but Williams did; he also hit 30.5 inches on his vertical jump and over nine feet on his broad jump.
It is not normal for a defensive tackle to record 71 tackles and 19.5 behind the line of scrimmage, but again, Williams is far and away the best player in this draft and has the production and testing numbers to match.
2. (6) Ed Oliver, Houston
Top-10 grade
Someone is going to get lucky by having Ed Oliver drop to them. While he may be undersized, Oliver still tested as the freak he was expected to be and did so at 281 pounds. While he did not run at the combine, Oliver benched an incredible 32 reps, and jumped to the tune of 36 inches and 10 feet on his vertical and broad jumps respectively.
At his pro day, he ran a 4.73-second 40-yard dash and a blazing 7.15-second 3-cone drill, both elite times for a defensive tackle prospect. Whether or not he ends up in the top 10 or not, Oliver is a top 10 prospect and his grade reflects just that.
3. (13) Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State**
First round grade
Even with a torn ACL, Jeffery Simmons is a first round talent and gets a first round grade here. There is a real chance Simmons could have ended up in the top 10 had he not suffered a knee injury preparing for the draft. While Simmons also has a checkered past, he seems like a man who has learned from a mistake as an 18-year old, charged with assault against a female, and has faced no off-the-field issue since.
The film Simmons put together is some of the best in the entire class, and a team who is not afraid to redshirt him is going to get a special player. He will go in the first round as some team will look to utilize his fifth-year option as a pseudo-redshirt.
4. (16) Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
First round grade
Notre Dame’s Jerry Tillery is an incredible specimen who looks like he was created in a lab to be an NFL defensive tackle. Do not be shocked to see the the 6-6.5, and 295-pound defensive tackle get his name called in the first round, as he ranks as the 16th prospect on this big board.
Tillery tested at the combine with a torn labrum, and still managed to bench 23 reps of 225 pounds…with a bum shoulder. He also ran a sub-five second 40-yard dash, hit 32 inches on his vertical jump, and over nine feet on his broad jump. While Tillery is a bit of a late bloomer, really putting it all together in 2018, the sky is the limit for him at the next level.
5. (25) Christian Wilkins, Clemson
Second round grade
Christian Wilkins is going to be a good starter in the NFL, but he is not a first round talent. There is a real chance he lands in the first round Thursday night, but his production, athleticism and film do not scream a first round grade. He tallied 14 tackles for loss and five sacks in 2018, good numbers for a defensive tackle, but has tested as just average across the board.
At 6-3 and 315 pounds, Wilkins ran a 5.04-second 40-yard dash, hit 28 reps on the bench press, nearly 30 inches on his vertical and nearly nine feet on his broad jump. Again, some team is going to get a steady, consistent, and good player in Christian Wilkins, but he falls short of a first round grade.
**denotes injury
Linebackers
1. (8) Devin Bush, Michigan
First round grade
Devin Bush is better than Devin White. It is the unpopular position, but while White may have run a faster 40, Bush tested all around better than White. Not to mention, Bush displays better gap discipline and ability to play against the run than White does as well.
While White may be better in pass coverage, Bush is adept himself in his ability to drop back into coverage. Bush is a heat-seeking missile who can fly from sideline-to-sideline and has the gritty, tough mentality to play linebacker at the next level.
2. (11) Devin White, LSU
First round grade
Ranking Bush above White is not a slight at the LSU linebacker in the slightest, as he too is a great player and a quality prospect. He is fast, strong and agile in this two-linebacker race. In fact, White is likely to be drafted higher than Bush on Thursday night and will likely ride his horse into the top 10.
A great linebacker in coverage, White is the mold of linebacker needed in today’s NFL who can stick with tight ends down the field and running backs out of the backfield.
3. (50) Blake Cashman, Minnesota
Third round grade
Blake Cashman burst onto the scene after the combine and made many go back, watch his tape and come to the realization that he is a really good football player. During his senior season at Minnesota, Cashman tallied 104 tackles, 15 of which came behind the line of scrimmage and defended five passes.
In Indianapolis, Cashman burned the track with his 4.51-second 40-yard dash and jumped out of Lucas Oil Stadium with a 37.5-inch vertical and over 10-foot broad jump. The cherry on top was his 3-cone drill, where he displayed great agility with a sub-seven-second time. Cashman is absolutely a top-50 player and gets a third round grade here.
4. (n/a) Mack Wilson, Alabama
Third round grade
Taking the opposite track than Cashman, Alabama’s Mack Wilson could see a big slide on draft day and earns himself a third round grade. While he performs well in pass coverage, Wilson lacks discipline and is often caught with his eyes in the backfield and overpursuing on plays. Wilson did not run at the combine after re-aggravating a pre-existing injury and managed to hit only an unimpressive 32 inches on his vertical jump and 9-9 on his broad jump.
At his pro day, Wilson did run his 40-yard dash, but at just an average time, hitting just 4.65 seconds. While a linebacker-needy team like the Los Angeles Chargers may reach and pick him in the first round, he is a much riskier prospect than originally thought.
5. (n/a) Bobby Okereke, Stanford
Fourth round grade
While the fifth linebacker on this big board was a heavily contested decision between Bobby Okereke, Notre Dame’s Drue Tranquill or Washington’s Ben Burr-Kirven, Okereke wins out in the end and earns a fourth round grade.
At 6-1 and 239 pounds, Okereke ran a sub-4.6-second 40-yard dash at the combine and showed good agility at his pro day by running a 7.08-second 3-cone drill and 4.21 short shuttle. During his senior season at Stanford, Okereke tallied 94 total tackles, seven and a half of which came behind the line of scrimmage, and three and a half sacks. He may not be a day-one starter, but could come in on run-heavy packages and mold into a quality starter in the NFL one day.
Cornerbacks
1. (27) Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
Second round grade
While there is not a cornerback in this class with a first round grade, expect a run in the second round on them. In a close grouping on this big board of cornerbacks, Penn State’s Amani Oruwariye comes out as the top in the class. While Byron Murphy may have the best film, his lack of size and athleticism is concerning. Oruwariye also has solid tape without compromising his size and athleticism.
At 6-1 and 205 pounds, Oruwariye runs a sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash and a sub-seven-second 3-cone drill, giving him the speed and agility to hang with receivers deep as well as break on balls when needed. While he does not possess elite hops, hitting just 36.5 inches on his vertical, his height and length more than compensate for his slightly above average explosiveness.
2. (29) Byron Murphy, Washington
Second round grade
While Murphy may not be the top corner on this big board, the margin is slim, and he has, by far, the best film in the class. However, teams should be concerned with his 4.55-second 40-yard dash at only 5-11 and 189 pounds. He does possess great agility to break on balls, but it has to be wondered if Murphy is better suited for the nickel role rather than playing on the outside.
If the answer to this question is yes, then he does not warrant a first round grade. While Murphy will more than likely hear his name picked in the first round, there are enough concerns to prohibit the Washington product from receiving a first round grade.
3. (37) Sean Bunting, Central Michigan
Second round grade
Still relatively unheard of is Central Michigan’s Sean Bunting, but here he ranks as the third-best cornerback and a top-40 player on this big board. Tallying nine interceptions and 15 passes defended in his three seasons at Central Michigan, the 6-0 and 195-pound corner also tested off the charts in Indianapolis at the combine.
He ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, hit an astounding 41.5 inches on his vertical jump, and 10.5 feet on his broad jump. At his pro day, he also displayed above average agility with a sub-seven second 3-cone drill. Keep an eye on this MAC school prospect who gets a second round grade.
4. (39) Deandre Baker, Georgia
Second round grade
Deandre Baker is going to be a solid player in the NFL if he can commit himself to the process as there are rumors he did not prepare as well as he could for the combine and throughout the 2018 season. However, not only is his work ethic a concern, but also his testing numbers. His saving grace may be his high-quality tape while at the University of Georgia.
While he ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash and a sub-seven-second 3-cone drill, good enough to compete at the NFL level, his explosive tests are a cause for caution. Baker hit only 31.5 inches on his vertical jump, and under 10 feet on his broad jump, numbers that defensive tackle prospect Ed Oliver topped.
5. (42) Justin Layne, Michigan State
Third round grade
Justin Layne remains the most intriguing cornerback prospect in this year’s class, and may ultimately be the first one off the board due to his out-of-this-world athletic ability. However, no matter how athletic someone is, the film has to match, and unfortunately for Layne, it does not. At 6-1 and 192 pounds, the upside of this former wide receiver may be too much for teams to pass on. However, nothing about his play displays anything earlier than a third round pick.
Safeties
1. (17) Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
First round grade
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson gets one of only 17 first round grades on this big board. At Florida, CGJ played cornerback, free safety and strong safety for the Gators, and while taking his lumps, has put it all together.
Putting together the best season of his collegiate career in 2018, Gardner-Johnson tallied 71 total tackles, nine tackles behind the line, three sacks, four picks and two defensive touchdowns. Stuffing the stat sheet, Gardner-Johnson also went to the combine and ran a sub-4.5-second 40-yard dash, hit 36 inches on his vertical and posted average agility in both the 20-yard shuttle and the 3-cone drill.
At nearly 5-11 and 210 pounds, CGJ has a ton of range and looks to be a swiss army knife at the next level.
2. (26) Nasir Adderley, Delaware
Second round grade
Nasir Adderley out of Delaware is another defensive back who played both corner and safety in college but translates better at safety in the NFL. Adderley projects to be more of an angel of the defense than a box safety, but has enough versatility to succeed in both man or zone coverage. With Adderley, there are no worries about his ability to stick with tight ends and running backs in the passing game.
3. (35) Juan Thornhill, Virginia
Second round grade
A riser after testing off the charts at the combine, Virginia’s Juan Thornhill ranks as the third safety on this big board. He is another versatile safety who can play over the top or in the box, Thornhill tallied 98 total tackles, four and a half tackles for loss, as well as six interceptions in 2018. While he has range and athleticism to cover ground, his ability to stick an opponent in man coverage is a question mark.
4. (41) Darnell Savage, Maryland
Third round grade
Darnell Savage may have the most upside of any of these safeties as he is explosive and is not afraid to lay the boom. He is, however, raw and may need some time to groom. The Cleveland Browns, who have two veteran safeties already on the roster would be an ideal situation for Savage to fall into. Getting first round buzz just days before the draft, he earns a third round grade here.
5. (47) Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
Third round grade
While others are much higher on Johnathan Abram, he does not have the explosiveness necessary to cover ground in the NFL. While he ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, his leaping ability is suspect, hitting just 33.5 inches on his vertical and 9-8 on his broad jump. He did not do any agility tests either, raising even more concerns around Abram’s athleticism. With too much uncertainty, he earns a third round grade.