The 2018 NFL Draft in less than three weeks away. The Washington Redskins and the rest of the NFL have to be getting excited about the opportunity to add some new players to their team.
It’s almost time. NFL free agency has mostly dried up, the Combine is long over, and the All-Star games are now two and a half months behind us. As the cool of winter melts away into April, that means that the 2018 NFL Draft is coming up soon. And the fans of the league are ready for it.
The 2018 class isn’t a particularly strong one, as there aren’t a lot of traditional first round prospects, but it’s unique in the fact that the quarterback class is pretty deep. Any of the top 10 quarterbacks in the draft could end up being starters, and the top five all have shots at being franchise quarterbacks. Their values will help to shake up the draft, and that will make the draft a great deal of fun.
Part of the fun of draft season is, of course, mock drafts. As the actual draft draws nearer, the mocks tend to get more and more accurate as the league, fans, and analysts alike become informed on the potential picks. But, without further ado, this is our ninth full, first-round mock of the 2018 season. Check out who each team is able to land with their first round selection.
This pick is coming down to a choice between Sam Darnold or Josh Allen, but at this point in time, it seems like Allen will be the pick for the Browns. And it comes with good reason.
Allen has one of the strongest arms in this draft among quarterbacks, and he performed very well at the Combine. Allen launched a perfect, 70-plus yard ball during one of his throwing workouts that drew a lot of praise from scouts and analysts alike. While strong armed quarterbacks haven’t always succeeded at the NFL level, see Jamarcus Russell and Jake Locker, it’s still a big tool that not many have.
Allen definitely has some work to do as a passer. He isn’t very accurate and doesn’t fully understand how to utilize his cannon of an arm. As a prospect, he really is reminiscent of Locker. A guy with a great arm and athleticism, but one who hasn’t put it all together.
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At the NFL level, arm strength only matters if a quarterback can throw with some semblance of accuracy. Allen has only completed 56 percent of his passes in each of his two years as a starter, and that won’t cut it at the NFL level. Allen has to work on this ability moving forward, or he will have a lot of trouble being anything more than an inconsistent passer with a great arm.
That said, Allen would be given a chance to succeed in Cleveland. With a receiving corps of Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman, and tight end David Njoku, the team will have a lot of quality pass catcher with athletic ability to help Allen. If he can improve his accuracy and anticipation, he will pan out.
Taking Allen at No. 1 is a risky proposition. I think there are three quarterbacks better than him, but he has a very high ceiling. So, the Browns can take him here in hopes of developing him and he could become a franchise quarterback. Still, he’s probably the riskiest of the top five quarterbacks in terms of living up to his immense potential.
This pick seemingly has to be a quarterback. Whether or not the New York Giants are making this pick is irrelevant at the moment. With the way that the Cleveland camp appears to be projecting the draft, it seems unlikely that a position player will be taken here. It almost has to be a quarterback.
As mentioned earlier, the Browns are high on Saquon Barkley, but would like to land him and their top quarterback. With the Jets almost certainly ready to opt for a quarterback at No. 3, the Browns just have to worry about the Giants getting in their way of landing both Josh Allen and Barkley. As it stands, the intention of the Giants is unknown and unpredictable. They could go five different directions here, but I still think a quarterback is the most likely selection.
That said, a trade down is also looking like a strong possibility. Dave Gettleman and his mentors haven’t exactly been big on making trades, but the value they could pick up by moving down, at least two first round picks and maybe even more, could be too enticing to pass up. So, for this reason, I have the Bills trading up to get Sam Darnold at this juncture.
FanSided
The connection between Gettleman and the Bills could be a strong one, as Brandon Beane was his assistant GM during his final couple of seasons in Carolina. Beane has been aggressive in trying to move up and get a quarterback to compete with A.J. McCarron, and calling his old mentor and giving him a couple of picks wouldn’t be a bad move. In this case, the Giants could move down and give Eli Manning one more chance while the Bills convert some of their assets into a new starter.
And if the Bills move up, Darnold and Allen will likely be their targets. With Allen off the board, they can get a prototypical quarterback with a nice arm and good accuracy. Darnold needs to gain some confidence and cut down on turnovers at the next level, but the Bills could surround him with weapons and a strong running game to help him develop.
There’s no guarantee that the Bills will trade up here, but it would be a sensible move for sure. And, it would answer their questions at quarterback for the long-term.
This may be a bit of a surprise to some, but Baker Mayfield seems like a top 10 lock and he could go a lot higher than expected. Mayfield is an underrated player who recently came in at No. 2 overall on our quarterback Big Board. And there’s a good reason why.
Mayfield is a fiery player with a gritty, winner’s mentality that rubs off on his teammates. At Oklahoma, Mayfield was a great leader and while he sometimes got into trouble for his on-field antics, he still performed at a very high level and demonstrated qualities that many teams will like.
In terms of talent, Mayfield has elite level ball placement, great accuracy, and good arm strength. He truly is reminiscent of Drew Brees. He’s a bit smaller than one would like, but his ability to complete passes is second to none. The Jets need a talent like this, and Mayfield would be an ideal fit.
Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline has reported that the Jets are very interested in Mayfield, and he said the following of the rumors in a recent pro day update on his site.
"There are a good number of league insiders who believe the New York Jets will use the third pick of the draft to select quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma. This assumes that Sam Darnold is already gone when the Jets are called to the clock. This is not set in stone; it’s people reading the tea leaves from what’s coming out of the organization. I’ll go on record and say that passing on Josh Rosen or Josh Allen in favor of Mayfield would be a colossal mistake by the Jets."
I don’t entirely agree with Pauline’s analysis that taking Mayfield would be a “colossal mistake.” I happen to like Mayfield a lot as a prospect though. He could give the Jets the fire they need and if he isn’t ready to start, he can backup Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater for a season. That makes him a fine fit and while he may not be as talented as Josh Rosen, he could still become a Brees-like player at the NFL level. And the Jets definitely wouldn’t complain about that.
And, the Browns get their dream scenario. Saquon Barkley is available with the No. 4 overall pick.
There’s no doubt that Barkley is one of the best players in this draft class. He has dynamic, playmaking ability and he is a really strong runner as well. Barkley was a beast at the Combine and he showed well in the drills and the measurables as well. Barkley is undoubtedly the top player in this class, and the only thing pushing him down is the desperate need for quarterbacks across the league.
For the Browns, adding Barkley would be a huge get. He would be an immediate starter, but he could pair with Carlos Hyde and make a truly dynamic duo at the running back position. Furthermore, Barkley would give Allen a backfield weapon to take pressure off him as he improves his accuracy. Barkley and Allen could grow into a fearsome passing and running duo, and that is all the Browns will need to be successful.
One way or another, I would imagine that the Browns will land Barkley in this draft. They may opt to select him No. 1 overall or they could gamble like they did in this version of the draft. Either way, they will be in much better shape on offense if they can select both of these talents.
If Josh Rosen survives the first four picks, there’s a chance that he could slide a bit. Though he is the most naturally talented quarterback in this draft class, there’s a chance that he could fall into the latter half of the top 10 because he isn’t exactly well liked.
There have been a lot of reports about Rosen’s attitude and that he isn’t well liked by his teammates. Recently, his former head coach Jim Mora called him a “millennial” and said that he would need to be challenged in the NFL. This was after he said that Rosen wasn’t a good fit with the Browns. It seems that Rosen isn’t getting a great rep across the league, and that could cause him to drop.
I happen to think that this concern is a bit overblown. Perhaps Rosen isn’t the best teammate out there, but he still has a great deal of talent. Rosen has a strong, accurate arm and has demonstrated poise in the pocket time and time again. He has the ability to become a clutch quarterback with great ability, as evidenced by his opening week, come from behind win over Texas A&M.
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There are also some rumors that a particular team is trying to trade up in the draft to get Rosen. That would be the New England Patriots. Given the Patriots history of taking quality quarterbacks in the past couple of decades, including Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, this apparent endorsement of Rosen should be well-regarded. It means that he has both talent and value, which is what many teams are searching for.
For the Broncos, this pick will come down to two players. Rosen and Quenton Nelson. The team could use an upgrade on the interior of their offensive line, but the fact is that they can find a solid potential starter in the second round. The same cannot be said of the quarterback position. And while they have Case Keenum, he is a one-year wonder and they need some young talent to develop behind him.
I think that John Elway will realize that Rosen is too good to pass on here. For that reason, Rosen will be the pick for now, though he could continue to drop if his value continues to decline.
Trading down with the Jets was an absolutely brilliant move by the Colts. Because of the rise of the quarterbacks in this class, the team will have a chance to land one of the best prospects in the draft at this juncture. With Bradley Chubb and Quenton Nelson still on the board, the Colts will have a tough decision to make, but Chubb should be the favorite as of right now.
Chubb was an absolute beast at NC State, functioning as part of the team’s elite defensive line that features four 2018 NFL Draft prospects. Chubb was the unquestioned leader of this unit, and over the course of his last two seasons, he racked up 44 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. For the next level, he projects to be a great pass rusher who should have a shot at getting double digit sacks every year.
The Colts really need to add talent to their defense, and they are switching to a 4-3 defensive alignment under new head coach Frank Reich and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. While they have Jabaal Sheard and John Simon to play the end positions, neither is a top notch edge rusher, so adding a guy like Chubb would do a lot to improve that position.
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If the Colts decide that they would rather upgrade the offensive side of the ball, they could choose to draft the aforementioned Nelson to start at left guard. That would push the recently re-signed Jack Mewhort out to right tackle, and it could do a lot to benefit the line as a whole. Still, it seems more likely that the team will go with Chubb given the personnel that they need on the defensive side of the ball.
Either way, the Colts are in great position here, and Chris Ballard needs to be credited for making his savvy trade down. He really fleeced the Jets and put the Colts in great position to land talented players in the draft.
This is another spot where the team drafting will have a choice between two high-quality players. With this selection, the Buccaneers will probably consider Quenton Nelson or Derwin James, and it won’t be an easy decision. That said, going with James probably makes more sense for a couple of reasons.
The first is that the Buccaneers already have a setup on the interior of their offensive line that should work out well. They paid center Ryan Jensen big bucks to come to Tampa, and he is going to take over for the excellent Ali Marpet at center. Marpet is shifting over to guard with the solid Evan Smith returning to be his counterpart. While it’s possible that Nelson could upgrade over Smith, the Bucs may not necessarily need him.
But at safety, the Bucs unquestionable need some help. Second round pick Justin Evans flashed as a rookie in 2017, but the team needs some better play across from him. Keith Tandy is a solid rotational player and has good coverage skills, but the team needs a do-it-all safety to play next to Evans and shore up the secondary.
That’s where James would come in. At Florida State, James was an excellent coverage safety and he will have the versatility to play multiple spots in the secondary. In addition to his nice athleticism, James is a very good tackler and has the instincts necessary to react quickly on run plays and make stops. He will be an immediate impact player at the next level, and thus, spending a top 10 pick on him is warranted.
Also, it’s worth noting that James well could go in front of Minkah Fitzpatrick in the draft. While many have hyped up Fitzpatrick as the better player, the truth is that they are about equal and in this scenario, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All it will take is one team to like James more than Fitzpatrick, and he will come off the board. The Bucs could well be that team.
The Bears would be ecstatic if Quenton Nelson made it to their pick in the first round. They have a big hole at the left guard position after releasing Josh Sitton, and Nelson would come in as a replacement who could be an upgrade over him.
Nelson is arguably the best player in this draft class and his blocking ability is unparalleled. At Notre Dame, Nelson paired with Mike McGlinchey to create a stellar combo on the left side of the offensive line. Nelson was a road grade run blocker and was incredible in pass protection as well. He is a potential plug-and-play Pro Bowler, so getting him at No. 8 would be a huge get for the Bears.
In the aftermath of releasing Sitton, the Bears really don’t have much at the guard position. Their current projected starter across from Kyle Long is Bradley Sowell. He has been merely a decent backup throughout his career, so relying on him as a starter would be a mistake.
Adding Nelson would give the Bears a very strong interior offensive line presence and that would do a lot to help Mitchell Trubisky develop. This seems to be Nelson’s floor, and it would be surprising to see him available beyond this point in the draft.
The 49ers will be faced with a tough decision at this point. There are a number of defensive prospects who could be on the board for them, and they have options at linebacker and defensive back here. That said, they can afford to take the best available player, and that is probably Denzel Ward.
Ward is one of the best cornerbacks in the draft class. Ward comes from Ohio State, a school that has produced a lot of talent in the defensive backfield over the course of the past few seasons. Ward is the latest in a string of players who could develop into No. 1 cornerbacks, and it seems likely that he will be a quality player.
At the Combine, Ward was one of the best defensive backs on the field, as he blazed a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash and looked very good during the on-field drills. Ward is a smooth athlete with really good technique, and he should be a solid player right away. He may need to add some strength to be more effective, but the fact is that his athletic ability will allow him to start right away.
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On the surface, cornerback may not look like a big need for the 49ers. After all, they just signed Richard Sherman, and third round rookie Ahkello Witherspoon looked very good in 2017. However, the team has virtually no depth behind those two. Considering that Sherman is coming off an Achilles tear and he is now 30, having some quality depth will be critical.
To start his career, Ward could play the nickel and then eventually move outside. He would provide depth and excellent coverage ability. Yes, the 49ers could opt to get a starter at another position, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is a strong option, but getting a player who is potentially the best corner in this class may be too good to pass up at this point. So, Ward will be the pick for now.
The Raiders will have many options with the No. 10 pick. The team’s defense has a lot of holes, and they could add a talent at any level of the defense. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, and Vita Vea will all be options here. Marcus Davenport could even get consideration. But, at the end of the day, Vea could end up being the best option for the Raiders.
Last season, the Raiders struggled to stop the run. They needed some help in the linebacker corps, and they added Tahir Whitehead to be a two-down run stopper. But, adding someone next to Justin Ellis could be a good move, as Eddie Vanderdoes didn’t show much as a rookie. So, adding a big bodied man could help.
Vea would certainly qualify as such. He has a 6-foot-5, 340 pound frame and was a monstrous run stuffer at Washington. He figures to be a high-quality run stuffer at the NFL level, and he also offers a bit as a pass rusher. There’s a chance that he could sneak into the top 10, and the Raiders would represent a solid fit for him.
If Jon Gruden wants to add a fairly safe player who should be a very good pro no matter what, Vea makes sense. He would help the run defense a lot, and the only other player who would make a lot of sense here would be Roquan Smith. But for now, Vea is the pick here.
The Dolphins are in a tough spot. They want to land one of the top four quarterbacks, but they may not be in position to do so. If they can’t move up to get a quality passer, they will have to take one of the better defensive players remaining.
In this scenario, the Dolphins will have a choice between one of the top linebackers or defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. It won’t be easy to pick one, but the more pressing need that the Dolphins have is at linebacker.
Right now, the Dolphins only have a couple of starters at the linebacker position. They have Kiko Alonso and former second round pick Raekwon McMillan set to start in their 4-3 alignment, but they don’t really have a quality option next to those two. They have some backups, but they need a strongside linebacker for their defense.
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Roquan Smith would be an excellent get at this juncture. Smith was a terrific tackler at Georgia and was the heart and soul of their defensive unit. He played a key role on the team during their run through the College Football Playoff, and he always was able to be around the ball. While he may be a bit undersized compared to other linebackers at the NFL level, he still has the chance to become a big-time playmaker in the mold of Lavonte David.
The Dolphins would welcome Smith in with open arms. If he can get even half of the 137 tackles he racked up at Georgia, he would have a major impact on the team’s defense and he might help offset the other losses the team has had during the offseason.
By trading down, the Giants can ensure that they will land a high-quality player for their defense while picking up some extra value. With this selection, they will be picking between Tremaine Edmunds, Marcus Davenport, and Minkah Fiztpatrick. But, of all the players available, Fitzpatrick is probably the best on the board.
Fitzpatrick had a great career at Alabama and he was a leader of the team’s strong secondary. Fitzpatrick has excellent range and coverage skills, and he is a natural fit as a hybrid defensive back at the next level. He could be a centerfield type safety or play in the box. He also profiles as an excellent slot cornerback, and that will allow him to have early success at the NFL level.
For the Giants, Fitzpatrick would make some sense. The team could use an upgrade at safety next to Landon Collins, as Darian Thompson was merely decent in his second season. Adding Fitzpatrick would allow the Giants to use Thompson in a backup role, and that could prove to be beneficial for the team’s defense.
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Also, Fitzpatrick could be used as the primary slot cornerback for the team. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was released by the team in the offseason as he refused a move to safety. The departure of Rodgers-Cromartie has left a massive hole at the slot spot, and Fitzpatrick could easily fill that hole.
This is just about as low as Fitzpatrick could go in this draft. We already know that he won’t make it past the Redskins with the No. 13 pick, and it’s possible that he could go as high as the No. 7 pick to the Buccaneers. For now, he’s a good fit with the Giants.
The No. 13 pick is looking like more and more of a favorable option for the Washington Redskins. As quarterbacks continue to rise up the board, more of the quality defensive prospects are going to slip down the board. With this selection, the Redskins are going to have a few options, but none are better than Da’Ron Payne.
The Redskins have a massive hole at the nose tackle position. They have had one since they converted to a 3-4 defense. This offseason, the team has done little to address the hole they have. They brought in Johnathan Hankins for a visit, but they didn’t sign him to a deal.
The team did elect to bring back Phil Taylor as a nose tackle, but Taylor hasn’t played a snap since 2014. He looked great last offseason before going out with a quad injury in the preseason. But, he can’t be counted on. So, that will not preclude the team from taking a nose tackle early in the draft.
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Payne is one of the most athletic nose tackles in the draft. He tested very well at the Combine, running a 4.95 second 40-yard dash with a ridiculous 1.67 second 10-yard split. Payne also tested very well in the movement drills, and his ability to get around with his 6-foot-2, 311 pound frame will be critical to his success at the next level.
Payne’s athleticism matched up well with his on-field performance at Alabama. He was able to quickly shoot gaps and get into the backfield to make tackles. While Payne’s pass rushing production, three sacks in three years, doesn’t necessarily match his ability, he still has the upside to become a great all-around player at the NFL level.
Unless Fitzpatrick is on the board with this pick, Payne will probably be the pick. The Redskins really like him as a prospect, have visited with him, and he fills a need. That should be enough to make him the No. 13 pick.
The linebacker depth on the Green Bay Packers team is virtually non-existent. While they have a couple of nice middle linebacker options in Jake Ryan and Blake Martinez, they lack a top backup and they could use a rush linebacker to improve their pass rushing ability as well. Adding a versatile player who can do all of these jobs would be a sensible move.
Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds would certainly qualify. Edmunds flew under the radar during the 2017 season, but he has steadily risen in the lead up to the 2018 NFL Draft. In the past two seasons, Edmunds has totaled 202 tackles and 10 sacks with a whopping 30.5 tackles for loss. He has great size at 6-foot-5 and his athletic ability should give him a chance to be a quality player at the NFL level.
In Green Bay, Edmunds could get a chance to start at one of the rush linebacker positions, either taking over for Nick Perry or the declining Clay Matthews. He could then move around the
defense as needed to fill roles all over the front seven. This type of versatility would be immensely valuable, and it would give the Packers an important weapon in the front seven.
In the event that the Packers pass of Edmunds here, they would probably target a defensive back like Josh Jackson here. They need to add some pass rushing and coverage help for their defense if they want to make it back to the playoffs. So, grabbing the best available player, Edmunds, would make a lot of sense.
The Cardinals brought in an entirely new group of quarterbacks this offseason. Of the four quarterbacks currently on the team’s roster, none have been with the Cardinals for more than a month. That is utterly insane, but they did add some experience to their team.
Sam Bradford was brought in to be the team’s starting quarterback. When healthy, Bradford is one of the most accurate passers in the game and he can function as an above average quarterback. However, Bradford has had a lot of trouble staying healthy during his NFL career and last year, Bradford missed 14 games with a phantom knee injury. After a prolific Week 1 performance, he just came down with a knee injury out of nowhere and only played one game after that.
Because of how fragile Bradford is, he has only played a full season twice in his NFL career, the Cardinals need to invest in protection for him. They cannot afford to put him behind a makeshift offensive line. And at this juncture, there are two quality offensive linemen on the board, but Isaiah Wynn would be my preferred fit for the Cardinals.
With the First Pick
Wynn had a terrific collegiate career at Georgia where he served as the left tackle for the Bulldogs. Despite being a bit undersized at 6-foot-2, 302 pounds, he has superb technique and functional play strength that could allow him to stay outside despite his lack of length. At the very least, he could be a borderline elite guard or center, so his versatility is unmatched.
With the Cardinals, Wynn could be given a chance to win one of the starting tackle spots away from the underwhelming duo of D.J. Humphries and Andre Smith. If he can man one of those spots, the Cardinals would immediately upgrade the exterior protection for Bradford. And if Wynn doesn’t perform well at tackle in the preseason, he could take over at left guard for Mike Iupati and form a really solid guard tandem with Justin Pugh.
Wynn’s versatility makes him the pick over Mike McGlinchey here. Either way, the Cardinals should target an offensive lineman here, and two of the best players are at that position. Bradford would be eternally grateful to acquire some help in the form of a top tackle.
The Ravens could use some more talent on their offensive line. They really missed Rick Wagner last season after he left to go to the Detroit Lions. The team utilized Austin Howard as a replacement, but he didn’t fare too well in that role. He is now a free agent, and the Ravens don’t have a logical replacement for him on the roster.
Luckily for the Ravens, Mike McGlinchey is one of the best players available. McGlinchey is a 6-foot-8 tackle with excellent length and solid blocking ability. He played well at Notre Dame and worked well alongside Quenton Nelson to make the left side of the Fighting Irish’s line elite.
The Ravens have previously had success drafting a first round left tackle out of Notre Dame. The team tapped Ronnie Stanley as their first round pick in 2016, and he has done well as a starter for them. Their familiarity with the Notre Dame program could do a lot to make McGlinchey the best option here, and he would provide Joe Flacco with some better protection.
It’s also worth noting that 2018 will be a key year for Flacco. The Ravens have made some moves to upgrade their offensive weaponry and if they invest in the line and running game, it could be Flacco’s last chance to prove that he can still be an NFL starter. I expect that the Ravens will give Flacco the chance to improve with a strong, offensive supporting cast, and McGlinchey would be the best way to do it in Round 1.
This pick may surprise some. Quarterback isn’t the biggest need on the Chargers roster. They have Philip Rivers entrenched as their starter, and he still probably has a couple of quality seasons left in the tank. Furthermore, they brought in Geno Smith in free agency to compete with Cardale Jones for the backup spot. That said, it shouldn’t prevent them from drafting a quarterback at any point in 2018.
Smith was added on a one-year deal and hasn’t done much to alleviate concerns about his turnovers during his NFL career. During his career, Smith has a record of 12-19 and has thrown 29 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. He has also fumbled the ball a whopping 19 times during his career, so unless he drastically improves, he will never be a true starter. Meanwhile, Jones hasn’t done much during his career, so finding a true successor to Rivers would be a smart move.
I have a feeling that the Chargers are going to be interested in Lamar Jackson if he’s available at this point. Jackson is a great playmaker in the mold of Michael Vick. He has great athleticism, can throw the ball, and just needs to improve upon his accuracy in order to be a quality NFL quarterback.
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Anthony Lynn seems like the kind of coach who might be able to get the most out of Jackson. In Buffalo, he worked well with Tyrod Taylor when he was the offensive coordinator. Jackson is a player who could have the same type of athletic ability as Taylor, but he projects to be a much better passer. For that reason, taking him at this point would make sense.
Jackson could sit for a year or two behind Rivers and then eventually take over as the starter. That would set up the Chargers for long-term success, especially since their team is on the cusp of being a playoff contender. Adding Jackson here and improving the trenches in the coming rounds will do a lot to improve their chances of qualifying for the postseason.
If the team doesn’t get Jackson here, they could consider a linebacker like Rashaan Evans or Leighton Vander Esch or they could get an offensive tackle. Still, Jackson provides solid value here and if the Chargers don’t want him, another team will trade up to get him around this point.
The Seahawks are going through a major overhaul this offseason. The team has lost a majority of their defensive talent that led them to Super Bowls in previous years. Richard Sherman was released, Michael Bennett was traded, Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril may be forced to retire, and Earl Thomas has been the subject of trade rumors. If the team wants to stay competitive, they are going to have to add some talent to their defense.
Joshua Jackson is the type of defensive back that the Seahawks seem to like. Jackson has good size and can be a physical player. At 6-foot-1, Jackson has nice length and should be able to deflect a lot of passes. He will be able to be a playmaker, and that is what the Seahawks look for in their corners.
In addition to his nice size and length, Jackson has excellent coverage and ball skills because he used to be a receiver. Jackson only recently switched to corner, and he demonstrated an ability to know exactly what opposing receivers were doing during his junior season at Iowa. That’s how he was able to get a ridiculous eight interceptions during his final collegiate year.
The one thing that Jackson lacks is upper-level athleticism. He clocked a slow 40 time at the Combine, though he improved that at his pro day. Still, what matters more are his instincts and on-field performance, and he proved that those were solid.
If Jackson can continue to be a ballhawk at the next level, the Seahawks will end up having a nice cornerback duo. Jackson would pair well with Shaquil Griffin, and that would do a lot to help offset the other losses the team has suffered in the secondary. Jackson is one of the most talented players on the board here, so he makes a lot of sense.
If the Seahawks don’t want Jackson, they could go after a defensive end like Marcus Davenport or they could opt to get a quality offensive lineman like Kolton Miller. But for now, Jackson makes the most sense.
It appears that the Cowboys are going to be letting Dez Bryant go at some point in the near future. Bryant is coming off a down year and it’s possible that he could be on the down side of his career. Even if they reverse course and keep Bryant, the team needs to bring in some talent across from him to find a true No. 1 receiver for their offense.
Courtland Sutton is probably the best receiver in this draft class. While some will point to Calvin Ridley or D.J. Moore as the top guys, Sutton has the best combination of size and athleticism necessary to become a potential No. 1 receiver.
At the Combine, Sutton put on a nice display. He ran a 4.54 second 40-yard dash and he also had an impressive 3-cone time of 6.57. This performance quelled some concerns about his overall athleticism, and it helped his cause that he was successful in the on-field drills as well.
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In addition to his nice performance on-field, Sutton has a strong 6-foot-4 frame and a proven track record of success at SMU. He has recorded at least 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in each of the past two seasons, so there’s no doubt that he can be consistent. He has the upside to be a No. 1 receiver, and Dak Prescott would certainly welcome that.
Sutton is the most sensible option with this pick. The other positions of need for the Cowboys aren’t as strong at this point. Sutton seems likely to be the first receiver off the board, and he will probably be a top 25 pick. He’s done well enough in draft season to warrant that type of grade.
The Lions are in a good position with this pick. They have a lot of options available to fill their needs, but it seems probably that they will focus on adding a player that could help to improve Matt Patricia’s defensive unit.
Marcus Davenport would qualify as such. Davenport will be getting consideration as high as the No. 10 overall pick, and he had a highly productive career at UTSA. In the past two seasons, Davenport totaled 122 tackles with 15 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss. Despite getting a lot of attention as the top player on the Roadrunners defense, Davenport was able to use his athletic ability to beat his opponents and wreak havoc in the backfield.
Davenport has a 6-foot-7 frame and superb length and athleticism that will allow him to get around offensive tackles in the NFL. He is quick off the snap as well, and that will afford him an opportunity for success as well.
With the Lions, Davenport would be a great fit as an end in their 4-3 alignment and he would play across from Ezekiel Ansah. That would be a welcome addition to the Lions, who greatly missed the injured Kerry Hyder for most of the 2017 season. Davenport would push Hyder into a rotational role, but it would make the team three-deep in terms of pass rushers. That will be necessary if they want to compete.
Davenport just seems like a good fit with the Lions. He has the athletic ability to play well across from Ansah and he could be a double-digit sack threat if he develops quickly. So, he is the pick at this juncture for now.
The Bengals acquired Cordy Glenn in their trade down with the Bills, but they still need help on their offensive line. They let their center Russell Bodine walk in free agency, but he wasn’t all that great anyway. They should try to add a center in the first two rounds of the draft, and James Daniels is a sensible option here.
Daniels had a very impressive performance at the NFL Combine, and he was one of the smoothest offensive linemen on the field. Daniels’ ability to move laterally and his footwork were elite level skills, and it’s probable that he will become a strong interior lineman for the Bengals.
The best part about Daniels is that he has the versatility to play guard or center. So, in the event that the Bengals add a quality center at some point, they will be able to move Daniels to another position. But as it stands, adding Daniels would give the Bengals three quality linemen in Glenn, Daniels, and left guard Clint Boling. And that will do a lot to improve Andy Dalton’s protection after a dismal 2017 campaign.
In the event that the team wants to go with another position here, they could target Arkansas center Frank Ragnow with their early second round pick and grab a defensive tackle like Taven Bryan here. But for now, Daniels seems like the better option.
After grabbing a defensive back with the first pick they acquired in their trade with the Bills, the Giants can focus on upgrading their linebacker position. While B.J. Goodson and Alec Ogletree should be solid starters, it wouldn’t hurt the team to add another player to the position to improve the defense. Leighton Vander Esch is one of the best players on the board here, so he would make sense.
Vander Esch came out of nowhere to have a fantastic season. With Boise State, Vander Esch posted an unfathomable 141 tackles and did a lot in other aspects of the game as well. He nabbed two interceptions and recorded four sacks, demonstrating an ability to play all over the field. Thanks to his 6-foot-4 frame, he should be a strong tackler at the next level and has the coverage skills necessary to be a three-down linebacker.
Depending on how James Bettcher chooses to organize his defensive scheme, he could have Vander Esch start the middle of the defense, or he could play on the edge. He might not be a strong edge rusher in the 3-4 scheme that Bettcher is going to run, but he could be used as a run stopper/coverage guy in that position.
Ideally, Bettcher could rotate Vander Esch with Ogletree and Goodson and create some confusing combinations outside. Also, playing a hybrid defense could make sense too. That could do a lot to keep opposing offensive coordinators guessing, so that seems like a smart move.
If the Giants decide that Vander Esch wouldn’t be a great fit for their defense, they could add an offensive lineman or a true 3-4 edge rusher like Harold Landry. Still, Vander Esch could really help their defense, so getting him here makes sense.
The Patriots had three offensive tackles going into free agency during the 2018 offseason. They were Nate Solder, Cameron Fleming, and LaAdrian Waddle. Considering that the team had Marcus Cannon set to start at right tackle, the team could afford to let one player, likely Solder, walk. However, they elected to let too much talent go.
Of the trio, the Patriots only retained Waddle. While Waddle has been a great swing tackle of the team, trusting him as the starter at left tackle seems like a risky proposition. Tom Brady is going to be 41 during the 2018 season, and if Waddle flounders at the difficult position, that could cause problems.
For that reason, the Patriots should look into acquiring a potential replacement. Kolton Miller’s stock has been on the rise over the course of the past few months, and it’s easy to see why. The 6-foot-9 UCLA tackle has a big, athletic frame and he could end up being a high-quality blindside protector.
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Miller is a very similar prospect to Solder when he was coming out of Colorado. In fact, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein actually compared Miller to Solder in his draft profile on Miller. Considering how well Solder worked out for the Patriots, they may consider taking Miller and allowing Dante Scarnecchia develop him into a starting left tackle. That would be a smart move, and it would probably end up being successful.
Though this pick was acquired in the Brandin Cooks trade, I don’t think that the Patriots will take a receiver here. They may try to take a player at the position with the No. 31 pick, but grabbing an offensive tackle has to be the most important thing right now. They can’t afford to let Tom Brady get hit too much, and Miller would be a logical replacement for Solder and would push Waddle into the backup role. That would be better for the Patriots line as a whole.
The Panthers need to find a cornerback to start across from James Bradberry long term. Their secondary was a huge part of their success during their 2015 run to the Super Bowl, but after letting Josh Norman go, their defensive backfield hasn’t been the same.
At this point, the Panthers have a couple of solid corners on the board for them to select. Jaire Alexander and Mike Hughes both could end up being starting options here, and this is really a situation where beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While Hughes is more physical, Alexander is a bit more athletic and he performed very well at the Combine.
When looking for a cornerback to pair with Bradberry, it’s fair to want a cornerback with a bit more athletic ability. Bradberry’s playing style is more based off physicality and bodying up against receivers and makes tackles quickly. But, pairing him with an elite athlete could ensure that the Panthers have corners that can matchup with any receivers. And that would do a lot to improve their defense.
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In 2017, Alexander was good for the Cardinals, but he had trouble staying on the field. He only played in six contests and generally provided solid coverage when he was on the field. That said, his performance in 2016 was superb, and he proved to be an athletic ballhawk and notched five interceptions. That’s the type of player that Alexander can be at the next level, if he can stay healthy. He has the requisite athleticism to stay with most NFL receivers, and he has the versatility to play the slot as well.
Alexander just makes the most sense, though Hughes could get consideration here too. Conversely, the Panthers could try to upgrade their defensive line by going after Harold Landry or Sam Hubbard with this pick. But Alexander is the better value with the No. 24 pick.
The Titans need to consider adding some depth to their pass rush. While both Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo are strong edge rushers and former first round picks, the team has no depth behind these players. Kevin Dodd hasn’t panned out as a former second rounder, so adding a rotational player would be a sensible move.
Harold Landry is a very good option for the Titans at this point. Landry was a very productive edge rusher at Boston College, where he notched 21.5 sacks during his final two years at BC. While he only had five sacks in 2017, he did deal with a nagging injury that impacted his burst and athleticism. Still, he has the athletic ability to be a solid contributor in the NFL.
Landry performed very well at the NFL Combine and did a lot to solidify himself as a potential first round pick. His 6.88 second 3-cone time was particularly impressive and showed the agility and speed he has coming off the edge. He also helped his case by performing well in the on-field drills as well.
Landry does have some deficiencies against the run, as he isn’t the strongest edge rusher, but he should carve out a role as a rotational player early in his career. And as he gets stronger, he will become more of a complete player and could take the starting job from either Orakpo or Morgan.
If the Titans decide to wait on getting an edge rusher until Day 2 of the draft, they could opt to target an offensive lineman like Will Hernandez to play guard, or a linebacker like Rashaan Evans to replace Avery Williamson.
The Falcons did well to land Dontari Poe on a one-year, “prove it” deal during the 2017 offseason. Poe was a great fit next to Grady Jarrett, and he helps complete the strong defensive front of the Falcons.
However, the Falcons lost Poe to the Panthers in free agency during the 2018 season, and now they don’t have anything next to Jarrett. They have to address that position, and they like Taven Bryan. Luckily for the Falcons, Bryan will be available with this selection.
I’ve long liked the fit of Bryan in Atlanta, and actually mocked him to the Falcons in my NFL Mock 6.0 from a few weeks ago. Here’s what I said of the fit at the time.
"At the Combine, Bryan weighed in at 291 pounds on his 6-foot-5 frame, but he ended up running the 40 in just 4.98 seconds. Breaking the five second mark was big, and his performance in the drills and his 30 reps on the bench press backed up his athletic upside. He should be a solid all-around tackle at the next level. With Jarrett, Bryan, Takk McKinley, and Vic Beasley in the front seven would do a lot to help the Falcons out. Dan Quinn could build a defense similar to the one he had in his heyday as the Seahawks defensive coordinator, and this pick would get them closer to being a real contender again."
Bryan would do a lot to improve the athletic ability of Quinn’s defense. That would be a smart move. Furthermore, Bryan is the best player available and he fills a need. Thus, the fit here is perfect.
This is another holdover pick from my recent mock draft. The Saints have a need at linebacker, and Evans is arguably the best player on the board.
Evans had a great career at Alabama, and he has steadily risen up draft boards throughout the draft process. Evans is a smart player with good instincts, and he just seems like he will be a safe pick to succeed at the NFL level.
I said the following of Evans in my Mock 6.0, and why he could be a great fit in the Saints front seven.
"The Saints have some solid players in their linebacker corps. Alex Anzalone showed great athleticism last year. Next to him, the team has Manti Te’o and A.J. Klein, but they need another three-down linebacker. Rashaan Evans could be just that. Evans had a strong showing at the Combine, and his 6-foot-2 frame will allow him to play the middle in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense. Evans has good athleticism and was productive (74 tackles and six sacks) in his final season at Alabama. He is pro ready, and he will have a chance to be an impact player right away."
The Saints won’t hesitate to take Evans if he is on the board here. At the same time, don’t be surprise to see the Saints try and trade up to get a quarterback. If Josh Rosen or Lamar Jackson slip out of the top 10, the Saints could call a couple of teams and try to move up. But for now, it makes more sense to stay put and continue to build up their young talent.
I went back and forth between Derrius Guice and a receiver here, but I opted to go with Guice. While it may not make sense on the surface for the Steelers to add a receiver, they could use one to replace Martvais Bryant, who had one foot out the door at times during the 2017 season. However, they don’t need to add a first round receiver because of the presence of JuJu Smith-Schuster.
That said, running back is more of a pressing need. Le’Veon Bell is arguably the best running back in the NFL, but he was slapped with the franchise tag this offseason, and the team may not want to pay him big bucks to stay on board as the team’s lead back. If he leaves in 2018, the Steelers need to have a replacement ready. While James Conner has some solid ability, the team can’t pass on the opportunity to add a high-quality back in the loaded 2018 draft.
Guice has gotten a lot of buzz this draft season, and it’s easy to see why. On tape, Guice is a great runner with good functional strength, a solid frame, and some elusive and explosive ability that will allow him to make men miss at the next level. He could be a great lead back, but he is still just a late-first round option.
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The problem with Guice is that his value has gotten a bit inflated over the course of the draft process. Some have talked about him going to the Redskins with the No. 13 pick, and that would be a mistake. Guice is a talented player, but there are comparable players who will be available in Round 2 of the draft. He fits best in the 25-40 pick range, and he will probably be the second back off the board, though I still have Sony Michel ranked slightly higher than him.
But, I digress. Guice is going to be a lead back at the NFL level, and he has drawn comparisons to Ray Rice from WalterFootball.com’s Charlie Campbell. At his peak, Rice was one of the best three-down backs in the NFL and having a guy like that around would make it a lot easier for the Steelers to move on from Bell. So, this would be a sensible option.
If the Steelers don’t want Guice, they should probably consider trading down with a team who might want to move up for a falling prospect. There aren’t a lot of players on the board the fits what the Steelers need, but Guice would probably represent the best option.
The Jaguars could use an upgrade at tight end. They have been vigilant in adding quality options in free agency including Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Niles Paul. Still, they could use a true threat at
the position and they may opt to get Hayden Hurst in the first round.
Hurst had a really good career at South Carolina despite being a raw player. He played minor league baseball after graduating high school, and then he proceeded to join the Gamecocks at a later age. Hurst still put up some good numbers, and he was able to show that he is probably the best tight end in this class.
Hurst has a nice frame and good receiving ability, but he does a lot as a blocker as well. Considering that this tight end class is a bit lacking in terms of well-rounded prospects, the value of Hurst could rise in the lead up to the draft. He represents a plug-and-play starter and could be a quality pro.
If Hurst doesn’t go here, he will probably be a second round pick. But, the Jaguars appear to like him as they recently had him visit, and they could use another weapon to add to their improving offense. So, Hurst makes a lot of sense for the Jags as they try to get to a Super Bowl.
The Minnesota Vikings had a lot of success taking a Maryland receiver a few years ago. Stefon Diggs has developed into a quality player for the Vikings and he and Adam Thielen are a strong duo. That said, the team needs to add a third receiver who can give Kirk Cousins some more options on the field. D.J. Moore could be a good fit.
Moore has been another player who is rapidly rising in the leadup to the draft. He had a great final season at Maryland, logging 80 catches for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns despite working with suspect quarterback play. Moore is a good possession-type receiver despite his lack of size. That should allow him to become a good No. 2 option in the NFL.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared Moore to Pierre Garcon in a recent scouting report of the Maryland receiver. Here’s what he said about Moore in that piece.
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"Moore is bigger than former Terrapin wideout Stefon Diggs, but their playing style and athletic ability while at Maryland are similar. Moore doesn’t have the height and length teams look for outside and may become a full-time option from the slot. He clearly has the short-area quickness and talent after the catch to handle those duties, but his route-running needs to become more focused and fast to unlock his potential. He has Day 2 talent and could become an early contributor as a receiver and punt returner."
That would be a welcome addition to the Vikings. Moore could compete for a slot job and at the worst, he would be the primary backup at receiver for the Vikings. Consider how few needs the team has, adding Moore here makes sense, as he could end up being one of the top receivers in this class.
And for those surprised to see Moore come off the board before Calvin Ridley, don’t be. Ridley is sliding a bit after a mediocre combine and Moore is rising fast. It’s still to early to tell who will be taken first, but the top three receivers in this draft are bunched pretty close together.
It’s no secret that the Patriots need some help on their defensive line. They lost a lot of talent in their front seven over the course of the past season, and their inability to get pressure on quarterbacks last season was telling. They have to think about adding some talent in the early rounds, and Maurice Hurst could be a good option here.
As a senior, Hurst put up one of the best performances of his career in the Michigan defense. He generated a career high 59 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. He’s a bit undersized at 6-foot-2, 280 pounds, but he will be able to find a home because of his on-field ability.
Pro Football Focus is actually very high on Hurst. They have him ranked as the No. 1 interior defender in the class, and third best prospect overall. They said the following of his ability in their 2018 draft guide.
FanSided
"Hurst is the cream of this defensive tackle crop. There isn’t another interior player that can come close to his production as a pass-rusher in college and everything on tape suggests it will translate to the NFL. His size will give teams pause, but at no point in his college career was it ever a serious issue against the run – he still ranked 14th nationally in run-stop percentage. Hurst is a consistently dominant force whose only real question marks have little to do with his on-field performance."
This is a glowing endorsement of Hurst, and he could end up rising in the lead up to the draft. However, the minor heart defect discovered at the Combine could be enough to scare certain teams off in the early portion of the first round. But at this point, a tackle-needy team like the Patriots could afford to take a chance on him.
Hurst could end up being a poor man’s Aaron Donald. He’s undersized, but he has the ability to rush the passer from the interior, which will be key to his success. Bill Belichick will figure out how to properly use him, so grabbing him here would make a lot of sense.
Once again, the Eagles get lucky and have a top receiver fall into their laps. While Calvin Ridley could be a top 20 pick, he’s more likely to fall in the wake of a poor Combine. Ridley looks more like a complementary receiver at the NFL level as opposed to a true No. 1 guy.
Ridley did do well as the top receiving option at Alabama, and he totaled 63 catches for 967 yards and five touchdowns during his final collegiate season. It would be interesting to see how he would have done in the event that Tua Tagovailoa was his quarterback for most of the season. But, it’s clear that Ridley has some talent.
Though Ridley isn’t a great athlete, he is still a good route runner and should be a solid part of a good passing attack. With the Eagles, he could be given a chance to battle Mack Hollins for the starting spot across from Alshon Jeffery as the No. 2 receiver with Nelson Agholor working in the slot. That quartet would be a nice plethora of weapons for Carson Wentz, and adding Zach Ertz to the equation would only improve that.
If the Eagles got Ridley, they would probably be ecstatic. As it stands, they will be able to take the best player available here no matter what. They could consider an offensive tackle like Connor Williams here, though I’m not high on him, but it seems like Ridley is the best option.
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That wraps up our latest mock draft, but we will have many more updates to come as draft season rolls along. Keep it here at Riggo’s Rag as the draft draws nearer.