DawgTalkers.net Forums The Archives 2018 NFL Season 2018 NFL Draft Dane Brugler's Big Board (Top 50)

I really enjoy reading Brugler's take on players. I've listed his top ten here but the link provides the rest:


–1. Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame (6-4, 325, 5.23, 56)
A player with few weaknesses, Nelson has elite play strength and heavy hands to control defenders in the run game, bulldozing anything in his way. He also has the body control, range and instincts to be above average in pass protection. Nelson has earned this spot.

–2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama (6-0, 201, 4.52, 29)
The “Is he a corner or is he a safety?” debate with Fitzpatrick is similar to what Jalen Ramsey faced coming out of Florida State. The correct answer is it doesn’t matter because he can play either position at a high level.

–3. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State (6-3, 275, 4.84, 9)
With back-to-back seasons with 22-plus tackles for loss, 10-plus sacks and three-plus forced fumbles, Chubb put himself on an exclusive list. And the tape matches the production, projecting as a dangerous NFL pass rusher.

–4. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State (5-11, 229, 4.49, 26)
Although he doesn’t have dominant ball carrier-specific traits (vision, patience, decision-making), Barkley isn’t lacking in those areas, and his freakish athleticism for his size projects him as a longtime productive pro.

–5. Sam Darnold, QB, USC (6-3, 225, 4.74, 14)
The turnovers were an issue in college and he is far from a finished production, but Darnold is my top quarterback prospect because he is advanced in several key areas, such as managing the pocket, anticipating windows and the overall mental battle at the position.

–6. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State (5-10, 191, 4.38, 12)
While size and length are not his assets, Ward is above average in almost every other category. He is a premier athlete with the budding instincts and toughness required to cover receivers on an island, either outside or in the slot.

–7. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia (6-0, 230, 4.64, 3)
Another prospect who doesn’t have ideal measurements, but makes up for those deficiencies in other ways. Smith is a magnet to the football with the mental alertness and athleticism that make him a high-ceiling, high-floor prospect.

–8. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma (6-0, 214, 4.75, 6)
When you are done studying Mayfield’s tape, you realize you are out of reasons to doubt what he brings to the field. Yes, he needs to mature in areas, but his accuracy and competitive drive translate to any football league.

–9. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA (6-3, 220, 4.97, 3)
Rosen is the prospect with the most potential to move up or down between now and the draft. He is outstanding from the pocket and has a sharp mind, but there are plenty of issues on and off the field.

–10. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama (6-1, 190, 4.50, 3)
With his play speed and route-running skills, Ridley has the ability to create his own separation up and down the field. His lack of build leads to some durability questions, but he has the skill set of a high-end No. 2 NFL wideout.

http://draftscout.tsxfiles.com/2018/02/06/brugler-big-board-nelson-earns-no-1-spot/

Thanks, Memphis...

Really interesting read. Thanks

At this point - assuming we don't sign Cousins who might be the only 'franchise' QB out there that I'd forsake drafting a QB at #1 - I'd lean towards Darnold & Minkah, then take the best RB at the top of round 2 and hope Christian Kirk is available at 35 - I think we need a true slot WR ... Coleman has been disappointing but when he has shown up in games and played well it has been on the outside. If Minkah is gone before we draft take Barclay. I really don't see how we lose.

I have always found his takes pretty solid.

–10. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama (6-1, 190, 4.50, 3)
With his play speed and route-running skills, Ridley has the ability to create his own separation up and down the field. His lack of build leads to some durability questions, but he has the skill set of a high-end No. 2 NFL wideout.

Seems to me that a high end #2 Wr should't be the #10 overall rated player in the draft. If I am taking a Wr in the top 10 he should very well be a #1 Wr.

Agreed. I think we can address CB and WR in free agency. My tweak of your plan is that if there is an OT at 35 we might wait for the WR. (Since PHI won the SB, I think we have the last pick in the 2nd and the first in the 3rd. #1/4, #33/35, and #64/65 are some sweet pairings.)

Given Joe Thomas's uncertainty and age - and who his backups were last year, I'd be totally fine with a OT high in the 2nd. At one point I was pondering the idea of using #4 ... but Minkah and Barclay are too special to pass up. At the top of the second round I'd be happy to take one there instead.

Thanks for the read .... does dude have a site? If so, can you please provide a link.

WOW ... High praise for Nelson ... i love him but never thought of him as a top 5 talent ... but then again dude isn’t giving draft slots just his take on pure ballin ....

If we don’t take Minkah at 4 were making a mistake .... with his brains and versatility we’d have our QB of the D and a versatile ass player who can play CB or S at an extremely high level ...

If MG can stay healthy ..... HOLY CRAP BATMAN ..... that’d be a fun ass duo to watch for the next decade + ....

Interesting take on the QB’s .... especially Baker over Rosen ...

I’m with him ... I like Darnold the most ....

Wow,, the QB I like most is 29th on his list.. Josh Allen.

Been ages since (outside of JT) we've had impact players. REAL faces of the franchise. We could get two or maybe three this year. It's a good first step to respectability and for talk to start being positive about the Browns rather than totally negative. Winning of course is the cure all.

I'm not sure if he has a site but I know each year he comes out with draft guide for purchase. It's a rather robust collection of prospects, measurables, and projected draft round. It's not expensive and a rather popular resource.



Exactly. It's not a mock draft, just overall grades on players coming up. I'm guessing this list could be updated for players (up and down)leading up to the draft.

Side note: He's a NE Ohio guy too. I think he lives in TX now, but grew up around here.

I like the 'big board' list better then mock drafts

Thx for the info

10 DB's and 10 DL in the top 50 !.... 5 QB's , think more than 5 will go in the top 50 ..

If Harold Landry lasts to round 2, I'd be ecstatic. I like Myles and Ogbah but the rest of the rotation at DE leaves a lot to be desired. Would make sets with more than 2 DEs more viable as well.

I had been thinking that I would prefer Ronald Jones in the 2nd over Barkley at 4, but his making it to round 2 could be in doubt. RB class is looking deep though, so value is probably still later.

I'm still in the Lamar Jackson camp as far as QBs, and I don't want whomever we draft to play right away regardless. I see him as having the most upside. Where we'd have to draft him is as muddled as ever.

I'm getting closer and closer to going from having Minkah penciled in at the top of my wishlist to putting it in ink. The communication and leadership are as impressive as his play. I do think he can play corner.

Good points Tab ... I like Duke a lot, I'd love to see us get a little more creative with him out of the backfield even with a high impact Rookie taken. But you are right he is a very good slot guy.

Todd Haley used Le'Veon Bell in many different ways. Hopefully he can fit Duke Johnson into the offense similarly.

I think this is true. If Rosen knocks it out of the park during the Combine (combine?) interviews and personal workouts, then I don't see how he is not the #1 pick. If he's not, given the above scenario, then we are reaching for something that isn't real.

You can pre-order a copy of his draft guide for only $8 right now. Like you said, Memphis, it's quite the resource.

I am interested in Ward from OSU if he drops some. And the Buckeyes have some quality coming into this IMO. Grab some after first two rounds.

Link: http://myfootballnews.com/product/2018-Guide-PreOrder

I just ordered. Seems like a good deal.

I have liked Brugler for years. He's as good as anyone in his field.

I have a couple of not so positive comments on two of his takes.



Yep, you have him "move up" in your Final rankings. LOL




One of my biggest beefs w/Darnold is that his lower body mechanics break down under pressure in the qb. This leads to a lot of his dumb decisions and errant throws.

I hear that for sure. I’ll counter that he also can throw dimes from an unstable base. Refer to the OSU matchup. The pocket isn’t always going to allow for clean mechanics. Darnold’s arm talent can allow him to make up for some of that. I also think he’s coachable and can clean his game up.
I love Rosen’s mechanics but I think when things do break down I’d prefer Darnold’s ‘other stuff’.
Dude. I’m torn. I think they’re both special.

–2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama (6-0, 201, 4.52, 29)
The “Is he a corner or is he a safety?” debate with Fitzpatrick is similar to what Jalen Ramsey faced coming out of Florida State. The correct answer is it doesn’t matter because he can play either position at a high level.

This Guy is worth #4 ...

–3. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State (6-3, 275, 4.84, 9)
With back-to-back seasons with 22-plus tackles for loss, 10-plus sacks and three-plus forced fumbles, Chubb put himself on an exclusive list. And the tape matches the production, projecting as a dangerous NFL pass rusher.

Pairing him with Garrett and Ogbah would be nice but I consider him a luxury pick for where we are ..

–5. Sam Darnold, QB, USC (6-3, 225, 4.74, 14)
The turnovers were an issue in college and he is far from a finished production, but Darnold is my top quarterback prospect because he is advanced in several key areas, such as managing the pocket, anticipating windows and the overall mental battle at the position.

I hope he is #1 for us if not I'll take Allen at either 1 or 4 ...

–6. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State (5-10, 191, 4.38, 12)
While size and length are not his assets, Ward is above average in almost every other category. He is a premier athlete with the budding instincts and toughness required to cover receivers on an island, either outside or in the slot.

Best cover CB in this draft hands down ...

–7. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia (6-0, 230, 4.64, 3)
Another prospect who doesn’t have ideal measurements, but makes up for those deficiencies in other ways. Smith is a magnet to the football with the mental alertness and athleticism that make him a high-ceiling, high-floor prospect.

This Guy really impressed me in the College football playoffs ...

–10. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama (6-1, 190, 4.50, 3)
With his play speed and route-running skills, Ridley has the ability to create his own separation up and down the field. His lack of build leads to some durability questions, but he has the skill set of a high-end No. 2 NFL wideout.

I think this kid is going to better than Cooper coming out of Bama ...

His top ten is very close to mine and he's the first expert I've seen that agrees with me that Quenton Nelson is the best player in this draft. Reality is that since he's a guard, it's going to be hard for him just to get drafted in the top ten, but whoever gets him will be getting a steal.