FOOTBALL IS BACK.
And with it comes expanded coverage (ESPN, NFL Network, & Fox), a new location (AT&T Stadium), and of course...increased drama.
The 2018 NFL Draft has finally arrived. And fans are once again reigning with optimism of the possibility of unproven rookies becoming stars and turning their franchises around.
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In what has become one of the most anticipated (and impossible to predict) drafts in recent memory, here is my shot on how the first round will shake out come Thursday night:
1. Cleveland Browns – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
It’s no secret with the Browns. They desperately need a
franchise signal caller (28 different QBs have started since they returned in
’99). Acquiring seven-year veteran Tyrod Taylor to mast the ship in the short
term isn’t a bad scenario, but this is a franchise that needs to strike gold
with this selection.
Dorsey begins the rebuild by taking the most accurate (and brass) passer in the field.
2. New York Giants – Saquon
Barkley, RB, Penn State
This is a prime spot for a chance to select Eli’s successor,
especially if Darnold is available (& if the rumors are true that they are
enamored with him). But with the Giants in a situation to win now, they select
the best player in the draft, giving the offense an impressive nucleus of skill
players for years to come (Odell Beckham 25, Sterling Shepard 24, Evan Engram
23, and Barkley 21).
3. New York Jets
(from Colts) – Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Still searching for its franchise QB to compete in the
Patriot-dominate AFC East, the Jets opt for the draft’s 'safest' and most complete passer.
4. Cleveland Browns –
Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Word is that the Browns are looking to shop this pick (not again!?). At some point, you've got to build a roster with elite talent. Here, the Land grabs the best defensive player in the draft to pair
with Garrett -- forming one of the most formidable fronts for years to come.
5. Buffalo Bills
(projected trade with Denver) – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
GM John Elway said he is open to shopping this pick, and
with two of the top four QBs still
available at this point, the Bills move up to grab the most athletic passer in
the class – in hopes of grooming him into its next franchise QB.
6. Indianapolis Colts (from Jets) – Roquan
Smith, LB, Georgia
It wouldn’t be surprising to see another trade in this spot,
especially if a QB is taken at #5. But the Colts need blue-chip talent in the
middle of its D. Smith provides exactly that for new HC Frank Reich.
7. Tampa Bay
Buccaneers – Derwin James, S, Florida State
In a division loaded with top QBs (Brees, Ryan, Newton),
adding an explosive player like James gives the Bucs much needed depth in the
secondary and in rush defense.
8. Chicago Bears –
Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
New Bears line coach Harry Hiestand (formerly Notre Dame’s line
coach) reunites with his standout guard – a perfect fit for Matt Nagy’s offense.
The windy city nabs a Hall of Fame capable mauler for the next decade.
9. Green Bay Packers
(projected trade with San Fran) – Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
Green Bay needs help in the secondary (23rd in
pass defense). They make a move to snag the versatile Fitzpatrick who can play
both corner and safety.
10. Arizona Cardinals
(projected trade with Oakland) – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Just last year, the Cardinals surpassed on Deshaun Watson
& Pat Mahomes, when they were unwilling to move up to snag either. This
year, GM Steve Keim delivers, snagging their QB of the future in this draft’s
most pro-ready passer.
11. Miami Dolphins –
Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
With his stock rising by the day, it’d be shocking if
Edmunds falls outside the top 10 (although possible with a run on quarterbacks).
The Phins land an instant playmaker who fills an immediate need.
12. Denver Broncos
(projected trade with Buffalo) – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
GM John Elway trades down and still adds an elite talent. Ward
adds much-needed depth to a secondary that lost veteran Aqib Talib in the
offseason.
13. Washington
Redskins – Vita Vea, DT, Washington
The Skins need help across the board on the defensive side
of the ball. Vea, the athletic 347-pounder fills a gap up front.
14. San Francisco
49ers (projected trade with Green Bay) – Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
The Niners desperately need some help with their pass rush (just
30 sacks a season ago, tied for 26th). Davenport is raw, but with
time his length and athleticism could give opposing QBs fits. Harold Landry
could also be in play here.
15. Oakland Raiders
(projected trade with Arizona) – Harold Landry, DE, BC
In his return as head man, Gruden inherits a woeful defense
(23rd in total defense, 24th in sacks, & 32nd
in INTs). They snag Landry to bolster the pass rush alongside Mack.
16. Baltimore Ravens –
Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Baltimore was decimated with o-line injuries a season ago.
In free agency, they lost their starting center and released their starting tackle.
McGlinchey fills an immediate need on the ride side of the line.
17. Los Angeles
Chargers – Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
Constructing elite defensive lines is slowly becoming a norm
to prominent contenders. Selecting Payne gives the Bolts some serious depth,
adding to a front of Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Corey Liuget, and an aging
Brandon Mebane (33).
18. New England
Patriots (projected trade with Seattle) – Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Bill Belichick almost always goes defense, especially with
Brady at the helm who can make any offense look good. Now, with Brady at the tail
end of his career, he goes against the grain and selects Brady’s successor,
paving the way to what will be seen as a new era of NFL QBs.
19. Dallas Cowboys – Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Releasing Dez, it only makes sense to give Dak some weapons.
Sutton instantly becomes a reliable target.
20. Detroit Lions – Will
Hernandez, G, UTEP
Physical at the point of attack, Hernandez is exactly what
the new coaching staff in Detroit is looking for. He instantly improves a
porous rushing attack – one that hasn’t seen a 100-yard rusher in a game since
2013. D-line also makes sense.
21. Cincinnati
Bengals – Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
In the past, when Dalton and co. were at their best, they
had an elite o-line headed by stalwart tackle Andrew Whitworth (now in LA).
Adding the rock-solid Ragnow to the
acquisition of Cordy Glenn, gives the Bengals a much-improved front.
22. Denver Broncos (projected trade with Buffalo) – James Daniels, OL, Iowa
The Broncos give Keenum some help up front, adding the versatile Daniels -- who can play center or guard at the next level.
23. Seattle Seahawks
(projected trade with New England) – Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The departure of Richard Sherman leaves a gap on the
perimeter. Alexander isn’t as talented, but he can be groomed into a great starter.
24. Carolina Panthers
– D. J. Moore, WR, Maryland
The Panthers could go a number of ways with this selection
(TE/WR/CB). They opt to give Cam Newton some much needed help in the passing
game by giving him a #1 receiver.
25. Tennessee Titans
– Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
New HC Mike Vrabel gets a versatile man in the middle to
lead the defense.
26. Atlanta Falcons –
Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
Dan Quinn continues to build an athletic defense as Bryan
provides the size, strength, and quickness to make an impact from day one.
27. New Orleans
Saints – Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Surrounding Brees with more playmakers is never a bad idea
in the Big Easy. Ridley is the perfect fit for this offense and a steal at this point in the draft.
28. Pittsburgh
Steelers – Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
For the fifth time in six years, the Steelers select a LB
in the first round. The Boise State standout
29. Jacksonville
Jaguars – Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
The perfect scenario for the Jags, who land a premiere
talent at a position of need, giving Blake Bortles a huge (6-foot-5) red zone target.
30. Minnesota Vikings
– Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia
The Vikes could use some help in protecting its newly
acquired QB Kirk Cousins. Wynn adds some much needed help to the interior
offensive line.
31. New England
Patriots – Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
After losing Solder in free agency, they snag his
replacement in Miller who may have the best movement skills in this class.
32. Cleveland Browns (projected trade with Philly)
– Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
Philadelphia needs to grab some extra picks (with no second or third rounder). The Browns need playmakers on offense. They swoop in to grab an instant weapon in the backfield.
