Top 50 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft 2018

       Saquon Barkley Heads Pro Prospect Rankings

Frank Coyle/ Head Scout DraftInsiders.com

Saquon Barkley continues to head the pro prospect ranking with one week until the start of the NFL Draft 2018. Barkley has been our #1 prospect since September 2017 and there has been no reason to move him through the season and postseason. He is a complete prospect with early NFL impact talent in a year when four QBs have created an insane buzz within the top five and ten selections. Trades are still a very real possibility with three teams holding two #1 draft choices – Browns, Bills and Patriots. Many trades occur ‘On the Clock’ with player availability changing value for clubs.

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  Top 50 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft 2018

–  * underclassmen – late April, 2018
Pro Prospect                 Pos                 School

1 * Saquon Barkley                  RB                    Penn St
2 * Sam Darnold                      QB                   Southern Cal
3 Bradley Chubb                      DE                   NC St
4 * Quenton Nelson                 OG                   Notre Dame
5 * Minkah Fitzpatrick            S                      Alabama
6 * Josh Rosen                         QB                   UCLA
7 * Denzel Ward                      CB                    Ohio St
8 * Roquan Smith                   LB                    Georgia
9 * Josh Allen                          QB                   Wyoming
10 * Derwin James                   S                      Florida St
11 * Tremaine Edmunds          LB                    Virginia Tech
12 Baker Mayfield                    QB                   Oklahoma
13 Mike McGlinchey                 OT                    Notre Dame
14 * Calvin Ridley                     WR                   Alabama
15 Marcus Davenport              DE                   UTSA
16 Vita Vea                                 DT                    Washington
17 * Connor Williams                OT                    Texas
18 * Leighton Vander Esch      LB                    Boise St
19 Rashaan Evans                     LB                    Alabama
20 * Taven Bryan                      DT                    Florida
21 Christian Kirk                       WR                   Texas A&M
22 * Jaire Alexander                 CB                    Louisville
23 * D.J. Moore                         WR                   Maryland
24 * Da’Ron Payne                    DT                    Alabama
25 * Kolton Miller                     OT                    UCLA
26 * Mike Hughes                     CB                    Central Florida
27 * Joshua Jackson                 CB                    Iowa
28 Isaiah Wynn                         OG                   Georgia
29 * Courtland Sutton               WR                   SMU
30 * Sam Hubbard                    DE                   Ohio State
31 Maurice Hurst                      DT                    Michigan
32 * Derrius Guice                    RB                    LSU
33 D.J Chark                             WR                   LSU
34 Billy Price                             C                      Ohio St
35 Dallas Goedert                     TE                    South Dakota St
36 Frank Ragnow                      C                      Arkansas
37 Lorenzo Carter                      LB                    Georgia
38 * Ronnie Harrison                S                      Alabama
39 Will Hernandez                    OG                   Texas-El Paso
40 Sony Michel                         RB                    Georgia
41 * Carlton Davis                     CB                    Auburn
42 Harold Landry                     DE/LB              Boston College
43 * Harrison Phillips              DT                    Stanford
44 * Arden Key                          DE/LB              LSU
45 * Lamar Jackson                  QB                   Louisville
46 * Isaiah Oliver                      CB                    Colorado
47 Mason Rudolph                   QB                   Oklahoma St
48 Tyrell Crosby                       OT                    Oregon
49 * Justin Reid                         S                      Stanford
50 Austin Corbett                      OL                    Nevada

Two Round Mock Draft for the NFL Draft 2018 – 5.0
Quarterbacks Highlight First Round with Five #1 Selections

Frank Coyle/ Head Scout
          * underclassmen – April, 2018

First Round
#       Team                                     Player /            Position /     School
1 Cleveland                                  * Sam Darnold                QB       Southern Cal
2 NY Giants                                * Saquon Barkley             RB        Penn St
3 NY Jets (Indianapolis)            * Josh Rosen                  QB       UCLA
4 Cleveland (Houston)               * Minkah Fitzpatrick     S          Alabama
5 Denver                                      * Josh Allen                      QB       Wyoming
6 Indianapolis (NY Jets)            Bradley Chubb              DE       NC St
7 Tampa Bay                              * Quenton Nelson            OG       Notre Dame
8 Chicago                                   * Denzel Ward                   CB        Ohio St
9 San Francisco                        * Derwin James                S          Florida St
10 Oakland                                Marcus Davenport           DE       UTSA
11 Miami                                   * Tremaine Edmunds       LB        Virginia Tech
12 Buffalo (Cincinnati)              Baker Mayfield              QB       Oklahoma
13 Washington                          * Jaire Alexander            CB        Louisville
14 Green Bay                            * Roquan Smith               LB        Georgia
15 Arizona                                Mike McGlinchey             OT        Notre Dame
16 Baltimore                             * Calvin Ridley                 WR       Alabama
17 LA Chargers                        Vita Vea                              DT        Washington
18 Seattle                                * Connor Williams             OT        Texas
19 Dallas                                  * D.J. Moore                      WR       Maryland
20 Detroit                                 * Derrius Guice                RB        LSU
21 Cincinnati (Buffalo)           * Da’Ron Payne               DT        Alabama
22 Buffalo (Kansas City)        Isaiah Wynn                     OG       Georgia
23 New England (Rams)       * Leighton Vander Esch  LB        Boise St
24 Carolina                               * Mike Hughes                 CB        Central Florida
25 Tennessee                            * Sam Hubbard               DE       Ohio St
26 Atlanta                                 * Taven Bryan                  DT        Florida
27 New Orleans                         Rashaan Evans              LB        Alabama
28 Pittsburgh                            Mason Rudolph              QB       Oklahoma St
29 Jacksonville                         * Courtland Sutton         WR       SMU
30 Minnesota                            Will Hernandez              OG       Texas-El Paso
31 New England                        * Kolton Miller               OT        UCLA
32 Philadelphia                         Christian Kirk                WR       Texas A&M

Second Round
33 Cleveland                            D.J Chark                      WR       LSU
34 NY Giants                           Lorenzo Carter              LB        Georgia
35 Cleveland (Houston)            * Carlton Davis              CB        Auburn
36 Indianapolis                         * Harrison Phillips          DT        Stanford
37 Indianapolis (Jets)                Dallas Goedert              TE        South Dakota St
38 Tampa Bay                         Sony Michel                  RB        Georgia
39 Chicago                              Anthony Miller              WR       Memphis
40 Denver                                * Josh Jackson             CB        Iowa
41 Oakland                              Mike Gesicki                 TE        Penn St
42 Miami           `                       * Ronnie Harrison          S          Alabama
43 New England (San Fran)       Harold Landry              LB        Boston College
44 Washington                          * Justin Reid                  S          Stanford
45 Green Bay                           * Arden Key                  DE       LSU
46 Cincinnati                            Billy Price                      C          Ohio St
47 Arizona                                James Washington        WR       Oklahoma St
48 LA Chargers                        * Lamar Jackson           QB       Louisville
49 Indianapolis (Seattle-Jets)     Tyrell Crosby               OT        Oregon
50 Dallas                                 * Mark Andrews             TE        Oklahoma
51 Detroit                                Maurice Hurst               DT        Michigan
52 Baltimore                            * Tim Settle                   DT        Virginia Tech
53 Buffalo                                * James Daniels            C          Iowa
54 Kansas City                         * Rasheem Green          DL        Southern Cal
55 Carolina                               Austin Corbett               OL        Nevada
56 Buffalo (LA Rams)                * Ronald Jones II           RB        Southern Cal
57 Tennessee                            Uchenna Nwosu            LB        USC
58 Atlanta                                 * Deon Cain                   WR       Clemson
59 San Fran (New Orleans)       * Isaiah Oliver                CB        Colorado
60 Pittsburgh                            Ogbonnia Okoronkwo    LB        Oklahoma
61 Jacksonville                         B.J. Hill                         DT        N.C. St
62 Minnesota                            * Brian O’Neill                OT        Pittsburgh
63 New England                        * Hayden Hurst              TE        South Carolina
64 Cleveland (Phil)                    Da’Shawn Hand            DE       Alabama

Outside Linebackers – Grade B

Positional Overview: This year’s class of outside linebackers is a very good group that should provide many starters for both pro schemes. With half the clubs playing the 3-4 scheme, this position may supply as many as 20+ defenders for that set. The top two, Tremaine Edmunds and Lorenzo Carter are late developing prospects who had outstanding final performances that continued through the postseason. Both checked off all the boxes which probably earns them mid to late 1st round selections. Edmunds impressed at every event and fits both pro schemes. Carter had an equally impressive final season that elevated him to the top of the class. He could also hear his name at the end of the first round. Seniors, Harold Landry and Uchenna Nwosu are highly regarded defenders coming strong final performances. Both carry solid late first early/second day consideration. Malik Jefferson and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo were playmakers and look to be selected on the 2nd day of the NFL Draft process. Rising prospects Shaquem Griffin, Jerome Baker and Fred Warner have drawn strong attention from pro scouts off strong finishes to their careers. They figure as top 100 bubble prospects. Griffin is the best story of any draft class, overcoming a hand deformity and subsequent amputation to excel as D1 defender who earned Conference Player of the Year honors. His NFL Combine performance will be the standard for outside linebackers for years to come. Hercules Mata’afa and Marquis Haynes fit the 3-4 clubs well. They are slipping through the cracks and have starting ability as 3-4 backers. Darius Leonard and Andrew Ankrah are small college defenders who completed excellent careers. Leonard finished with an excellent Senior Bowl. Ankrah has fallen through the cracks, but carries a starting grade for the outside in a 3-4 set. They have the makeup of premier special teams’ performers and figure in the 3rd day. This position will probably provide 8-10 prospects in the top 100 selections. Expect approximately 15 chosen in the top 150 picks with this group providing many defenders rated with starting grades. There should be as many as 20+ players chosen over the 7 rounds. This class also includes many ‘tweener types who specialize in rushing the QB and good fits for the 3-4 set, though a highly risky position. Oren Burks and Leon Jacobs are two fast underrated gems and projects to the pro 4-3 scheme and early special teams’ demons.

NFL Teams in need:

1. 1. Steelers      5. Cowboys
   2. Lions           6. Bills
   3. Ravens        7. Raiders
   4. Packers       8. Vikings

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      Positional Traits
Best Athlete – Lorenzo Carter
Best Run – Uchenna Nwosu
Best Pass Cover – Shaquem Griffin
Best Tackler – Tremaine Edmunds
Best Pass Rush – Harold Landry
Best Pursuit – Darius Leonard
Best Intangibles – Shaquem Griffin
Ball Instincts – Tremaine Edmunds

  NFL Premier Player
         Von Miller
Blue Chip – Tremaine Edmunds
Blue Chip – Lorenzo Carter
Red Chip – Harold Landry
Rising – Uchenna Nwosu
Falling – Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
Underrated – Fred Warner
Overrated – Jerome Baker
Sleeper – Darius Leonard
Boom/Bust – Malik Jefferson
Ready to Play – Harold Landry
Long Term Gem – Lorenzo Carter
Hidden Gem – Andrew Ankrah
Over drafted – Harold Landry

        Top Outside Linebackers 

1 * Tremaine Edmunds – Virginia Tech
2 Lorenzo Carter – Georgia
3 Harold Landry – Boston College
4 Uchenna Nwosu – USC
5 * Malik Jefferson – Texas
6 Ogbonnia Okoronkwo – Oklahoma
7 Darius Leonard – South Carolina St
8 * Jerome Baker – Ohio St
9 Fred Warner – Brigham Young
10 Oren Burks – Vanderbilt
11 Shaquem Griffin – Central Florida
12 * Hercules Mata’afa – Washington St
13 Marquis Haynes – Mississippi
14 Leon Jacobs – Wisconsin
15 Andrew Ankrah – James Madison

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Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Biletnikoff, Thorpe, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Blue-Chip DE Bradley Chubb Heads Defensive Class

   Defensive Ends – Grade: B

    by Frank Coyle / Head Scout
        Positional Overview:
This year’s defensive end class is a strong group which could produce as many as four #1 picks. There are several quality blue chip prospects at the top and at least 3 should go in the top 20 selections. There could be as many as 10-12 in the top three rounds with as many as 15 thru the middle rounds. Bradley Chubb is the best defender in this class and could be a top five overall pick. Marcus Davenport is a probable top 10-15 first round choice and fits every front. Sam Hubbard and Arden Key figure in the mid to late first round. Both fit the two pro fronts, Hubbard down and Key up as an attack backer. Rasheem Green and DaShawn Hand fit a five-technique role and will likely come off the board in the 2nd day. Green has a high ceiling to be a three down five technique defender. Edge rushers are a premium with many going in the early rounds off big play potential. Duke Ejiofor and Kemoko Turay figure in the top 100 picks and fit the edge rusher role. Turay appeals to all clubs with his ability to play down and up off the edge. There should be an expected run throughout the top 150 picks especially from the 3rd thru the 5th rounds. Ade Aruna, Breeland Speaks and Josh Sweat will probably be chosen on the early middle rounds. Our highest rated small college prospect is John Franklin-Myers who had a strong postseason at the NFLPA All-star week and NFL Combine.  With the huge demand for rushers, clubs will draft into this group for tweener prospects. Expect approximately 25+ prospects chosen over the three-days with the importance of rushers playing a huge part in teams’ strategy. This is a top heavy and deep class through the middle rounds. Late April workout ACL injury to Kentavius Street leaves his draft status question.

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       NFL Teams in need:
1. Seahawks          4. Dolphins
2. Eagles               5. Panthers
3. Packers            6. Cardinals

  NFL Premier Player
           J.J. Watt
Blue Chip – Bradley Chubb
Blue Chip – Marcus Davenport
Red Chip – Sam Hubbard
Rising – Kemoko Turay
Falling – Kentavius Street
Underrated – Breeland Speaks
Overrated – Dorance Armstrong
Sleeper – John Franklin-Myers
Boom/Bust – Arden Key
Long term Gem – Rasheem Green
Overdrafted – Da’Shawn Hand

Positional Traits
Best Athlete – Marcus Davenport
Best Rusher – Bradley Chubb
Best Run Stuffer – Sam Hubbard
Best Pursuit – Marcus Davenport
Shed Blocks – Arden Key
Recognition – Bradley Chubb
Best Intangibles – Sam Hubbard
Ball Instincts – Bradley Chubb
Strongest – Kentavius Street
Most Developed – Bradley Chubb

Top Defensive End Prospects 
1 Bradley Chubb – North Carolina St
2 Marcus Davenport – UTSA
3 * Arden Key – LSU
4 * Sam Hubbard – Ohio St
5 * Rasheem Green – USC
6 Da’Shawn Hand – Alabama
7 Duke Ejiofor – Wake Forest
8 Kemoko Turay – Rutgers
9 Andrew Brown – Virginia
10 * Dorance Armstrong – Kansas
11 Ade Aruna – Tulane
12 * Josh Sweat – Florida St
13 * Breeland Speaks – Ole Miss
14 Jalyn Holmes – Ohio St
15 Kylie Fitts – Utah
16 Chad Thomas – Miami
17 Tyquan Lewis – Ohio St
18 John Franklin-Myers – Stephen F. Austin
19 Justin Lawler – Southern Methodist
20 Kentavius Street – North Carolina St
21 * Jeff Holland – Auburn

NFL Draft 2018 –
Underclassmen Head Strong Cornerback Class 

Cornerbacks – Grade: B+
     Frank Coyle – Head Scout

  Positional Overview:

This year’s cornerback class is another excellent group of cover men which is both exceptionally deep and top heavy. There are a few blue chips expected to go at the top of the 1st round, with many through the top 50 overall selections. Six juniors head are prospect rankings with Denzel Ward and Jaire Alexander at the top of the class. They will probably be selected in the top 10-25 overall picks. Ward is also the best athlete at the position and has the skill set and versatility to start immediately. He is another in a long line of Buckeye corners to enter the NFL recently with most highly successful early in their careers. Alexander is a well-developed cover man with an early starting grade. He will probably be selected in the top 15-20 choices. Mike Hughes, Carlton Davis and Josh Jackson could all go in the top round or early 2nd round. Isaiah Oliver, Anthony Averett and Donte Jackson are highly regarded corers and probable mid-2nd day picks off strong 2017 performances. Averett comes off an excellent final season which probably earns him a top 50-60 selection. This is a deep group that will supply many NFL starters well into the 3rd day of the process. There could be at least 10-12 prospects selected in the top 100 choices. There will probably be 15-18 prospects selected in the top 150 picks. There should be a run on corners from the mid-1st round through the early 3rd day. This is an exceptionally strong group of underclassmen which improved the quality of this class. This class has exceptional depth and will provide a number of middle round steals like Duke Dawson, M.J. Stewart and Isaac Yiadom. This position has annually provided the most overall selections and should once again. This class could supply as many as 35 total prospects and another 40+ high priority FA. Small college defenders, Davontae Harris is highly regarded from the lower level and carries a potential starting grade. This deep crop of corners will supply a huge group of big corners with some versatility to also slide to safety in the nickel and dime   packages.

NFL Teams in need:
1 Patriots             5 . Giants
2. Dolphins        6. Redskins
3. Cowboys         7. Bears
4 Seahawks        8. Chiefs

NFL Premier Player
Patrick Peterson
Blue Chip – Denzel Ward
Blue Chip – Jaire Alexander
Red Chip – Mike Hughes
Rising –  Donte Jackson
Falling – Tarvarus McFadden
Underrated – Anthony Averett
Overrated – Isaac Yiadom
Sleeper – Davontae Harris
Boom/Bust – Holton Hill
Biggest Upside – Isaiah Oliver
Hidden Gem – Tony Brown
Over drafted – Kevin Toliver

Positional Traits
Best Athlete – Denzel Ward
Best Man Cover – Denzel Ward
Best Zone Cover – Mike Hughes
Best Run support – Carlton Davis
Best Tackler – Anthony Averett
Hands – Joshua Jackson
Best Intangibles – Anthony Averett
Ball Instincts – Mike Hughes

 Top Cornerbacks

1 * Denzel Ward – Ohio St
2 * Jaire Alexander – Louisville
3 * Mike Hughes – Central Florida
4 * Carlton Davis – Auburn
5 * Joshua Jackson – Iowa
6 * Isaiah Oliver – Colorado
7 Anthony Averett – Alabama
8 * Donte Jackson – LSU
9 * Kevin Toliver – LSU
10 Duke Dawson – Florida
11 * Tarvarus McFadden – Florida St
12 Tony Brown – Alabama
13 M.J. Stewart – North Carolina
14 Davontae Harris – Illinois St
15 Isaac Yiadom – Boston College

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Draft Insiders’ 2018 Yearbook –

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NFL Team Report 2018  (36 pages) – mid April – Every NFL Team broken down to Roster, Team Needs & Free Agency additions

NFL Draft Update Report – available Wed April 25th

Complete 7 Round Mock Draft – Final Top 300 Value Board – Top Small College Prospects

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Biletnikoff, Thorpe, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

NFL Draft 2018 

   Wide Receivers – Grade: B

by Frank Coyle / Publisher

NFL Teams in need:
1 Ravens             5 Jets
2 Cowboys         6 Lions
3 Giants              7  Cardinals
4. Rams              8 Titans

Positional Overview:
This year’s group of receivers is a quality class that is not top heavy with blue chip prospects. It does not rank with the recent groups over the past decade, though is a deep position that will provide many NFL starters and playmakers. The addition of numerous underclassmen enhances this class significantly with many of the top 15 players from that group. This class should produce starters into the 3rd day of the NFL Draft. Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk are blue chip prospects who probably come off the board from the middle of the first round. They will begin a run of at least 10-12 prospects chosen in the top 100 overall choices. D.J. Moore, D.J. Chark and Courtland Sutton could hear his name called late in the 1st or early 2nd rounds. James Washington, Anthony Miller, Deon Cain and Equanimeous St. Brown are solid 2nd day players. This especially deep group should also provide many return specialists, such as Kirk and Dante Pettis. Possibly 20-25 receivers from this position in the top 200 overall picks. The underclassmen will once again play a huge factor for this position with many of our top 150 prospects from that designation. There are a few fast rising prospects like Deon Cain, Tre’Quan Smith and DaeSean Hamilton moving up quickly off impressive postseasons. Highly regarded relatively unknown prospects like Korey Robertson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will probably go in the early part of the 3rd day and capable of becoming pro playmakers. There will probably be at least 30-35 chosen over the three-day event in another strong deep receiving class.

Wideout Rankings

1 Calvin Ridley – Alabama
2 Christian Kirk – Texas A&M
3 * D.J. Moore – Maryland
4 Courtland Sutton – Southern Methodist
5 D.J. Chark – LSU
6 James Washington        – Oklahoma St
7 Anthony Miller – Memphis
8 * Deon Cain     – Clemson
9 * Equanimeous St. Brown – Notre Dame
10 Dante Pettis     – Washington
11 * Tre’Quan Smith – Central Florida
12 Michael Gallup – Colorado St
13 DaeSean Hamilton – Penn St
14 * Simmie Cobbs –  Indiana
15 J’Mon Moore – Missouri

NFL Draft – Quarterback Prospects –

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NFL Draft – Top QB Prospects

Frank Coyle discusses the top QB prospects for the NFL Draft 2018 – Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield.

The Browns hold the 1st and 4th overall selections while Giants and Jets hold the #2 and #3 selections with all three clubs in need of a starting QB

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Jets Move Up to #3 Overall Selection Shakes Up NFL Draft 2018
Giants in ‘Catbird Seat’ with the #2 Draft Choice

Frank Coyle – Head Scout/Publisher

The Jets’ GM Mike Maccagnan pulled off a St. Patrick’s Day blockbuster trade that will have major repercussions in the early selections of the NFL Draft 2018. The Jets’ major deal will affect several teams’ draft strategy, including the Browns, cross town rival the Giants, Broncos, Bills and possibly the Colts again.

The Jets sent the 6th overall pick to the Colts 1st round pick, for the 3^rd overall selection. The Jets surrendered three #2 picks – two this year #37 and #49 plus their 2^nd round pick in the NFL Draft 2019. It was an excellent move by Maccagnan that puts the Jets in a position to get at least one of the top three QBs at worst in this talented class. Virtually every draft move into the top five choices for a franchise caliber QB always includes a #1 pick the following year. Maccagnan wisely retained the Jets #1 selection next year. He benefitted from having another early pick #37 plus the #49 pick obtained in the trade that sent DL Sheldon Richardson. That deal helped leverage the move to #3 overall this year. Richardson left Seattle after one season and recently signed a one-year deal with the Vikings.

The Browns hold the key to the top four with both the #1 and #4 overall selections. They are reserved to select a QB with one of the choices and waiting to the 4^th overall pick would be risky considering the QB need at both the top of the draft, in addition to several other clubs looking for their future starter. They were burnt just two years ago when they traded out of the #2 overall pick with either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz guaranteed on the board. The Eagles landed Wentz and he is their franchise guy going forward with great early reviews despite the late 2017 injury. The Browns are once again back to the drawing board at QB. With that disastrous decision still vivid in their memory, they are very committed to add the QB now and most likely with their top selection. They did overspend and use a #3 pick this year on stop-gap vet QB Tyrod Taylor. The Giants are actually in the ‘Catbird Seat’ at the #2 overall pick. New GM Dave Gettleman is a savvy personnel man with a history with the Giants and instrumental in their recent two Super Bowl teams. He loves value and knows the impact of their last #2 overall pick, Lawrence Taylor had on the franchise for over a decade when they won their first two Super Bowl titles. Their current presence at #2 puts a lot of pressure on the Browns to select a QB with the top pick. The Browns also love running back Saquon Barkley and have considered him at #1 overall, but the Carson Wentz debacle set the franchise back at least three years if not a decade. With the Bills, Broncos and Cardinals still actively trying to move into the top five, the Browns can not afford to lose the #1 QB prospect.

The Giants have many needs and will entertain all offers. The Browns and Bills have multiple top 100 selections, including both teams holding two #1’s along with Cleveland holding three and Buffalo two #2 choices. That’s ammo for moves into the top five with next year’s #1 the final leverage to close any deal. Giants love Barkley and will not hesitate to use the #2 overall pick to select the blue-chip back. With a trade with Cleveland at #4, the Giants probably lose Barkley and would have to like their 3^rd ranked QB or another blue-chip prospect to make the deal. The Browns have Barkley high on their list and landing him and a top QB could be franchise changing moves. Their high multiple selections have produced a 0-16 club and the top overall selection again.

The Jets have struggled landing a franchise type QB since the days of Joe Namath. Consequently, they have been a perineal non-playoff club with a constant changeover of the coaching and front office staffs. The St. Patricks’ day draft deal puts them in a position to land the rookie QB they want to lead the franchise and allow him to sit initially. The Jets added young QB Teddy Bridgewater (25) in free agency plus resigned starter Josh McCown. Both signed one-year deals at fair value contracts. Jets hope Bridgewater wins the starting job in training camp after coming off a serious knee injury in August 2016. Maccagnan hopes to address their long-term plans with the 3^rd overall pick, but the addition of Bridgewater gives the Jets a chance to capture lightning in a bottle if he proves healthy and returns to his 2015 playing form.

With five weeks until the NFL Draft 2018, the trading market has never been hotter. The Jets blockbuster trade forces the Bills to make a move and at the #12 and #22 picks, they will need to move into the top 10 to realize their QB. They may have to make two moves like the Eagles did to move to land Wentz. Bills will speak to the Colts who are interested in moving back for the right selections. The Colts hold the #6 pick from the Jets and will listen to the Bills who hold two selections in each of the top three rounds. The Broncos have been quiet since signing vet QB Case Keenum who is coming off a career performance with the Vikings. Denver does hold the #5 overall selection which keeps any bidder in the QB mix for the 3^rd or 4^th overall passer probably available.

The NFL Draft buzz continues to heat up with clubs trying to position themselves to land a blue-chip leader and QB. Stay tuned the upcoming decisions will have a broad base impact on the shape of the NFL divisional races for years to come.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites.