ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Since the first opinion about the 2018 NFL draft class was uttered, most of what has been said or written has been about the top four quarterbacks on the board. While two, three and possibly all four of those quarterbacks could be selected in the first four picks of the draft, they are not the four best players on this draft board. Some of this draft's highest-graded players will be selected after those high-profile passers.
When: April 26-28
Where: Arlington, Texas
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• How '18 QBs grade vs. first-rounders »
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In that light -- and after watching a pile of game video to go with hours of interviews with coaches and scouts -- here is one man's top 100 for the 2018 NFL draft. It isn't a mock draft, just the top 100 players ranked regardless of position.
The quarterbacks will certainly be selected well before where they have been slotted, because there are always two draft boards -- the quarterback board and the board for everybody else.
And as always, if you disagree with the rankings, rest assured that many in the league whom I have long respected have already objected. Note: best verified or electronically timed 40-yard dash time in parentheses.
Yes, he's a guard, and yes, personnel executives do not believe in taking a guard this high on the board. But in technique, approach and ability to finish, he is simply the best football player in this draft. And he has potential to grow.
Proficient college pass-rushers like Chubb usually transition quickly to the NFL. He's a high-motor player, with the athleticism and savvy to beat one-on-ones as well as double-teams. He had 26 tackles for loss in 2017 despite lots of attention.
Barkley's work ethic, athleticism and speed are all at an elite level. He also was the pre-draft interview champion. Toss in three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, 102 career receptions and two kickoff return touchdowns and Barkley should immediately lift any offense.
In the NFL, the need for legitimate cover corners nearly matches that of quarterbacks. Ward's quality footwork, top-shelf speed and confidence make him a rookie starter in waiting. He can play in the slot or outside and understands route concepts.
Fitzpatrick started 10 games as a true freshman for a defense loaded with NFL prospects. He has played corner and safety and has pass rush skills. He does his best work in the biggest moments and shows a rare desire to be prepared and to succeed.
He has played safety (strong and free), cornerback in the nickel, weakside linebacker in specialty packages, and pass-rusher from an outside linebacker spot. His talent, combined with his leadership abilities, will make him a key voice in the locker room.
He has had back-to-back 100-tackle seasons which included 32.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Edmunds will likely be able to play any linebacker position. He's built like a front-line pass-rusher and tackles like an inside linebacker.
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NFL draft coverage » | Full order »
He brings production and potential to the table. Despite showing sideline-to-sideline athleticism in the Southeastern Conference, Smith is an ascending player. He can make plays at the point of attack, coupled with the athleticism to play man coverage down the field.
He has rare athleticism for a player this big but hasn't always played to his ability. Some scouts worry that's a habit he could bring to the NFL. With work and plenty of forceful guidance, he has the potential to be a defensive centerpiece.
He was suspended for two games at North Carolina because of a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from a fight in 2015. Hughes is good in and out of coverage and has the ability to redirect receivers at the line of scrimmage. He also returned punts and kickoffs this past season, with a punt return for a touchdown and two kickoff returns for touchdowns.
His ability to absorb information and take it from the meeting room to the field, combined with his accuracy and anticipation, should outweigh concerns about his height and work in the spread offense. Mayfield can bounce back from mistakes and controls the huddle.
He has plenty to learn -- like what to do if his first move in the rush doesn't work -- but he also offers raw skills. His 17.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, combined with his work at the Senior Bowl (he sacked Mayfield in the game), offer a glimpse of what could come.
Darnold may possess the highest ceiling among the top passers in this draft. He'll turn 21 in June and has exhibited the mental toughness to recover from mistakes. His windup needs work and his 22 turnovers last season are a concern, but he has won teams over with the way he handles himself.
Few players rise more quickly on draft boards than cornerbacks with size and elite speed. And unlike many at his position in the college game, he has shown he can play press coverage. Alexander missed seven games in 2017 with knee and hand injuries. He averaged 10.5 yards per punt return in 2016.
Rosen has solid mechanics and footwork. He is also willing to stand in the face of pocket pressure to make a large repertoire of throws. He has had some accuracy problems when forced to throw on the move. Rosen also has injury concerns, including concussion issues and shoulder surgery. Lastly, fair or not, he carries a perception that he's difficult to coach.
He is poised to be a dominant player in run defense and has the potential to be disruptive in the interior pass rush. Payne consistently plays with effort and showed he loves the spotlight with his work in the Sugar Bowl against Clemson. He had a reception for a touchdown and an interception.
He played all over the formation for the Crimson Tide. Ridley is more advanced in his route running than others in this draft and should show a broader skill set in the NFL. His 1,000-yard season at Alabama came as a freshman.
He improved his 40 time to 4.42 on his pro day. Jackson moved from cornerback to wide receiver and back early in his career with the Hawkeyes. He had eight interceptions and was credited with 26 passes defensed in 2017. He forced six turnovers -- five interceptions and a forced fumble -- in a two-game span.
Even with his production -- 3,613 career rushing yards -- Michel might be one of the more underappreciated players on the board. He runs with power and is elusive. Michel can close the deal in the open field and is more proficient in pass protection than other backs in this draft.
His impact was limited this past season because of a knee injury, yet he still carved out 1,251 rushing yards. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry over his career. Couple that with the power-quickness combination, and Guice is the No. 2 back in the draft for some teams.
He had 12 tackles, including three for loss, a sack and forced a fumble in his final college game to close out a 141-tackle season. Vander Esch has the frame defensive coordinators covet and the instincts to be a walk-in starter for most NFL defenses.
Kirk shows the "suddenness" scouts want to allow separation in route running. He should contribute in the slot quickly and averaged a double-take-worthy 22 yards per punt return in his career with seven return touchdowns (six punt return, one kickoff return).
Wynn had shoulder surgery following the Senior Bowl, so his pre-draft work has been limited. He started at both left tackle and guard for the Bulldogs. He understands hand placement and has the athleticism and ability to finish blocks.
He was a 1,000-yard receiver in 2017 -- 1,033 yards, 12.9 yards per catch and eight touchdowns -- despite catching passes from four different quarterbacks. Moore has some rough edges, but his desire to win every battle for the ball and run-after-catch ability are a good start.
Some evaluators were upset when Evans didn't run the 40-yard
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