The first round of the NFL Draft is in the books and Rivals.com takes a look back at each selection in order, recounting and revisiting our rankings to determine how we did years ago projecting these players to NFL Draft status. With 21 of the 32 picks ranked four stars or higher, Rivals did well with this crop of players.
MORE NFL DRAFT: First-round grades | Farrell's mock draft | Why did we miss on Joe Burrow? | Comparing top QBs with current recruits | RB | WR | TE | OL | DT | DE | LB | CB | S
1. JOE BURROW, LSU (Bengals)
Out of high school: Burrow was a three-star dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2015 who signed with Ohio State and later transferred to LSU. He was not ranked nationally, the No. 29 recruit from Ohio and the No. 24 dual-threat quarterback in the country.
Judge Farrell: MISS. A mid three star as the No 1 overall pick is a miss just like when Baker Mayfield went first overall. Burrow was raw but he developed well.
2. CHASE YOUNG, Ohio State (Redskins)
Out of high school: Young was a five-star weakside defensive end in the Class of 2017 who signed with Ohio State. He was No. 8 nationally, the No. 1 recruit from Maryland and the No. 3 weakside defensive end in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. As a five star prospect Young checked all the boxes and lived up to that potential and then some in college.
3. JEFF OKUDAH, Ohio State (Lions)
Out of high school: Okukdah was a five-star safety in the Class of 2017 who signed with Ohio State. He was No. 16 nationally, the No. 4 recruit from Texas and the No. 1 safety in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. A five-star safety out of high school, Okudah showed everyone he could play corner and lived up to all our accolades.
4. ANDREW THOMAS, Georgia (Giants)
Out of high school: Thomas was a four-star offensive tackle in the Class of 2017 who signed with Georgia. He was No. 88 nationally, the No. 10 recruit from Georgia and the No. 10 offensive tackle in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. Thomas was a four-star and a guy who moved up in each of our rankings and became an elite OT in the SEC.
5. TUA TAGOVAILOA, Alabama (Dolphins)
Out of high school: Tagovailoa was a four-star dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2017 who signed with Alabama. He was No. 53 nationally, the No. 1 recruit from Hawaii and the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. Tua wasn’t a five-star but he was a high four-star and we liked him as an elite talent. He had great touch on his passes.
6. JUSTIN HERBERT, Oregon (Chargers)
Out of high school: Herbert was a three-star dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2016 who signed with Oregon. He was not ranked nationally overall or at his position, but was the No. 8 recruit from Oregon.
Judge Farrell: MISS. A three-star, Herbert missed his junior season and was in a remote location, but that’s still no excuse for having him so low.
7. DEREK BROWN, Auburn (Panthers)
Out of high school: Brown was a five-star defensive tackle in the Class of 2016 who signed with Auburn. He was No. 17 nationally, the No. 4 recruit from Georgia and the No. 3 defensive tackle in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. Another five-star here, Brown is an elite talent and a dominant inside pass rusher and always has been.
8. ISAIAH SIMMONS, Clemson (Cardinals)
Out of high school: Simmons was a three-star safety in the Class of 2016 who signed with Clemson. He was not ranked nationally, but was the No. 3 recruit from Kansas and the No. 32 safety in the country.
Judge Farrell: MISS. The do-everything linebacker was a three-star out of high school as a tweener and he’s clearly outplayed that ranking.
9. C.J. HENDERSON, Florida (Jaguars)
Out of high school: Henderson was a four-star cornerback in the Class of 2017 who signed with Florida. He was No. 226 nationally, the No. 36 recruit from Florida and the No. 19 cornerback in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. Henderson was a four-star kid out of high school who was an amazing athlete and wowed us at Under Armour.
10. JEDRICK WILLS, Alabama (Browns)
Out of high school: Wills was a five-star offensive tackle in the Class of 2017 who signed with Alabama. He was No. 25 nationally, the No. 1 recruit from Kentucky and the No. 5 offensive tackle in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. A five-star out of high school, Wills had the best reset of anyone I have seen in years.
11. MEKHI BECTON, Louisville (Jets)
Out of high school: Becton was a four-star offensive tackle in the Class of 2017 who signed with Louisville. He was No. 195 nationally, the No. 7 recruit from Virginia and the No. 20 offensive tackle in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. A four-star with massive size, he was a great athlete coming out of high school.
12. HENRY RUGGS, Alabama (Raiders)
Out of high school: Ruggs was a four-star wide receiver in the Class of 2017 who signed with Alabama. He was No. 125 nationally, the No. 5 recruit from Alabama and the No. 19 wide receiver in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. Ruggs was a speedy four-star out of high school who was a great hoops player as well. He’s a great athlete.
13. TRISTAN WIRFS, Iowa (Bucs)
Out of high school: Wirfs was a four-star offensive tackle in the Class of 2017 who signed with Iowa. He was not ranked nationally, but was the No. 2 recruit from Iowa and the No. 31 offensive tackle in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. He was a raw athlete out of high school but had great potential and was a 4 star who kept getting better.
14. JAVON KINLAW, South Carolina (49ers)
Out of junior college: Kinlaw was a three-star JUCO recruit in the Class of 2017 who signed with South Carolina. He was rated the No. 27 JUCO recruit nationally.
Judge Farrell: MISS. Kinlaw looked like an OT in high school and was very raw as a defensive lineman. He progressed greatly in college.
15. JERRY JEUDY, Alabama (Broncos)
Out of high school: Jeudy was a five-star wide receiver in the Class of 2017 who signed with Alabama. He was No. 19 nationally, the No. 3 recruit from Florida and the No. 3 wide receiver in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. A five-star out of high school, Jeudy has always been an explosive player and great route runner.
16. A.J. TERRELL, Clemson (Falcons)
Out of high school: Terrell was a five-star cornerback in the Class of 2017 who signed with Clemson. Terrell was No. 13 nationally, the No. 2 recruit from Georgia and the No. 2 cornerback in the country.
Judge Farrell. HIT. A five-star with great speed out of high school, Terrell has lived up to the hype despite a few down moments.
17. CEEDEE LAMB, Oklahoma (Cowboys)
Out of high school: Lamb was a four-star wide receiver in the Class of 2017 who signed with Oklahoma. He was No. 72 nationally, the No. 8 recruit from Texas and the No. 10 wide receiver in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. He should have been a five-star but as a high 4 this is a hit as this kid has had great body control forever.
18. AUSTIN JACKSON, USC (Dolphins)
Out of high school: Jackson was a four-star offensive tackle in the Class of 2017 who signed with USC. He was No. 77 nationally, the No. 1 recruit from Arizona and the No. 9 offensive tackle in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. Jackson was a four-star coming out of high school and an athletic and raw kid who had tremendous upside.
19. DAMON ARNETTE, Ohio State (Raiders)
Out of high school: Arnette was a high three-star who signed with Ohio State. He was ranked No. 51 at his position and No. 79 in the state of Florida.
Judge Farrell. MISS. We thought this was a slight reach for Ohio State coming out of high school and it’s a reach in round one, but he’s proven us wrong.
20. K'LAVON CHAISSON, LSU (Jaguars)
Out of high school: Chaisson was a four-star weakside defensive end in the Class of 2017 who signed with LSU. He was No. 110 nationally, the No. 16 recruit from Texas and the No. 6 weakside defensive end in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. Chaisson was a high four-star kid who was a great pass rusher from a young age.
21. JALEN REAGOR, TCU (Eagles)
Out of high school: Reagor was a four-star wide receiver in the Class of 2017 who signed with TCU. He was No. 249 nationally, the No. 33 recruit from Texas and the No. 38 wide receiver in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. One of TCU’s biggest commitments, Reagor was a four-star who could also return in high school.
22. JUSTIN JEFFERSON, LSU (Vikings)
Out of high school: Jefferson was a two-star wide receiver in the Class of 2017 who signed with LSU. He was not ranked nationally at his position or in the state of Louisiana.
Judge Farrell: MISS. Jefferson has academic issues and wasn’t super fast out of high school, but two stars is a major miss.
23. KENNETH MURRAY, Oklahoma (Chargers)
Out of high school: Murray was a four-star outside linebacker in the Class of 2017 who signed with Oklahoma. He was not ranked nationally, but was the No. 35 recruit from Texas and the No. 16 outside linebacker in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. A four-star out of high school with a good frame to build on, Murray stepped his game up a notch in college.
24. CESAR RUIZ, Michigan (Saints)
Out of high school: Ruiz was a four-star offensive center in the Class of 2017 who signed with Michigan. He was No. 41 nationally, the No. 10 recruit from Florida and the No. 1 offensive center in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. We liked Ruiz a ton out of high school as our No 1 center and he’s always been a leader.
25. BRANDON AIYUK, Arizona State (49ers)
Out of junior college: Aiyuk was a two-star JUCO recruit in the class of 2018 who signed with Arizona State. He was not ranked nationally.
Judge Farrell: MISS. He wasn’t heavily recruited but a two-star ranking is very low for someone who had a great career.
26. JORDAN LOVE, Utah State (Packers)
Out of high school: Love was a two-star dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2016 who signed with Utah State. He was not ranked nationally, at his position or in the state of California.
Judge Farrell: MISS. We are on a roll of misses here as Love was a skinny kid with a live arm but little else coming out.
27. JORDYN BROOKS, Texas Tech (Seahawks)
Out of high school: Brooks was a mid-level three-star out of high school who was ranked No 64 at his position.
Judge Farrell: MISS. Brooks was a mid three-star who wasn’t tall but was very thick and filled out but we didn’t see this level of dominance coming.
28. PATRICK QUEEN, LSU (Ravens)
Out of high school: Queen was a four-star outside linebacker in the Class of 2017 who signed with LSU. He was No. 214 nationally, the No. 8 recruit from Louisiana and the No. 13 outside linebacker in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. Queen was a short but athletic linebacker coming out of high school who could run.
29. ISAIAH WILSON, Georgia (Titans)
Out of high school: Wilson was a five-star offensive tackle recruit in the Class of 2017 who signed with Georgia. He was No. 17 nationally, the No. 1 recruit from New York and the No. 4 offensive tackle in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. A surprise five-star selection here at the end of round one, Wilson has always dominated competition.
30. NOAH IGBINOGHENE, Auburn (Dolphins)
Out of high school: Igbinoghene was a four-star wide receiver in the Class of 2017 who signed with Auburn. He was not ranked nationally, but was the No. 14 recruit from Alabama and the No. 52 wide receiver in the country.
Judge Farrell: HIT. He was a speedy four-star wide receiver coming out of high school who turned into an excellent cornerback.
31. JEFF GLADNEY, TCU (Vikings)
Out of high school: Gladney was a three-star wide receiver in the Class of 2015 who signed with TCU. He was not ranked nationally, at his position or in the state of Texas.
Judge Farrell: MISS. Another wide receiver out of high school who moved to corner, we missed a bit on Gladney.
32. CLYDE EDWARDS-HELAIRE, LSU (Chiefs)
Out of high school: Edwards-Helaire was a three-star running back in the Class of 2017 who signed with LSU. He was not ranked nationally, but was the No. 15 recruit from Louisiana and the No. 23 running back in the country.
Judge Farrell: MISS. Edwards-Helaire was a three-star because he was too short coming out of high school, but he played well above that.
