NFL Draft 2018: 5 names to watch on Thursday
The 2018 NFL Draft is less than 48 hours away, and that’s music to the ears of any football fan. Unless you support the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans or the Los Angeles Rams, you have at least one first-round pick on the opening night, giving your team to chance to land a superstar.
So which names are flying under the proverbial radar? Who are the youngsters who aren’t getting enough attention, but could end up becoming a force this fall? Here are five names to keep an eye out for when Thursday night rolls around.
5. Derrius Guice
Guice is being talked about as a borderline first-round pick, and that seems low considering his body of work with the LSU Tigers. While with the SEC powerhouse, Guice sat behind Leonard Fournette at the beginning. In 2016, Guice played second fiddle to Fournette and still racked up 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns. Last year, the prospect totaled another 1,375 yards from scrimmage to accompany 13 scores.
4. Maurice Hurst
Hurst played four seasons with the Michigan Wolverines and was a dominant defensive lineman during his time. The Big Ten star was a three-year starter who played in a total of 67 games. Over the past two years, Hurst amassed 10.5 sacks, not a bad number for an interior lineman. If Hurst hasn’t been flagged for a medical condition during the process (he’s since been cleared), he would almost be guaranteed to be a top-20 pick. However, due to lingering uncertainty, he might fall further than expected.
3. Sony Michel
Another running back from the SEC, Michel was one of the more impressive backs in the country in 2017. Starring for the University of Georgia, Michel has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons in the last three campaigns, splitting time in the backfield with fellow incoming rookie, Nick Chubb. Michel might not project to be a workhorse, but could end up similar to Alvin Kamara.
2. Courtland Sutton
Sutton tore up the AAC with the SMU Mustangs, especially on 2016 and ’17. The projected first-round pick put up a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons in relative obscurity, but might be the best receiver in this draft. Calvin Ridley went to Alabama and so he has gotten plenty of press clippings, but Sutton is a star in waiting.
1. Marcus Davenport
Davenport wasn’t on the national radar for most throughout his career, playing for UTSA. Still, the defensive end is one of the best in his rookie class, something evident with even a little tape. Davenport notched 27.5 sacks over the past two seasons, showcasing size and strength throughout his stay in San Antonio.
Keep checking BettingSports.com for updates on the 2018 NFL Draft.
