2018 NFL Draft

[Shadowlight]

What is that saying there is one in every crowd? I kicked off last year's 2017 NFL Draft around this time so what the heck. Out of the gate I mentioned Kupp, Switzer and even Taylor as possible solid draft picks and it came to fruition but most here figured the same outcome if things fell right. It was not a great mystery. None of us knew about Hansen who emerged from out of the dark.
I don't know if it just me but is anybody else experiencing a draft comedown? I was really charged up before, during ( I was bouncing around after rounds four and five only to nosedive the last two rounds) and right after the draft but now that we are over a week removed I feel like I have sunk to the bottom of the ocean. I miss all the pre draft hub bub and the funny comments people were posting here during the draft and basking in the glow with guys like Christian and Switzer etc.
Unlike last year I won't touch on my main focus the WR's just yet but as it stands now there is less promise for us here at caste in general for that key position but out of the uncertainty a couple or few WR's could emerge. The biggest hurdle and sign post is the combine. If no white WR's are invited to next year's combine then trouble looms ahead. But I am trying to stay positive which does not come naturally to me.
The one wild card in the draft is one player that scouts are not sure if there is an actual ceiling. If he does continue to improve we might be looking at a QB with an even higher rating than Andrew Luck when he was the number one pick. I think he symbolizes the 2018 draft where uncertainty and surprises will rule the entire process so get ready for a roller coaster ride for the next twelve months.
And while it has been noted that the 2018 is top heavy with QB's, Leo has touched on them including the QB I am referring to, Wyoming's Josh Allen. Some people in the know are practically falling all over themselves when they are discussing the potential of Allen. Having watched him play quite a few times last year his talent is unmistakable. Only time will tell if Allen will become the complete package some are predicting but we have a long way to go.

 

[The Hock]

Some were thinking that Switzer and Taylor might have to go the UFDA route but they got drafted. People are taking note of how small quick slots can make a real difference, especially later in games when defenses are tiring. I'm looking forward to them doing some damage this season.

 

[Leonardfan]

Shadowlight, I think it would be best to shift the focus off of next year's draft and start thinking about the 2017 football preview writeups. We can gather a lot of in depth player info by doing those rather than jumping right into the 2018 draft not even two weeks after the 2017 draft. Just my .02

 

[Shadowlight]

I guess its best then that I don't pull out my mini 2019 Draft preview. Ha. I should focus on the upcoming NBA, NHL and MLB Drafts but I lack motivation for some reason. The tea leaves for the 2018 Draft are much tougher to read than normal but sure I will lay low and look forward to the annual College Football Previews which I enjoy. And the College Football yearbooks start showing up in several weeks.

 

[Leonardfan]

I guess its best then that I don't pull out my mini 2019 Draft preview. Ha. I should focus on the upcoming NBA, NHL and MLB Drafts but I lack motivation for some reason. The tea leaves for the 2018 Draft are much tougher to read than normal but sure I will lay low and look forward to the annual College Football Previews which I enjoy. And the College Football yearbooks start showing up in several weeks.

Trust me I almost jumped the gun and wanted to start posting about next year's draft because it looks to be a lot more white friendly. I actually find the college write ups to be a lot more rewarding though as it takes a little more research and effort and we seem to uncover hidden gems every year at the collegiate level (Trey Hendrickson is an example - I came across him two years ago and than posted about him last year as a player to watch during the year as an NFL prospect).

It's also a nice way to monitor the racial trends - the Welker effect for WRs / McCaffery effect for RBs and which coaches are white friendly towards the qb position etc.

You are correct about the preview magazines they will be out in early June. Can't believe it is that time already but looking forward to working on them and getting volunteers to do write ups. It's also nice to see some of our posters who are experts on certain teams (Phall - Michigan and celticdb15 - Wisconsin) write a proper caste preview on programs they know more about (claimjumper also comes to mind with his MWC knowledge). You should sign up to do a few when the time comes, the more the merrier! I'll probably post the sign up thread in early June.

 

[La France Blanche]

As far as White quarterbacks go, I'm looking forward to it (2018) already after this year's unusually dark QB class. Imagine if Trubisky hadn't declared. 2017 would have been a black year indeed.

 

[Leonardfan]

Here is my initial watch list. I only include seniors at this point.

As a big QB guy I think this draft can do alot to add quality to depth charts next year. This quarterback class is very deep without including the potential early entries of Darnold, Allen and Rosen. Mason Rudolph is still not getting the respect he should be among draftniks - he has all the tools and should become a first rounder (projections right now on him have him going in the 4th round). Mayfield is a wildcard - a fun QB to watch, good arm talent, accuracy, mobility and athleticism - he will probably be a 3rd rounder. Luke Falk another real quality PAC 12 QB - great accuracy and anticipation on his throws with a strong work ethic - he will get dinged because he plays in Mike Leach's system and that is only a negative because he is white (see Mahomes and Watson to see how much less criticism they got in their systems). Brisco is an intriguing FCS talent who won the player of the year award last year. Woodside and Ferguson are both great "Group of 5 QBs". Just alot of potential quality depth.

At the skill positions there is no McCaffery in this year's class although there are a few talented underclassmen RBs. WR could be interesting to watch but not as much depth as last year. Wieneke and Watson may benefit from Kupp if he plays well this season. Now this TE class may be the deepest I can recall. Unlike last year's class that all of the "experts" were stating as the deepest and most athletic in history - this year actually features some really great TEs and we should see at least 4 of them drafted in the first 3 rounds.

On the OL there could very well be a high number of white players taken especially if some underclassmen declare, perhaps to offset the number of washed up sumos that litter rosters around the NFL.

D-Line looks to be potentially pretty deep especially the interior. Pass-rushing will be helped in this year's class if Hubbard from OSU declares. Alot of good LBs but who knows how many will actually get a fair shot during the process. After last year's huge let down at the DB position when no white players were drafted there is once again some decent depth so hopefully a few of our guys get drafted.

Quarterbacks
Mason Rudolph Ok St
Baker Mayfield Okla
Logan Woodside Toledo
Mike White WKU
Matt Linehan Idaho
Richard Lagow Indiana
Brogan Roback EMU
Riley Ferguson Memphis
Luke Falk Wazzu
Jeremiah Brisco Sam Houston St
Austin Allen Arkansas
Peter Pujals Holy Cross
Nick Stevens CSU
Keller Chryst Stanford



Running Back/Full Back
Nick Sharga Temple
Austin Ramesh Wisconsin



Wide Receiver
Braxton Berrios Miami
Cody Thompson Toledo
Matt VandeBerg Iowa
Justin Watson Penn
Jake Wieneke SDSU
Dylan Cantrell Texas Tech
Austin Proehl UNC

Tight End
Adam Breneman UMASS
Mike Gesicki PSU
Troy Fumagalli Wisconsin
Dallas Goedert South Dakota St
Jeb Blazevich UGA
Cam Seringe Wake
Tyler Conklin CMU
Ethan Wolf Tenn

Offesnive Tackle
Mike McGlinchey ND
KC McDermott Miami
Casey Tucker Stanford
Cole Madison Wazzu
Christian DiLauro Illinois
David Bright Stanford
Ike Boettger Iowa
Braden Smith Auburn
Zach Crabtree Ok St
Austin Corbett Nevada
Bentley Spain UNC

Offensive Guard
Cody O'Connell Wazzu
Quenton Nelson Notre Dame
Will Clapp LSU
Wyatt Teller Va Tech
Kyle Bosch WVU
Sean Welsh Iowa
Hunter Bivin Notre Dame
Colby Gossett App St.
Boone Myers Iowa
Gerrad Kough Colorado

Center
Billy Price Ohio St
Brian Allen Mich St.
Bradley Bozeman Alabama
Mason Cole Michigan
Scott Quessenberry UCLA
Frank Ragno Arkansas
Austin Schlottmann TCU

Defensive End
Connor Sheehy Wisconsin
Andre Trumbetti Notre Dame
Kylie Fitts Utah
Justin Lawler SMU
Joe Ostman Central Michigan
Luke Carrezola UCONN
Eric Cotton Stanford


Defensive Tackle
Harrison Phillips Stanford
Christian LaCouture LSU
Henry Mondeaux Oregon
Kellen Soulek South Dakota St
Parker Cothren PSU

Linebacker
Joey Alfieri Stanford
Garret Dooley Wisconsin
Connor Strachan Boston College
Nick DeLuca North Dakota St
Josey Jewell Iowa
Quentin Poling Ohio
Auggie Sanchez USF
Greer Martini Notre Dame
Drue Tranquill Notre Dame

Safety
Chase Hansen Utah
Cole Reyes North Dakota
Chase Dutra Indiana
Ryan Moeller Colorado
Dallin Leavitt Utah St
Micah Hanneman BYU

 

[Deceptive Speed]

Nice! You missed a few big-time LB's though...

Linebackers
Cameron Smith 6'2 245 USC
Porter Gustin 6'5 255 USC
Jack Cichy Wisconsin

 

[Leonardfan]

Nice! You missed a few big-time LB's though...

Linebackers
Cameron Smith 6'2 245 USC
Porter Gustin 6'5 255 USC
Jack Cichy Wisconsin

Yep - Gustin and Smith are underclassmen and Cichy may get a redshirt since he blew out his ACL. My initial rankings are all just Seniors.

 

[Deceptive Speed]

I didn't see senior. Just read about Cichy, thats a huge blow his future is uncertain. Guess they don't fit your list, however their probably our best LB's for 2018... Only Juniors, Cameron Smith ILB and Porter Gustin OLB are projected top picks at their positions for 2018. They kinda remind me of Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews, who came out of USC in 2009...

 

[Leonardfan]

I didn't see senior. Just read about Cichy, thats a huge blow his future is uncertain. Guess they don't fit your list, however their probably our best LB's for 2018... Only Juniors, Cameron Smith ILB and Porter Gustin OLB are projected top picks at their positions for 2018. They kinda remind me of Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews, who came out of USC in 2009...

I like Josey Jewell and Connor Strachan a lot in terms of senior LBs

 

[Deceptive Speed]

Their great too! All in all I think 2018 will be one of our better Linebacker draft classes in recent years!

 

[Don Wassall]

Would be great to see Whites lay claim to a defensive position. There's a lot of overlap between linebacker and tight end, as far as the way elite White football players that are too big for other positions (and are often "beefed up" when they aren't) are steered primarily to tight end and LB on a lesser scale. Much of that comes from the current ridiculous party line (and Big Lie) that Whites are incapable of playing defense. I think the last time we did a rough calculation Whites were about a quarter or less of linebackers in the NFL while at least half of tight ends are White, including domination when it comes to stars. In spite of the Caste System, this is the Golden Age of White tight ends thanks to the way elite White football players are racially slotted.

 

[Leonardfan]

We need to see some of our DBs get drafted this year.

 

[Leonardfan]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pff-draft-watch-qb-baker-mayfield-strong-against-ohio-state

Mayfield had a huge game vs. Ohio St. and has a proven resume over the course of his career at Oklahoma. The questions about his size (he is 6'1 220lbs according to the Oklahoma site) and playing style are already creeping in as ways to knock him down - if he were black he would be celebrated as a potential first rounder until all of these "experts" are blue in the face. It is still early in the season but hopefully the draft media machine does not chew him and spit him out as an afterthought.

 

[Leonardfan]

Just my random draft thoughts for week 3:

Mason Rudolph is a first round QB, I have watched his Pitt and South Alabama games - he looks the part, has a great arm, is accurate not only in the short game but also pushes the ball down the field.

Josh Allen - surprisingly no one seems to be that down on him, sure their is plenty to criticize but most of his supporting cast is now in the NFL. WR Gentry, TE Hollister, WR Maulhardt, RB Brian Hill and Center Chase Roullier are all gone leaving the cupboard bear. Wyoming as a team looked over matched. He needs to string together a number of good performances over the balance of the season. He has three winnable games vs. Hawaii, Texas St. and Utah St over the 4 weeks so his stock can move upward. He has been compared to Big Ben and Wentz. I don't think he is another Mitch Leidner and will probably show well at the combine.

Josh Rosen - lost a shootout to Memphis and Riley Ferguson (another pro prospect). UCLA is not a very good team and they have to rely on Rosen to keep them in games. He reminds me very much of Eli Manning. I am sure he is going to declare this season.

Cody Thompson - had a Jordy Nelsonesque performance vs. Tulsa. I really hope to see him start generating some buzz like Kupp was able to do.

 

[Don Wassall]

Maybe Kupp will inspire White skill players to try that much harder. I'm sure most already try very hard, but Kupp is a fanatic about mastering his position and is reaping the benefits as a rookie. Christian McCaffrey also has an attitude that he won't be denied. There are so many potentially great White football players, but they need to push themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of to break down Caste System barriers.

 

[Extra Point]

2018 is shaping up to be a great year for White quarterback prospects. The way it looks so far, it may compare to the great 2012 class.

 

[Leonardfan]

Has anyone else who has visited Draftdaddy notice all the typos and how poorly written the comments that describe the linked articles are. I wonder if they just outsourced it.

 

[celticdb15]

Has anyone else who has visited Draftdaddy notice all the typos and how poorly written the comments that describe the linked articles are. I wonder if they just outsourced it.

I've noticed that as well.

 

[Leonardfan]

It sounds like Darnold is staying for another year - smart move in my opinion. I have seen most of all their games this season. The criticism around Darnold is ridiculous and has more to due with the weekly prospect updates to fill dead air than the sports media complex put out rather than his performance. Darnold has played well - the team around him is not the greatest. Another year and school will only make him better from an experience standpoint as he already has all of the physical abilities.

Pro Football Weekly's Greg Gabriel reports that "scouts who've made USC school calls" tell him that USC redshirt sophomore QB Sam Darnold will stay in school.

MMQB's Albert Breer then quote-tweeted Gabriel's tweet to add the following interesting tidbit: "Heard this over the summer. More recently, that he was likely leaving. I think it's still up in the air, and probably tied to how he plays." Darnold's (6'4/220) completion percentage is down 2.6 points (to 64.6 percent) from last year, his YPA average is down about a half-yard (to 7.94), and he's already thrown only one interception (eight) less than he did all of last season. To go first this spring, he'll have to pick it up.

My guess is Rosen and Allen will both declare and be first rounders. Rudolph should be a first rounder, Mayfield a 2nd-3rd round QB. Falk should be a late 1st/early 2nd but may get dinged due being a white QB who plays in a pass friendly offense (the Washington St. offense resembles the Pats offense).

 

[Shadowlight]

Ok only Wide Receivers can send me to the roof but there are four Tight Ends that bear watching. Late bloomer South Carolina Hayden Hurst is projected as the best. He has one major drawback. He will be a 25 year old rookie but to me who cares. Former baseball player on film the guy looks like a stud see below. Mark Andrews what one of three white Oklahoma players looks like a good one. Troy Fumagalli reminds me of Zach Ertz. And Mike Gesicki is a long lanky underused player at Penn State who should flourish in the NFL. A very solid TE group with a few more other guys as well. Too bad the WR class isn't as loaded as this group but that has been standard procedure for white athletes.

 

[Leonardfan]

The sports media complex doing their best to downgrade Mayfield halfway through his senior season in which he has been almost perfect. He is both accurate and can scramble but apparently McGay does not see what I see.


ESPN's Todd McShay doesn't believe that Oklahoma senior QB Baker Mayfield possesses an elite trait to compensate for his lack of size, "like Russell Wilson's scrambling ability or Drew Brees' accuracy."

Even so, McShay continues to rank Mayfield ahead of Luke Falk and Lamar Jackson. He grades Mayfield as a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick. McShay's colleague Mel Kiper grades Mayfield slightly higher. "I ... see him bailing out of the pocket too much on film," he wrote. "Scouts would like to see him climb the pocket instead of scrambling, though he's fun to watch when he does. He's a Day 2 pick at this point." This year, Mayfield is 100-of-134 passing (74.6 percent) for 1,635 yards with a pristine 15/0 TD/INT rate.

According to NFL Media draft analyst Lance Zierlein, some scouts are still not sold on Oklahoma senior QB Baker Mayfield as a potential NFL starter.

It's not a huge surprise, especially when you consider that Mayfield (6'1/220) wasn't high on my many draft boards to begin the year. Still, when you lead the FBS in completion percentage and have yet to turn the ball over, it says something. An area scout told Zierlein that he loved his toughness, but "wasn't sold on him being able to work the middle of the field and the intermediate routes. If you can't do that, it's hard to be an NFL starter." Zierlein sees Mayfield as a player who will go in rounds 4-7, but it shouldn't shock anyone if a team falls in love with Mayfield's style and takes him before the end of round two.

 

[Shadowlight]

Deceptive put up an excellent detailed round by round 2018 NFL draft analysis under the College Football Stars thread under the heading"2018 NFL Draft Positional Rankings." Is it perhaps too optimistic? Probably but we need hope amidst the dreary reality and I would like to think all of the players he listed have a shot. If the 8 WR's listed all get drafted I would be rendered speechless which is nearly an impossible thing for me to do. Ha. For anyone interested in the 2018 NFL Draft it is a MUST SEE list.

 

[Bruce]

If this true then Darnold has lost his mind. I guess he's probably too young to remember what happened to Barkley. He better not get injured or have a slightly down year. They'll look for any excuse at all to write off a young white qb.

Sam Darnold Reportedly 'Unlikely' to Leave USC for 2018 NFL Draft
SCOTT POLACEKOCTOBER 23, 2017





Kelvin Kuo/Associated Press
Quarterback Sam Darnold is reportedly leaning toward returning to the USC Trojans after the season.

On Monday, Benjamin Allbright of 104.7 FM in Denver cited a "USC source" who said the redshirt sophomore is "unlikely to leave this year." While Darnold has struggled with turnovers this season (10 interceptions in eight games), he is widely considered one of the top prospects in the 2018 draft should he leave school.

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report ranked Darnold as the nation's No. 1 quarterback and No. 2 player—behind only Penn State running back Saquon Barkley—on his most recent big board.

If Barkley returns, quarterback-starved NFL franchises can turn toward Miller's Nos. 2-5 options in UCLA's Josh Rosen, Wyoming's Josh Allen, Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph and Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield.