Top NFL QB Prospects for 2018

[QuoteTheRaven83]

I'm on board the Josh Allen train.

[Kirby Jackson]

i don't know... it's a pretty "basic" defense

Setting the spread at 24.5

[YoloinOhio]

Setting the spread at 24.5

Larry Johnson has so much talent at DE that he's going to play Sam Hubbard standing up at LB and use a 5 "Rushmen" package... Edited May 6, 2017 by YoloinOhio

[rant_and_go]

Try watching first before making uneducated comments.

Both of us can watch Sam Bradford get benched for a QB who had his leg ripped off, and Matt Stafford choke and never win. Long list of top QB prospect who go nowhere.

[yungmack]

Some good options next draft:

 

 

http://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/friday-five-ranking-the-top-2018-nfl-draft-quarterback-prospects/

 

 

5. Luke Falk, Washington State: I was torn between two names to put in this fifth slot. Falk obviously won out, but the other name was Penn State’s Trace McSorley. In the end, I decided to go with Falk because 2018 will be his senior season and he’s definitely entering the draft next year. McSorley will be draft eligible, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be leaving Penn State.

So congratulations, Luke. You win on a technicality of sorts.

Which isn’t to say he’s not going to generate interest. Falk plays in an offense that is definitely pass-first. Even if Washington State implemented the run game more last year, it’s still a Mike Leach offense, and it’s an offense Falk has put up monster numbers in the last few seasons. As a starter the last two years, Falk has thrown for 9,029 yards and 76 touchdowns. Odds are he’ll throw for at least 4,000 yards and 35 touchdowns again in 2017.

He also has the size that NFL teams are going to look at as he checks in at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds.

 

4. Josh Allen, Wyoming: Are you a fan of an NFL team that has a quarterback situation that leaves a little something to be desired? If you are, you may want to try to watch Wyoming play football this season. If you do, you’ll see a quarterback that many felt could have been a first-round pick had he chosen to leave Wyoming this year.

Josh Allen didn’t, though, and he’ll return to the Cowboys for another season. Allen will be compared to former North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz because of where he goes to school. He’ll be the guy that “came out of nowhere,” but the truth is he’s always been there if you know where to look.

Allen’s numbers with Wyoming last season weren’t eye-popping. He completed only 56 percent of his passes for 3,203 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. That’s not what will matter to NFL teams, though.

No, they’ll look at Allen and see a kid who is 6-foot-5 and 222 pounds. A big kid with a good arm, decent athleticism, and experience playing in a pro-style system at Wyoming.

.

3. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State: I get the sense that I’m a bit higher on Mason Rudolph than some, but believe me when I tell you that NFL teams are going to be all over him after next season. He just checks all the boxes of what NFL teams look for in a quarterback.

He has the size at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, and he definitely has the arm. Rudolph fits balls into windows that a lot of other college quarterbacks just can’t -- though they’ll try anyway -- and he’s accurate while doing so.

That’s why he been able to complete 63 percent of his passes the last two seasons while averaging nearly nine yards per attempt. It’s also why he had seven times as many touchdowns (28) as interceptions (four) last season.

While he won’t start at the top of the list -- I mean, he’s No. 3 here, and I love him -- I wouldn’t be surprised if Rudolph is considered the top guy in the 2018 class by this time next year.

 

2. Josh Rosen, UCLA: Rosen arrived at UCLA with a lot of hype, and deservedly so. He was a good, young, polished quarterback straight out of high school. He also played incredibly well as a true freshman in 2015, completing 60 percent of his passes for 3,669 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also threw 11 interceptions, but again, he was a true freshman, and I don’t care how good they are, they’re going to turn the ball over from time to time.

His sophomore season wasn’t nearly as kind. Rosen played in only six games because of a shoulder injury that required surgery. Now, when it comes to a quarterback, shoulder surgery is always scary, and you have to believe it could be a red flag for some NFL teams.

The good news for Rosen is that he’s expected to be fully healthy for the start of the 2017 season. If he gets back on the field and shows improvement on the promise he displayed in 2015, he’s going to be a big-time NFL prospect yet again. He has the size, he has the arm, and he’s shown a good command of the offense at UCLA at a very young age. It’s basically like he was built to be a first-round pick one day.

 

1. Sam Darnold, USC: The hype for Darnold has already begun. He’s already the Heisman favorite six months before the season even begins , and if you look at early 2018 NFL mock drafts (seriously, they exist) you’re going to find Darnold’s name as the No. 1 pick more often than not.

.

And I find it really hard to disagree with any of it.

He was only a four-star recruit out of high school in 2015, and after redshirting his first year at USC, he lost out to Max Browne to open 2016 as USC’s starter. Even then, though, many felt it was only a matter of time before Darnold took over the starting gig because he’d been extremely impressive since coming to campus.

Darnold saw some time as a reserve in USC’s first three games and finally took over the starting job for good in the Trojans’ fourth game of the season. Though USC lost his first start on the road against a good Utah team, it wasn’t because of anything Darnold did wrong.

Then he just took off.

Over USC’s final nine games of the season, Darnold threw for 2,833 yards and 31 touchdowns while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. And while nobody would consider him the next Lamar Jackson, he also showed enough mobility with his legs to be a running threat as well.

You put his numbers alongside his measurables, and he’s suddenly the guy who will have plenty of NFL fans rooting for their team to lose games so they can get the No. 1 pick and take him.

Yes, there’s a lot of hype surrounding Darnold right now, but he’s fully capable of living up to it.

I like your picks and assessments, although I don't know about dropping McSorley because he might not come out. Darnold is in the same position, as I believe Rosen is (though I'd bet he will declare for the draft). Sauce for the goose, and all that.

 

FWIW, last fall I started watching Peterman and that led me to McSorley and I have to say, by the end of the year he'd won me over. In fact, by this past January, the two best college teams were USC and Penn St. to my eyes, and that the Rose Bowl was the true national championship.

[1billsfan]

I like them all. Traditional pocket passsers. We haven't had that since Bledsoe. They're definitely the top 5, I would rank then.

 

 

1. Rosen

 

2. Darnold

 

3. Allen

 

4. Falk

 

5. Rudolph

 

 

We better stay away from Mayfield (too small) and Jackson (not great from pocket).

 

He's 6"1" and solidly built, so the height thing seems pretty nominal. Carr and Prescott are only and inch taller and he's taller than Brees, Wilson and Taylor.

[yungmack]

 

Kizer is not a project, he needed another year to develop. I would have preferred he stay at ND one more year, but he didn't. He is capable of starting in 2018.

You are 100% correct he needs at least another year. But that program of Kelly's at ND would more than likely see him regress even further. Probably best he got out of there now.

I'm on board the Josh Allen train.

Might I suggest you make it a point to watch a bunch of USC games this year before the train leaves the station?

[Blokestradamus]

He's 6"1" and solidly built, so the height thing seems pretty nominal. Carr and Prescott are only and inch taller and he's taller than Brees, Wilson and Taylor.

 

Really handy for us that he got arrested so we got a real height on him

[1billsfan]

 

Really handy for us that he got arrested so we got a real height on him

 

You're right...LOL

[Sandy McFiddish]

Getting Sam Darnold would feel like it did when we drafted Jim Kelly, well without the blowing us off for the USFL part lol.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

No. Brady has been granted special treatment by the NFL. Rosen would have to prove himself before he gets the same treatment. It will never happen since Rosen is closer to Johnny Manziel than Tom Brady. Rosen comes across as a spoiled rich kid prima donna. Brady may rub us Bills fans the wrong way, but you have to admit that he puts in a lot of work. Brady has played his entire career as if he has something to prove. Rosen doesn't seem to have those traits according to many scouts.

Probably all true but I was referring to doesn't like to be hit.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

Both of us can watch Sam Bradford get benched for a QB who had his leg ripped off, and Matt Stafford choke and never win. Long list of top QB prospect who go nowhere.

True but that has nothing to do with this class or the God awful class of EJ. Now that doesn't mean that there aren't any bums in this class I just think it is better than most and Darnold might be the next Elway except his arm isn't quite that good.

Getting Sam Darnold would feel like it did when we drafted Jim Kelly, well without the blowing us off for the USFL part lol.

 

Exactly, accept even better.

[Webster Guy]

Alex smith is going on IR after week 2 this year. KC is gonna tank and give us the #1 pick

[Buffalo Barbarian]

Alex smith is going on IR after week 2 this year. KC is gonna tank and give us the #1 pick

Exactly !!!

[GoBills808]

 

Wore a "!@#$ Trump" hat playing golf. Had a hot tub in his dorm.

 

Essentially, easy target for the "Does he love football or what the game does for him?" target. Just a kid having fun.

Not. Sanitary.

[Augie]

Alex smith is going on IR after week 2 this year. KC is gonna tank and give us the #1 pick

Sounds great! But they would still wind up near us.....

[BobbyC81]

Baker Mayfield will be the best of next years class

He supposedly has small hands which would be a deterrent playing in Buffalo weather.

 

 

Jake Browning of Washington should not be overlooked. PAC-12 Player of the Year leading the Huskies to the Pac-12 Title and a berth in the College Football Playoff. Had 43 TD passes. Will be going into his junior year.

 

Admittedly I'm biased because he played in high school right down the road from me in Folsom, CA

Edited May 7, 2017 by LittleJoeCartwright

[8-8 Forever?]

They'll be plenty of teams that already have a QB that will be picking in the top 10. We'll have the ammo to leapfrog any of those teams you listed, unless they are pick 1, 2, and 3. Plus, I doubt the Browns will have the top pick next year. But, they'll have picks to play around with too.

Yeah, next year should be the year Bills pull the trigger on a Round 1 QB. Browns, Jets, others will be there as well. I know everyone will dislike another 7-9 season, but this year may be the one to pull another 7-9 record and actually get something great out of it...

[BobbyC81]

Yeah, next year should be the year Bills pull the trigger on a Round 1 QB. Browns, Jets, others will be there as well. I know everyone will dislike another 7-9 season, but this year may be the one to pull another 7-9 record and actually get something great out of it...

 

So, then they'll probably go 10-6 but still miss the playoffs and pick is around 20.

[DriveFor1Outta5]

Probably all true but I was referring to doesn't like to be hit.

He does have that in common with Brady. I just assumed you were making the point that Rosen can be successful like Brady, even though he doesn't like to be hit. I just wanted to point out it's been reported that Rosen has some major Manziel esque attitude problems. Those issues will hold Rosen back far more than his dislike of being hit.

[billspro]

I'm on board the Josh Allen train.

 

 

If he has a good year he will be a top five lock. Seriously looks like Big Ben, I believe he has a shot at greatness. Hopefully we don't screw a trade up to secure a franchise QB this year.

 

I really hope KC gives us a top ten pick this year. I think they had the worst offseason in their division this year so its possible.

Edited May 7, 2017 by billspro

[Dr. Who]

 

 

If he has a good year he will be a top five lock. Seriously looks like Big Ben, I believe he has a shot at greatness. Hopefully we don't screw a trade up to secure a franchise QB this year.

 

I really hope KC gives us a top ten pick this year. I think they had the worst offseason in their division this year so its possible.

I expect us to somehow manage to be mediocre, so I am hoping KC flops. If we are picking 10 to 15 and the KC pick is in the twenties, that probably doesn't get you close to a franchise qb unless the 2018 class really is four to six deep.

[JaCrispy]

I think when all is said and done, Allen and Falk will go top 5 because they are the safest of the QBs...Rosen and Mayfield will go in the top 15 because they have some character question marks...and i think Mason Rudolph will go by the end of the 1st.

Edited May 7, 2017 by JaCrispy

[Dr. Who]

I think when all is said and done, Allen and Falk will go top 5 because they are the safest of the QBs...Rosen and Mayfield will go in the top 15 because they have some character question marks...and i think Mason Rudolph will go by the end of the 1st.

You left out Darnold.

[JaCrispy]

You left out Darnold.

 

You left out Darnold.

I think he stays in school...if he came out i believe he would only be a sophomore, so i can't really see him coming out...therefore, i think our best bets are Allen and Falk if Rosen is the head case people are saying he is and Mayfield is a hot head and was arrested.

Edited May 7, 2017 by JaCrispy

[Dr. Who]

My guess is after a year of scrutiny, probably two will shake out as above the rest. It's a question whether we will be in a position to get one of them. The extra first isn't all that helpful, as I indicated above, if it is in the twenties. Also, if the two worst teams need a franchise qb, unlikely they are going to trade out.

[JaCrispy]

My guess is after a year of scrutiny, probably two will shake out as above the rest. It's a question whether we will be in a position to get one of them. The extra first isn't all that helpful, as I indicated above, if it is in the twenties. Also, if the two worst teams need a franchise qb, unlikely they are going to trade out.

this is why i don't understand the organization's current philosophy of trying to win now, while getting your franchise QB next year...just seems like a contradiction to me- especially since McD has acknowledged that QB is the most important part of the team...if you know it is so important, you are hurting your chances by trying to win as many games as you can this year- because it's not going to mean anything if you make the playoffs this year, but don't for the next 10 because you could't get your QB imo...

 

I would rather forget about this year and put all our chips into getting one of the top 2 QBs next year, which will allow us to win for the next 15 years.

[jeffismagic]

My guess is after a year of scrutiny, probably two will shake out as above the rest. It's a question whether we will be in a position to get one of them. The extra first isn't all that helpful, as I indicated above, if it is in the twenties. Also, if the two worst teams need a franchise qb, unlikely they are going to trade out.

I think you are right on. And when it appears the Bills won't get one of the top QB's people will point out that 2019 might be a better year.

 

This whole thread assumes the defensive coach has an interest in drafting and developing a QB, a pretty big leap of faith.

 

I'm on the I won't believe it till I see it camp now.

[Dr. Who]

this is why i don't understand the organization's current philosophy of trying to win now, while getting your franchise QB next year...just seems like a contradiction to me- especially since McD has acknowledged that QB is the most important part of the team...if you know it is so important, you are hurting your chances by trying to win as many games as you can this year- because it's not going to mean anything if you make the playoffs this year, but don't for the next 10 because you could't get your QB imo...

 

I would rather forget about this year and put all our chips into getting one of the top 2 QBs next year, which will allow us to win for the next 15 years.

I concur. Jets are doing it right and they got Adams this year, one of the best picks in the draft.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

this is why i don't understand the organization's current philosophy of trying to win now, while getting your franchise QB next year...just seems like a contradiction to me- especially since McD has acknowledged that QB is the most important part of the team...if you know it is so important, you are hurting your chances by trying to win as many games as you can this year- because it's not going to mean anything if you make the playoffs this year, but don't for the next 10 because you could't get your QB imo...

 

I would rather forget about this year and put all our chips into getting one of the top 2 QBs next year, which will allow us to win for the next 15 years.

.....so 'Crisp, in your view, is 2018 class far superior to 2017?....I don't get to see college ball and just wonder what you see....thanks!...........

[Dr. Who]

I think you are right on. And when it appears the Bills won't get one of the top QB's people will point out that 2019 might be a better year.

 

This whole thread assumes the defensive coach has an interest in drafting and developing a QB, a pretty big leap of faith.

 

I'm on the I won't believe it till I see it camp now.

Yep. This is the year to tank. Maybe Pegs is gunshy because of the Sabres tank which should still end up working if they play their cards right.

Fortunately, we may be bad in any event, though I can see 7- 9 because Bills . . . alas, we are just not that bright.

[jeffismagic]

Yep. This is the year to tank. Maybe Pegs is gunshy because of the Sabres tank which should still end up working if they play their cards right.

Fortunately, we may be bad in any event, though I can see 7- 9 because Bills . . . alas, we are just not that bright.

I think McDermott sold him on the idea this team could make the playoffs. Once Pegula discovers that isn't possible I think his love for Sean could turn ugly quickly.

[Dr. Who]

I think McDermott sold him on the idea this team could make the playoffs. Once Pegula discovers that isn't possible I think his love for Sean could turn ugly quickly.

It would be ironic if McD is the quiet, hardworking grinder version of Rex Ryan's penchant to promise too much.

And if McD is right, it is probably JaCrispy's scenario that equals short-term, low ceiling prize at the cost of long-term, sustained chances at a super bowl.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

I think McDermott sold him on the idea this team could make the playoffs. Once Pegula discovers that isn't possible I think his love for Sean could turn ugly quickly.

 

...so if we hear "we won the pre-season" and "we're going", nothing has changed...how uplifting.............

[JaCrispy]

.....so 'Crisp, in your view, is 2018 class far superior to 2017?....I don't get to see college ball and just wonder what you see....thanks!...........

Without a doubt in just about every aspect...from physical size to experience....the top end is higher and the depth of the position is deeper...and this is without thinking that Darnold is coming out next year...most people include him in the conversation- I do not...and I still think there are 2-3 prospects coming out next year that are better prospects than the guys that came out in 2017.

Yep. This is the year to tank. Maybe Pegs is gunshy because of the Sabres tank which should still end up working if they play their cards right.

Fortunately, we may be bad in any event, though I can see 7- 9 because Bills . . . alas, we are just not that bright.

We need to hope that the Bears, Titans, Texans, Chiefs, or Bills have the top 2 spots next year to guarantee a top QB.

 

or...

 

We need to root for the 49ers, Browns, Jags, Chargers, Dolphins and Jets to win as many games as possible.

Edited May 7, 2017 by JaCrispy

[YoloinOhio]

I'm more excited about the 2018 RB class than I am the QBs [ducks]

[Kirby Jackson]

I'm more excited about the 2018 RB class than I am the QBs [ducks]

I think Barkley is going to be a star. I wouldn't rule out RB next year if they don't need to move up. The Bills could get something like Rosen and Guice (who I like more than Fournette).

[Blokestradamus]

I'm more excited about the 2018 RB class than I am the QBs [ducks]

 

Man, if Barkley, Guice, Rawleigh Williams, Ronald Jones, Kamryn Pettway (my personal favourite), Myles Gaskin, Bo Scarborough, LJ Scott all declared.........

 

I'm going Wing-T and never looking back.

[YoloinOhio]

 

Man, if Barkley, Guice, Rawleigh Williams, Ronald Jones, Kamryn Pettway (my personal favourite), Myles Gaskin, Bo Scarborough, LJ Scott all declared.........

 

I'm going Wing-T and never looking back.

dont forget Mike Weber Jr! Edited May 7, 2017 by YoloinOhio

[Blokestradamus]

dont forget Mike Weber Jr!

 

Got some Buckeyes lined up over the summer, he'll get a looking at. Few Draft Breakdown videos on him recently too.

Edited May 7, 2017 by Blokestradamus