The NFL draft prospects who graded the highest in 2017
Draft evaluation has long depended on the eyes of scouts -- who focus on traits, measurables and off-field assessments -- while on-field production is often a secondary component. But since Pro Football Focus started grading every snap of every college football game in 2014, early returns show that how well a prospect plays in college does project well to the NFL.
While it isn't as simple as taking the top-graded players and projecting a direct translation to the next level, it is a good starting point for evaluation when paired with traditional methods.
Here's a look at the top prospects who graded the highest on the field in 2017, and how they'll translate in the NFL.
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Overall grade: 95.2
Mayfield has been in another league when it comes to throw-for-throw production, owning the top two season grades in the four years since PFF started tracking data. He's the most accurate quarterback in the draft, and has the arm strength and natural playmaking ability to succeed at the next level. Mayfield led the nation with an adjusted completion percentage of 80.6 last season and had the best grade from both a clean pocket and when facing pressure. No matter how the numbers are split, Mayfield sits at or near the top. That type of production makes him a high-end first-round pick.
Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Overall grade: 89.4
Jackson had the highest rushing grade among quarterbacks in each of the past two seasons. He's capable of making "NFL throws," but has to improve his throw-for-throw accuracy.
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
Overall grade: 89.1
With three excellent years of production under his belt, Rudolph might be flying under the radar in this class. He's an excellent downfield thrower who needs to improve his short-area accuracy.
Kyle Lauletta, Richmond
Overall grade: 87.9
Lauletta has an outstanding feel in the middle of the field and at the intermediate level, where he posted the top PFF grade in the 2018 class. He has to improve his deep ball, which ranked 34th of 35 qualifiers in this draft.
Sam Darnold, USC
Overall grade: 86.0
It was more a three-game slump for Darnold in 2017 than a massive step back from an impressive redshirt freshman season in 2016. He ranked second in the class in big-time throw percentage, but also had the sixth-highest percentage of turnover-worthy plays as well.
Josh Rosen, UCLA
Overall grade: 85.3
Rosen never really dominated at UCLA, but he put together three solid years in the 84.0 to 86.0 range. He had the fourth-best grade in the class on intermediate throws, but needs to cut down on the poor decisions as he ranked 25th at avoiding turnover-worthy plays.
Running backs
Ronald Jones II, USC
Overall grade: 95.1
Jones was the best pure runner in the nation last season, leading the way with a 95.5 rushing grade. He has the vision, speed and short-area quickness to succeed in the NFL. He excels at maximizing the yardage given by his offensive line, ranking seventh in the nation with 914 yards after contact in 2017. Jones has yet to demonstrate that he can be a major factor in the passing game, catching only 32 passes in his career to go with four drops and only three missed tackles forced on those receptions. That might hurt his value at the next level, but Jones could be the best runner of the class and comes equipped with home run ability.
Kerryon Johnson, Auburn
Overall grade: 89.6
Johnson had a breakout season in 2017, breaking an impressive 50 tackles on only 285 carries. He was a workhorse for Auburn down the stretch, playing and battling through injury.
Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
Overall grade: 88.4
One of the most underrated running backs in the class, Penny posted the second-highest elusive rating at 128.6, breaking an incredible 86 tackles on only 290 carries last season.
Nick Chubb, Georgia
Overall grade: 88.2
Chubb had four excellent years of production at Georgia, averaging 3.7 yards after contact in his career. He's an offensive-line maximizer, always taking what is there and more from his blocking.
Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Overall grade: 88.2
Barkley is the premier weapon in the draft among running backs thanks to his receiving ability. He can create mismatches all over the field, though he has to improve his vision as a runner, as he does not always take what is given by his blocking.
Wide receivers
Michael Gallup, Colorado State
Overall grade: 92.0
No receiver has been more efficient than Gallup over the past two years, finishing 10th in the nation with an overall grade of 88.4 in 2016 before leading the way at 92.0 in 2017. His nuanced game allows him to separate at all levels of the field while creating space after the catch, where he has forced 38 missed tackles on his 179 catches in his career. Like many of the other receivers in this class, Gallup doesn't project as a classic No. 1 receiver, and if there's a complaint about his game, it's his inability to run away from defenders down the field. Still, his overall game lends itself to becoming a productive No. 2 receiver, and he's one of the best options in a class that is wide-open due to the lack of a true top talent.
Trey Quinn, SMU
Overall grade: 91.6
Quinn projects as more of a slot receiver who has a good feel for the game and can create separation when given a "two-way go." He led all FBS wide receivers with 4.66 yards per route from the slot last season.
Cedrick Wilson, Boise State
Overall grade: 89.2
Wilson is a nifty route runner who can win outside or in the slot. His 3.40 yards per route last year ranked seventh in the class.
James Washington, Oklahoma State
Overall grade: 88.7
The national leader with 815 yards on deep passes last season, Washington maintains his speed in and out of his breaks and has a second gear that allows him to win down the field.
Marcell Ateman, Oklahoma State
Overall grade: 87.9
Ateman uses his big, 6-foot-4 frame well, winning on slants and back-shoulder throws. He projects as a possession and red zone threat at the next level after ranking fourth in the class with 3.50 yards per route last season.
Tight ends
Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
Overall grade: 96.8
Perhaps the best offensive mismatch weapon in the draft, Goedert dominated FCS, finishing 2017 with an impressive overall grade. Despite weighing 255 pounds, Goedert looks like a wide receiver with the ball in his hands and led all tight ends with 12 missed tackles forced while averaging 8.2 yards after the catch. He also knows how to use his long frame to make spectacular catches in one-on-one situations and in the red zone.
Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
Overall grade: 88.2
Andrews was more of a slot receiver at Oklahoma. He ranked second among tight ends with 2.63 yards per route, and led the way with 298 yards on deep passes.
Jordan Akins, UCF
Overall grade: 86.0
Akins has the speed to stretch the seam and improved his game every year at UCF. He averaged an impressive 6.4 yards after the catch and ranked fifth in the class with 1.93 yards per route in 2017.
Cam Serigne, Wake Forest
Overall grade: 85.1
A late-round option, Serigne runs the underneath routes well, and caught an impressive 77.2 percent of his targets last season while dropping only one of the 45 catchable passes thrown his way.
