Here is my thirteenth edition of my 2018 NFL Draft.
1. Cleveland Browns- Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC: There was a recent report that it's down to Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield for the top spot, but I'm not fully buying that and I'm keeping Darnold in this spot, for now. Darnold has the highest floor of all the quarterbacks in this draft and he has the athleticism, the leadership, good throwing arm, and clutch play as he's shown at the collegiate level.
2. New York Giants- Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State: What Dave Gettleman will do with the second overall pick is the biggest question of this entire draft. This pick feels inevitable now because the Giants love Barkley and what should be an improved offensive line, he'll help the Giants tremendously.
3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts)- Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Oklahoma: There is a lot of speculation that the Jets will take Mayfield here unless Darnold is still on the board, although there are some rumors that the Jets can snag Josh Rosen here. Mayfield has a ton of potential with his gunslinger mentality although due to his height and off the court antics, is compared to Johnny Manziel.
4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans)- Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State: There is a lot of speculation now that the Browns will take Chubb here to pair with Myles Garrett whether Barkley is still on the board or not. Chubb a three-down back that would help them pressure opposing quarterbacks and having him and Garrett together would be a nice start.
5. Denver Broncos- Josh Rosen, Quarterback, UCLA: Although there are reports out there that John Elway wants to trade down, they have a need at quarterback and Rosen would be a fine choice. His stock was dropping due to his concussion issues and his former coach Jim Mora throwing him under the bus. Rosen is thought out by some to be the safest bet in this draft (in terms of quarterbacks) due to his accuracy and refined throwing mechanics.
6. Indianapolis Colts (from New York Jets)- Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame: The most important thing for the Colts going forward is keeping Andrew Luck healthy. A good start is a better offensive line and why not pick the best offensive lineman in this draft? Nelson seems like a sure thing and worthy of a top-ten pick and could go as high as fourth overall and it this point it would be shocking to see Nelson slip past eight.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Derwin James, Strong Safety, Florida State: Many people have James linked to the Bucs right now. He's arguably the best defensive playmaker in the draft and James is the new NFL prototype as a safety capable of producing against the run or in both man and zone coverage.
8. Chicago Bears- Roquan Smith, Linebacker, Georgia: This would be a solid pick for the Bears, who need playmakers on defense. Smith brings speed and athleticism to the field and that's good for a young defense.
9. San Francisco 49ers- Tremaine Edmunds, Linebacker, Virginia Tech: With Reuben Foster's future with the team suddenly in doubt after his arrest, the Niners almost have to take a linebacker here if either Roquan Smith or Edmunds is available. Edmunds will only be twenty years old once the season gets going and he will give the Niners defense another look.
10. Oakland Raiders-Denzel Ward, Cornerback, Ohio State: The Raiders have a ton of options here and it's obvious that they will go defense here with Ward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Vita Vea being options. Ward isn't the biggest cornerback in the draft but he can cover skills that are hard to come by in the league.
11. Miami Dolphins- Minkah Fitzpatrick, Safety, Alabama: Fitzpatrick dropping this far would be somewhat surprising as the Dolphins snag a steal to improve their secondary. Fitzpatrick's versatility makes him special and he's perhaps the best defensive player in this draft.
12. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati Bengals)- Josh Allen, Quarterback, Wyoming: The Bills are doing backflips as Allen falls to them here at twelve (although I believe a trade up is a distinct possibility). Allen has the most upside among the quarterbacks in this draft class due to his athleticism, arm strength, and size and draws comparisons to Carson Wentz.
13. Washington Redskins- Vita Vea, Defensive End, Washington: Vea, a massive presence in the middle of a defensive line, will go a long way toward fixing that deficiency, while also providing enough quickness to penetrate into the backfield on some third downs. He also has quick feet and good movement skill for a big defensive lineman.
14. Green Bay Packers- Harold Landry, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Boston College: Landry is all over the map in terms of where people have him mocked in these mock drafts. Landry didn't have a great final season in college, but has the tools to be a solid pro.
15. Arizona Cardinals- Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Louisville: The Cards are another trade up candidate, but here I have them selecting Jackson, who's a good decision maker and passer. The Cards know that Mike Glennon and Sam Bradford are not the long-term answers and Jackson would in theory be in a red-shirt situation here and a long-term foundation of Jackson and David Johnson is tough to pass up on.
16. Baltimore Ravens- Mike McGlinchey, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame: After pegging wide receivers here for a ton of my mock drafts, McGlinchey is the choice here as the Ravens look to improve their offensive line. He isn't that strong, but he's athletic and brings stability and would play alongside former college teammate Ronald Stanley.
17. Los Angeles Chargers- Da'Ron Payne, Defensive Tackle, Alabama: The Chargers pose what is arguably the best edge rushing duo in the league with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Adding someone like Payne would only make that defensive line better.
18. Seattle Seahawks- Marcus Davenport, Defensive End, UTSA: The Seahawks lost so many of their key pieces of their defensive line lately which makes Davenport a nice selection here. He is athletic, moves very well, and has physicality, which Pete Carroll would like.
19. Dallas Cowboys- DJ Moore, Wide Receiver, Maryland: Moore is a fast riser on many peoples draft boards and the Cowboys snag him to help Dak Prescott and replace Dez Bryant. There are people that think Moore could end up being the best receiver in this draft class.
20. Detroit Lions- Taven Bryan, Defensive End, Florida: The Lions need to improve their pass rush and taking Bryan here to pair with Ziggy Ansah is a nice start. Bryan has drawn comparisons to JJ Watt and would be a good fit in Matt Patricia's defense.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (from Buffalo Bills)- James Daniels, Center, Iowa: Daniels is trending up many peoples mock boards and a ton of people have Daniels linked to Cincinnati. He's a good athlete and good technician for a center.
22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs)- Rashaan Evans, Linebacker, Alabama: Evans brings an athletic presence who can fill multiple roles. He was more of an edge defender early in his career however, he also showed well in a more traditional role over the last two years.
23. New England Patriots (from Los Angeles Rams)- Kolton Miller, Offensive Tackle, UCLA: Miller put together a great final season at the collegiate level and he would fit right away replacing Nate Solder on the Pats O-line. Miller is big and strong and would help protect Tom Brady during his twilight years.
24. Carolina Panthers- Will Hernandez, Guard, UTEP: No brainer pick here as the Panthers find their replacement for Andrew Norwell. Hernandez is big and powerful and he provides mobility.
25. Tennessee Titans- Leighton Vander Esch, Linebacker, Boise State: Vander Esch is rising up many peoples mocks drafts of late to the point where this is a steal for the Titans. They have a need at linebacker with Avery Williamson departing in free agency and Vander Esch would be a nice replacement, who brings great athleticism, speed, and has incredible size and length.
26. Atlanta Faclons- Maurice Hurst, Defensive Tackle, Michigan: Hurst had a heart condition at the combine and that might drop him out of the first round. Hurst doesn't have the size that teams are generally looking for in an interior defensive lineman, but his quickness more than makes up for that deficiency and makes him in particular a great threat rushing the passer on third downs.
27. New Orleans Saints- Dallas Goedert, Tight End, South Dakota State: Goedert's draft stock is trending down due to injury concerns. Goedert is thought out by some to be the best tight end in this draft class and would be a nice weapon for Drew Brees.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Josh Jackson, Cornerback, Iowa: With Rashaan Evans and Leighton Vander-Esch off the board, the Steelers take Jackson, who is someone that's might go in the top 15 or completely fall out of the first round. He led the FBS in interceptions last season and has size and speed.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Calvin Ridley, Wide Receiver, Alabama: Ridley dropping this far would be a massive steal for the Jaguars as they find someone to replace Allen Robinson. Ridley brings a downfield, speedy option on the outside that would bring a different look to the Jags offense.
30. Minnesota Vikings- Isaiah Wynn, Guard/Offensive Tackle, Georgia: The Vikings bolster their offensive line by selecting Wynn, who could be a possible steal. He can play tackle if needed but will succeed as a guard instantly and plays with outstanding leverage and has the athleticism to mirror pass-rushers.
31. New England Patriots- Mike Hughes, Cornerback, UCF: The Pats decide whether to take quarterback to take Tom Brady's long term replacement, a tight end to eventually replace Rob Gronkowski, or to get a young defensive player? They go defense and take Hughes to replace Malcolm Butler in their secondary.
32. Philadelphia Eagles- Jaire Alexander, Cornerback, Louisville: Alexander is a fast riser on many peoples mock boards and the Eagles can use another corner after losing Patrick Robinson in free agency. He is great in man-to-man coverage and could be drafted higher than this.
No comments:
Post a Comment