Ranking the 2018 Draft Prospects
With the draft fast approaching, I wanted to do a ‘general sweep’ article throwing out some names of, in my opinion, the top 5 at each position. Of course some may disagree with these but that’s all part of the fun. There is no ‘right or wrong’ when it comes to evaluating these young men. Let’s get going…
Quarterback
1.) Sam Darnold
2.) Baker Mayfield
3.) Josh Allen
4.) Josh Rosen
5.) Lamar Jackson
I haven’t paid too much attention to the QB’s given we have a pretty good one already, however it’s still fun to keep an eye on the most important position in football.
Running Back
1.) Saquon Barkley
2.) Nick Chubb
3.) Derrius Guice
4.) Ronald Jones II
5.) Sony Michel
This is the class I’ve kept the closest eye on overall given the teams massive need at RB. Plus, it’s one of the draft strengths with as many as 8 very likely to come off the board before the end of the second round. I must stress this is an ever evolving list. Ronald Jones II has floated as high as #2 for me but as things stand today, this is my top 5.
Fullback
1.) Dimitri Flowers
2.) Nick Bawden
3.) Donnie Ernsberger
4.) Austin Ramesh
5.) Khalid Hill
The FB class isn’t bad at all this year. Dimitri Flowers could go in the 5th or 6th round while the others are all 7th or priority free agents. Given Seattle’s need to improve the run game, there’s every chance they’d invest a pick on Flowers.
Tight End
1.) Mike Gesicki
2.) Dallas Goedert
3.) Mark Andrews
4.) Hayden Hurst
5.) Ian Thomas
There’s lots of good talent at tight end this year, with the pass catching tight ends sitting towards the bottom of round 1 to middle or round 2 whereas the pure blocking tight ends could be had for a bargain in the middle rounds. Seattle could run with Dickson, Vannett & Swoopes, or they could upgrade the position given how our new offensive coordinator has used multiple TE sets in the past.
Wide Receiver
1.) Calvin Ridley
2.) DJ Moore
3.) Courtland Sutton
4.) Christian Kirk
5.) DJ Chark
I’m not convinced Seattle will spend an early round pick on a WR although certainlty wouldn’t be stupid enough to rule it out entirely. If they go BPA (best player available) and one of the WR’s falls, don’t be shocked to hear one of the above be called out. Infact, don’t be shocked with anything this year!
Center
1.) James Daniels
2.) Billy Price
3.) Drank Ragnow
4.) Mason Cole
5.) Scott Quessenberry
Although Seattle currently have Justin Britt, Etan Pocic and Joey Hunt on the roster. I am fully expecting them to either draft a center or pick one up as an undrafted free agent. I’m not convinced they’re comfortable with having Joey Hunt being the primary backup and although they could rotate things around if Britt were to get injured, I am fully expecting a backup C to be picked up this month or in the coming days after the draft.
Tackle
1.) Connor Williams
2.) Mike McGlinchey
3.) Kolton Miller
4.) Tyrell Crosby
5.) Martinas Rankin
If Seattle does draft a tackle, I’d be shocked if any of the above names are called. If they do pick up some depth I suspect it will be with a late round pick, if at all. With the likes of Rees Odhiambo and George Fant providing backup roles, I’d expect the team to run with what they already have here.
Guard
1.) Quenton Nelson
2.) Isaiah Wynn
3.) Will Hernandez
4.) Austin Corbett
5.) Braden Smith
This guard class is great. Any of those 5 would likely come in and be day 1 starters at LG, with the top 3 all very possibly being pro bowl players whilst still on rookie contracts, they’re that good. I really hope Seattle goes this route just to have a starter at LG for at least 4 years.
Defensive End
1.) Bradley Chubb
2.) Marcus Davenport
3.) Sam Hubbard
4.) Rasheem Green
5.) Duke Ejiofor
The best value, in my opinion, is the second and third round for DE. I don’t buy the Josh Sweat hype personally, I think there are better options. Some have even pegged him in the first round which is, quite frankly, ludicrous. Duke Ejiofor is my personal favourite when you take into consideration where he will be drafted. Very likely somewhere in the 3rd round but if he slips into the 4th? I’d be the first on the phone trading up.
Defensive Tackle
1.) Vita Vea
2.) Da’Ron Payne
3.) Taven Bryan
4.) Maurice Hurst
5.) B.J. Hill
Another pretty strong class at tackle this year, however with the new additions in free agency, I’d be shocked if Seattle invested any capital into the position.
Inside Linebacker
1.) Roquan Smith
2.) Leighton Vander Esch
3.) Rashaan Evans
4.) Malik Jefferson
5.) Darius Leonard
This is absolutely a positon Seattle could target. Probably not as early as the 1st/2nd but I wouldn’t rule it out, either. Depth behind Bobby Wagner is non-existent and we saw last year what happens when one or two of our linebackers go down.
Outside Linebacker
1.) Tremaine Edmunds
2.) Roquan Smith (also plays ILB)
3.) Shaqueem Griffin
4.) Darius Leonard (also plays ILB)
5.) Lorenzo Carter
Same with inside linebacker, this team needs depth here. Griffin in the 3rd would be a perfect fit to play on 3rd down and give him the freedom to do exactly whatever the situation determines.
Cornerback
1.) Denzel Ward
2.) Josh Jackson
3.) Jaire Alexander
4.) Mike Hughes
5.) Isaiah Oliver
Free Safety
1.) Minkah Kitzpatrick
2.) Justin Reid
3.) Jessie Bates III
4.) Marcus Allen
5.) Rashaan Gaulden
Another position of need even if Earl isn’t traded, at least from a depth perspective. Another name to watch out for that probably doesn’t make the top 5 is Natrell Jamerson, he could be a late day 2 or day 3 prospect that really grows in a year or two.
Strong Safety
1.) Derwin James
2.) DeShon Elliott
3.) Ronnie Harrison
4.) Terrell Edmunds
5.) Kyzir White
Although not listed in the top 5, Tre Flowers is a name to watch out to potentially be drafted by Seattle in the later rounds. He’d be a depth guy with special teams value for sure. I don’t think Seattle drafts at SS any earlier than the 5th round personally.
Kicker
1.) Daniel Carlson
2.) Eddy Pineiro
3.) Michael Badgley
4.) Lane Clark
5.) Drew Brown
The kicker class often goes without any attention, however we say last year what a kicker can do for your final win/loss record. I would be 100% OK with Seattle using as high as a 5th round pick on the top kicker this year to solidify the position through the 2021 season at the very least.
Punter
1.) Michael Dickson
2.) JK Scott
3.) Joseph Davidson
4.) Johnny Townsend
5.) Joe Zema
We may see a few punters actually get drafted this year. One team will likely pick Dickson up as early as the 4th or 5th round, while the other top 5’s could go in the 6th/7th and as priority UDFA’s. If Seattle wants to get younger at punter, this year wouldn’t be a bad year to do it.
