13 in 30: 2018 Mock Draft
The annual Mock Draft: a time honored tradition in which pundits and fans alike spend countless hours watching film and filtering out media smokescreens in attempts to get into the heads of each of the NFL’s 31 general managers and Bill Belichick. The Mock Draft is the March Madness of April. We all hope that we’ll get as many correct, but sometimes sports defies logic (Virginia will definitely beat UMBC, right?). GMs do the inexplicable. Prospects make career-altering mistakes minutes before the starting bell.
That’s the beauty of the draft: it is the best unscripted reality TV money can buy. It is the man’s equivalent of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. And if the NFL Draft is the equivalence of KUWTK then the NFL mock draft is Kourtney and Khloé Take The Hamptons. It is my guilty pleasure. Here is my first-round mock of the 2018 NFL Draft.
1. Cleveland Browns
Sam Darnold, QB, USC
I personally think Darnold is overrated. First off, his throwing mechanics are unconventional. An NFL QB should have a short, quick delivery meaning the throwing arm should never fall below the waist. Darnold at times, fails to do this, his windup starts from the waist and in doing the ball comes out a quarter or half a second late. Now, that time discrepancy does not sound like much, but in the NFL where pass rushers are faster a slower release can mean batted passes, interceptions, and strips sacks which brings me to my next point: Darnold is a turnover machine. He had too many turnovers at USC, 22 interceptions and 21 fumbles in 27 starts at USC.
Now, there is no such thing as a perfect prospect, but Darnold is there along with Peyton Mannings and Aaron Rodgers. Teams like the Browns are drafting Darnold for his upside. He is young (20 years old), he is a proven winner (19–4), and he’s made big throws in big games.
The Browns do the obvious and go with Darnold. He has the luxury of sitting behind Tyrod Taylor and learning the nuances of an NFL QB.
2. New York Giants
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Barkley is hands-down one of the best running back prospects to come out of college. He’s up there with Ezekiel Elliot and Leonard Fournette. His measurables are through the roof (233 Ib, 4.4 40 yard dash, 29 reps on the bench). His running is pure adrenaline. His film is electric. He is a man among boys.
Now, what sets him apart from his competition is not his running ability, but his receiving skills. Barkley finished his final season at Penn State with 632 receiving yards. Opposing teams need to make note, because Barkley is a mismatch against linebackers and safeties.
Giants GM Dave Gettleman always said that he wanted a hall of fame player with the number two pick. Pair that with the lack of a clear RB starter in New York, this is the guy.
3. New York Jets
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Pros: Rosen goes through his receiving options, can look off defenders, and has one of the smoothest throwing motions I have ever laid eyes upon.
Cons: Rosen is opinionated, cocky, and injury prone.
Teams will come to hate him, but it only takes one to draft you. The Jets take the gamble. Coming out the gates I expect Rosen to get chewed up on and off the field. The media and opposing defenses will have a field day with him, but in the end I think it will be worth it. Rosen is hungry and he wants to be great. He will have his day of reckoning.
4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans)
Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Cleveland wins the draft with a franchise-altering QB and a deadly pass rusher to pair with Myles Garrett. But does that mean actual wins? We’ll see, but all things aside this defense will be respected and if all bodes well feared. Chubb has great technique, great instincts, and great intangibles. Barring injury I could see him in a gold jacket when its all said and done.
5. TRADE! Buffalo Bills (via Denver Broncos)
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
We get our first trade as the Bills vault their way up to from 12th to 5th. To Bills leadership and fans alike, Josh Allen is the second coming of Jim Kelly: a strong-armed and big-bodied passer perfect for the windy Buffalo conditions.
6. Indianapolis Colts
Quenton Nelson, OL, Notre Dame
“Protect Andrew Luck”
Those words should be plastered on the front door of Lucas Oil Stadium. Let’s be honest, this team has failed to keep their franchise QB healthy. Luck has not played in a year and half and counting. If Colts GM Chris Ballard wants to keep his job he will protect his franchise quarterback by drafting a franchise offensive lineman. Best of luck Colts fans, it’s gonna be an interesting year.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Derwin James, S, Florida State
This man can do it all: drop back, blitz, and stop the run. He’s basically Kam Chancellor with a sub 4.4 40. That is scary.
Great pickup for a defense in need of some extra oomph. Heads will be rolling in Tampa.
8. Chicago Bears
Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
I will say this, Edmunds is not the best linebacker in this draft; that designation goes to Roquan Smith of Georgia. However, Edmunds is the youngest players to declare (he is currently 19) and his future looks bright. He is a physical freak with a 6'5 250 lb frame, next-level speed, and his bad tendencies can be fixed with proper coaching. He can blitz, he can cover, and he will be a nightmare for opposing offenses.
9. TRADE! Arizona Cardinals (via San Francisco)
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Mayfield falls to the perfect situation: a city devoid of a true QB, winning, and tons of weapons. Sure, Larry Fitzgerald is one year older and sure, David Johnson is coming off an injury plagued season, but it’s Baker Mayfield. He’s an underdog, so why not put him on the quintessential underdog team? I say he has the best career of the QB class when it’s all said and done.
10. Oakland Raiders
Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State.
Ward improves a middling secondary which struggled to force interceptions. Despite signing FA stud Rashaan Melvin, I think Gruden and Co. double down at the position and get another Buckeye. You can never have too many CBs.
11. Miami Dolphins
Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Vea is a mammoth of a man and a heck of an athlete. He can control the point of attack and will be an appropriate replacement for Suh.
12. Denver Broncos (via Buffalo)
Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
This team has a lot of holes. Elway knows this so he trades the number five pick for Buffalo’s trove of first and second round draft picks. This is one of the best Quarterback drafts the NFL has had in nearly a decade. The run on the premium position pushes a top-end talent in Fitzpatrick out of the top 10. The versatile safety can play the run, man the slot, and is a natural midfielder. He will negate the loss of Pro-Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib.
13. Washington Redskins
Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
Davenport is a raw, but talented edge rusher who can be a steal if he develops his technique. He will be a necessary addition in aiding a defense that ranked dead last in the run and struggled to generate sacks and pressure.
14. Green Bay Packers
Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Jackson improves an ailing secondary which traded starting CB Damarious Randall and failed to sign any relevant free agent replacements. Jackson is a physical corner who will be asked to do a lot in his first year. He reminds me of Josh Norman: lacks top end speed, but is lanky, instinctive, and has good press technique which will more than make up for his speed, or lack of it.
15. San Francisco 49ers (via Arizona Cardinals)
Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
I had the niners penciled to get a CB, but with the addition of Richard Sherman and the arising off-field problems of Reuben Foster it would be wise to get the best LB in this draft. Sure, Roquan is an undersized linebacker who needs big bodies upfront to succeed, but this defense is perfect for him and he is perfect for this defense. GM John Lynch plays it smart as he adds the versatile defender to the mix.
16. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The writing is on the wall for Joe Flacco: his contract is an albatross, he will never reach the heights of his 2012 playoff run, and the Ravens can opt out of his contract after next year. I say the Ravens get Jackson and sit him for a year. It will be for the best, because knowing Jackson, he will work his tail off. He’s a smart, hungry player with just as much talent as the top QB prospects. There will be a lot riding on the coaches when it comes to Lamar’s success. It is a tall order, as several factors need to come in place such as refining Jackson’s throwing mechanics and installing an offense that complements his skills. Jackson must also work on adding more muscle to his frame. If these coaches can address those issues, the sky's the limit.
17. Los Angeles Chargers
Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The Chargers get a prototype sideline to sideline LB to play the pass, the blitz and the run. He was a stud at Alabama, expect the same production in the NFL.
18. Seattle Seahawks
Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
As much as it pains me to say, all good things must come to an end: the Legion of Boom is dead. Richard Sherman is a 49er. Kam Chancellor is considering retirement. Earl Thomas is on the last year of his contract.
It is the end of a dominant position group, but it is not the end of the Seahawks. This team can still play defense and with the right additions this team can make another dominant run. Isaiah Oliver is a Richard Sherman clone. He’s 6–2 with 33.5 inch arm length, and ran a 4.5 40. If Carroll and Co. pull the trigger on Oliver expect Legion of Boom 2.0 in the near future.
19. Dallas Cowgirls
Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
This is what the doctor ordered: a true number one WR for QB Dak Prescott. In the right system, Ridley can be the second coming of Marvin Harrison. I think he’s the best route runner in this draft with top-end speed, but he’s not a perfect prospect. He shies away from contact, will struggle to block due to weight, and had 20 drops in his time at Alabama. Still, this team needs playmakers on the edge and Ridley is that playmaker.
20. Detroit Lions
Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
This name is a mouthful, but all things aside, the Lions defense just lost their middle-man in Tahir Whitehead. A 3 down LB to pair with Jarrad Davis is just what this team needed.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (trade with Bills)
Mike McGlinchey OT, Notre Dame
Despite adding Cordy Glenn, this offensive line is still atrocious. The Bengals gets the best tackle prospect in the draft. The former Fighting Irish tackle will slide to the right side where he will protect Andy Dalton. This team offensively needs to step its game up and it starts up front.
22. Denver Broncos (trade with Bills)
Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
Elway gets a quality tackle in Miller. He missed out on McGlinchey and he will not miss out on Miller. Miller is a Nate Solder clone (6’9 with 34.5 in. arm length). The former Bruin will have a lot on his plate as he’ll hold the right tackle spot.
23. New England Patriots
Harold Landry, DE/LB, Boston College
The difference maker in Super Bowl LII was the defensive line. Yes, the game was a shootout as there was little semblance of a defense, but in the end that strip sack by Eagles DE Brandon Graham was the nail in the coffin for Belichick and Co. I say the Patriots nab the raw prospect and place him opposite of Trey Flowers.
24. Carolina Panthers
Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
Hughes is a talented, but undersized corner with a lack of top end speed. He will be asked to do a lot, as playing CB in the NFC South is no joke (Julio Jones, Michael Thomas, Mike Evans). Expect this rookie to get burned a couple times. Still, Hughes is an instinctive defender with great ball skills. He’ll still get burned, but he’ll make plays here and there.
25. Tennessee Titans
Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
This team is stacked on defense and its about to get even scarier for opposing offenses. Payne should not have fallen this far, but with the extensive depth at the DT position in this draft, the Alabama alumnus falls to the Titans. Payne is a walking, talking tank. He is explosive off the ball and will ruin any offensive game. His film from Alabama is the stuff of legend.
26. Atlanta Falcons
DJ Moore, WR, Maryland
The Falcons have Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, but the Falcons scheme with a lot of three receiver sets and just recently lost slot WR Taylor Gabriel. The Falcons re-up with Moore who was a criminally underrated receiver at Maryland.
27. New Orleans Saints
Hayden Hurst, TE, South
Tight End is undoubtedly a must for the Saints. The team signed Benjamin Watson and have Coby Fleener on the roster. Still, Fleener has been a FA bust and Watson is 37 with a lot of miles. Saints draft to fulfill a position in need as Hurst’s versatility in the blocking and receiving game puts him ahead of his fellow peers.
28. Pittsburg Steelers
Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
With all the top interior linebackers gone, the Steelers draft the best available player. Is this the end for Le’Veon Bell? Probably. He wants a fat (but well deserved) contract that the Steelers are unwilling to pay. So why do the Steelers get Guice? Luxury and all of the top RBs will most likely be gone at the end of the 2nd. Best case scenario, Guice and Bell wreck havoc on all as the Steelers evolve into a run-first, grind it out team for a glorious one year run at the Lombardi. Worst case scenario, Bell demands a trade putting more unneeded tensions in a toxic locker room.
29. Trade! New England Patriots (via Jacksonville)
Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Belichick knows the Vikings need a tackle and he’s willing to part ways with back-end draft capital in order to move up two spots. He missed out on McGlinchey and Miller and he will not miss out on Williams. Williams is every bit the athlete as his peers, but inconsistent film drops him to the bottom of the 1st. Despite the concerns, Belichick takes a chance on the Longhorn. He will have a lot on his plate as he’ll be asked to solidify the left tackle spot. Good luck protecting the ageless Tom Brady.
30. Minnesota Vikings
Frank Ragnow, G/C, Arkansas
The Vikings get the versatile Razorback to further shore up their interior offensive line. The offensive line played well last year, but age could hamper this line’s production and with RG Joe Berger contemplating retirement the team could need a guard come September. Ragnow is a shot of much needed youth and depth.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (via New England Patriots)
Will Hernandez, OL, UTEP
Hernandez is an absolute mauler. He blew up defensive linemen in college and he’ll be asked to do more the same in Jacksonville. Leonard Fournette is going to be one happy camper come September.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Alexander is one of the best CBs in this draft, but his size, injury history, and lack of physicality drops him to the Eagles. He’ll be asked to play the nickel spot on passing downs. He will be instrumental in the Eagles run to repeat.
