Mike Mayock’s 2018 NFL Draft Rankings By Position

The 2018 NFL Scouting Combine is just around the corner, meaning NFL Draft season is about to kick into full swing as the players attempt to impress scouts one final time in Indianapolis and again at their Pro Days.
Ahead of the combine, NFL Draft insider Mike Mayock released his always anticipated rankings for the 2018 class.
Mayock provides a breakdown of his players by position, naming the top five players in each area of the field. This year, there are few surprises at the top of the list, but plenty of names to keep a close eye on when workouts begin at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Where does Mayock have your favorite players ranked and who could potentially emerge as a top target for your favorite team?
Mayock’s full rankings can be seen below, via NFL.com:

NFL Draft Order 2018: Complete First-Round Order Set

Quarterback

1. Sam Darnold, USC
2. Josh Allen, Wyoming
3. Josh Rosen, UCLA
4. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
T-5. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
T-5. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State

There are no real surprises when it comes to the quarterback rankings. Darold, Allen and Rosen have been widely regarded as the top three signal-callers in this year’s draft, with Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield and 2016 winner Lamar Jackson currently viewed as borderline first-rounders.

Running Back

1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
2. Derrius Guice, LSU
3. Ronald Jones II, USC
4. Sony Michel, Georgia
5. Nick Chubb, Georgia
Barkley is far and away the top running back in this year’s class, with LSU’s Derrius Guice following closely behind. Also finding their way into the top five are the Georgia duo of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb.

Wide receiver

1. Calvin Ridley, Alabama
2. Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
3. Courtland Sutton, SMU
4. James Washington, Oklahoma State
T-5. Dante Pettis, Washington
T-5. DJ Moore, Maryland
T-5. Anthony Miller, Memphis
Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk have made their careers out of big plays in the SEC, and now they’ll be looking to transition those talents to the NFL. James Washington is also a name to watch out for, emerging as one of the top deep threats in the nation during his time at Oklahoma State.

Tight end

1. Hayden Hurst, South Carolina
2. Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
3. Mike Gesicki, Penn State
4. Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
5. Will Dissly, Washington
This year there are a number of talented tight ends as the position continues to evolve. If you’re looking for a reliable pass catcher out of the slot, Penn State’s Mike Gesicki is a player to watch in the middle rounds.

Tackle

1. Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
2. Orlando Brown, Oklahoma
3. Connor Williams, Texas
4. Tyrell Crosby, Oregon
T-5. Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State
T-5. Kolton Miller, UCLA
If you’re looking to protect your quarterback of the future, there are a number of quality players that will be available at the top of Round 1. With left tackles at a premium, expect to hear McGlinchey, Brown and WIlliams’ names called early.

Interior OL

1. Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
2. Isaiah Wynn, Georgia
3. James Daniels, Iowa
4. Will Hernandez, UTEP
5. Billy Price, Ohio State

Interior DL

1. Vita Vea, Washington
2. Da’Ron Payne, Alabama
3. Maurice Hurst, Michigan
4. Taven Bryan, Florida
5. Harrison Phillips, Stanford

Edge rusher

1. Bradley Chubb, N.C. State
2. Marcus Davenport, UTSA
3. Arden Key, LSU
4. Harold Landry, Boston College
5. Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
Arden Key entered the season as one of the top pass rushers on paper, but it was Bradley CHubb of N.C. State who really stole the show during the 2017 campaign. And if you’re looking for a small school prospect, look no further than UTSA’s Marcus Davenport, who Mayock gave a top three ranking off the edge.

Linebacker

1. Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
2. Roquan Smith, Georgia
3. Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
4. Rashaan Evans, Alabama
5. Uchenna Nwosu, USC

Cornerback

1. Denzel Ward, Ohio State
2. Josh Jackson, Iowa
3. Mike Hughes, UCF
4. Isaiah Oliver, Colorado
5. Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Defensive backfield play is as important as ever as teams continue to air out the ball in the NFL. Luckily for teams looking to bolster their secondary, there are plenty of first-round prospects at the position that will immediately make an impact. Whether it be cornerback or safety, the 2018 draft class is loaded in the defensive backfield.