2018 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 10 quarterbacks

As the 2018 NFL Draft draws nearer, the time has come to start putting our big boards together. To start the process, I’ll be listing my (current) top 10 prospects at each position. These are nothing like a final ranking and will likely change over the process.

Every draft class is defined by its quarterback class, and 2018 will be no different. In all likelihood, it will be even more true than in previous years, considering the anticipation surrounding this crop of signal callers. With the New York Giants potentially, even likely, using the second overall pick on a quarterback, we are all going to spend a lot of time looking at those players.

It just makes sense to lead off this series with the most important position on the field.

1. Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) - This is by no means written in stone, but at this point Mayfield remains my top quarterback. Even considering his height, he has all the physical tools to be a winning quarterback in the NFL, and the intangibles (football IQ, work ethic, confidence, and magnetic leadership) to be a franchise player.
2. Sam Darnold (Southern Californa) - Darnold is generally listed as the top quarterback in the class. He is the NFL prototype, with intangibles, size, athleticism, a strong arm, and a solid pedigree at a big program. However, he will likely require time to hone his craft (both from the mental and physical sides) before taking over an NFL offense.
3. Josh Rosen (UCLA) - Rosen is the best mechanical thrower of the football in the class, capable of almost uncanny precision and accuracy on short and intermediate passes. However, he comes with a significant injury history and will need to answer lingering questions about his personality.
4. Lamar Jackson (Louisville) - Jackson is an electric athlete with one of the strongest arms in the class. His football IQ is under-rated and he has the ability to threaten every level of the defense and create game-changing plays on his own if not accounted for. He too will likely need a year to acclimate to an NFL offense.
5. Josh Allen (Wyoming) - Allen has the highest physical ceiling in the draft. He looks as though he was built to the NFL’s wish list with ideal measurables and an absolute cannon for an arm. But for his occasional flashes of brilliance, Allen also has serious issues with accuracy and consistency which he may never overcome.
6. Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) - Like Darnold and Allen, Rudolph passes the “eye test” and just looks like an NFL quarterback. He was incredibly productive at Oklahoma State, but is something of an enigma as a passer. Rudolph could have answered some questions and raised his stock at the Senior Bowl, but a mid-foot sprain kept him out of practices.
7. Luke Falk (Washington State) - Falk is a solid, fundamentally sound quarterback with good footwork and a cool head. However, his arm strength leaves something to be desired and could limit his scheme fits at the next level.
8. Riley Ferguson (Memphis) - Ferguson is an intriguing developmental quarterback. He has solid physical tools, but will need to add size to handle the NFL. He will also need (at least) a year to acclimate to the NFL. He will also need to work on some maddening consistency issues, but he also shows a promising “clutch gene” at the end of halves.
9. Mike White (Western Kentucky) - White is a developmental prospect who has nice size and throws the ball with some zip. He comes from a small school, but he showed he belonged at the Senior Bowl and improved each day of practices. He might only be a dependable backup in the NFL, but some team will want to see what they can make of him.
10. Kyle Lauletta (Richmond) - Lauletta is a smaller school prospect, and the NFL could look at him as a potential investment. Like White he improved throughout the week at the Senior Bowl under pro coaching.