Best NFL Draft Prospects by Projected Round

NFL Draft Prospects with High Chances of Success 

I didn't include prospects who have high or even mid first round grades even though there are many that I like. A.J Brown is the highest rated player that I wrote about.

A.J. Brown, Mississippi 6’0” 226: Round 1/2 WR – Good athleticism for someone that weighs 226. He also had two greats years in college with over 1200 yards and 15.5 average in each. He runs great routes and has a great catch percentage. He looks like he will be a successful NFL receiver and would be a great value in the second round or even late in the first. 

Juan Thornhill, Virginia 6’0” 205: Round 2/3 Safety– I’d take him in the second. He has great athleticism, enough to play corner back in the NFL. He also had many passes broken up and six interceptions during his senior year.  

Brett Rypien, Boise State 6’2” 210 Round 7, QB – He had good completion percentages for four years as well as a decent yards per attempt and touchdown to interception ratio. He is not super athletic and will not be able to run very well, but he does move around in the pocket very well. He has decent arm strength but not amazing. His accuracy is usually good, but not always on deep throws. He will sometimes try to fit it into a tight window and throw and interception. He reads the field well and usually makes good decisions. His top two receivers who were both seniors are not great prospects which makes him more impressive.  He is worth a shot in the 7^th because of his four years of success and his positive film. 

Justin Layne, Michigan St. 6’2” 192: Round 2 CB – He has great height and good explosiveness. He isn’t as much of an elite athlete as some, but seems to be enough of an athlete. He has many pass break ups in his senior year.

Isaiah Johnson, Houston 6’2” 208: Round 4 CB/S – He is super athletic and big. He could be moved to safety if he improves his tackling. He’s still relatively new to the position so he will still improve his technique. His production is good, but not great. He’s certainly worth taking a chance on in the 4^th round and could develop into a great press corner.

Blake Cashman, Minnesota 6’1” 237: Round 5/6 LB – While he’s not known as being super athletic he tested very well at the combine and he looks quick to me on tape. He had over a hundred tackles his senior year and 15 tackles for a loss. He also had 10.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks during his sophomore year. He’s a walk on and will be a steal in the 5^th or 6^th rounds. 

Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington 6’0” 230, Round 6/7, LB– Smaller at 230, but he is extremely athletic with an excellent 40 time of 4.56 and great shuttle and cone times of 4.09 and 6.85. He was productive throughout college, but had a ridiculous 176 tackles his senior year. He looks great on tape also and is certainly worth drafting late. 

Andy Isabella, Massachusetts 5’9” 188: Round 3 WR – Great production for three years with a massive senior year. He is also a great athlete. He needs to work on catching with his hands rather than his body, but if he can do that, he could be special.

Jason Moore, Findlay 6’3 215 Round FA, WR – Good size and while is 40 is just okay at 4.57, he posted a 4.07 shuttle and a 6.62 three cone drill, which are both great times. He also had a 37 inch vertical. He had over a fifteen yard average for two years and two thousand yards combined. He must have been injured his senior year. He’s worth a shot as a FA for sure.

Jeff Smith, Boston College 6’0” 191: Round FA, WR – Really great measurable with a 4.36 40 a 4.06 shuttle and a 6.87 three cone drill. He didn’t have much production and started out as a QB, but when you combine all of his years, he had 902 rushing yards with a 6.6 yard average and over a thousand receiving yards with a 15 yard average. His hand are bad, maybe switch him to defense or he should work to improve. Worth a shot as a rookie free agent.

Jalen Guyton, North Texas 6’1” 212: Round FA, WR – Another guy with good size and great measurable. He also has decent production with 1580 yards and a 15.3 yards average over two years. He’s raw and needs to work on his game though. Worth it as a FA pick up.

Chace Winovich, Michigan 6’3” 255: Round 3, Edge/LB – bad board and vert, but good 40 cone shuttle. He plays with great energy and is very explosive. He had 164 tackles in three years, as well as 43 tackles for a loss and 18.5 sacks. 

Ben Banogu, TCU 6’3” 250: Round 5/6, Edge/LB – He has great measurables in the broad, vertical, shuttle and three cone. He has 34.5 tackles for losses in two years and 17 sacks.

Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois 6’1” 237: Round 7/FA, LB   - Insane production 29 sacks and 56.5 tackles for a loss in two years, plus 3 TDs and 7 forced fumbles. Small. Can’t play DE, would have to play LB in the NFL due to his smaller size and lack of height. He has an amazing cone drill 6.75.

Jordan Brailford, Oklahoma State 6’3 250: Round 5/6 Edge – A good senior year with 17 tackles for a loss and 10 sacks. One of the best broad jumps.

Cole Holcomb, North Carolina 6’1 231: Round 6, LB – Great athleticism with a 4.5 in the 40, an 11’ broad, a 4.14 shuttle and a 6.77 three cone. He was also very productive with 312 tackles in three years and 12 passes defended. He also had 4 forced fumbles during his senior year.

Ross Reynolds, Iowa 6’3” 304: Round FA, G – Although he only started for one year, he has great athleticism. He may have to move to center, but could be a steal if he does.

Yosuah Nijman, Virginia Tech 6”7” 324: Round 6, OT – He has great size and long arms. He’s also very athletic. He’s more of a project than tackles that will be drafted higher, but that’s why you can get him in the sixth round. He has great potential for a sixth round pick.

Dalton Risner, Kansas St. 6’5” 312: Round 2, OT – While he isn’t as athletic as some of the most athletic tackles and guards, he is still very athletic. He has long arms and big hands. He has a high pass blocking grade and a very high run blocking grade. He could be great to take with one of the Eagles second round picks.

Chris Lindstrom, Boston 6’4” 308: Round 2, G – He started right away as a true freshman and did excellently throughout college. He’s one of the most athletic guards in the draft and he has long arms. He’d be great for teams that like to pull their guards like the Eagles or for teams that run zone blocking schemes. He’s another offensive lineman that I’d target in the second round.

Garrett Bowery, Lamar 6’1 310: Round FA, G – He’s athletic with a good shuttle time 4.58 and one of the best 10 yard splits for any offensive lineman 1.63. He’s shorter than some guards, and although I couldn’t find his arm length, it’s probably shorter than is preferred. He’s a great prospect to nab as a rookie free agent.

Max Sharping, Northern Illinois 6’6” 327, Round 2/3, OT – He is very big at 327, but is still very athletic. He has some issues with his balance and footwork, but still graded very well as a pass blocker and a run blocker. He’s probably better as a RT than a LT. He’s another player that the Eagles should target in the second or third round.

Cortez Broughton, Cincinnati 6’2” 293: Round 5/6 DT – Had one good year with 18.5 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks, which is better than many DTs. He’s a little smaller and shorter than is preferred and his arms are a little shorter. He’s athletic, but not as much as the top DTs.  

Marcus Epps, Wyoming 6’0” 197: Round FA, FS – His 40 time is a little low for a FS at 4.55 but acceptable. But he has very good shuttle and cone drills at 4.07 and 6.77. He has posted a 38.5 inch vertical. He had 324 tackles in 4 years, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 9 ints, and 22 passes defended. He looks good on tape and would be great to take a chance on in the 7^th or in FA.