The 2018 NFL is officially over, so what better time to look ahead to next year! As always there will be no shortage of talent coming out of the college game, but who are the names you should be keeping an eye on as potential NFL stars. Here's a look at GiveMeSport's top 10 prospects for the 2019 draft.
1. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
The reigning Outland Trophy winner for the best interior defensive lineman in college football, Oliver is a freak athlete with size and explosiveness through the middle much like Ndamukong Suh.
He's a potential game-wrecker who has already announced his intention to come out of school at the end of next season, and is widely considered the top prospect for 2019 at this stage.
Here's some highlights of Oliver wrecking havoc on offensive lines...
2. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Recognise that name? Yep, he's the younger brother of LA Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa and you bet he's just as dangerous off the edge.
He's long, quick, and productive, and NFL offensive linemen will have their hands full with his relentless playing style. Bosa notched 8.5 sacks and a whopping 16 tackles for loss on his way to earning AFCA All-American and All Big Ten first team honours in a sensational sophomore season.
He might be even better than Joey, and could be in the running for the first pick of the 2019 draft.
3. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Lawrence spearheads Clemson's vicious three-headed monster up front, commonly overwhelming offensive lines alongside Clelin Ferrell and Christian Wilkins.
At 6'4, 340lb's, Lawrence is a certified monster who is a complete menace against the run and the pass. The two-time All-ACC selection fills up box scores and uses his elite speed and power to blow by blockers with consummate ease. Lawrence has 118 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, 9.5 sacks, 28 quarterback pressures, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and two fumbles recovered in 27 games for the Tigers.
He's a sure-fire first round pick with the potential to go inside the top five.
4. Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama
The Alabama standout has a long, powerful frame standing at 6-foot-7 and 306 pounds and is the latest elite NFL prospect to emerge out of the Crimson Tide factory.
Davis was an All-SEC coaches first team selection in 2017 after a stellar sophomore campaign that saw him make 69 tackles, including 10 for loss and gain eight sacks.
He's another physically gifted lineman who will impressive at the combine and could end up being a top ten pick.
5. Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
The first of the QB's to feature, Lock led the nation with 44 touchdown passes in 2017 and put up a huge 3,964 passing yards.
The Mizzou standout will inevitably draw comparisons to Bills draft pick Josh Allen as draft season nears due to their similar physical traits.
Lock stands at 6’4, 225 pounds and is a solid athlete with ability to extend plays outside the pocket. Like Allen, accuracy is his biggest issue as a passer, and he completed only 58.2 percent of his passes in 2017.
He's a potential Heisman candidate and ,with another strong season in college, a contender for the number one pick should a quarterback-needy team end up at the top of the draft.
6. AJ Brown, WR, Ole Miss
The 2019 draft has what this years class lacked; a true elite receiver prospect. Brown was an All SEC first-team selection last season after posting a school record 1252 receiving yards and hauling in 11 touchdowns.
At 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, the Ole Miss star is a matchup nightmare with plenty of speed, good size, and enormous big play ability. He's a solid route runner with excellent hands and will certainly go off the board on day one if he chooses to come out of school.
7. Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
Gary is a special athlete with rare size and speed, and elite potential. He had 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks on a loaded D-Line last season and will appeal greatly to teams due to his huge upside.
The 6-foot-5, 281-pounder should have an even better season in 2018 which would certainly propel right near the top of draft boards.
8. Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
The former Baylor signal caller had solid numbers in 2017, tossing 17 touchdowns in his first season at Auburn. He showed excellent accuracy completing 66.8% of his passes and giving up only 4 picks, and has all the physical tools NFL teams are looking for in a first round QB.
Stidham will need to put up bigger numbers in 2018 to catch the eye, and in doing so will put himself in a strong position to be a top ten pick next year.
9. Andrea 'Greedy' Williams, CB, LSU
Williams had a breakout season at LSU in 2017, snagging an SEC leading six interceptions and a team-high 17 pass breakups.
He's got ideal length at 6'2 and has ample speed to cover anyone at the next level. With another strong season in Baton Rouge Williams will fly up draft boards and should be the first defensive back off the board in 2019.
10. Trey Adams, OT, Washington
After an underwhelming tackle class in 2018, the college game provides a couple of franchise-type left tackles in Adams and Ole Miss standout Greg Little.
The 2016 second-team All American has an incredibly high ceiling and looked set to be a first round pick this year until he tore his ACL against Arizona State back in October. Providing his comeback is strong, the hulking 6-foot-8, 327 pounder will be much sought after in next year's draft.
Other standout players to keep an eye on include quarterbacks Will Grier and Justin Herbert, Clemson D-Line pair Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell, and the aforementioned Little out of Ole Miss.