Kiper's way too early 2018 Positional Breakdown

[NewColtsFan]

 

 

This came out this week and I haven't had a chance to post it before now....  

 

Hope it serves as a good discussion starter and not taken as Gospel....

 

This is not a typical top-10 list at each position.     Piper goes the extra step and gives you a top-5 Seniors, and a top-5 draft eligible underclassman who might reasonably be expected to come out for the 2018 draft.     It's very helpful.

 

Enjoy!!         

 

 

 

Quarterbacks

Seniors

1. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
2. Luke Falk, Washington State
3. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
4. Matt Linehan, Idaho
5. Mike White, Western Kentucky

 

Underclassmen

1. *Sam Darnold, USC
2. Josh Allen, Wyoming
3. Josh Rosen, UCLA
4. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
5. Clayton Thorson, Northwestern

Darnold (6-4, 225), Allen (6-5, 216) and Rosen (6-4, 210) were in the top seven in my way-too-early Big Board. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jackson (6-3, 196) is a supreme athlete but a work-in-progress as a quarterback. He needs to show major improvement as a passer in 2017. It will be fun to watch Rudolph (6-4, 217) and Mayfield (6-1, 220) duel for the Big 12 title.

 

Running backs

Seniors

1. Nick Chubb, Georgia
2. Royce Freeman, Oregon
3. Akrum Wadley, Iowa
4. Sony Michel, Georgia
5. Ralph Webb, Vanderbilt

 

Underclassmen

1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
2. Derrius Guice, LSU
3. Bo Scarbrough, Alabama
4. Kamryn Pettway, Auburn
5. Damien Harris, Alabama

Chubb (5-10, 228) was actually on my way-too-early Big Board last year, and so I'd like to see him get back to his form from 2015, when he averaged 8.1 yards per carry. The Bulldogs also have Michel (5-11, 208), who has 48 catches over the past two seasons. Scarbrough (6-2, 240) broke out in the Peach Bowl and is a physical specimen, but Harris (5-11, 205) had the better all-around season.

 

Fullbacks

Seniors

1. Jaylen Samuels, NC State
2. Khalid Hill, Michigan
3. Austin Ramesh, Wisconsin
4. Dimitri Flowers, Oklahoma
5. J.D. Moore, LSU

 

Underclassmen

1. Winston Dimel, Kansas State
2. George Aston, Pitt
3. Chandler Cox, Auburn
4. Alec Ingold, Wisconsin
5. Ryan Nall, Oregon State

Samuels has 120 catches the past two seasons as a tight end for the Wolfpack, but at 5-11, 240, he'll have to move to a fullback/H-back role to make it in the NFL. Hill (6-2, 255) is more of a traditional fullback.

 

Wide receivers

Seniors

1. James Washington, Oklahoma State
2. D.J. Chark, LSU
3. Darren Carrington, Oregon
4. Dante Pettis, Washington
5. Jester Weah, Pitt

 

Underclassmen

1. Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
2. Calvin Ridley, Alabama
3. Antonio Callaway, Florida
4. Courtland Sutton, SMU
5. Deon Cain, Clemson

Pettis (6-0, 177) had 15 touchdown catches last season. Sutton (6-3, 200) had 76 catches and 10 touchdowns last season and played some basketball at SMU as a freshman.

 

Tight ends

Seniors

1. Mike Gesicki, Penn State
2. Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
3. DeAndre Goolsby, Florida
4. Marcus Baugh, Ohio State
5. Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State

 

Underclassmen

1. Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
2. C.J. Conrad, Kentucky
3. Ryan Izzo, Florida State
4. Dalton Schultz, Stanford
5. Hayden Hurst, South Carolina

Fumagalli (6-5, 233) could have a big 2017 after having only two touchdown grabs last season. Andrews (6-6, 247) has 14 career touchdowns on only 50 catches.

 

Offensive tackles

Seniors

1. Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
2. Jamarco Jones, Ohio State
3. Mason Cole, Michigan
4. Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
5. Tyrell Crosby, Oregon

 

Underclassmen

1. Trey Adams, Washington
2. Orlando Brown, Oklahoma
3. Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
4. Brian O'Neill, Pitt
5. Dalton Risner, Kansas State

At 6-8, 355, Brown is massive. Hyatt (6-6, 274) is a former five-star recruit who has started at left tackle for the Tigers since Week 1 of his freshman year. Okorafor (6-5, 275) started at left tackle for the Broncos while 2016 second-round pick Taylor Moton played right tackle.

 

Guards

Seniors

1. Billy Price, Ohio State
2. Will Hernandez, UTEP
3. Cody O'Connell, Washington State
4. Braden Smith, Auburn
5. Scott Quessenberry, UCLA

 

Underclassmen

1. Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
2. Martez Ivey, Florida
3. William Clapp, LSU
4. Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
5. Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin

Nelson (6-5, 325) was on my preseason Big Board last year. He's incredibly powerful. Price (6-4, 305) has already started three seasons for the Buckeyes.

 

Centers

Seniors

1. Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State
2. Frank Ragnow, Arkansas
3. Bradley Bozeman, Alabama
4. Coleman Shelton, Washington
5. Brian Allen, Michigan State

 

Underclassmen

1. Brendan Moore, Maryland
2. James Daniels, Iowa
3. Drew Kyser, Memphis
4. Alec Eberle, Florida State
5. Michael Deiter, Wisconsin

Rankin (6-5, 307) showed some athleticism while playing left tackle last season, but he could move to center in 2017. I'm projecting him as a center in the NFL. Ragnow (6-5, 312) is a two-year starter.

 

Defensive ends

Seniors

1. Bradley Chubb, NC State
2. Da'Shawn Hand, Alabama
3. Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
4. Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest
5. KJ Smith, Baylor

 

Underclassmen

1. Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
2. Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
3. Josh Sweat, Florida State
4. Porter Gustin, USC
5. Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech

A former five-star recruit, Hand (6-4, 273) goes unnoticed sometimes among Alabama's talent, but he has first-round ability. Gustin (6-5, 250) has 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in two seasons. Ferguson (6-5, 256) had 14.5 sacks in 2016.

 

Defensive tackles

1. Maurice Hurst, Michigan
2. Derrick Nnadi, Florida State
3. Lowell Lotulelei, Utah
4. Andrew Brown, Virginia
5. James Looney, California

 

Underclassmen

1. Christian Wilkins, Clemson
2. Vita Vea, Washington
3. Da'Ron Payne, Alabama
4. Trenton Thompson, Georgia
5. Harrison Phillips, Stanford

At 6-5, 340, Vea is a mountain, but he did have five sacks last season. Phillips (6-4, 285) is likely to be a 3-technique in the NFL. He had 7.5 sacks last season.

 

Inside linebackers

Seniors

1. Azeem Victor, Washington
2. Shaun Dion Hamilton, Alabama
3. Micah Kiser, Virginia
4. Rashaan Evans, Alabama
5. Josey Jewell, Iowa

 

Underclassmen

1. Cameron Smith, USC
2. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
3. Kendall Joseph, Clemson
4. Andre Smith, North Carolina
5. Jahlani Tavai, Hawaii

Dion Hamilton (6-0, 233) is coming off an ACL tear suffered late in the season. Cameron Smith (6-2, 245) started as a freshman for the Trojans. Kiser (6-2, 235) had 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2016.

 

Outside linebackers

Seniors

1. Harold Landry, Boston College
2. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma
3. Marquis Haynes, Mississippi
4. Matthew Thomas, Florida State
5. Mike McCray, Michigan

 

Underclassmen

1. Arden Key, LSU
2. Malik Jefferson, Texas
3. Jerome Baker, Ohio State
4. Denzil Ware, Kentucky
5. Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech

Okoronkwo (6-1, 240) had nine sacks last season and will probably play defensive end in 2017. Ware (6-2, 255) had 5.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in 2016.

 

Cornerbacks

Seniors

1. Jordan Thomas, Oklahoma
2. Anthony Averett, Alabama
3. Greg Stroman, Virginia Tech
4. Donovan Wilson, Texas A&M
5. Deion Harris, North Dakota

 

Underclassmen

1. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
2. Tarvarus McFadden, Florida State
3. Jaire Alexander, Louisville
4. Iman Marshall, USC
5. Denzel Ward, Ohio State

Thomas had an up-and-down season in 2016 but finished with two interceptions after having five in 2015. Marshall (6-2, 200), another former five-star prospect, has six interceptions in two seasons.

 

Safeties

Seniors

1. Quin Blanding, Virginia
2. Marcus Allen, Penn State
3. Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern
4. Damon Webb, Ohio State
5. Kieron Williams, Nebraska

 

Underclassmen

1. *Derwin James, Florida State
2. Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
3. Chase Hansen, Utah
4. Jordan Whitehead, Pitt
5. Terrell Edmunds, Virginia Tech

I'd like to see Blanding (6-4, 210) make more plays. He has six interceptions and only 5.5 tackles for loss in three seasons. Hansen (6-3, 216), who has also played quarterback for the Utes, had three interceptions, including a pick-six, in 2016.

[stitches]

I'd take those with a bit of salt.

He's missing quite possibly the best OT in the class - Texas Connor Williams(6'6", 320)... Look no further than him and the Texas O-line for Donta Foreman's incredible season. Williams and others were opening HUGE lanes for Foreman to run through. He's also one of the better pass-protectors it seems. I think he's allowed just one sack in the last 2 seasons and it came on a QB scramble. He's already drawing Joe Thomas comparisons.

 

But it's a good initial list for players to watch next season.

[wig]

Keep an eye on Tyrell Crosby. He was the 5th best PFF OT after the 2015 season, but was hurt for all but a game or two last year. Terrific run blocker, and good pass protector. I could see him being really good at either position on the right side, with elite potential at RG. 

[NewColtsFan]

19 hours ago, stitches said:

I'd take those with a bit of salt.

He's missing quite possibly the best OT in the class - Texas Connor Williams(6'6", 320)... Look no further than the him and Texas O-line for Donta Foreman's incredible season. Williams and others were opening HUGE lanes for Foreman to run through. He's also one of the better pass-protectors it seems. I think he's allowed just one sack in the last 2 seasons and it came on a QB scramble. He's already drawing Joe Thomas comparisons.

 

But it's a good initial list for players to watch next season.

 

Nice catch.     For what it's worth, Williams is ranked as the top OT on the CBS Sports board, so there is that.

 

My first reaction when I saw your post was to think that Kiper had a brain cramp.     Perhaps he didn't realize that Williams is draft eligible in 2018?      But then I double-checked Kiper's top-25 Big Board and Wllliams isn't on it.   And then,   I double-checked McShay's mock 2018 draft and Williams isn't on that list either.

 

So, either they both think he's not draft eligible,  or they both think he's not as good as other evaluators might.

 

This is worth watching.....        Again,  good catch by you....

 

[Defjamz26]

Keeping my eye on Malik Jefferson and Azeem Victor. We've got a mixed bag at ILB right now. Even if Walker is the future we need someone to play next to him.

 

I'd also watch the D-Line class. I wanted Loutelei before he decided to go back and still do. Regardless of where we play Hankins, we'll need a D-Lineman.

 

 

*

[wig]

On 5/24/2017 at 5:12 PM, Defjamz26 said:

Keeping my eye on Malik Jefferson and Azeem Victor. We've got a mixed bag at ILB right now. Even if Walker is the future we need someone to play next to him.

 

I'd also watch the D-Line class. I wanted Loutelei before he decided to go back and still do. Regardless of where we play Hankins, we'll need a D-Lineman.

 

 

*

 

I agree we need some depth, but I like the future with Ridgeway, Anderson and Hankins. I believe they can be a pretty dang good starting group. 

[Defjamz26]

Keeping my eye on Malik Jefferson and Azeem Victor. We've got a mixed bag at ILB right now. Even if Walker is the future we need someone to play next to him.

 

I'd also watch the D-Line class. I wanted Loutelei before he decided to go back and still do. Regardless of where we play Hankins, we'll need a D-Lineman.

 

 

*

 

I agree we need some depth, but I like the future with Ridgeway, Anderson and Hankins. I believe they can be a pretty dang good starting group. 

 

Yeah I'm looking to see what type of leap Ridgeway makes. Ideally I'd start him over Langford. Anderson at DE, Hankins at NT, and Ridgeway at DT. But that's assuming Ridgeway makes the leap and Anderson gets back to his rookie form. If not then DL is a need. But even if they decided to play Hankins at DT, I think Vita Vea would be a hell of a NT for us.

 

 

*

[HOF19]

6 minutes ago, Defjamz26 said:

 

Yeah I'm looking to see what type of leap Ridgeway makes. Ideally I'd start him over Langford. Anderson at DE, Hankins at NT, and Ridgeway at DT. But that's assuming Ridgeway makes the leap and Anderson gets back to his rookie form. If not then DL is a need. But even if they decided to play Hankins at DT, I think Vita Vea would be a hell of a NT for us.

 

 

*

Yeah things get much more simpler if Ridgeway makes himself a factor in this defense.....I think he has the talent to do so if he really commits to it.......GO COLTS !!!!!

[wig]

8 minutes ago, Defjamz26 said:

 

Yeah I'm looking to see what type of leap Ridgeway makes. Ideally I'd start him over Langford. Anderson at DE, Hankins at NT, and Ridgeway at DT. But that's assuming Ridgeway makes the leap and Anderson gets back to his rookie form. If not then DL is a need. But even if they decided to play Hankins at DT, I think Vita Vea would be a hell of a NT for us.

 

 

*

 

Agreed. Part of what I said was hope, but I think there's a real chance at having 3 plus starters on the DL. Langford will hopefully provide the depth. 

[Colt Overseas]

On 5/25/2017 at 1:12 AM, Defjamz26 said:

Keeping my eye on Malik Jefferson and Azeem Victor. We've got a mixed bag at ILB right now. Even if Walker is the future we need someone to play next to him.

 

I'd also watch the D-Line class. I wanted Loutelei before he decided to go back and still do. Regardless of where we play Hankins, we'll need a D-Lineman.

 

 

*

 

Yeah Malik Jefferson would be the WILL linebacker in our scheme, apparently the Longhorns are going to play him as a pass rusher next season. I think he is an outstanding talent, but there are some off field issues with him. This year will tell a lot about him, he is sometimes inconsistent. He is a ridiculously athletic player, a better player that say Haason Reddick for me. He has top 10 talent, or could have a late first/early second round fall.

[wig]

9 hours ago, Colt Overseas said:

 

Yeah Malik Jefferson would be the WILL linebacker in our scheme, apparently the Longhorns are going to play him as a pass rusher next season. I think he is an outstanding talent, but there are some off field issues with him. This year will tell a lot about him, he is sometimes inconsistent. He is a ridiculously athletic player, a better player that say Haason Reddick for me. He has top 10 talent, or could have a late first/early second round fall.

 

Jefferson has potential but he would need to take a big leap for me to say he's a better player than Reddick. 

[MarquisJ]

Dashawn Hand went to my highschool so you guys know who im rooting for!!

[COLTS449]

At this moment.........Give Me Harold Landry RD1.........Then Jaylon Ferguson RD 3.......Get a day 1 starting ILB in RD2......Boom !!!!!!

[akcolt]

Sign me up for something like this:

1-Landry/Sweat Edge 

2- Ejiofor DE can get to QB.

3-TJ Foster ILB

We should have a pass rush now.

4-Summers CB  TO machine 

5- R Penny RB 5'10 220lbs  KR-5tds