Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook: 2018 Top 15 Dynasty Big Board

Editor’s note: Before reading this, be sure to check out the first part of this week’s Scouting Notebook, which looks ahead to the 2018 wide receiver class.

Fan Poll Question: Top 15 Dynasty Big Board

Alright, NFL Draft Twitter, which question should I cover in next edition of my scouting notebook? @DLFootball #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) November 1, 2017

PPR

1) Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

You’ve heard all about him. The generational talent. If you haven’t watched him yet, I highly, highly recommend it. He makes legit NFL draft prospects look like fools on a regular basis. An absolutely electrifying talent, he is the obvious choice at 1.01.

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2) Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Guice has had a very, and I mean very quiet Junior year in Baton Rouge but don’t let that derail your thoughts about how talented the Tiger is. Guice’s combination of speed, vision, and power just does not come around every day. I could be talked into Calvin Ridley here, but for now, even in PPR formats, give me Derrius Guice.

3) Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Ridley should be an instant PPR dynamo. As I eluded to earlier, Ridley reminds me of Brandin Cooks both in terms of athleticism and route running. You can’t go wrong grabbing him in the top five.

4) Courtland Sutton, WR, Southern Methodist

Sutton could easily become a Dez Bryant like talent, so don’t let him slip out of the top five of your drafts. His combination of size and athleticism is beyond intriguing, you may just need to give him some time to figure out how to maximize his skill set at the NFL level.

5) Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

Cain isn’t your typical PPR receiver with route running and athleticism as their greatest gifts, but he’s a special enough talent that you have to consider taking him in the early to mid first round. The Clemson Tiger is very similar, although not quite on the level of his former teammate Mike Williams, so getting him at number around pick 1.05 is a nice value.

6) Ronald Jones, RB, USC

After Jones, there’s a bit of a dropoff in terms of talent at the running back position, so look for him to potentially go early to a RB needy team. With Jones’s athleticism and three down potential, picking him at six is an easy choice for me.

Ronald Jones is a Dalvin Cook type of athlete!! Late first round talent at this point! @DFF_Devy #DraftTwitter #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/cXJG7tk0SH

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) September 29, 2017

7) Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana

If you want an idea of why you should take Simmie Cobbs in the middle of the first round, plug in the tape against Virginia and it won’t take you very long to see why. At 6’4, Cobbs get off is something to write home about, but his real talent comes in his ability to win far more than 50% of those famous “50-50” balls. He’s not an ideal PPR receiver, but talent definitely warrants this spot on the board.

8) James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

A fan favorite of many NFL draft heads, expect Washington to perhaps go a little bit earlier than he should. Washington has all the tools necessary to be a bonafide star at the next level, it just may take some time, patience, and coaching for him to get there.

9) Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

I myself am a little bit wary of Kirk but many people are high on him, so at the end of the first round, don’t be scared to take the Aggie. Kirk is a solid route runner but athleticism is, and will always be his calling card. His hands are an area of concern for me, but there’s definitely enough to like to target him near the end of round one.

10) Rashaad Penny, RB San Diego State

Perhaps controversially placed here, Penny is not exactly a Theo Riddick when it comes to catching the football. Forget about the fact that he may not ever be a 40 or 50 reception running back, and focus on the fact that he may just be a franchise back. If you can get that near the end of round one, you take it.

11) Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Mixing in the Quarterbacks to a big board filled with running backs and wide receivers is almost always a challenge, especially when you consider the talent that both Darnold and Rosen contain. I give Darnold the slight edge in the rankings because of his upside, but put Rosen here instead of Darnold and you won’t get any arguments from me.

Unbelievable. Darnold with his feet and shoulders parallel to the receiver puts it on a dime, most QB’s can only dream of this throw! pic.twitter.com/C1PCpk9ELv

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) July 20, 2017

12) Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Someone who should go right around the turn of the first to second round, Rosen should provide an immediate boost to a QB needy team. One of the more successful QB’s in all of college football, I see Rosen making a relatively seamless transition and making an impact as a rookie.

13) Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

A fairly unknown receiver who dominates the AAC, Miller is someone to keep an eye on as the draft inches closer and closer. Predicated on blinding quickness and a great ability to stick his foot in the ground and toast a defender with his route running, I have high hopes for the Tiger.

14) Dante Pettis, WR, Washington

Having just set the NCAA record for career punt return touchdowns (nine), Pettis is one heck of an athlete, and a magician when he gets the ball in his hands. Overall, Pettis is a bit of a risk, but one worth taking early in the second round.

15) Damien Harris, RB, Alabama

If speed kills, then Damien Harris is one dangerous dude. With sprinter speed and legit power to back it up, Harris will carry a lot of potential with him to the next level. His pad level and cornering ability are a bit of a concern for me, but the athleticism overshadows any concerns I have.

Standard

1) Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Barkley is almost worth tanking for and I’m sure many owners are doing that as we speak. The 1.01 in this draft is as valuable as I can remember because a certain Nittany Lion, and it’s not Mike Gesicki. Don’t overthink this one.

2) Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

In standard scoring, Guice is an easy rank at number two for me, firmly behind Barkley, and solidly ahead of Sutton and Ridley. The LSU product should take over the backfield of whoever drafts him in round one, and be their primary back the second the he hits the practice field.

3) Courtland Sutton, WR, Southern Methodist

Like Corey Davis, Sutton is a non-power five receiver who should find himself being taken in the top twenty. While Sutton may not go fifth overall like Davis did, he still presents himself as a viable option at 1.03 in standard drafts. Similar to Dez Bryant, Sutton should rack up red zone targets week in, and week out.

4) Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

I get that Ridley isn’t a great fit in standard formats, but for talents like him, it doesn’t really matter. Ridley is too good of an athlete, too good of a route runner, and simply too good of a football player not to produce at the next level.

5) Ronald Jones, RB, USC

Jones is a pure burner, with an overall skillset I liken to, at least vaguely, to Dalvin Cook. With absolutely tremendous acceleration and straight line speed, Jones should produce his fare share of big plays throughout his career.

6) Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

Cain has proven to be a legitimate number one receiver for the Clemson Tigers, and could easily be exactly that in the NFL. A player predicated on winning balls in the air, look for Cain to be a constant red zone target.

7) Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana

If you haven’t jumped on yet, I would get on now, because the Simmie Cobbs hype train is filling up quickly. Cobbs’ frame and ability to win 50-50 battles has analysts like myself drooling over his red zone potential, he’s a great get in the middle of your first round.

8) Rashaad Penny, RB San Diego State

Penny is still, relatively unknown for how good he is, so he might be someone to target as people may undervalue him. He’s neither a flashy athlete nor a highlight reel play kind of guy, but the amazing blend of patience and agility is extremely encouraging, and points to a productive NFL future.

Agility, patience, vision, acceleration! Rashaad Penny may end up being my draft crush! @pennyhendrixx #DraftTwitter #NFLDraft @DFF_Devy pic.twitter.com/MArnX272Bg

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) September 28, 2017

9) James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

Many of you readers love Washington, and why not? The kid is a superstar at the NCAA level and consistently hauls in passes of 30 and 40 yards. As I have mentioned earlier in this article, be wary of Washington especially early in his career as he adjusts to the NFL. But, be excited by the fact that both his long term floor and ceiling appear to be high.

10) Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Kirk’s gonna end up being a receiver to which coordinators look to get the ball too, which bodes well for fantasy production. A part of me is concerned as to how well he will translate to the NFL game, but the potential is definitely there.

11) Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Choosing where to rank Darnold, and then Rosen, was very difficult. I felt that after Kirk as a receiver there was a significant enough gap to place them both as a late first round talent. I view Darnold as the signal caller with a little bit more upside, so target the USC Trojan if you’re willing to wait and reap big rewards.

12) Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Darnold before Rosen or Rosen before Darnold, it’s pretty much a toss up in most people’s eyes. However way you break it down, you’re most likely gonna need to spend a late first on either one of them. Of the two, Rosen is slightly more pro ready in my book, so target him if you’re in need of immediate returns.

13) Damien Harris, RB, Alabama

Harris is what I call a “track” athlete, I’m looking for him to tear up the combine. Whether or not he can translate his pure athleticism to NFL production is going to depend on him improving his vision, if he can do just that, he might just begin to wreak havoc on the NFL.

14) Dante Pettis, WR, Washington

Pettis has all the makings of a “big play waiting to happen” kind of receiver, which has proven itself to be a risky label to grab, but can produce big payouts. With his frame, athleticism, and playmaking ability all being considered, Pettis is a worthy target early in the second round.

15) Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

Michel is overshadowed in terms of fame by his teammate Nick Chubb, but don’t think for one second draft analysts aren’t noticing him. The Bulldog exhibits a great blend of quickness, straight line speed, and agility. An athlete first and foremost, a lack of power may end up slowing him down, but he’s a nice mid second round target.

Well, that wraps up this week’s edition of “Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook”, feel free to shoot me a question on Twitter (@NFL_Drafthub), I’m always happy to interact with football fans. Be on the lookout for next week’s poll as to which fan question we will cover! See you next time!

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