By John Sarianides

It is never too early to start looking ahead to next year’s draft. So without further ado, here are my top 50 prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft.

1. Sam Darnold, QB, USC, So. Darnold threw 31 touchdown passes last season after taking over for Max Browne. He is a traditional pocket passer with a live arm and the ability to extend plays in the pocket. Darnold has number pick written all over him.

2. Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU, Jr. Key is an explosive edge rusher who can play up all along the line of scrimmage and make impact plays. He is virtually unblockable at times.  

3. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming, Jr. Allen only threw 20 touchdown passes last season but he is big, athletic and can make plays out of the pocket. He is coached by Craig Bohl who also developed Carson Wentz at North Dakota State.

4. Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama, Jr. Fitzpatrick fits the mold of today’s long corner. He is also willing to mix it up in run support which teams want today out of their press corners.

5. Derwin James, FS, Florida State, So. James is athletic and can play in all three levels of the defense. He has terrific ball skills and plays physical.

6. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson, Jr. Wilkins is your prototypical 4-3, three technique defensive tackle. He can shoot gaps and re-create the line of scrimmage. Plays with a motor.

7. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA, Jr. “The Rosen One” could end up number one on this board with a productive junior season. Rosen is fundamentally the best quarterback in this class.    

8. Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame, Jr. McGlinchey is a franchise left tackle. He is an athletic pass blocker who can handle speed rushers and is a mauler in the run game.

9. Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State, Jr. At 6-5 265, Hubbard has the prototypical size and explosiveness to be an elite five technique defensive end at the next level. The work ethic and ability are there.

10. Tavarus McFadden, CB, Florida State, Jr. McFadden is athletic, strong at the line of scrimmage and has terrific ball skills.

11. Saquan Barkley, RB, Penn State, Jr. Next year’s running back class isn’t nearly as good as this year’s but Barkley would have gone in the first round had he been in the 2017 class. Runs with power and is elusive in the open field.

12. Connor Williams, OT, Texas, Jr. Williams is a bit light at 6-6 290, but he has tremendous feet in pass pro and is an excellent run blocker.

13. Harold Landry, DE, Boston College, Jr. Landry would have been a top 20 pick in this past draft. The long, rangy defensive end has a chance to go in the top ten in next year’s draft.

14. Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma, The son of former NFL tackle Orlando “Zeus” Brown. The younger Brown is massive at 6-8 360. Just like his old man, he has good feet, a strong upper body and he plays with an edge.

15. Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State, Sr. Lewis is a bit undersized at 6-3 260 but he has a motor and is explosive off the snap. Reminds a little of Derek Barnett who just went to the Eagles with the 14th pick.

16. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M, Jr. Kirk can play the Z receiver or line up in the slot. He is an explosive playmaker who can make defenders miss after the catch.

17. Vita Vea, DT, Washington, Jr. Vea is a monster at 6-4 346. He can play the shade technique defensive tackle in the 4-3 or play nose in the 3-4. He is practically immovable and can control two gaps with his strength.

18. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU, Jr. Guice is a quick, one cut runner who can pick and slide at the line of scrimmage and get to top speed quickly. Guice is also a terrific receiver with good hands. He is a weapon in the screen game.

19. Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama, Jr. At 6-2 308, Payne is similar to former teammate Jonathan Allen. He is compact, explosive and ideally suited to play in the 4-3 as a three technique defensive tackle.

20. Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C State, Jr. Chubb has good length and an explosive first step. He can get on an offensive tackle’s hip quickly and close space. Chubb could also play the five technique defensive end in the 3-4.

21. Trey Adams, OT, Washington, Jr. Adams came to Washington as a 270 pound tackle. He has since put on 30 pounds and has developed into an elite pass blocker. Adams has a lot of upside but he still needs fundamental work as a run blocker.

22. Mitch Hyatt, Clemson, OT, Jr. Hyatt is another talented tackle in what is a very good class. Hyatt is fundamentally sound as a pass blocker and he plays with an edge to him which is what you want out of an offensive lineman.

23. Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville, Jr.  At 5-11 192, Alexander has good size and long arms. He does a good job of re-routing receivers and he can roll hip to hip and stay in phase.

24. Luke Falk, QB, Washington State, Sr. Falk has put up big numbers in Mike Leach’s spread offense but that is a byproduct of a quick release and a live arm.

25. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan, Jr. The former Xaverian product has flourished under defensive coordinator Don Brown and is poised to have a breakout season in 2017. Hurst’s explosiveness off the ball and his ability to plant and re-direct down the line are his best attributes.

26. Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah, Sr. Lowell is the exact same player as his brother Star. He is quick off the ball and has strong hands on contact. He isn’t as impactful as his brother was but he is still a solid player.

27. Ronnie Harrison, SS, Alabama, Jr. Harrison is a big strong safety at 6-3 215. He can play over the top in Cover 2 and screw down as a box safety in an eight man front. Harrison is a versatile player.

28. Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame, Sr. Nelson is long for a guard at 6-5 328. He has some swing potential because he can play tackle as well. Nelson is a good short area pass blocker and a load in the run game.

29. Martez Ivey, OG, Florida, Jr. Ivey is strong at the point of attack in the run game. He has strong hands and gets movement. He is also an effective short area pass blocker who can mirror and punch and re-establish the line of scrimmage.

30. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State, Sr. At 6-4 235, Rudolph has great size and the plus arm strength to go with his athleticism outside of the pocket.

31. Cameron Smith, ILB, USC Jr. Smith is ideally suited to play the SAM linebacker spot in the 4-3. He plays with great instincts and he has the athleticism to cover in man and zone coverage.

32. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama, Jr. Ridley is poised for a breakout season for the Tide. We have seen flashes of it thus far but Ridley could finally play to size and ball skills.

33. Jordan Whitehead, FS, Pitt, Jr. Whitehead can play in all three levels of a defense and play all three downs. He is physical in run support and plays with great range over the top.

34. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU, Jr. Sutton is a polished route runner who gets in and out of cuts with ease. He has plus hands and can separate after the catch. Sutton could put up huge numbers this season in the Mustangs spread offense.

35. Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas, Jr. Jefferson will move up on this list. By the time we get to the end of next season, he could be projecting as a top fifteen pick. He is athletic, can cover and he is a ferocious striker.

36. Antonio Callaway, Florida, WR, Jr. Calloway is a big target that runs good routes and can separate after the catch. He is one of the more gifted receivers in this class.

37. Adonis Alexander, CB, Virginia Tech, Jr. Virginia Tech is known as Cornerback U and Alexander could be the next in a long line of Hokie corners in the NFL. Alexander has good ball skills and he can open and transition with ease. He is not afraid to support the run.

38. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia, Sr. Chubb bounced back after a horrible knee injury in 2015 and rushed for 1,130 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. At 5-10 228, he is a big back who can bang it inside and break tackles. He is a good receiver as well.

39. Da’Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama, Sr. Hand saw an increased role last season and he contributed on what was a loaded defense. More will be expected of him this season and if he meets the challenge, he could end up a first round pick.

40. Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville, Jr. There is a good chance Jackson will move into the top ten of this board before all is said and done. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner is a human highlight reel and will only get better in 2017.

41. Marquis Haynes, DE/OLB, Ole Miss, Sr. Haynes is undersized at 6-3 228 but he is an explosive, quick twitch athlete who is explosive and can make plays all along the line of scrimmage. Haynes projects more as an outside linebacker than defensive end.

42. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson, So. At 6-5 265, Ferrell has the length and post snap explosiveness to be a dominant five technique defensive end in the 4-3. Ferrell really came on at the end of last season and could be a force this season.

43. Quin Blanding, SS, Virginia, Sr.  Another long, rangy strong safety with Cover 2 ball skills off the hash and a willingness to support the run.

44. James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State Sr. Washington has put up huge numbers at Oklahoma State the past two seasons but he needs to prove he can be a dominate number one receiver this season.

45. Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State, Jr. Classic speed rusher with size at 6-5 250. Sweat wins with burst but he has to refine his pass rush skills. If he does and puts on 10 pounds, he could be a top twenty pick next April.

46. Azeem Victor, OLB, Washignton, Sr. Victor missed the end of last season with a leg injury but the 6-4 225 linebacker is athletic and can play all downs in all situations. Victor will bounce back this season and because of the best defenders in the Pac-12.

47. Derrick Nandi, DT, Florida State, Sr. Nandi is undersized at 6-1 312, but he has that short area explosiveness 4-3 teams look for in a shade tackle.

48. Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon, Sr. It seems like Freeman has been around forever. He should thrive in new coach Willie Taggert’s multiple spread offense. Freeman will be the featured back in what should be an improved offense.  

49. Shawn Dion Hamilton, ILB, Alabama, Sr. Hamilton finally steps out of Reuben Foster’s shadow as he becomes the next great Mike linebacker at Bama. Hamilton plays with good instincts and has good size at 6-0 230. He has the potential to go in the bottom of the first round.

50. Jake Browning, QB, Washington, Jr. Browning put together an impressive 2016 season in leading the Huskies to the College Football Playoff. Another season like that and he is gone to the NFL. The 2018 quarterback class is absolutely loaded and Browning has the talent to go in the top ten.