College football's season is almost set to kick off, which means that the 2018 NFL draft will be here sooner than you think. Those of us at Scouts Inc. -- Steve Muench and I -- spent the summer evaluating tape and ranking the top players at each position from a draft perspective.
Here is our preseason evaluation of the top 32 players for next year's draft. A lot can -- and will -- change between now and next April, but this will give you a good starting point on where the best guys stand going into the season.
Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.
1. Sam Darnold, QB, USC*
Grade: 94
After being inserted in the starting lineup, Darnold took a 1-3 USC team and led it to a Rose Bowl appearance last season. Completing 67.2 percent of his passes (10th nationally), he threw for 3,086 yards and posted a 31-9 TD-INT ratio. Darnold capped the season with an impressive performance against Penn State in the Rose Bowl, tossing five TDs and going 10-of-10 for 135 yards in the fourth quarter. He can improve his ball security (nine fumbles, five lost), and his delivery is a bit long, but his accuracy is outstanding. He's an early Heisman Trophy favorite and is a more complete player than Josh Allen at this point.
2. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming*
Grade: 94
Allen is the best quarterback most college football fans have never heard of, and he can do everything on the field. He didn't have a single Division I scholarship offer in high school but transferred to Wyoming after a year at Reedley College. Allen has an elite arm and frame (listed at 6-foot-5, 233 pounds) and is surprisingly fast and athletic for his size. He can make any throw, and his accuracy is terrific when his feet are set. A little bit of a gunslinger at times, he has all the tools to be an elite NFL quarterback. If he comes out, he'll be in the running for the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
3. Arden Key, DE, LSU*
Grade: 93
Key started as a true freshman in 2015 and set the LSU single-season sack record (12) last year in just 11 games, finishing with 56 tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss. He's naturally instinctive as a pass-rusher, and his tall, lean frame reminds me of Jason Taylor's. He has tremendous natural ability, but there are questions -- he missed spring practice for personal reasons and is recovering from shoulder surgery.
4. Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
Grade: 93
Landry led the nation with 16.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles last season. He's an explosive edge rusher with terrific burst, bend and closing speed coming off the edge. I have slight concerns about his length and frame -- he's listed at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds -- but he should be an effective NFL defender and projects as an every-down player.
5. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State*
Grade: 93
Despite missing two games in 2015 (11 games played, six starts), Barkley still broke Penn State's freshman rushing record with 1,076 yards. He was even better last season (1,496 yards, 5.5 yards per carry), and the numbers tell just part of the tale. Barkley has good balance and terrific lateral agility and can run away from the defense when he hits the second level. Barring injury, he should be the first back taken in the 2018 draft.
6. Derwin James, S, Florida State*
Grade: 92
A redshirt sophomore, James tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee in the second game of 2016 and received a medical redshirt. He also underwent surgery for a fractured foot in the 2016 offseason, so durability is a concern. When he's on the field? He's one of the most versatile players we've ever evaluated. He's a physical presence in the middle of the field, but he can run with tight ends and breaks well on the ball. If James is healthy, he can be a top-10 pick.
7. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA*
Grade: 92
Rosen had a terrific 2015 season, becoming the first player to start at UCLA as a true freshman and throwing for 3,668 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. A shoulder injury cut his season short last year, and he needs to bounce back from a poor 2016. He has great accuracy and touch and gets the ball out on time, but he needs to improve his decision-making under pressure.
8. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama*
Grade: 91
Fitzpatrick played 14 of 15 games as a true freshman in 2015 and started all 15 in 2016, collecting a team-high six interceptions. He struggles in off-man coverage, and he is better suited to press-man and the line of scrimmage. He also made an impact on special teams, and when he was moved to free safety late in the season. Still developing, Fitzpatrick has an intriguing skill set. A strong 2017 season could land him in Round 1.
9. Mo Hurst, DT, Michigan
Grade: 91
Despite being a backup the past two seasons, Hurst has been extremely productive. He has notched 68 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. While slightly undersized -- listed at 6-foot-2, 282 pounds -- Hurst is a quick and powerful one-gap penetrator who is highly disruptive against the run. He has a powerful upper body and disengages quickly. He projects as a future NFL starter and top-40 pick.
10. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU*
Grade: 91
All Guice has done is average 8.5 YPC in 2015 and 7.6 in 2016, playing behind Leonard Fournette. How will he do with the chance to be the No. 1 back in Death Valley? He doesn't have Fournette's acceleration, but he has great quickness and the ability to stick his foot in the ground and hit a hole. His running style reminds me of Arian Foster.
11. Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Grade: 91
Ridley played in 15 games (11 starts) as a freshman and started all 15 this past season. Although he has only average size (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) and can struggle getting off press coverage at times, he has outstanding foot quickness and is a nightmare in the open field. He also has good acceleration and is a willing blocker.
12. Connor Williams, OT, Texas*
Grade: 90
A true junior who has started all 23 games in which he has appeared the past two seasons, Williams is a scheme versatile blocker. He anchors well, gets good initial hand placement and locks defenders out once he's latched on. He's our top offensive tackle prospect heading into the season.
13. Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama*
Grade: 90
A big-time high school recruit, Scarbrough came on strong the final three games of 2016 before suffering a broken leg in the title game against Clemson. He runs behind his pads, and his body control and balance are outstanding. He has a nose for the sticks and the end zone, and he flashes a strong stiff arm. He is a very solid back.
14. Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M*
Grade: 90
Kirk hasn't been running an NFL route tree at Texas A&M, but he's a solid all-around player. He has soft hands and flashes the ability to make the tough catches with defensive backs all over him. He had 576 yards after the catch (eighth in the nation) in 2016, according to ESPN Stats & Info. He's also a dangerous punt returner (including three return touchdowns last season).
15. Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama*
Grade: 89
Averett burst onto the scene at Alabama in 2016 after being mostly a special-teamer in 2015 and playing sparingly in 2014. He does a nice job jamming wide receivers at the line of scrimmage, wraps up as a tackler and is very instinctive, though he didn't have any INTs last season. He's a little grabby at times, but his 2016 tape was still impressive. He's a very solid player.
16. Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State*
Grade: 89
A former safety and linebacker who switched to end before the 2015 season, Hubbard has a quick first step with the speed to threaten the edge. Coach Urban Meyer has praised Hubbard's work ethic, and Hubbard is extremely versatile. If he comes out, he could be a first-round pick.
17. Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Grade: 89
In 2016, McGlinchey moved from right to the left tackle spot vacated by Baltimore's first-round pick Ronnie Stanley. An above-average zone blocker, he plays angles well and gives good effort. Also has solid movement skills for his size (6-7, 310). He possesses first-round potential but needs to show it on a more consistent basis.
18. Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
Grade: 88
A two-year starter, Nnadi is coming off his most productive season (49 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, six sacks). He is an outstanding run defender and consistently displays a low center of gravity to occupy multiple blockers. His draft stock may be hurt if he's viewed as only a two-down player, as he's not an elite interior pass-rusher.
19. Vita Vea, DT, Washington*
Grade: 88
Listed at 6-foot-4, 346 pounds, the former high school running back is a mammoth of a man. He has a powerful upper body, tree trunks for legs and wins most one-on-one battles. He has a quick get-off when he anticipates the snap count and displays good effort when he's on the field. With an impressive skill set, the question is how long Vita can stay on the field. His weight, self-discipline and conditioning will be key for his draft stock.
20. Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame*
Grade: 88
Nelson is a road grader with the size (listed at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds), strength, polish and toughness to start immediately at the pro level. He plays with a wide base and anchors well, and he picks up most blitzes and line stunts.
21. Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas
Grade: 88
Jefferson is an athletically gifted player with a high ceiling. He possesses the range to develop into an effective zone defender and really plays sideline to sideline. An above-average tackler with sound body control, he needs to flesh out his pass-rushing moves. I'd also like to see more physicality, and the production doesn't match the talent (8.0 sacks, 15.5 TFL in two seasons). He projects as a Day 2 pick at this point.
22. M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina*
Grade: 86
An instinctive cover corner, Stewart has average size (listed at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds), plays fast and has good recovery speed. He's also an excellent, physical run defender who can wrap up. He didn't have any INTs last season -- he had four in 2015 -- but displayed good ball skills.
23. Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State*
Grade: 86
Sweat has amassed 82 tackles (16 TFLs) and nine sacks while starting in 19 of the 25 games he's appeared in. He plays with good pad level and is a stout run defender for his size. He's just scratching the surface of his potential as a pass-rusher.
24. Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama*
Grade: 86
A free safety with the ability to play nickelback, Harrison has good top-end speed and range in a deep zone. He has some tightness when playing man-to-man and his ball skills need to improve, but he really grew on me during film study. He has the potential to be a starting free safety in the NFL.
25. Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
Grade: 85
McFadden needs to fill out his frame a bit (listed at 6-foot-2, 198 pounds), but he's at his best in press. He has the length to disrupt receivers and the top-end speed to run with most receivers. He can read quarterbacks and diagnose in zone as well.
26. Trevon Young, DE, Louisville
Grade: 85
Young is still a bit of a mystery after redshirting in 2016 as a result of a fractured hip. He is just OK as a run defender, but he has outstanding speed and athleticism as a pass-rusher. There's a lot of potential here if he can come back healthy this season.
27. Billy Price, OG, Ohio State
Grade: 85
Price displays good awareness and is always looking to finish off defenders, seeking out extra contact. An experienced three-year starter heading into his senior year, he's a plug-and-play NFL starter who should be steady, even if he's never dominant.
28. Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma*
Grade: 85
The son of the late Orlando "Zeus" Brown, the younger Brown is a better fit at right tackle in the pros, though he has played exclusively at left tackle in a run-heavy Oklahoma scheme. He doesn't have elite lateral mobility and struggles to bend at times, but his wide base is tough to get around.
29. Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Grade: 84
Chubb is a two-year starter and 2016 team captain. He ended the 2016 season ranked fourth in the nation with 22 tackles for loss. He isn't an elite pass-rusher, but he has a good first step and bends well for his size. There's room for improvement in getting off blocks.
30. Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State
Grade: 84
There's a lot of buzz surrounding Rankin, who is a juco transfer and has only one year of SEC experience. He has the length to handle speed off the edge and the athletic ability to mirror inside pass-rushing moves. Rankin has tremendous upside.
31. Luke Falk, QB, Washington State
Grade: 84
The first senior on this list, Falk has put up gaudy numbers during his Washington State career, including throwing for 4,468 yards in 2016 (third in the nation), 38 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. He's a rhythm passer with very good accuracy, but there are questions about his ability to adapt from Mike Leach's passer-friendly spread offense. He has the tools to be a special player.
32. Christian Wilkins, DE, Clemson*
Grade: 83
Wilkins is a disruptive run defender with the foot speed and quick hands to slip blocks rapidly. He doesn't project as an elite edge rusher, but he is a high-motor guy who does a great job getting his hands up in passing windows. He had 140 tackles (17.5 TFLs) and 5.5 sacks over the past two seasons.