With every passing week of the 2018 college football season, the 2019 NFL draft class becomes a little more clear. Players move up and down the board with each installment, and with half a year still between now and draft night, there will be plenty of change still to come.
Five new players enter the top 32, and boy, this class is loaded with defense. Just one quarterback remains on the board for me right now, and no offensive skill position player appears until No. 17. But there is a lot to like on the other side of the ball.
Here are my top 32 players for next year's draft, updated from the Oct. 16 version.
Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.
1. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State*
Grade: 95 | Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 263 | Previous: 1
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. Bosa had six tackles for loss (TFL) and four sacks in three games before suffering an abdominal injury against TCU on Sept. 15. He has since withdrawn from school to focus on recovery and preparing for the draft. 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: 2
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 51 tackles, including a ridiculous 13.5 for a loss (11th in the nation) and three sacks, through seven games. He is very powerful and compares to Aaron Donald. Watch out.
3. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU*
Grade: 94 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 184 | Previous: 5
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 he 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.
4. Devin White, ILB, LSU*
Grade: 94 | 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 he won't have to come off the field much in passing situations. White has 76 tackles, including seven for loss, while also forcing a fumble. You see some Eric Kendricks in him. White will miss the first half of the Alabama game for a suspension stemming from a targeting call in the Tigers' last contest, but he is a fast riser right now on draft boards.
5. Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan*
Grade: 93 | 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 4.5 TFL in five games. He has missed three straight games with a shoulder injury, and his status for the Penn State tilt coming out of the bye is still up in the air.
6. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn*
Grade: 93 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 325 | Previous: 8
Tall but still bulky, Brown is a versatile defensive lineman who likely will fit best in a 3-technique role in a one-gap-heavy NFL scheme. While his sack production has been just OK over his career at Auburn, he does have 2.5 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. Through eight games, he has 6.5 TFL and four QB hurries.
7. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Grade: 93 | 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 1.5 TFL; but there's a lot of talent here, and he is playing with one of the best lines in the country.
8. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson*
Grade: 92 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 310 | Previous: 6
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 six TFL, two sacks and a forced fumble. Against Florida State this past weekend, the 310-pounder also had a rushing touchdown from the 1-yard line in a unique offensive look for the Tigers.
Arizona State WR N'Keal Harry makes a one-handed catch that leaves the commentators speechless.
9. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss*
Grade: 92 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 325 | Previous: 7
The one-time 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.
10. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida*
Grade: 92 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 328 | Previous: NR
Taylor enters the top 32 this week, and I discussed the massive lineman last week as an underrated draft prospect. He lacks length but shows quickness, often riding faster rushers past the quarterback if he's able to get his hands on them. Taylor still needs to work on his angles and play with better body control when coming to the second level, but there is pop in his game. He has the athletic ability to develop into a strong zone blocker.
11. 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 on 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.
12. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson*
Grade: 91 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265 | Previous: 12
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 eight games, his quick first step and active hands have helped him to 12 TFL and seven sacks (tied for 11th in the nation).
13. Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama*
Grade: 91 | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 196 | Previous: 11
A serious climber over the past few weeks, Thompson has two interceptions, five passes broken up and 46 tackles this season through eight games. He has good range and can make plays on the ball when it is in the air. He's a real ball hawk.
14. DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
Grade: 90 | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 185 | Previous: 15
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 eight passes.
15. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State*
Grade: 90 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 300 | Previous: 13
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 certainly can improve his hand usage. The junior has 9.5 TFL 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.
16. Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
Grade: 90 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285 | Previous: 14
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 who had 100 tackles in 2017. (He has 42 tackles so far this season, including 12.5 for a loss and 5.5 sacks.) You see a little Cameron Jordan of the Saints in Allen.
17. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon*
Grade: 89 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 233 | Previous: 17
Herbert has 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 -- he has four games with at least 30 rushing yards this season -- and he also has some athleticism. Herbert already has north of 2,000 yards passing this season, and he has a 20-6 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. Herbert is currently in concussion protocol, and his status for this week's UCLA game is up in the air.
18. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama*
Grade: 89 | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 316 | Previous: 16
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 he 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 (0.5 sacks and three TFL), but he has helped clog the middle of a run defense that is allowing only 3.54 yards per carry and has yielded just three rushing scores.
19. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
Grade: 88 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 241 | Previous: 18
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 he 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 8.5 sacks and 11 TFL (tied for seventh in the nation) this season for the Bulldogs.
20. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama*
Grade: 88 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 295 | Previous: 20
Williams is starting to get a lot of attention this season on an extremely good Alabama defensive line. He does a great job with his hands and has a nose for putting pressure on the quarterback. Through eight games, he has 8.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks, along with nine quarterback hurries. He also is stout against the run. I'm really impressed with how he has taken his game to another level this season.
21. Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
Grade: 88 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 260 | Previous: 28
A versatile linebacker with the ability to play on the inside or the outside, regardless of the front, Allen has outstanding range as a run defender with above-average closing speed. He does need to work on his change-of-direction skills in coverage, however. After back-to-back games with two sacks, the one-time high school wide receiver is climbing the board. He now has 14.5 TFL (tied for fourth in the nation), 10 sacks (second) and five forced fumbles (tied for first) this season, along with four passes broken up and five QB hurries. He is an absolute beast for the Wildcats.
22. Devin Bush, OLB, Michigan*
Grade: 87 | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 233 | Previous: 31
Bush has good instincts as a pass-rusher, displaying patience and good closing speed when he gets a line to the quarterback. He shows good range and quickness, as well as decent tackling ability. However, he is undersized, and he struggles to disengage when a blocker gets into his pads. He has the potential to be a three-down starter in the NFL and is trending up. Through eight games, he has 49 tackles, including seven for loss and 4.5 sacks.
23. D'Andre Walker, OLB, Georgia
Grade: 87 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 245 | Previous: 32
Walker ascends up the board after a strong start to the 2018 season, recording five sacks, 6.5 TFL and six QB hurries, along with three forced fumbles. He flashes good snap anticipation and has a quick first step. Walker does a particularly good job keeping blockers off his body with his long arms, and he is slippery as a pass-rusher, showing good natural instincts. However, he will be late locating the ball on occasion and can be sucked inside a bit too much. I think Walker could end up being a pass-rush specialist in the NFL.
24. Brian Burns, DE, Florida State*
Grade: 87 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 235 | Previous: NR
A versatile edge defender, Burns has experience on both sides, as well as with his hand in the dirt or in coverage. He has flashed outstanding snap awareness and is quick off the edge when rushing the passer, but he still needs to develop a full toolbox of pass-rush moves. Burns also tends to be a little inconsistent in locating the ball, but his closing burst is terrific. Through eight games for the Seminoles, he has an absurd 11.5 TFL and nine sacks.
25. Jachai Polite, OLB, Florida*
Grade: 87 | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 242 | Previous: NR
Polite is a top-tier talent. With fantastic speed and athleticism, he is a force off the edge. Polite is slippery and displays good instincts as a playmaker. In eight games for the Gators, Polite has seven sacks and forced four fumbles. He was a big part of the win against LSU in early October, making six tackles, recording two sacks and forcing a fumble.
26. Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma*
Grade: 87 | Height: 5-9 | Weight: 168 | Previous: 25
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 18.5 yards per catch, Brown has seven touchdowns and 738 yards this season for the Sooners. He is working through a minor undisclosed injury that has slowed him to just seven catches and 63 yards over the past two weeks.
27. Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama*
Grade: 86 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 241 | Previous: 23
A strong, 123-yard performance at Arkansas in early October helped get him on the board, and he just continues to get attention in the Crimson Tide's electric offense. On 22 receptions this season, Smith has 384 yards. He wasn't on the radar in the preseason, but he has a lot of speed and athleticism for a big tight end. He has catches for 76, 47 and 42 yards this season, and he now has five trips to the end zone. He can be a tough matchup, especially when in multiple-TE sets.
28. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss*
Grade: 86 | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 230 | Previous: 22
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 also will 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 60 catches for 805 yards this season. With D.K. Metcalf down for the year, Brown caught 10 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown against Auburn, and he will continue to be very important in the Rebels' pass game.
29. N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State*
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220 | Previous: 19
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 60 yards receiving just once this season, and he already is at 667 yards on the season and has collected six touchdowns (plus an additional rushing score). In Saturday's win against USC, Harry made a ridiculous Odell Beckham Jr.-like one-handed catch while completely horizontal. He can absolutely ball and will be a weapon in the NFL.
30. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 215 | Previous: 26
A hard-hitting strong safety with a very good size-speed combination, Abram can intimidate the opposition. He is a powerful finisher with an 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 62 tackles this season and an interception.
31. Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri*
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 255 | Previous: NR
Albert-O is a fringe first-round prospect at this point, but he's a really good athlete. A big game against Memphis put the big tight end on the radar, as he posted 159 yards receiving and a trio of touchdowns on six catches. Those scores were on plays of 58, 47 and 23 yards. There is certainly an ability to create after the catch, as he is averaging 10.8 yards per reception.
32. JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford*
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 225 | Previous: NR
This kid is a natural pass-catcher and shows above-average body control. His speed and ability to go up and get 50-50 balls makes him a real threat in the vertical game, but he also can pick up yards after the catch with hard running. There might not be a ton of explosiveness to him, but he creates separation with savviness and physicality in his routes. Arcega-Whiteside has experience outside and in the slot, and he has shown the ability to block when needed. In his past three games, the senior has 25 catches for 305 yards and three scores. In all this season, he has 11 trips to the end zone.