Since I became a sports fan, I have always had a fascination with the NFL Draft. I love the NFL, and I love college football even more. This is an event that brings my two favorite sports together. A few years ago I began "scouting" a few players, to try and predict how the careers of some of my favorite college players turn out. The list of players I have scouted has grown from 100 players to 379 this year. Having a DVR made it much easier to record as many games and analyze as many players as I could. 

After writing extensive reports for each prospect, I rank each player from 1 to 379 on my "Big Board." When I rank players, I rank based on how I think it will look 10 years from now, not necessarily how fast they run, and how high they jump (it does play a small part though).

He isn't popular around these parts, but Connor Cook will be the best QB from this draft class. In terms of arm talent, he is second to none in this draft class. Cook will never be in consideration for any major awards, but I do think he makes a couple of pro bowls by the end of his career. 

Jared Goff's ceiling is Andy Dalton. He will be a serviceable player, but in no way, shape or form, worth trading up to select with the #1 pick. Carson Wentz has the highest bust potential of the two I just mentioned. I have never understood the hype surrounding him. 

I think the top 8 QBs have some kind of future in the NFL, whether it be as a long time back-up or eventual starter. Cardale Jones and Jeff Driskell are my sleepers.

This RB class is top heavy. About 10 guys have a chance to have long careers in the NFL. I think Alex Collins is the best pure RB in the class, not named Zeke Elliott. I don't have Collins behind Elliott by much. Both will have great careers and win many accolades. 

Derrick Henry will be a poor mans Eddie George, but I don't see his body holding up for a long period of time. That is why I have him ranked #5.

Mike Thomas is on another lever when it comes to this WR class. National draft gurus will tell you Thomas doesnt run the best routes, but Im not sure what film they were watching. He has a big frame and has made amazing plays throughout his career. Mike Thomas landing in Detroit or Cincy pretty much guarantees multiple Pro Bowls. 

Rashad Higgins is one of my favorite players in this draft. I have been high on him for about 2 years now, and the more I watch of him, the more I am convinced he is the next Antonio Bryant. 

Aaron Burbridge will never be a flashy playmaker like Higgins, but he will be one of the reliable possession receivers that stick around the league for 12 years.

Scouting this years TEs was one of the most painful things I've had to do recently. This years crop is awful. Hunter Henry is almost a sure thing, but after him it's pretty much a crap shoot. 

Ronnie Stanley is my second overall player in this class. He almost looks like a robot when he plays because of how precise his foot work is against opponents.  

Im not sold on Tunsil due to his injury history. On top of that, he doesnt pass the eye test like Stanley does. 

Willie Beavers may end up as the best lineman (guard or tackle) in this class. I didnt have him ranked to represent that due to the fact I don't know if he is a G or a T.

Not much depth in this class of Guards, but I do like the talent near the top. Turner and Garnett will be stars in the league. Alexander, Drango and Tretola all should be starters as well. 

Being a former center, I am a fan of this years class. I think all 10 of the guys listed have a chance to end up as starters. The depth behind these 10 aren't great, so don't be surprised if all of the guys listed go in the top 5 rounds. 

The top 3 all have a chance to be Pro Bowlers, and if Mike Matthews can live up to his family name, like I think he can, there may be 4 future Pro Bowlers in my top 10.

This is by far the best group of 10 that is listed throughout this post. Everyone knows about Spence and Bosa, so I want to focus on Lawry, Yarbough, and Ochi.

Most Big Ten fans probably haven't heard of Dean Lawry. I had never heard of him until I watched Northwestern's game against Stanford. He was on the same field as Christian McCafrey, and yet he was the only one that looked like a star that day. After initially thinking it was a fluke, he continued to shine throughout the season, and even ran a good 40 at the combine. 

Eddie Yarbough doesnt get much attention due to him going to a small school, but this guy is a dominant force despite the competition he plays. I think he is Cam Heyward 2.0 if he goes to a 3-4 defense. 

I had never heard of Victor Ochi until the Shrine game. He was unstoppable and was one of the quickest DL I had seen. I went back and studied his games at Stoney Brook and he has a great future ahead.

****DE and DT is the deepest groups of the draft

Robert Nkemdiche will be a hall of fame type of player if he can stay out of trouble. He just makes it look so effortless.

If Sheldon Day was 3 inches taller he would be in the Bosa-Nkemdiche category. I love his motor and hand skills. Despite his physical structure, he will be a superstar. 

Chris Jones is the strongest DT I have ever studied. I don't know if his bench number at the combine supports this or not, but I don't care. His bull rush is nasty, and is good at disengaging.

Anthon Zettle was my #1 DT in last years class, but his production dropped a little bit this year...mostly due to the rise of Carl Nassib. I am still a believer in his future. 

I know some people probably think Im crazy for not having Miles Jack ranked higher, but I can't get over the ACL injury he suffered. Im not a doctor, but it's an uphill battle recovering from an ACL tear, and some people never fully recover. 

Antonio Morrison has all of the tools to be a superstar LBer. If he ends up in the right scheme and keeps his head on straight he will have a bright future. 

Like the TE class, studying the ILBers was not fun at all. Reggie Ragland is going to be an elite player, but other than him, good luck finding another one. 

I do think Brothers and Kwiatowski have a chance to be productive players, but like many other ILBers, they have too many questions surrounding them.

There is a lot of talent in the CB class, but even throughout my top 10, I feel there is a lot of hit-or-miss. I am very high on two Big Ten corners, and neither are Eli Apple. I love Nick Vanhoose's ability to play the ball and he has good size on top of that.Eric Murray made a ton of plays at Minnesota and he will be a long time starter in the NFL.

I like Eli Apple, and I do think he made the right choice to leave early, but I don't see elite level talent like I do with the others. Apple will be a starter, but I don't think he will be memorable one way or another. 

Jeremy Cash is basically a linebacker playing safety. He is always around the ball and always seems to come up with the big play. I think this will transition to the NFL and he will put up big time stats. 

I first heard of Jatavis Brown during Akron's bowl game. He has been one of my favorites to study in this class. Size is a concern with Brown. He will be a big time talent if he can find his position. 

Feel free to ask questions. It's almost time for the Draft!

(Mod edit: Moving to Other Sports forum.)