PFF 2018 Draft Positional Strengths & Weaknesses

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https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-2018-positional-strengths-and-weaknesses

 

QUARTERBACK

 

There are plenty of first-round options in this year’s draft class as there are six names (Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Mason Rudolph) in the mix. We may see quarterbacks selected with the first 3-of-4 picks as the story of the draft will be written based on where the top QBs land. Some of the top quarterbacks may sprinkle into the second round, but beyond the top six names, there are few exciting options. Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta is worth a Day 2 look while Western Kentucky’s Mike White is likely the best Day 3 option.

 

Top End: Strong

 

Depth: Average

 

 

RUNNING BACK

 

Most of the running back buzz surrounds Penn State’s Saquon Barkley, but it’s another deep running back class. Barkley may be the consensus top option, but there are valuable players to be had in the second through fourth rounds. Keep an eye on San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny who may have the best combination of rushing and receiving ability in the class. Players like Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson and Oregon’s Royce Freeman are poised to make teams look smart in the middle rounds as the running back group continues to get replenished in the NFL.

 

Top End: Strong

 

Depth: Strong

 

 

WIDE RECEIVER

 

It’s difficult to pinpoint a clean No. 1 receiver option, making this a wide open year when ranking the wide receiver class. SMU’s Courtland Sutton turned heads with an excellent NFL Combine at 6-foot-3 and he’ll be in the mix at the top. Beyond that, Alabama’s Calvin Ridley provides a deep threat while Colorado State’s Michael Gallup is a PFF favorite who shouldn’t go overlooked. Maryland’s D.J. Moore has excellent quickness and toughness that make him another top option. This class has a few specialists, from slot receivers to big red zone threats, so it’s a draft to find No. 2 receivers or role players more than it is a draft to find a game-changing No. 1 option.

 

Top End: Weak

 

Depth: Strong

 

 

TIGHT END

 

The theme of this class is receiving tight ends who need work as run-blockers, but that’s OK in today’s NFL. South Dakota State’s Dallas Goedert is the most intriguing mismatch option, but Penn State’s Mike Gesicki is right there with him after destroying the NFL Combine. Gesicki’s downfield skills were limited in Penn State’s offense, but they’re prevalent on film if you look hard enough. Throw Oklahoma’s Mark Andrews into the mix as well as he was a glorified slot receiver in the Sooners’ offense. It’s a good year to need a tight end.

 

Top End: Strong

 

Depth: Strong

 

 

OFFENSIVE LINE

 

The offensive tackle class is a step above last year’s when PFF had only one clear first-rounder in Wisconsin’s Ryan Ramczyk. This year, Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey should land in the first round and Texas’ Connor Williams has first-round potential, though some in the NFL want to move him inside to guard. Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown is a wild card as he struggled in workouts and may have pushed himself into Day 2 consideration. The interior offensive line is where this class is strong, led by Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson, everyones darling and perhaps the best guard prospect in many years. Beyond Nelson, there are starters to be had from Georgia’s Isaiah Wynn to UTEP’s Will Hernandez to Arkansas center Frank Ragnow and much more.

 

Top End: Average

 

Depth: Strong

 

 

EDGE DEFENDER

 

This class is filled with question marks at the top, opening the door for NC State’s Bradley Chubb to be considered the top option on many boards. Boston College’s Harold Landry and LSU’s Arden Key did their best work prior to 2017, but their high end play makes them potential first-round options. Many of the second-tier options have size concerns and are potential linebacker conversions, making this edge defender class weak when it comes to depth. The top guys hitting could make this class better than expected on paper, but as of now, it looks much worse than last year’s class.

 

Top End: Average, filled with questions

 

Depth: Weak

 

 

DEFENSIVE INTERIOR

 

There are few first-round locks among interior defensive linemen with Michigan’s Maurice Hurst’s potential heart concerns clouding that even further. If healthy, he played like a top-five pick on tape and the NFL should at least have him in the first round. Washington’s Vita Vea is a massive nose tackle who can move all over the defensive line and he rushes the passer well enough to warrant a first-round pick. Beyond that, there are a number of run-first players and not enough efficient interior pass-rushers in this draft class.

 

Top End: Weak

 

Depth: Average

 

 

LINEBACKER

 

It’s a good year for first-round linebackers with Georgia’s Roquan Smith, Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds and Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch all providing strong combinations of production and athleticism. There are solid options beyond the big three, from Rashaan Evans of Alabama to Iowa’s Josey Jewell, making this a good draft to grab a linebacker either early or in the middle rounds.

 

Top End: Strong

 

Depth: Strong

 

 

CORNERBACK

 

There’s no consensus No. 1 cornerback, but Iowa’s Josh Jackson, Ohio State’s Denzel Ward, and Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick are all in the top-10 mix. Later first-round/Day 2 options include long corners like Isaiah Oliver and a smaller playmaker like Louisville’s Jaire Alexander, making this a strong class at the top with enough intriguing options in the middle rounds when it comes to finding length or slot-only options. Last year’s cornerbacks were insanely deep with potential starters dropping to Day 3, and while this year’s class is a step behind, it’s still a good group overall.

 

Top End: Strong

 

Depth: Average

 

 

SAFETY

 

Florida State’s Derwin James is the star of the class as he’s a defensive game-changer, but the rest of the safety class has a few potential starters and a number of players capable of playing specific roles. From Ohio State’s Damon Webb playing free safety to Alabama’s Ronnie Harrison playing in the box to Virginia’s Quin Blanding being a good fit in split-safety looks, this class will vary greatly on team draft boards depending on scheme and fit. There is strong depth beyond the first round, but James may be the only safety to hear his name called on Day 1 (assuming Fitzpatrick is slotted as a cornerback).

 

Top End: Weak

 

Depth: Strong

[liquidfriend 1,151]

Agree with most of this, but it has some flaws.

 

The top end of the Safety class is pretty dang good with James and Fitzpatrick.  2 top 15 caliber players is far from weak.

 

Don't think the depth at OL is exceptionally great.

 

Nothing about the TE class is "strong"

 

QB class depth is actually pretty meh

 

Agree with the rest, mostly.

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I think there's some good tight ends on all 3 days.

 

Agree OL is just ok. Not that strong but ok depth.

 

2 guys at the top is not a strong top end safety class.

 

Qb class is strong up high (even though I'm not sold on the prospects), crap in the middle, and interesting on day 3.

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I see 3 first round options at Safety, which is a fairly good number.  2 elite kind of players in James+Fitzpatrick and another higher end guy in Harrison that will probably go end of 1st.    I think it's a better class than last years (lmbo Browns drafting Poopers in the first). 

 

Justin Reid has good center fielder ability, Edmunds has some high utility potential, Bates is very underrated   Some great 3rd round options, too.  I think this Safety class is actually really dang good and we're filling that need at a great time.

 

I don't think there's a single Tight End worth it in the first, so I'm not sure I would agree.  I could see a late slot team taking one out of dire need, but honestly woof.  Hurst is good, but will be a 25 y/o rookie.  Andrews is just an oversized receiver, Gesicki is kind of more of the same and I feel Fumagelli will be a bust.  I don't like him.

 

Goedert will be way overdrafted and Dalton Schultz will be a stud.

 

Not a whole lot of separation with the top 5 QB's, which is concerning.  This is why I hesitate to say this class is elite, because they aren't close for being so fucking elite.  

 

With that said, here's my final top 5:

1.  Rosen

2.  Mayfield

3.  Darnold

4.  Jackson

(gap here)

5.  Allen

 

I think once people look beyond the fact he's a wanker, Josh Rosen is the most polished prospect with equal balance of upside.  He will be humbled once he enters a veteran locker room like the NY Giants.  Anyone that can already take snaps from Center, work within a pocket and throw into tight windows without arm limitations stands a chance in this league.

 

I like Mayfields aggressiveness, but I question how much of his success was tied to the talent advantage at OU coupled with Riley's system.  I think he can make a good amount of NFL throws, but I wonder about the possibility of some limitations.  Working the outside hashmarks in particular.  He has some of the shittiest footwork I've seen, too.  A big concern with his lack of dropping back from under center.

 

I think he has the ability to make it, but he needs to go into a less demanding system.  Andy Reid would have a fucking aneurysm seeing him work the pocket.  Would be more ideal in a more vertical Offense (Hue Jackson).

 

Darnold has the best passing tools, but they are far from refined.  I think the Browns take him and Dorsey will have him by Todd Haley and far the fuck away from Hue Jackson.

 

I'm really interested to see where Jackson lands.  I think he'd be an eventual threat in Jacksonville or Pittsburgh.  Needs a lot of work, but is being far too criticized for working behind a dog shit OL and receivers that have dicks for hands, and a HC that has minimal interest in developing his passers for the pro's.

 

Allen is just a toolsy guy that people can't help but get boners over.  Whatever.

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lol LF. You have the best written breakdowns. Dicks for hands...

 

We're gonna have to agree to disagree on the tight ends. I don't think people much care anymore if they can block. If they need a blocker that bad run out an extra tackle or pick a guy late.

 

People want big receivers that can create mismatches with LBs and safeties. And there are quite a few guys that fit that bill. Either or both of gesicki and goedert could go in the first. Yeah goedert will be overdrafted but lots of potential.

 

Gesicki could be a more athletic Zach Ertz type of guy in the right system. Criminally underused at Penitentiary State.

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I think we can have a good debate on the TE situation.

 

I know a lot of people say the role of TE has evolved, but the NFL is generally slow to evolve and I don't think we're far removed from traditional ones.

 

Look at how terrible Jimmmy G. looked when he was dealt from the Saints. A lot of coaches still like that.

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More and more coordinators and head coaches are really embracing the spread concepts though. Not that many yet but Andy is showing the league how and we all know it's a copycat league. I think Veach grabs one of the receiving tight ends in this draft and Andy unleashes his inner spread superpowers this year.