Top 10 QBs In 2018 Draft

USC QB Sam Darnold – Redshirt sophomore – 6-3, 221 – 4.85
Of all the top quarterback prospects in 2018, Darnold appears to be the safest and the one with the fewest question marks. After a tremendous 2016 season in which he threw for over 3,000 yards with 31 touchdowns and just nine interceptions, Darnold slipped a touch in 2017, especially in the turnover department, where he gave away the football 22 total times. Still, there is a lot to like about Darnold’s game (4,143 yards, 26 TDs in 2017) including his size, solid arm strength and his football intelligence.

2. UCLA QB Josh Rosen – Junior – 6-4, 210 – 4.85
Rosen and Darnold were cross-town rivals and both could be considered for the first overall pick later this month. Despite

Washington DT Vita Vea – Photo courtesy of Univ. of Washington

missing one game due to a concussion, Rosen threw for 3,717 yards, 26 TDs and 10 interceptions with a 62.5 percent completion percentage and showed off above-average arm strength. Rosen worked from under center and is probably the most pro-ready of this year’s quarterback class, although his decision making, particularly under pressure, has been a little concerning during the evaluation process.

3. Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield – Senior – 6-0, 216 – 4.84
Mayfield has boom or bust written all over him in some scout’s eyes. He is an ultra-competitive player who wears his emotions on his sleeve and goes to battle every week. However, some worry his emotional state sometimes clouds his judgement. He doesn’t have ideal size or arm strength but he has the “it” factor that many team covet. The 2017 Heisman winner’s stats can’t be ignored (4,627 yard, 43 touchdowns, six interceptions) despite some perceived weaknesses.

4. Wyoming QB Josh Allen – Redshirt Junior – 6-5, 233 – 4.75
Some think Allen has the most upside of all the quarterbacks, but there are still plenty of questions marks that cause scouts and front office guys to not be able to get a great grasp of their evaluation of the Wyoming product. Allen completed 56 percent of his passes last season for 1,812 yards, adding 16 touchdowns and six interceptions — good, but not great stats. Still, Allen had a solid week at the Senior Bowl and reports say he impressed teams in the interview room as well. Allen may not be ready to step in as a starter from the first day of training camp, but due to where he gets drafted, that is probably what happens. There will be some ups and downs early, but in a league where finding a franchise quarterback is so important, Allen will get his opportunity to adapt to the pro game quickly.

5. Louisville QB Lamar Jackson –Junior –6-3, 200 – 4.53
No one will question the athletic ability of Jackson, who won the Heisman as a sophomore and then as a junior threw for 3,660 yards with 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions then tacked on another 1,601 yards on the ground with 18 rushing touchdowns. Jackson is a human highlight reel, but scouts are still trying to determine how well he can transition to being more of a pocket passer. Mechanics wise, Jackson has plenty to work on, particularly with his footwork which affect his accuracy at times. With great speed and a strong arm, Jackson is being compared somewhat to former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.

6. Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph – Senior – 6-5, 235 – 4.90
One pre-draft scouting services actually had Rudolph as the top prospect in the draft at his position but that isn’t the consensus among NFL teams. No one is questioning Rudolph’s size and stats (4,904 yards with 37 touchdowns, nine interceptions in 2017) but his field awareness and tendency to not go through all his reads are an issue in many teams’ minds. Rudolph could be an early second round pick and there is an outside chance he even goes round one.

QB Mason Rudolph – Photo by: Getty Images

7. Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta – Senior – 6-2, 217 – 4.77
After throwing for 3,737 yards with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as a senior, combined with a good Senior Bowl week, Lauletta has seen his stock rise since the end of 2017. Lauletta is a competitor and a grinder and has impressed many in the interview room as well. Projected as a Day 3 pick, Lauletta looks like the perfect guy to come in and learn behind a veteran quarterback and at the very least develop into a solid backup.

8. Western Kentucky QB Mike White – Senior – 6-4, 224 – 5.09
A former USF Bull, White led the nation with 368 completions in 2017 and finished the season with 4,177 yards and 26 touchdowns. Despite being a transfer player White ended his Hilltopper career as the schools No. 3 all-time passer with over 8,000 yards. White lacks ideal athleticism that has hurt his draft stock.

9. Washington State QB Luke Falk – Senior – 6-3, 211 – 4.79
Falk had an impressive 2017 campaign with 3,593 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Learning to work under center is something teams are concerned with as he was playing from the shotgun in college. Falk has a decent arm and good accuracy, but is more a developmental player than a right of the gate NFL starter.

10. Virginia QB Kurt Benkert – Senior – 6-2, 218 – 4.95
Scouts say Benkert is intriguing as he possesses a lot of the traits to be somewhat successful at the next level, but there are areas to work on. A strong arm and a good leader, Benkert didn’t overly impress at the Senior Bowl. He isn’t overly athletic but has functional mobility to extend plays. As a senior he threw for 3,207 yards with 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Best Of The Rest

11. Toledo QB Logan Woodside – Senior – 6-1, 201 – 4.79
As a senior, Woodside threw for 3,882 yards, 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions. While solid numbers, his size hurts him when projecting playing at the next level. He was inconsistent at times in college including games where he didn’t throw for a score, then had a couple massive games where he carried the offense (458 yards, six TDs against Tulsa).

12.  Memphis QB Riley Ferguson – Senior – 6-3, 212 – 4.98
Ferguson led a high-powered offense at Memphis and put up impressive numbers (4,257 yards, 36 touchdowns, nine interceptions) as a senior. Ferguson needs to develop his body fame as much as anything to be able to stick in the NFL, but could battle for a roster spot for a team looking to develop a young prospect.

13. Florida International QB Alex McGough – Senior – 6-2, 220 – 4.74
McGough has very good arm talent according to scouts but is still raw and likely a long shot to make an NFL roster. As a senior he threw for 2,798 yards 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

14. Texas Tech QB Nic Shimonek – Senior – 6-3, 225 – 4.86
The former Red Raider threw for 3,963 yard with 33 touchdowns just 10 interceptions as a senior. Shimonek was one of the better quarterbacks at the East-West Shrine week in St. Petersburg this year and caused a few scouts to take notice.

15. Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett – Senior – 6-1, 221 – 4.70
Barrett was a winner and a leader for the Buckeyes but doesn’t project much more than as a developmental backup in the NFL. With 3,053 yards, 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions, Barrett showed he can throw the ball but his ability to read defenses and get to his second and third options needs to be be worked on for him to have a shot.

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