Four QBs among 22 players to attend NFL draft in Dallas

The NFL announced the names of 22 prospects who have accepted invitations to the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, with quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen and Lamar Jackson headlining the list.

Darnold and Allen are widely considered the two most likely contenders to go No. 1 overall to the Cleveland Browns. Rosen is expected to go in the top five or top 10, and Jackson is expected to go in the first round, which gets underway April 26.

Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, also considered a possible top-10 pick, said in February that he would not attend the draft, choosing instead to be home in Austin, Texas with family and friends. Appearing on SiriusXM's "Basketball and Beyond with Coach K" on Thursday, the Oklahoma quarterback said "there's pressure being put on that decision, for sure," but his decision has not changed.

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Another top prospect who will not attend is Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, who told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that he intended to have a party with family instead of being in Dallas.

Likely early first-round picks in Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb and Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick have accepted invitations, as have five linebackers, including UCF's Shaquem Griffin.

Griffin told reporters at his pro day last month that he had received and would accept an invitation to the draft.

The 22-year-old, who had his left hand amputated at age 4 because of amniotic band syndrome, has been a darling during the pre-draft process, impressing scouts and coaches at the Senior Bowl before blazing a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He won the AAC's Defensive Player of the Year award in 2016 and had 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons but is widely considered a mid-round pick because of his lack of size.

Between 22 and 30 prospects have accepted invitations to the draft in every year since 2011, with most pegged to go in the first round and typically a few each year who slip to Round 2. The second and third rounds will be on April 27, with Rounds 4-7 on the 28th.

Last year in Philadelphia, 22 players attended, including three quarterbacks, but top overall pick Myles Garrett remained home with his family.

The full list of attendees for 2018:

--Field Level Media