Juniors And RSOPH Of Note
Josh Rosen - QB - Bruins UCLA junior QB Josh Rosen is viewed by NFL evaluators as the likeliest from the 2018 class to start from day one.
A group of seven evaluators gushed to Charles Robinson over Rosen's ability to "spin the ball" and his throwing motion. That group also listed Rosen as the top quarterback prospect in the class. We will continue to hear about possible signs of immaturity with Rosen, but things are swinging in his direction as the top prospect at his position.
That's a new one. The quote derives from Charles Robinson's recent piece and places the conversation back in June, but we are amazed a person paid to evaluate for an NFL team focuses on a player's "face," concluding with "overrated" and "you can have him." In terms of actual football criticisms, Robinson goes on to cite scouts' concerns about Darnold wanting to force big plays by leaving the pocket too early. Be sure to check out the full piece below.
2017 was Jackson's only season as a starter, but like other Miami defenders he definitely took the next step. Thomas recorded four interceptions this season. Declarations aren't official until January.
Anyone else read any of the comments on the top 4-5 QBs that could be in this class and want to scream "Bull Shit"? Damn near every single one of the guys I thought would go in the top 10 have collectively shit the bed, went out to Taco Bell and ordered one of everything, and shit the bed again...Allen was HORRIFIC...Darnold had more turnovers than your local bakery...Rosen was hot and cold, then injured...they'll get over-drafted on position as none of these guys have any merit going top 10 anymore...at least IMO...
Josh Rosen - QB - Bruins
No real surprise, here. Assuming Rosen does declare (it would be a stunner if he does not), he will be in play to be the first quarterback selected -- and perhaps the first player selected, period -- come the spring draft. There's no disputing his obvious physical talents (he has the arm to make any throw), but character concerns and questions of demeanor are frequent demerits that we've heard regarding the junior. Campbell notes that "here has been talk in the scouting community about Rosen having bad intangibles and being disliked by his teammates at UCLA, especially during his early time with the Bruins." The analyst does soften that a bit in passing along that Rosen has been trying to make strides in the locker room. While these character questions are almost certainly going to linger throughout the evaluating process, it is unlikely that they cause him to take a significant tumble. His upside is just too great.
Mark Andrews - TE - Sooners
Andrews, the first Oklahoma player to ever win the award, bested Wisconsin senior Troy Fumagalli and Penn State senior Mike Gesicki for the hardware. Heading into the college football playoffs with potentially two games left to play, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Andrews boasts a 58-904-8 (15.6 YPC) receiving line. While not the same type of physical freak that 2017 TEs O.J. Howard, David Njoku and Evan Engram were, Andrews is smooth, polished and dangerous as a receiver wherever he lines up. Oklahoma likes to move him around to find mismatches, sometimes putting Andrews in the slot. If he declares for the draft, he's looking at late-Round 1 or early-Day 2 grades. Andrews and Dallas Goedert would likely duke it out for TE1 duties if so.
Baker Mayfield - QB - Sooners
This was backed up by another scouting director stating Mayfield knows where he is going with the football at any part of the progressions thanks to his knowledge and preparation, which is different than many failed quarterbacks. The comparison will pop up due to Mayfield's height and success outside of structure. For many, a shorter frame is viewed as a major negative. "I don’t think it’s a problem for Baker," one NFL executive concluded.
Derrius Guice - RB - Tigers
In a post Monday night on Instagram, Guice indicated that he wouldn't announce his intentions until after LSU plays Notre Dame on Jan. 1 in the Citrus Bowl. Last season, in nearly an identical situation, LSU RB Leonard Fournette decided to skip the bowl game. Guice has given no indication either way. He did say, however, that he's "finally 100% thank the lord" after dealing with a knee issue earlier this fall. Guice is a projected top-15 pick if he declares. "We’ve seen him come back and dominate," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller said of Guice's knee issues. "He’s so pretty running the ball. Guice is so natural as a runner. He makes everything look easily. He runs with power and patience. It’s rare to find that balance." Miller believes Guice is in the "7-15 pick range" if he enters the draft.
Baker Mayfield - QB - Sooners Oklahoma senior QB Baker Mayfield was awarded the Maxwell Award on Thursday.
It's the second award that Mayfield has won on Thursday, as he also took home the Davey O'Brien award for best quarterback. The award is given to the top collegiate player in the country, in the eyes of the award's committee. The other finalists were Penn State's Saquon Barkley and Stanford's Bryce Love. It was a stellar season for Mayfield, throwing for 45 touchdowns and 4,340 yards in his senior campaign, leading the Sooners to a playoff spot and playing Georgia for the right to advance to play in the National Championship Game.
Fitzpatrick also took home the Jim Thorpe award earlier on Thursday evening for best defensive back, and now he takes home the award for best overall defensive player. He beats out NC State's Bradley Chubb and Georgia's Roquon Smith. The star defensive back finished his regular season with 44 tackles, five passes defended and one interception for the Crimson Tide. He's projected as a potential top ten pick if he does chose to enter the NFL Draft, and will get a chance to show off against one of the top offensive unites in the Sugar Bowl against Clemson.
Orlando Brown - T - Sooners NFL Media's Lance Zierlein believes Oklahoma junior Orland Brown could emerge as the top T prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Zierlein is extremely plugged into the NFL evaluation process, specifically offensive linemen. So, when Zierlein states "I think Orlando b\Brown probably goes 1st based on what I know so far" when asked which prospect at the position will be drafted first, we listen. Brown is a mountain of a man, with a listed size of 6-foot-8 and 342-pounds. Oklahoma's offensive line was one of the best in the country this season.
Quenton Nelson - G - Fighting Irish Notre Dame redshirt junior G Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame senior T Mike McGlinchey and Texas senior T Connor Williams could all land in the top 10 or 15 picks, according to Albert Breer.
Again, we are so early in the process, but Breer is certainly clued into NFL thinking and what names might be at the top of positions of need. Teams are always looking to shore up their front five, but it is clear those picks aren't as "safe" as once thought.
Breer insinuates the NFL views Jackson as the same player now as he was going into 2016. The questions include anticipation, process a pro offense and the belief Jackson is "more thrower than passer." This topic will be discussed throughout the entire draft process. What we do know is Jackson is one of the top playmakers at his position in years.
Will Grier - QB - Mountaineers West Virginia redshirt junior QB Will Grier announced that he'll return for his senior season in 2018.
This is the right decision, as Grier would have likely been a Day 3 afterthought had he declared. Grier (6'2/215) could improve his draft stock with a big senior season. And while he won't magically be bigger this time next year, he could cut down on some mistakes and dispel lingering decision-making concerns. He was outstanding in his first year as the Mountaineers quarterback, going 250-of-388 for 3,490 yards and a 34/12 TD/INT rate. For that, he was named the 2017 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Unfortunately, we likely won't see him again this year. Grier broke the middle finger of his throwing hand in gruesome fashion against Texas almost a month ago. He's unlikely to be active for the Mountaineers’ bowl game.
Courtland Sutton - WR - Mustangs
Sutton (6'4/214) will have one last fling with the Mustangs before he moves on to preparation for the 2018 NFL Draft. He's a probable Day 1 selection and it's not out of the question that the wideout could hear his name called within the top-10 picks, if not soon after. Walter Football's Charlie Campbell sees some of Mike Williams and Mike Evans in the big receiver's game. He should receive red zone opportunities early in his NFL career.
Washington will be tangoing with Penn State in the Fiest Bowl on Dec. 30. Vea (6'5/332) has had his consistency questioned at times by scouts and evaluators, but offers an enticing versatility and pure athleticism quotient, too. He's a likely Day 1 pick for the draft if he declares -- Draft Analyst's Tony Pauline, among others, believes he'll throw his hat into the ring -- and could rise as high as a top-10 selection.
Josh Jackson - DB - Hawkeyes
Jackson (6'2/192) plans on making his decision following Iowa's Pinstripe Bowl date with Boston College on Dec. 27. Named the conference's Tatum Woodson Defensive Back of the Year following the close of the regular season, the redshirt junior has registered 47 tackles, 18 pass breakups and a stellar seven interceptions -- two of which he returned for touchdowns -- this year. Pro Football Focus views Jackson as a first-round talent should he declare. He has prototypical size at corner.
Smart man...
Tanner Lee - QB - Cornhuskers Nebraska redshirt junior QB Tanner Lee will enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
Lee made his announcement on Twitter, thanking his coaches and the Nebraska fans while declaring. He finished the year with 3,143 yards passing and 23 touchdowns, but also threw 16 interceptions and with a 57.6 completion percentage. He's currently projected as a late-round pick, but with his arm strength, he could see that stock rise if he tests well and performs in his pro day.
Bryce Love - RB - Cardinal
Freshly-adorned Doak Walker winner Love put in a 15-yard touchdown run to open the game's scoring midway through the first quarter. That was just the table-setter for what was to come, as the 5-foot-10, 184-pounder later broke through for one his patented long bolts to glory, this one coming from 69 yards out early in the third quarter. He could have had an even bigger game, but suffered a thumb injury -- one which ESPN says required stitches -- in the fourth quarter which required an extended stay in the medical tent. Love finishes the season having rushed for a Stanford-record 2,118 yards and 19 touchdowns, breaking Christian McCaffrey's record set just three seasons ago. Should he declare for the draft, he's a tough back with speed to burn, stellar vision and an underrated strength component to his game. Size and a lack of experience as a pass-catcher could potentially cause some NFL teams to shy off, but he's likely an early Day 2 selection at worst, one with late Day 1 upside.
Can't find this anywhere, but I saw on the crawl of the VaTech game that Saquon Barkley might wait until the last day to decide whether or not to turn pro...
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