With The First Pick
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2018 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Thursday, August 31st 2017

By Jon Dove

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 19: Mason Rudolph
FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 19: Mason Rudolph /
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Tonight’s college football schedule offers a chance to see several high-profile 2018 NFL Draft prospects in action.

It’s the 1st official week of the college football season which means it’s our first look at the 2018 NFL Draft prospects. Tonight’s schedule offers a high number of top-notch prospects that don’t typically appear on Thursday night.

The Ohio State vs. Indiana game is loaded with elite NFL prospects. Ohio State has potential 1st round picks on both sides of the ball. Their top defensive prospects include Sam Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis, Dre’Mont Jones, Jerome Baker and Denzel Ward.

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Hubbard is a talented edge rusher who wins with a combination of quickness and effort. He’s a two-way player who also gives a ton of effort against the run. Baker is an undersized linebacker who is a jack of all trades.

He is someone who can generate just as much pressure on the quarterback as he can hold up in coverage.

Offensively, they are lead by Billy Price and JaMarco Jones. Running back Mike Weber and wide receiver Paris Campbell are also on the draft radar.

Indiana has some NFL talent of their own with Simmie Cobbs, Tegray Scales and Rashard Fand. The Hoosiers will need a big performance from each of these prospects if they hope to pull off the upset.

Tonight, we also get a chance to see one of the top rated quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft. Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph takes the field to lead his team against Tulsa. Rudolph isn’t  hyped as much as the other quarterbacks in this class, but he has plenty of talent.

He features a combination of good size, athleticism and arm strength. Rudolph makes sound decisions from the pocket and flashes the ability to go through his progressions. A strong season should make him a 1st round lock.

Rudolph has the pleasure of throwing to the physical James Washington. This combo is one of the more dynamic in all of college football. Washington is an aggressive receiver who always attacks the ball at its highest point.

He is a big-play threat who not only stretches the field but picks up yards after the catch. Look for both players to get off to a fast start tonight.

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