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TOP 20 COMBINE PARTICIPANTS ACCORDING TO NFL.COM
With this being Combine week, I thought it appropriate to see in what order the top prospects are ranked and how they rated individually according to NFL.com’s rating system. Before we get to the Combine participants, I thought it important to understand just how the NFL’s rating system breaks down in terms of the numbers assessed. These are the numbers and how they translate.
RARE/ELITE
9.0: Immediate starter; rare prospect w/rare physical attributes; instantly one of the best in the NFL.
8.5-8.9: Immediate starter; physical attributes to create mismatches; will become one of the best in the NFL.
8.0-8.4: Immediate starter; physical mismatch vs. most opponents; will be a featured player on his team.
EXCEPTIONAL/IMPACT
7.5-7.9: Becomes starter as a rookie; physical mismatch vs. most opponents, will be a featured player for his team.
OUTSTANDING/STARTER
7.0-7.4: Becomes a starter as a rookie, solid NFL player with no major weaknesses to exploit.
6.9: Contributes as a rookie, starts second year.
6.8: Contributes as rookie, starts eventually.
EXCELLENT/POTENTIAL START
6.7: Contributes as a rookie; impactful sub/situational player.
6.6: Physical tools to start, but has a limitation to overcome; boom or bust.
6.5: Tools to start, but deficient in a way that he should overcome.
6.4: Tools to start, but deficient in a way that will be difficult to overcome.
6.3: Tools deficient in a way that he cannot overcome, but may become starter anyway.
VERY GOOD/ SOLID BACKUP
6.2: Lacks physical tools to start, but should make an impact as a sub/situational contributor
6.1: Tools to start, but will require significant development at pro level.
6.0: Tools to start, but has not played to potential; boom or bust.
There are more; but I want to get on with the candidates and the ratings, so here they are.
1 – Saquon Barkley – RB – Penn State: 7.45
2 – Quenton Nelson – OG – Notre Dame: 7.40
3 – Tremaine Edmunds – LB – Virginia Tech: 7.28
4 – Bradley Chubb – DE – North Carolina State: 7.25
5 – Sam Darnold – QB – USC: 7.10
6 – Calvin Ridley – WR – Alabama: 6.83
7 – Roquan Smith – OLB – Georgia: 6.56
8 – Vita Vea – DT – Washington: 6.55
9 – Minkah Fitzpatrick – DB – Alabama: 6.50
10 – Da’Ron Payne – DT – Alabama: 6.50
11 – Derwin James – S – Florida State: 6.44
12 – Derrius Guise – RB – LSU: 6.41
13 – Taven Bryan – DT – Florida: 6.35
14 – Ronald Jones – RB – USC: 6.28
15 – Rashaan Evans – LB – Alabama: 6.22
16 – Ronnie Harrison – S – Alabama: 6.20
17 – Josh Rosen – QB – UCLA: 6.19
18 – Josh Jackson – CB – Iowa: 6.18
19 – Leighton Vander Esch – ILB – Boise State: 6.18
20 – Tim Settle – DT – Virginia Tech: 6.17
OTHER NOTABLES
26 – Baker Mayfield – QB – Oklahoma: 6.09
27 – Lamar Jackson – QB – Louisville: 6.06
33 – Josh Allen – QB – Wyoming: 5.95
In comparison to last year’s draft, Browns DE Myles Garrett was rated at 7.63.
ONE FINAL NOTE
Considering where these players are listed and how they were rated; if these ratings are indeed accurate, then why are we discussing the merits of any quarterbacks within the top ten other than Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen? The fact of the matter is that the rating system – although certain criteria needs to be met – is still subjective by nature, just like any system that you or I would come up with. Drafting an NFL quarterback in the first round has always been a 50/50 proposition at best. There are five quarterback candidates being considered for selection in the first round, so at least two of them (and maybe three) are likely to be draft day busts at the position. Overall, this draft is top heavy and pretty thin once you get outside of the top 20, so there may not be much of a blockbuster trade market out there to be had.
What does all of this mean for the Browns? Well, there are a few things they need to determine. Firstly, are the NFL.com ratings accurate? If so, Then do we use the first overall pick on Sam Darnold? Also, with the very real possibility of future Hall of Fame tackle Joe Thomas retiring, do they have an adequate replacement on the roster? If not, then what veteran free agent should they sign to fill his shoes? If there’s no viable candidate there, then does Quenton Nelson have the physical and mental make up to play left tackle? If not, then what would it take to move back up into the first round to secure Orlando Brown? So many questions to ask and not nearly enough answers. Such is the case for the 2018 Cleveland Browns.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I’ll take a stab at a few of those questions Wunkle.
1. Darnold will be the #1 pick. It’s a lock. The pundits are only saying it’s a mystery because they want to dial up the intrigue of the draft. The real intrigue is what will happen at 4th overall. I’m betting the Jets and Broncos will be interested in moving up once Cousins signs with the Vikings.
2. I would say the NFL.com ratings are NOT accurate. The best player in this draft is Quentin Nelson. Next come Barkley, Fitzpatrick, and Chubb (not necessarily in that order).
3. The only vet free agent LT worth looking at is Nate Solder (Pats). The Pats would franchise him, but he has specific language in his contract saying he can’t be franchised. Nelson would be wasted at left tackle, not an option. Also I’ve heard that there might not be a player in this draft who would be a good NFL left tackle. If JT retires then we go hard after Solder. If we don’t get him then we’re screwed.
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