Bowl games are kicking off and the Jan. 14 deadline to declare for the 2019 NFL draft is drawing near. The class is starting to clear up, but there is still plenty of time for change over the next four months.
Yes, just two new players enter the top 32, but one could be a highly coveted quarterback come April.
Here are my top 32 players for next year's draft, updated from the Dec. 4 version. Be sure to check out our full draft rankings and my Mock Draft 1.0 as well.
Note: Underclassmen are marked with an asterisk.
Jump to position rankings
1. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State*
Grade: 95 | Height: 6-4 | 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. This isn't the type of injury that will worry NFL scouts, and he has since withdrawn from school and declared for the draft.
2. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama*
Grade: 94 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 295 | Previous: 6
Williams does a great job with his hands and has a nose for putting pressure on the quarterback with a terrific first step. Through 13 games, he has 18 TFL (tied for 14th in the country) and eight sacks, along with 11 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, outperforming more highly touted members of that Alabama front seven. He closed the regular season with at least one sack in five consecutive games as the Crimson Tide look ahead to the College Football Playoff.
3. Devin White, ILB, LSU*
Grade: 94 | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 240 | Previous: 3
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 had 115 tackles, including 12 for loss, while also forcing two fumbles. Against Texas A&M to end the regular season, he had 12 tackles (including four for loss and a sack). You see some Eric Kendricks in him.
4. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU*
Grade: 94 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 184 | Previous: 2
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 had two interceptions and nine passes broken up this season for the Tigers. He looks like a play-right-away type when he gets to the next level.
5. Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan*
Grade: 94 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 283 | Previous: 4
Three years after he arrived in Ann Arbor as the most celebrated recruit in the country, Gary 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, high motor and natural instincts helped him to 3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in nine games. He missed three consecutive games earlier this season with a shoulder injury, but he was productive in his return.
6. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn*
Grade: 93 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 325 | Previous: 9
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 was just OK over his career at Auburn, he did have 3.5 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 and shows good initial pop at the line. In 12 regular-season games, he had 9.5 TFL and five QB hurries.
7. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston*
Grade: 93 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 292 | Previous: 5
Oliver missed four consecutive Cougars games with a knee injury and had an explosive exchange with coach Major Applewhite on the sideline in mid-November before returning at the end of the regular season. But on the field, you don't want to have to block this dude. He explodes out of his stance, has elite initial quickness and is totally disruptive and usually unblockable one-on-one. Oliver has great range and always plays hard. He had 58 tackles, including 14.5 for a loss and three sacks, in eight games.
Todd McShay explains why defensive linemen occupy the top spots of his first mock.
8. Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama*
Grade: 92 | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 196 | Previous: 14
Thompson had two interceptions, five passes broken up, three forced fumbles and 65 tackles this season in 13 games. In short, he does a little bit of everything in the Alabama secondary. Thompson has good range and can make plays on the ball when it's in the air. He's a real ball hawk.
9. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson*
Grade: 92 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 265 | Previous: 11
Ferrell has 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. His hands aren't overly violent at the line, but they are quick and active. Through 13 games, his quick first step helped him to 17.5 TFL and 10.5 sacks (eighth in the nation).
10. Devin Bush, OLB, Michigan*
Grade: 92 | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 233 | Previous: 18
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 still trending up. Through 12 games, he recorded 79 tackles, including nine for loss and five sacks.
11. Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
Grade: 91 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 260 | Previous: 20
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. The onetime high school wide receiver finished with 18.5 TFL (tied for 10th in the nation), 14 sacks (fourth) and five forced fumbles (tied for first) this season, along with four passes broken up and six QB hurries. He is an absolute beast for the Wildcats.
12. 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 and 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.
13. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Grade: 91 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 340 | Previous: 7
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, and he looked more fluid this season after dealing with injury in 2017. He recorded 7.5 TFL on one of the best lines in the country, and there's a lot of talent here.
14. Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
Grade: 91 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 338 | Previous: 12
Ford is a nasty finisher on a good Sooners offensive line. He is a big, strong tone setter up front and had a great season for Bill Bedenbaugh's OL unit. I think he could move from tackle to guard at the next level. Ford is flying up boards.
15. 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 had a pair of interceptions this season with 82 return yards, and he broke up nine passes.
After enjoying a stellar season at Georgia, Deandre Baker becomes the first Bulldogs player to take home the Jim Thorpe Award for best defensive back.
16. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State*
Grade: 90 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 300 | Previous: 17
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 had 14.5 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.
17. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson*
Grade: 90 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 310 | Previous: 13
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. He brings a high motor and excellent awareness to a talented Clemson defensive line. Well-liked and a leader in the locker room, Wilkins projects as a three-down starter. With Clemson this season, he had 13 TFL, five sacks, a forced fumble ... and a pair of rushing touchdowns.
18. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State*
Grade: 90 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 220 | Previous: NR
Haskins anticipates well, and he has touch on shorter throws and the high-level arm to drive the ball down the field with accuracy. Based solely on his physical tools, the bar is really high for the Ohio State starter despite a limited college career. It's still unclear whether Haskins will enter the draft, but he has the talent to ultimately be the first QB off the board. The numbers were eye-popping for the third-year sophomore: 47 passing touchdowns, just eight interceptions, more than 4,500 yards and a 70.1 completion percentage.
19. Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
Grade: 90 | Height: 6-7 | Weight: 305 | Previous: 16
Tillery uses great upper-body strength to press in the run game and flashes upside as an interior pass-rusher. He does play a little high and doesn't have great closing burst, but that didn't stop him from dialing up eight sacks, three forced fumbles and 10.5 TFL in 12 games for the Irish this season.
20. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon*
Grade: 89 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 233 | Previous: 19
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 had four games with at least 30 rushing yards this season -- and he also has some athleticism. Herbert had nearly 3,000 yards passing during the regular season, and he had a 28-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio for the Ducks. He has a lot of room for development, including in the decision-making process, but there is talent here. Now it's just a question of whether he will return to Eugene or declare for the draft.
21. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss*
Grade: 89 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 325 | Previous: 8
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.
22. Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State*
Grade: 89 | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 286 | Previous: 21
Jones has been more consistent with his hands and is finishing more frequently than he did over the past two seasons. He displays a good first step and above-average straight-line speed for his size. But he does lack a consistent plan as a pass-rusher, despite a solid motor and good instincts. Jones had 13 TFL, 8.5 sacks and a pick-six for the Buckeyes in 13 regular-season contests.
23. Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
Grade: 89 | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 241 | Previous: 24
Excellent takeoff 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 to add bulk to his frame. However, his elite speed and strong change-of-direction skills off the edge produced 11 sacks (tied for sixth in the nation), 13.5 TFL and seven QB hurries this season for the Bulldogs.
24. Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
Grade: 88 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 285 | Previous: 22
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 had 61 tackles this season, including 15 for a loss and 6.5 sacks.) You see a little Cameron Jordan of the Saints in Allen.
25. Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida*
Grade: 88 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 328 | Previous: 23
Taylor lacks length but shows quickness, often riding faster rushers past the quarterback if he's able to get his hands on them. He 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.
26. Jachai Polite, OLB, Florida*
Grade: 88 | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 242 | Previous: 26
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 12 regular-season games for the Gators, Polite had 11 sacks (tied for sixth in the nation), 16 TFL and five forced fumbles (tied for first).
27. Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma*
Grade: 87 | Height: 5-9 | Weight: 168 | Previous: 27
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 17.6 yards per catch, Brown had 10 touchdowns and 1,318 yards this season for the Sooners. He went off for 243 yards and two touchdowns on 11 catches against West Virginia near the end of the season, but then suffered an ankle/foot injury against Texas in the Big 12 championship. His status is up in the air for the playoff semifinal against Alabama.
28. Brian Burns, DE, Florida State*
Grade: 87 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 235 | Previous: 28
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. In 12 games for the Seminoles this season, he had an absurd 15.5 TFL and 10 sacks (tied for ninth in FBS). He declared for the draft in early December.
29. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa*
Grade: 86 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 241 | Previous: 29
He has the burst to separate regularly from linebackers and his size creates matchup problems for defensive backs. Fant also possesses the speed to stretch the field and the quickness to threaten after the catch. He has great body control and is a natural pass-catcher, but his blocking needs work. He lacks the strength to be effective as an in-line blocker, but he does have the frame and quickness to develop into an adequate space blocker. Fant had 39 catches for 519 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games before declaring for the draft.
30. Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 215 | Previous: 30
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 had 93 tackles in the regular season -- including 7.5 for loss -- and two interceptions.
31. Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama*
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 241 | Previous: 31
Smith was a big part of the Crimson Tide's electric offense during the regular season. On 38 receptions, Smith had 648 yards and seven touchdowns. He wasn't on the radar in the preseason, but he has a lot of speed and athleticism for a big tight end. He had catches of 76, 68, 47 and 42 yards this season, and Alabama still has at least one game to play. He can be a tough matchup, especially when in multiple-TE sets.
32. Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech
Grade: 85 | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 262 | Previous: NR
I think Ferguson can really shine at January's Senior Bowl. He can overwhelm blockers with his speed to power, exploding off the ball. He has active hands and shows above-average initial quickness. I like the way Ferguson sets the edge, fitting best in the NFL as a 4-3 defensive end, but his range and frame put him in the 3-4 outside linebacker conversation as well. He recorded eye-popping numbers this season: 23.5 TFL (fourth in the nation), 15.0 sacks (tied for first) and a pair of forced fumbles.
PROSPECT RANKINGS BY POSITION
Quarterbacks
1. Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State*
2. Justin Herbert, Oregon*
3. Will Grier, West Virginia
4. Drew Lock, Missouri
5. Ryan Finley, NC State
6. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn*
7. Daniel Jones, Duke*
8. Jake Bentley, South Carolina*
9. Nate Stanley, Iowa*
10. Gardner Minshew, Washington State
Todd McShay breaks down why Jacksonville is the team that most needs to select a quarterback in the 2019 draft.
Running backs
1. Damien Harris, Alabama*
2. Bryce Love, Stanford*
3. David Montgomery, Iowa State*
4. Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma*
5. Karan Higdon, Michigan
6. Dexter Williams, Notre Dame
7. Jalin Moore, Appalachian State
8. Ke'Shawn Vaughn, Vanderbilt*
9. Myles Gaskin, Washington
10. Miles Sanders, Penn State*
Wide receivers
1. Marquise Brown, Oklahoma*
2. A.J. Brown, Ole Miss*
3. N'Keal Harry, Arizona State*
4. Hakeem Butler, Iowa State*
5. Parris Campbell, Ohio State
6. D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss*
7. Anthony Johnson, Buffalo
8. Deebo Samuel, South Carolina*
9. JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford*
10. Andy Isabella, UMass
Tight ends
1. Noah Fant, Iowa*
2. Irv Smith Jr., Alabama*
3. T.J. Hockenson, Iowa*
4. Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri*
5. Dawson Knox, Ole Miss*
6. Caleb Wilson, UCLA*
7. Tommy Sweeney, Boston College
8. Alize Mack, Notre Dame*
9. Foster Moreau, LSU
10. Drew Sample, Washington
Offensive tackles
1. Jonah Williams, Alabama*
2. Cody Ford, Oklahoma*
3. Greg Little, Ole Miss*
4. Jawaan Taylor, Florida*
5. Trey Adams, Washington*
6. David Edwards, Wisconsin*
7. Kaleb McGary, Washington
8. Isaiah Prince, Ohio State
9. Andre Dillard, Washington State
10. Max Scharping, Northern Illinois
Guards
1. Nate Herbig, Stanford*
2. Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
3. Dru Samia, Oklahoma
4. Nate Davis, Charlotte
5. Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
6. Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
7. Ben Powers, Oklahoma
8. Derwin Gray, Maryland
9. Lester Cotton Sr., Alabama
10. Donell Stanley, South Carolina*
Centers
1. Elgton Jenkins, Mississippi State
2. Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
3. Garrett Bradbury, NC State
4. Erik McCoy, Texas A&M*
5. Jesse Burkett, Stanford
6. Lamont Gaillard, Georgia
7. Dalton Risner, Kansas State
8. Sam Mustipher, Notre Dame
9. Javon Patterson, Ole Miss
10. Ross Reynolds, Iowa
Defensive ends
1. Nick Bosa, Ohio State*
2. Rashan Gary, Michigan*
3. Clelin Ferrell, Clemson*
4. Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
5. Zach Allen, Boston College
6. Brian Burns, Florida State*
7. Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
8. Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
9. Chase Winovich, Michigan
10. Nick Coe, Auburn*
Defensive tackles
1. Quinnen Williams, Alabama*
2. Derrick Brown, Auburn*
3. Ed Oliver, Houston*
4. Dexter Lawrence, Clemson*
5. Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame*
6. Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State*
7. Christian Wilkins, Clemson*
8. Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State*
9. Gerald Willis III, Miami (Fla.)
10. Raekwon Davis, Alabama*
After a monster season on the defensive line, Quinnen Williams becomes the fifth Crimson Tide player to win the Outland Trophy.
Inside linebackers
1. Devin White, LSU*
2. Devin Bush, Michigan*
3. Mack Wilson, Alabama*
4. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin*
5. Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame
6. Terrill Hanks, New Mexico State
7. E.J. Ejiya, North Texas
8. Ryan Connelly, Wisconsin
9. Jahlani Tavai, Hawaii
10. Dakota Allen, Texas Tech
Outside linebackers
1. Josh Allen, Kentucky
2. Jachai Polite, Florida*
3. D'Andre Walker, Georgia
4. Germaine Pratt, NC State
5. Wyatt Ray, Boston College
6. Landis Durham, Texas A&M
7. Bobby Okereke, Stanford
8. Troy Dye, Oregon*
9. Ben Banogu, Texas Christian
10. Anfernee Jennings, Alabama*
After registering 14 sacks and 84 tackles, Wildcats LB Josh Allen wins the Bednarik Award for Defensive Player of the Year.
Cornerbacks
1. Greedy Williams, LSU*
2. Deandre Baker, Georgia
3. Julian Love, Notre Dame*
4. Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
5. Byron Murphy, Washington*
6. Jamal Peters, Mississippi State
7. Kris Boyd, Texas
8. Blace Brown, Troy
9. Lavert Hill, Michigan*
10. Juan Thornhill, Virginia
Safeties
1. Deionte Thompson, Alabama*
2. Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
3. Taylor Rapp, Washington*
4. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida*
5. Lukas Denis, Boston College
6. Jaquan Johnson, Miami (Fla.)
7. Nasir Adderley, Delaware
8. Marvell Tell III, USC
9. Will Harris, Boston College
10. Mike Edwards, Kentucky