NFL Mock Draft 7.6: Round 7 of the 2018 NFL Draft
By Ian Cummings
Picks 219-222
219. New England Patriots (via CLE): QB Logan Woodside, Toledo
He’s not the quarterback of the future. At least not yet, anyway.
The New England Patriots should be focused on finding a young quarterback in the NFL Draft this year. The time table for Tom Brady’s career is not yet known, but with Brady set to be 41 years old this year, he has to hang up his pads sometime. Right?
Based on Brady’s play last year, a departure in 2019 doesn’t seem realistic, unless he walks off in the sunset after a fourth Super Bowl victory. More likely is that Brady will linger for at least two more years, outliving the relevance of the Patriots, and the team will restart within five years.
If that is the case, and the changing of the guard at quarterback is rather long-term, then Toledo’s Logan Woodside is a very good pick here. I said the following of Woodside in my quarterback value rankings:
"[Woodside] has fluid mechanics and a fast release. He put up great performances against good defenses like Miami, and he throws darts on every down. His receivers didn’t give him any help in college; his career completion percentage of 65% would have likely been much higher if he had better weapons. His receivers dropped an uncharacteristically high proportion of the throws sent their way, and with better team mates in the NFL, Woodside could be a steal. At 6-foot-2, 210, he will be labeled as undersized, and playing for Toledo, he wasn’t often tested with high level competition. But Woodside, to me, is a great pick in Round 5 or 6. He has the smarts and the skills to produce at the quarterback position, showing an ability to make adjustments at the line."
With Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer both aging past the traditional years of productivity, the Patriots need to keep the quarterback situation in mind. With Woodside, they can adopt some security.
220. Pittsburgh Steelers (via NYG): OL Brian Allen, Michigan State
When it gets to the later rounds, and needs have been filled as best as possible, taking a gamble on a trench player is never a bad idea. If they exceed expectations, then they may serve a key purpose on a team for an extended period of time. And if they end up fading away, then the cost, a prospective seventh-rounder, is relatively miniscule.
With this NFL Draft pick, the Steelers take a safe gamble on former Michigan State offensive guard Brian Allen. Allen is a bit undersized for his position, but he has a feel for the game, and he’s a nasty blocker. He stays competitive through the play, and with some adjustments from the college game to the NFL, Allen could be a valuable and versatile depth player on the interior offensive line.
221. Indianapolis Colts: K Eddy Pineiro, Florida
The Indianapolis Colts will likely be in the market for a new kicker next season. Adam Vinatieri can’t play forever, and his latest deal expires in 2019. If 2018 is his last season, or even his second-to-last season, the Colts need to prepare for his departure, and by drafting Eddy Pineiro, who missed just five of his 43 college field goal attempts, they would take a step in the right direction.
222. Houston Texans: EDGE Kylie Fitts, Utah
Last year, the Houston Texans lost both Jadaveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus, and the team’s edge rushing core suffered immensely. In hindsight, depth at that position is a need of sizable magnitude. By selecting Utah’s Kylie Fitts, who boasts a 6-foot-4, 263 frame and has eye-opening burst off the snap, they can get a player who will surely make the roster as the guy behind Clowney on the depth chart.