The Denver Post ranks the top 10 players by position entering Thursday’s first round of the NFL draft:
Quarterbacks
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 1. Kenny Pickett | Pitt | Sr. | 6-3 | 217 | 1 |
| 2. Malik Willis | Liberty | Sr. | 6-0 | 219 | 1 |
| 3. Desmond Ridder | Cincinnati | Sr. | 6-3 | 211 | 1 |
| 4. Matt Corral | Ole Miss | Jr. | 6-2 | 212 | 2 |
| 5. Sam Howell | North Carolina | Jr. | 6-0 | 218 | 3 |
| 6. Bailey Zappe | Western Kentucky | Sr. | 6-0 | 215 | 4 |
| 7. Carson Strong | Nevada | Jr. | 6-3 | 226 | 4 |
| 8. EJ Perry | Brown | Sr. | 6-2 | 211 | 5 |
| 9. Jack Coan | Notre Dame | Sr. | 6-3 | 218 | 5 |
| 10. Dustin Crum | Kent State | Sr. | 6-1 | 210 | 6 |
Bold predictions: No quarterbacks will be selected in the top 10, but then Pickett, Willis and Ridder will go in the first round. … Ridder will be the first passer from this draft class to start a regular-season game. … D’Eriq King of Miami (Fla.) will be drafted as a receiver. … South Dakota State’s Chris Oladokun will be drafted by Kansas City in the seventh round.
Running backs
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 1. Breece Hall | Iowa State | Jr. | 5-11 | 217 | 2 |
| 2. Kenneth Walker III | Michigan State | Jr. | 5-9 | 211 | 2 |
| 3. Tyler Allgeier | BYU | So. | 5-11 | 224 | 3 |
| 4. James Cook | Georgia | Sr. | 5-11 | 190 | 3 |
| 5. Brian Robinson Jr. | Alabama | Sr. | 6-2 | 225 | 3 |
| 6. Dameon Pierce | Florida | Sr. | 5-10 | 218 | 3 |
| 7. Zamir White | Georgia | Jr. | 6-0 | 214 | 4 |
| 8. Rachaad White | Arizona State | Sr. | 6-0 | 214 | 4 |
| 9. Isaiah Spiller | Texas A&M | Jr. | 6-0 | 217 | 4 |
| 10. Abram Smith | Baylor | Sr. | 6-0 | 213 | 4 |
Bold predictions: The Broncos will draft a running back on Saturday. … For the first time since 2014, no running back will be drafted in the first round. … Florida’s Dameon Pierce will lead all rookies in rushing yards this year. … Washington State’s Max Borghi (Arvada/Pomona HS) will be selected in the seventh round.
Tight ends
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
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| 1. Trey McBride | Colorado State | Sr. | 6-4 | 246 | 2 |
| 2. Greg Dulcich | UCLA | Jr. | 6-4 | 243 | 2 |
| 3. Jelani Woods | Virginia | Sr. | 6-7 | 253 | 3 |
| 4. Jeremy Ruckert | Ohio State | Sr. | 6-5 | 252 | 3 |
| 5. Charlie Kolar | Iowa State | Sr. | 6-6 | 252 | 4 |
| 6. Cade Otton | Washington | Jr. | 6-5 | 247 | 4 |
| 7. Isaiah Likely | Coastal Carolina | Sr. | 6-4 | 245 | 5 |
| 8. Daniel Bellinger | San Diego State | Sr. | 6-5 | 253 | 5 |
| 9. Jake Ferguson | Wisconsin | Sr. | 6-5 | 250 | 5 |
| 10. James Mitchell | Virginia Tech | Jr. | 6-4 | 249 | 5 |
Bold predictions: No tight ends will be first-round picks for the second time in three years and the fourth time since 2013. … The Broncos will draft a tight end with one of their two third-round selections. … McBride will lead all rookie tight ends in catches, yards and touchdowns this year.
Receivers
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
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| 1. Garrett Wilson | Ohio State | Jr. | 6-0 | 183 | 1 |
| 2. Chris Olave | Ohio State | Sr. | 6-0 | 187 | 1 |
| 3. Jameson Williams | Alabama | Jr. | 6-1 | 179 | 1 |
| 4. Drake London | USC | Jr. | 6-4 | 219 | 1 |
| 5. Jahan Dotson | Penn State | Sr. | 5-11 | 178 | 1 |
| 6. Treylon Burks | Arkansas | Jr. | 6-2 | 225 | 1 |
| 7. Christian Watson | N.D. State | Sr. | 6-4 | 208 | 2 |
| 8. Jalen Tolbert | South Alabama | Sr. | 6-1 | 194 | 2 |
| 9. George Pickens | Georgia | Jr. | 6-3 | 195 | 2 |
| 10. John Metchie III | Alabama | Jr. | 5-11 | 187 | 2 |
Bold predictions: The best receiver in the draft is Williams (rehabilitating an ACL injury) and a team will trade up in the first round to select him. … No receiver from this class will match the recent rookie production of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. … The Broncos will draft a receiver in the sixth or seventh round that has return ability.
Offensive linemen
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
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| 1. T Ikem Ekwonu | N.C. State | Jr. | 6-4 | 310 | 1 |
| 2. T Evan Neal | Alabama | Jr. | 6-7 | 337 | 1 |
| 3. T Charles Cross | Mississippi State | So. | 6-5 | 307 | 1 |
| 4. C Tyler Linderbaum | Iowa | Jr. | 6-2 | 296 | 1 |
| 5. G Zion Johnson | Boston College | Sr. | 6-3 | 312 | 1 |
| 6. T Trevor Penning | Northern Iowa | Sr. | 6-7 | 325 | 2 |
| 7. G Kenyon Green | Texas A&M | Jr. | 6-4 | 323 | 2 |
| 8. T Tyler Smith | Tulsa | So. | 6-5 | 324 | 2 |
| 9. T Bernhard Raimann | Central Michigan | Sr. | 6-6 | 303 | 2 |
| 10. G Darian Kinnard | Kentucky | Sr. | 6-5 | 322 | 2 |
Bold predictions: Ikem Ekwonu should be the top overall pick, but the Jaguars will stick with Cam Robinson at left tackle. … Three tackles (Ekownu, Evan Neal and Charles Cross) will go in the top 10 for the first time since 2013 (Eric Fisher, Luke Joeckel and Lane Johnson). … Zion Jonson will be the only guard in round 1.
Defensive linemen
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
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| 1. DT Jordan Davis | Georgia | Sr. | 6-6 | 341 | 1 |
| 2. DT Devonte Wyatt | Georgia | Sr. | 6-3 | 304 | 1 |
| 3. DE DeMarvin Leal | Texas A&M | Jr. | 6-4 | 283 | 1 |
| 4. DE Perrion Winfrey | Oklahoma | Sr. | 6-4 | 290 | 2 |
| 5. DT Phidarian Mathis | Alabama | Sr. | 6-4 | 310 | 2 |
| 6. DT Travis Jones | Connecticut | Sr. | 6-4 | 325 | 2 |
| 7. DT Matthew Butler | Tennessee | Sr. | 6-4 | 297 | 2 |
| 8. DT John Ridgeway | Arkansas | Sr. | 6-5 | 321 | 3 |
| 9. DT Otito Ogbonnia | UCLA | Sr. | 6-4 | 324 | 3 |
| 10. DT Kalia Davis | UCF | Sr. | 6-1 | 302 | 3 |
Bold predictions: The run on defensive linemen will happen midway through second round. … Idaho NT Noah Elliss (Highlands Ranch/Valor) will be selected in the seventh round. … Georgia’s Jordan Davis will be off the board first, but teammate Devonte Wyatt will have more sacks as a rookie.
Edge rushers
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
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| 1. Aidan Hutchinson | Michigan | Sr. | 6-7 | 260 | 1 |
| 2. Travon Walker | Georgia | Jr. | 6-5 | 272 | 1 |
| 3. Jermaine Johnson | Florida State | Sr. | 6-5 | 254 | 1 |
| 4. Kayvon Thibodeaux | Oregon | Jr. | 6-4 | 254 | 1 |
| 5. Arnold Ebiketie | Penn State | Sr. | 6-2 | 250 | 1 |
| 6. David Ojabo | Michigan | So. | 6-4 | 250 | 2 |
| 7. George Karlaftis | Purdue | Jr. | 6-4 | 266 | 2 |
| 8. Logan Hall | Houston | Sr. | 6-6 | 283 | 2 |
| 9. Drake Jackson | USC | Jr. | 6-3 | 273 | 2 |
| 10. Nik Bonitto | Oklahoma | Jr. | 6-3 | 248 | 2 |
Bold predictions: Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson will go first to Jacksonville and Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux second to Detroit after neither team can trade out of their respective spots. … Michigan’s David Ojabo, who tore his Achilles during his Pro Day, will still be selected in the top 45.
Linebackers
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
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| 1. Devin Lloyd | Utah | Sr. | 6-3 | 237 | 1 |
| 2. Nakobe Dean | Georgia | Jr. | 5-11 | 229 | 1 |
| 3. Christian Harris | Alabama | Jr. | 6-0 | 226 | 1 |
| 4. Quay Walker | Georgia | Sr. | 6-4 | 241 | 1 |
| 5. Chad Muma | Wyoming | Sr. | 6-3 | 239 | 2 |
| 6. Troy Andersen | Montana State | Sr. | 6-3 | 243 | 2 |
| 7. Brian Asamoah | Oklahoma | Jr. | 6-0 | 226 | 2 |
| 8. Channing Tindall | Georgia | Sr. | 6-2 | 230 | 2 |
| 9. Leo Chenal | Wisconsin | Jr. | 6-3 | 250 | 3 |
| 10. Mike Rose | Iowa State | Sr. | 6-4 | 245 | 3 |
Bold predictions: Wyoming’s Chad Muma (Lone Tree/Legend) will go to Washington in second round. … Montana State’s Troy Andersen will be the Broncos’ pick if they stay at No. 64.
Cornerbacks
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
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| 1. Derek Stingley Jr. | LSU | Jr. | 6-0 | 190 | 1 |
| 2. Sauce Gardner | Cincinnati | Jr. | 6-3 | 190 | 1 |
| 3. Trent McDuffie | Washington | Jr. | 5-11 | 193 | 1 |
| 4. Andrew Booth Jr. | Clemson | Jr. | 6-0 | 194 | 2 |
| 5. Kyler Gordon | Washington | Jr. | 5-11 | 194 | 2 |
| 6. Roger McCreary | Auburn | Sr. | 5-11 | 190 | 2 |
| 7. Kaiir Elam | Florida | Jr. | 6-1 | 191 | 2 |
| 8. Marcus Jones | Houston | Sr. | 5-8 | 174 | 2 |
| 9. Cam Taylor-Britt | Nebraska | Sr. | 5-11 | 196 | 3 |
| 10. Tariq Woolen | UTSA | Sr. | 6-4 | 205 | 3 |
Bold predictions: Cincinnati’s Sauce Gardner will be first cornerback drafted, but LSU’s Derek Stingley will have a greater 2022 impact. … A team will trade up in round 2 to draft Auburn’s Roger McCreary. … Houston’s Marcus Jones will thrive as a returner more than as a corner this year.
Safeties
| Name | School | Year | Ht. | Wt. | Rd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 1. Kyle Hamilton | Notre Dame | Jr. | 6-4 | 220 | 1 |
| 2. Jalen Pitre | Baylor | Sr. | 5-11 | 198 | 1 |
| 3. Dax Hill | Michigan | Jr. | 6-0 | 191 | 1 |
| 4. Lewis Cine | Georgia | Jr. | 6-2 | 199 | 2 |
| 5. Bryan Cook | Cincinnati | Sr. | 6-1 | 206 | 2 |
| 6. Nick Cross | Maryland | Jr. | 6-0 | 212 | 3 |
| 7. Jaquan Brisker | Penn State | Sr. | 6-1 | 206 | 3 |
| 8. Kerby Joseph | Illinois | Sr. | 6-1 | 203 | 3 |
| 9. Alontae Taylor | Tennessee | Sr. | 6-0 | 199 | 3 |
| 10. Dane Belton | Iowa | Jr. | 6-1 | 205 | 3 |
Bold predictions: Michigan’s Dax Hill will be a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate after playing safety and nickel cornerback. … Hill, Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton, Baylor’s Jalen Pitre and Georgia’s Lewis Cine will all be Week 1 starters.
