The National Championship is now set between Alabama and Georgia. Like most years, there will be a lot of talent on the field that will be in the NFL in a short time. Here are the top NFL Draft prospects in the 2018 National Championship:
Alabama Crimson Tide
Fitzpatrick has experience at both corner and safety for Alabama, but will fit in better as a safety in the NFL. He has gotten playing time since his freshman season at Alabama and is now a junior. In his three seasons he has 166 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, nine interceptions, 24 passes defended and one forced fumble.
At 6’1″ and 201 pounds, Fitzpatrick has good enough size for the NFL at either position he has played. He likely won’t have to wait long to hear his name called.
Projected draft range: 1st round
Calvin Ridley (Photo by saturdaydownsouth.com)
Ridley is one of the best receivers in the draft class, if not the best. He has continued to put up numbers, despite not always having the greatest quarterback play. At Alabama, he has 2,749 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. His best season was his freshman year with Blake Sims at quarterback.
He is 6’1″ and 190 pounds and will need to add some play strength to beat his man off the line of scrimmage. If he isn’t the first wide receiver drafted, Ridley will be shortly after.
Projected draft range: 1st round
Payne doesn’t have the production of a lot of other prospects, but is asked to do something completely different for Alabama. He is a freakish athlete who takes on multiple blockers and helps stop the run well. Payne caught a touchdown pass against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl and had an intercpetion. He has 96 total tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks in his time at Alabama.
At 6’2″ and 308 pounds, Payne has good size for an interior defensive lineman. He plays nose tackle in Alabama’s 3-4, but can also play defensive tackle in the 4-3 system.
Projected draft range: 1st round-2nd round
Other notable Alabama prospects: RB Damien Harris (2nd round-4th round), RB Bo Scarbrough (4th round-6th round), G/C Ross Pierschbacher (3rd round-5th round), C Lester Cotton (5th round-7th round), C Bradley Bozeman (3rd round-5th round), DE Da’Shawn Hand (6th round-undrafted free agent), LB Rashaan Evans (3rd round-4th round), LB Shaun Dion Hamilton (3rd round-5th round), CB Anthony Averett (3rd round-5th round), CB Tony Brown (4th round-6th round), S Ronnie Harrison (1st round-2nd round)
Georgia Bulldogs
Smith is the most complete linebacker in the 2018 NFL Draft class and is the leader of the Georgia defense. The past two years he has produced a lot, but this year he took his game to a whole new level. He has 124 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
He is 6’1″ and 225 pounds which is good enough size to play inside linebacker. He could play in any system that is thrown out there in the NFL. Smith will be the first inside linebacker to be selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Projected draft range: 1st round-2nd round
Trenton Thompson (redandblack.com)
Thompson doesn’t have many stats, but the good play of a defensive tackle doesn’t always show up in the stat line. He has 35 total tackles and three tackles for loss. The lack of production is a little concerning, but he does a good job with gap integrity and stopping the run.
At 6’4″ and 295 pounds, Thompson is a perfect fit as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 scheme. Defensive tackles don’t usually go high in the draft, but should be selected on day two.
Projected draft range: 2nd round-3rd round
Chubb is one of the best running backs in SEC history. He has battled injuries, split carries and played against tough competition and has still produced. In his career he has 4,744 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns for the Bulldogs. He isn’t the best running back in the class, but has some of the best production.
He is 5’10” and 225 pounds which is good enough for the NFL. Day two of the NFL Draft is likely when Chubb will hear his name called.
Projected draft range: 2nd round-4th round
Other Georgia prospects: RB Sony Michel (3rd round-5th round), TE Jeb Blazevich (7th round-undrafted free agent), OL Isaiah Wynn (2nd round-4th round), LB Lorenzo Carter (2nd round-4th round), LB Davin Bellamy (4th round-6th round), LB Reggie Carter (7th round-undrafted free agent), CB DeAndre Baker (4th round-6th round), S Dominick Sanders (4th round-6th round)
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