Top 10 Quarterback Prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft
- Feb 24, 2018
- 7 min read
This years NFL Draft class is the deepest its been at the Quarterback position for many many years. And for teams, this is a good thing. 11 NFL teams are in the QB market this off-season and yes some of those positions will be filled in free agency, however, having such a deep and talented QB draft class in April, helps those teams make the right decision. There are of course, some standout talents who are predicated to go very early on in the draft.
These are my top 10 QB’s (pre-combine) entering the 2018 NFL Draft:
Josh Rosen – UCLA – 6’4 – 210
2017 Stats – 63% Passes Complete – 3717 Yards – 26 TD’s – 10 INT’s
2016 Stats – 60% Passes Complete – 3,670 Yards – 23 TD’s – 11 INT’s
Josh is arguably the most NFL ready QB and this is for a number of reasons. His mechanics are impeccable and his spiral on the ball is one of tightest in this draft class. This tight spiral helps him sneak this ball through very tight coverage. Unlike most college QB’s, Rosen, whilst predominantly working out of the shotgun, Rosen has also worked under centre and effectively doing so to. There are some off the field character issues, and it is said he is disliked within the locker room which will raise questions amongst NFL scouts and GM’s. Josh is an all-rounder and the most NFL ready, he is projected to go number one overall should the Browns still have a need for a QB after free agency so early on. Josh is consistent, NFL teams depend on consistency.
Sam Darnold – USC – 6’4 – 225
2017 Stats – 63% Passes Complete – 4,143 Yards – 26 TD’s – 13 INT’s
2016 Stats – 67% Passes Complete – 3,086 Yards – 21 TD’s – 9 INT’s
Sam has divided NFL scounts and GM’s with some not able to look past the amount of turnovers-fumbles and with some focusing in on his impeccable anticipatory skills. Whilst this is spiking scouts and GM’s interest, theres no doubt that Darnold has some work to do to convince those who are not in his camp. There have been some stand-out games for Darnold during to the 2017 season, one that springs to mind is of course USC vs Standford with Darnold completing 21-26 passes for 316 yards and 4 TD’s. Sam struggles with three main elements of his game, decision making, eye movement and confidence. He doesn’t always make the right decisions when under pressure which have contributed to his turnover-fumble stats. His eye movement also lacks in maturity, he sometimes focus too long on his main target, not working through his progressions. All in all, Sam Darnold will go in the top 10, theres no doubt about it, however I don’t see him being an immediate starter, whichever NFL team takes him will be best sitting him for a year or two behind a veteran QB allowing his development and eventually turning him into a starter that can be well utilised.
Josh Allan – Wyoming – 6’4 – 237
2017 Stats – 56% Passes Complete – 1,812 Yards – 16 TD’s – 6 INT’s – 5 Rushing TD’s
2016 Stats – 56% Passes Complete – 3,203 Yards – 28 TD’s – 15 INT’s
Josh improved his draft stock immensely during the Senior Bowl in Mobile. During practice sessions Josh showed real improvements in accuracy and throwing touch passes. Josh has a powerful arm and is a real gunslinger, however did not play a full season in 2017. Josh missed Wyoming’s last two regular season games due to a shoulder injury. NFL scouts have commented on his size and sheer toughness. Much like Sam Darnold, Josh will benefit most from being sat behind a vet QB for a season or two in order to develop his skills and get use to the NFL way of football. One thing the scouts agreed on was the good character displayed by Josh in his interviews, there is no doubt that this will play a major part in this 2018 NFL Draft.
Lemar Jackson – Louisville – 6’3 – 205
2017 Stats – 59% Passes Completed – 3,660 Yards – 27 TD’s – 10 INT’s – 18 Rushing TD’s
2016 Stats – 56% Passes Completed – 3,543 Yards – 30 TD’s – 9 INT’s – 21 Rushing TD’s
Lemar for me is one of the most underrated QB’s in this years draft class and scouts have said they believe he is undervalued much like Deshaun Watson was, and we all know how that turned out. Jacksons skill set is something else, the passes he makes from the pocket are sensational. Im not a massive fan of comparing players to others, however, its hard to ignore the similarities between Jackson and Michael Vick. His ability to run is incredible, both extending plays and scoring a plethora of TD’s in the process. One thing which has shown through in his 2017 season is that Louisville relied on him far too much, and Jackson was trying to take on too much. This often happens with QB’s who have the ability to run just as well as they throw. This also exposes them to more injuries than normal. The one thing hanging over Jacksons head is his accuracy. Get him in the right system and he will shine, just like Watson has this season. He would suit a RPO style offence incredibly well. Scouts have also commented on his character, showing maturity when it comes to leadership and toughness, all important traits for an NFL QB.
Baker Mayfield – Oklahoma – 6’0 – 216
2017 Stats – 71% Passes Complete – 4,627 Yards – 43 TD’s – 6 INT’s – 5 Rushing TD’s
2016 Stats – 71% Passes Complete – 3,965 Yards – 40 TD’s – 8 INT’s – 6 Rushing TD’s
Now, look at those stats, tell me why Baker is being touted as the number one overall pick this draft? Well, sadly there are a few reasons. Mayfield is considered to be a gunslinger by NFL scouts, however, there are comments on the strength of his arm. But some NFL scouts consider it to be fine for the plays needed to be made within the NFL. One of Mayfield’s major pluses in my eyes is his timing and accuracy. Not only is he able to find his receiver, but when throwing the ball he automatically extends plays. His mobility is something to be in awe of. He is able to dodge sacks and escape pressure better than most of the QB’s in this draft. But what makes him even more special, is his ability to throw the ball accurately whilst on the run. Now for the negatives, he’s small. Whilst he is listed at 6ft, some consider him to be around 5’11, teams will look at this very negatively as his ability to read defences effectively will be massively impaired. There are of course well documented character issues both on and off the field. Whilst this plays a part in the scouting of Mayfield, I think given some of the talent that went in last year’s draft against much more questionable character issues, I shouldn’t think that it will impact him too much. His film is at times amazing to watch, especially when on the run. I think whichever team ends up taking Mayfield, they have to sit him for the first season behind someone who can develop him, he also needs the right coaching staff around him in order to settle any character or maturity issues he may still have.
Mason Rudolph – Oklahoma State – 6’4 – 229
2017 Stats – 65% Passes Complete – 4,904 Yards – 37 TD’s – 9 INT’s
2016 Stats – 63% Passes Complete – 4,910 Yards – 28 TD’s – 4 INT’s – 6 Rushing TD’s
Rudolph interviewed well at the Senior Bowl, however this hasn’t compensated for his love/hate status among NFL scouts. There are many out there that see his inability to throw into tight windows and his anticipation skills to be terrible. If these anticipatory skills don’t improve, he will often find himself underneath a defensive player. Rudolph should be considered among NFL teams as someone who needs some progressive development, his footwork, his progressions, his reading of the field are all concerns for scouts who have seen him.
Luke Falk – Washington State – 6’3 – 211
2017 Stats – 67% Passes Complete – 3,593 Yards – 30 TD’s – 13 INT’s
2016 Stats – 70% Passes Compete – 4,468 Yards – 38 TD’s – 11 INT’s
Falk will be on the radar for some teams as his pocket passing and accuracy certainly have potential. His arm strength is certainly above average and this has been confirmed by NFL scouts. What scouts are saying in regard to negatives is that Falk has real issues seeing coverage and will often throw right into it. Falk is considered underweight and will need to pack on the pounds if he is to go up against an NFL Defence. His escapability skills will need to be worked on as well as his mobility in general. Its clear that Falk has potential, however, his first season or two will be used as a developmental period.
Chase Litton – Marshall – 6’6 – 223
2017 Stats – 60% Passes Complete – 3,115 Yards – 25 TD’s – 14 INT’s
2016 Stats – 62% Passes Complete – 2,612 Yards = 24 TD’s – 9 INT’s
Chase played well over the first 2 seasons in college football. Litton is a surprise addition to the 2018 NFL Draft and many scouts believe he should stay in school for his senior year to really get the most of his skills. He is a tall QB with a good arm, however if he wants to go up against NFL Defences, he needs to add more weight to his frame.
Turner Lee – Nebraska – 6’4 – 220
2017 Stats – 58% Passes Complete – 3,143 Yards – 23 TD’s – 16 INT’s
Lee had a good week at the Senior Bowl and according to many NFL scouts, interviewed well. Lee operates as a pro-style pocket passer who doesn’t have much to offer in the way of mobility which will be a major concern to any NFL team looking at him. Lee started his college career at Tulane before taking the transfer to Nebraska where the offensive style suited his playing more.
Nic Shimonek – Texas Tech – 6’3 – 225
2017 Stats – 67% Passes Complete – 3,963 Yards – 33 TD’s – 10 INT’s
Shimonek was the Texas Tech’s replacement when Patrick Mahomes was drafted to the Chiefs in 2017. During the 2017 seasons, Shimonek impressed and played well. Some NFL scouts are saying that Shimonek does in fact have a decent arm and talent, tipping him as a serious prospect in the Draft. During the East-West Shrine game, Shimonek was by far the best QB there.
Written by James Howell
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