We're through five weeks of the college football season, and the 2019 NFL draft class is just starting to take shape. You'll start to see some players moving up and down the big board. And with seven months still between us and draft night, there will be plenty of change still to come.
Even though he is recovering from abdominal surgery, Nick Bosa jumped to the top of my draft board. The Ohio State defensive end headlines a group of elite defensive linemen at the top of the rankings. Elsewhere, five new players entered my top-32 rankings, including a trio of quarterbacks.
Here are my top 32 players for next year's draft, updated from the preseason edition.
Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.
1. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State*
Grade: 95 | Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 263 | Previous: 2
An elite talent (with elite bloodlines), Bosa isn't just a gifted pass-rusher; he always knows where the ball is and is active against the run. He projects best as a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL but is scheme-versatile with his length and power. Through three games, Bosa has six tackles for loss (TFL) and four sacks, but he will miss some time recovering from an abdominal injury suffered against TCU on Sept. 15. However, this isn't the type of injury that will worry NFL scouts.
2. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston*
Grade: 95 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 292 | Previous: 1
You don't want to have to block this dude. Oliver explodes out of his stance, has elite initial quickness and is totally disruptive and usually unblockable one-on-one. He has great range and always plays hard. He has 27 tackles, including five for a loss, through four games. He is very powerful and compares to Aaron Donald. Watch out.
3. Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan*
Grade: 95 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 283 | Previous: 3
Two years after he arrived in Ann Arbor as the most celebrated recruit in the country, Gary has somehow matched the hype. A powerful run defender and edge setter, he has an outstanding combination of size and athleticism and will fit any scheme: explosive, sudden and a nightmare to block. His closing burst has helped him to a pair of sacks and 3.5 TFL this season.
4. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Grade: 94 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 340 | Previous: 4
Lawrence has remarkable agility and athleticism for his size, giving him great range for a run defender. He needs to be better about pad level, but single blockers can't move him at all. His power is overwhelming. The numbers haven't jumped out yet this year, as he has recorded just one tackle for a loss; but there's a lot of talent here and he is playing with one of the best lines in the country.
5. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU*
Grade: 93 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 184 | Previous: 6
A tall corner with long arms and at his best in press-man coverage, he has great quickness and is smooth for a dude with his length. Williams can bait quarterbacks into mistakes and then has the closing speed to take advantage; he has two interceptions this season for the Tigers. He looks like a play-right-away type when he gets to the next level.
CB Andraez "Greedy" Williams picks off QB Eric Dungey and returns it all the way to the 1-yard line.
6. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson*
Grade: 93 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 310 | Previous: 5
At his best in a 3-technique role, Wilkins is scheme-versatile and has experience playing inside and outside -- and he wreaks havoc either way. He has great foot speed, and when he doesn't get home, he gets his hands in passing lanes. Well-liked and a leader in the locker room, Wilkins projects as a three-down starter. With Clemson this season, he has 5.5 TFL and two sacks as a force at the line of scrimmage.
7. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss*
Grade: 92 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 325 | Previous: 7
The onetime top high school offensive tackle in the nation, Little has carried it over into SEC play. A smooth mover for his size, he can be outstanding in pass protection if he gets a little better with his hands. He has good quickness as a run-blocker and takes smart angles, though he's not a mauler.
8. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn*
Grade: 91 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 325 | Previous: 12
Tall but still bulky, Brown is a versatile defensive lineman who likely fits best as a 3-technique (DT) in a one-gap-heavy NFL scheme. While his sack production has been just OK over his career at Auburn, he does have two this season, and the tape indicates he is a disruptive pass-rusher who can consistently stand up offensive linemen. Brown is a very easy mover for his size.
9. Devin White, ILB, LSU*
Grade: 91 | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 240 | Previous: 9
A converted running back, White is a physical specimen who moves with explosiveness and control. Always around the ball, he shows good range in coverage and won't have to come off the field much in passing situations. White has 44 tackles, including five for loss, while also forcing a fumble. You see some Eric Kendricks in him.
10. Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama*
Grade: 91 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 301 | Previous: 10
An immediate starter in Tuscaloosa, Williams has progressed as you might expect, going from starter at right tackle, then to left, and he now is squarely onto the radar of NFL scouts. After a bad year for offensive tackles in the 2018 draft, Williams could be part of a rebound in 2019. He handles speed off the edge extremely well and is quick out of his stance, but he occasionally fails to finish.
11. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson*
Grade: 90 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265 | Previous: 11
Ferrell is an ascending player with very good, if not elite, physical tools. He grades out as an every-down NFL starter, though he could be used as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a 4-3 defensive end. Through just five games, his quick first step and active hands have helped him to seven tackles for loss and five sacks (tied for 12th in the nation).
12. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State*
Grade: 90 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 300 | Previous: NR
Simmons plays with a natural leverage at the line. He has above-average awareness, good range and more strength than his frame would suggest, but he can certainly improve his hand usage. The junior has 7.5 tackles for loss this season. He fits best in a one-gap heavy scheme and plays a lot of snaps. There is some character history here, though, that teams will take into account.
13. Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
Grade: 90 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285 | Previous: 13
He is sudden with his movement, and his quick first step and lateral agility have turned into sacks. He also converts speed to power as a pass-rusher. And he is a solid run defender, one of only two linemen with 100 tackles in 2017. (He has 23 so far this season, including 7.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks.) You see a little Cameron Jordan (Saints) in Allen.
Boston College's hit on David Blough leads to a fumble recovery by a diving Zach Allen.
14. DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
Grade: 89 | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185 | Previous: 17
An instinctive corner, Baker does a good job of reading receivers' routes in man coverage and is excellent in dealing with route combinations. While not big, he contains well and has no fear mixing it up in run support. Extremely experienced, Baker has a pair of interceptions this season with 82 return yards, and he has broken up five passes.
15. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama*
Grade: 88 | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 316 | Previous: 8
One of the most intimidating players in college football, Davis is tall and powerful. A menace in the middle, particularly on passing downs, he has agility and quick hands and will fight his way through double-teams. He will get high with the hands at times, but he also does a good job of disengaging once he locates the ball. The stats aren't wildly impressive this season (zero sacks and just 1.5 TFL), but he has helped clog the middle of a run defense that is allowing under 4 yards per carry and has yielded just two rushing scores.
16. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon*
Grade: 88 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 233 | Previous: NR
Herbert enters my top 32 with his elite size and good arm strength. He mixes some zip with touch but tends to stare down his primary target a tad too long. He will be a running threat, and he also has some athleticism. Herbert is averaging more than 10 yards per attempt this season, and he has a 15-5 touchdown-interception ratio for the Ducks. He has a lot of room for development, including in the decision-making process, but there is talent here.
17. N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State*
Grade: 88 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220 | Previous: 18
A big target with good body control, Harry will go and get it for you, and he consistently rewards his quarterback for throwing him 50-50 balls. Even at 6-foot-4, he is a threat after the catch and regularly runs right through contact. Not a flier, he is still a dangerous deep threat. Additionally, he isn't afraid to do the dirty work in the middle of the field, and he is a tough blocker. He has been held under 80 yards receiving just once this season, and he already is at 419 yards total and has collected five touchdowns (plus an additional rushing score).
18. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
Grade: 87 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 241 | Previous: 22
Excellent take-off quickness and flexibility make Sweat a handful for offensive tackles, who are frequently off balance while trying to slow him down. He has good range against the run but struggles if you run right at him. That's really the issue: He needs some added bulk to his frame. However, his elite speed and strong change-of-direction skills off the edge have produced 4.5 sacks and seven TFL this season for the Bulldogs.
19. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss*
Grade: 87 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 230 | Previous: NR
Metcalf is a big, vertical receiver. He suffered an ankle injury against LSU and tried to battle through it, but he just wasn't the same. After a medical redshirt year in 2016, Metcalf hauled in 39 catches in 2017. He is hugely improved in 2018. He has four receiving touchdowns and 405 receiving yards while sharing attention with wide receiver A.J. Brown (No. 22 on this list). How did the Rebels manage only 16 points on LSU with two first-round talents on the outside?
20. Ryan Finley, QB, NC State
Grade: 87 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 212 | Previous: 16
Finley shows very good touch and anticipatory accuracy, is adept at leading receivers and gets the ball out on time. He gets through progressions quickly and shows good poise and feel inside the pocket. His fast eyes going through progressions stand out. He does have to eliminate the two or three questionable decisions each game, but he's on track with just one interception this season -- and eight touchdowns.
Wolf Pack quarterback Ryan Finley's third touchdown pass lands perfectly in the hands of Kelvin Harmon for a 16-yard back-shoulder grab.
21. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Grade: 87 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 225 | Previous: NR
A poor man's Patrick Mahomes, Lock has a big arm, but he is a bit sloppy and inconsistent with placement. He has a tendency to open his front leg and sail throws high, but he has the tools to start in the NFL. The Mizzou QB has 1,283 yards this season and an 11-2 TD-INT ratio, and he has added three rushing touchdowns to highlight his athleticism.
22. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss*
Grade: 87 | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 230 | Previous: 19
Brown often looks longer than his 6-foot-1 frame, with a better-than-average catch radius and the ability to pluck the ball out over his head; he will also make tough catches in traffic. And he moves quicker than most players his size. He needs to improve his route-running and clean up the occasional focus drop. Brown already has 35 catches for 453 yards this season.
23. Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
Grade: 86 | Height: 5-10 | Weight: 202 | Previous: 14
Incredibly productive, Love is an explosive runner with the burst to turn the corner and the speed to pull away when he gets a seam. He has the foot speed to bounce between gaps and make defenders miss. He also shows a willingness to wait on blocks. He needs to get more involved as a pass-catcher (just six receptions this year). Injuries will also be a concern. He missed time earlier this season and left the Notre Dame game with an ankle injury. The numbers are down a little, as his yards per carry have dropped from 8.1 last year to just 4.3, but he seems to be turning the corner after a tough season debut against San Diego State.
24. David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin*
Grade: 86 | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 315 | Previous: 20
The latest offering from the Wisconsin O-line Factory, Edwards is a big and powerful run-blocker who has enough length to stay at tackle, but he can occasionally struggle when rushers are coming from a wide alignment. Edwards has the lateral mobility to zone-block and has heavy hands to knock away speed rushers. He looks like a future NFL right tackle.
25. Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma*
Grade: 86 | Height: 5-9 | Weight: 168 | Previous: 30
Brown is a burner, and though he lacks ideal size, he has the ability to win vertically and create chunk yardage after the catch. Brown also has soft hands and can pluck the ball away from his body even while he's in fifth gear. He will get pushed around a bit at times by bigger press-man corners, but he is a savvy route runner and explodes from the line of scrimmage. Averaging 22.7 yards per catch, Brown has five touchdowns and more than 500 yards this season for the Sooners.
Kyler Murray's superb outing continues as he throws to Marquise Brown for his sixth touchdown pass of the day.
26. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
Grade: 86 | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 215 | Previous: 21
A hard-hitting strong safety with a very good size-speed combination, Abram can intimidate the opposition. He is a powerful finisher with explosive closing burst, and he flies to the line of scrimmage in run support. Abram holds up well in the deep-half zone and is very quick. He has 34 tackles this season and an interception.
27. Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn*
Grade: 86 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215 | Previous: NR
Stidham lacks the ideal size, but he has a good arm. He is accurate throwing into windows and can go vertical. The Auburn QB tends to hold the ball a little too long at times and occasionally takes off a little early with his feet. He has just five passing touchdowns through five games, but the Tigers have played some tougher teams. He has added two rushing scores.
28. Trey Adams, OT, Washington
Grade: 86 | Height: 6-8 | Weight: 327 | Previous: 15
Adams is out for the season with a back injury, dropping him from No. 15. A powerful blocker who can move defenders in the run game, Adams also has a wide frame and long arms, so even speed rushers have a tough time getting around him. He could redshirt and return to Washington next season.
29. Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 310 | Previous: 25
With a ton of experience as a three-year starter, Jenkins is very good in pass protection and light on his feet. He is strong in the run game and always seems to get to where he needs to on the second level. He rarely shows issues when facing speed.
30. Damien Harris, RB, Alabama*
Grade: 85 | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 215 | Previous: 24
Harris is strong, patient and decisive, and he checks two big NFL boxes with excellent pass protection and ball security. The downside is that Harris isn't a burner, and you don't see a major weapon in the passing game. But the hands are reliable. He has shed some touches to Najee Harris, as Damien has just 36 rushes and a single touchdown. However, he does have nine catches.
31. Marvell Tell III, S, USC
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195 | Previous: 27
An instinctive defender with good speed and athleticism, Tell closes quickly on the ball and can make up ground when the ball is in the air. He shows particularly good range in zone coverage and changes directions quickly. He's not yet an elite playmaker; he has one interception and 21 total tackles this year.
32. Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 210 | Previous: 28
Samuel is electric with the ball in his hands, whether after the catch, on a carry or returning kickoffs. There's a noticeable second gear, and he flashes the ability to run away from pursuit when he gets a crease. As a pass-catcher, he needs to limit trapping the ball, but he can make tough catches. Additionally, there is room for him to grow as a route runner. He has 22 catches for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns.