2018 NFL Draft
1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen
I have the Browns selected the strong armed Allen over the likes of Sam Darnold. Allen is familiar with the weather conditions they face in Cleveland as he did in Wyoming. He will have time, at least this year to soak up the NFL from the bench behind Tyrod Taylor and learn to adapt better.
2. New York Giants: Bradley Chubb
The Giants would benefit from a trade down, but most teams (Bills/Cardinals) who need a QB would mortgage the future of the team and give up 4 picks minimum to get here. So I slot the G-Men with the best pure edge rusher in the draft being Chubb. He is explosive off the edge, and will replace JPP who the Giants traded to Tampa earlier this year.
3. New York Jets: Sam Darnold
The Jets have the best rated Quarterback fall into their laps, as the Giants decide to address an need over a want. Darnold has the complete package from field vision, to good arm strength and drive to win. He will need to get better at decision making, and the added pressure is the Jets traded up well before the draft to get a instant impact QB.
4. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley
The Browns already addressed the future at the Quarterback position, now they take the top rated offensive player on the board. Barkley is a complete player, and can play all 4 downs. He has speed, some power and can catch. Even with the addition of Hyde in the offseason, the Browns can't pass on a weapon like this. With plenty of picks, they can address other needs in the next round.
5. Denver Broncos: Quentin Nelson
With the Broncos having issues on the offensive line last season, they decide Nelson over Mayfield to help protect Case Keenum. Nelson has been the best guard prospect in some time, and is a absolute force to deal with.
6. Indianapolis Colts: Tremaine Edwards
The Colts in this scenario miss out on Quentin Nelson, who would be a huge upgrade to their offensive line. So they address the defense, getting a very young and talented linebacker who can do a bit of everything. Edwards is only 19, and brings young to a ugly defense. A trade down with a team like the Bills is also possible.
7. Tampa Bay Buccs: Denzel Ward
Tampa has many needs on defense, but with acquiring JPP, they helped in one area of need. So they grab the best cover corner who has good speed and good hands. Ward is the top corner, and gets paired with Vernon Hargreaves.
8. Buffalo Bills: Baker Mayfield (Bears get: #12, #53)
The first trade of the draft, with Buffalo moving ahead of Miami to make sure they get the QB they want. Mayfield proves he can win, and play big when his team needed him. He does have a wild personality at times, but I think he matures and learns to adapt to the NFL.
9. San Francisco 49ers: Roquan Smith
The 49ers have to address the linebacker position even more now with the issues Rueben Foster has going on. They brought both Edwards and Smith in for visits, and Smith is available for them. He brings a lot of speed to the position, and is good at slipping blocks as well as chasing down opponents.
10. Oakland Raiders: Minkah Fitzpatrick
The Raiders have glaring needs at both cornerback and safety, so why not draft someone who has played and can play both positions? Fitzpatrick brings his versatility, ball skills and football IQ to a John Gruden led team.
11. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Rosen (Dolphins get: #15, 2nd rd pick in 2019)
The Cardinals are in desperate need to address the QB position, and with Rosen falling they call Miami and get a top signal caller. Rosen brings experience under center, and someone who can deliver in the pocket under pressure. He will need to mature, and get people to buy in that he can be a leader.
12. Chicago Bears: Will Hernandez
After a trade down because target Denzel Ward was picked, the Bears select Hernandez who had a great combine. His brute power and ability to both pass and run block will help replace Josh Sitton, and make Mitch Trubisky feel more at piece.
13. Washington Redskins: Vita Vea
The Redskins ranked last against the run last year, and haven't had a good nose tackle in some time. Enter Vea, who is a "dancing bear" as some experts call him. He has top level strength, can eat up blocks and provides decent speed for a big boy.
14. Green Bay Packers: Josh Jackson
The Packers have had issues at the cornerback position for several years, letting Casey Hayward leave, and trading Damarius Randell this offseason. They select Josh Jackson, who defended 27 passes and produced 8 interceptions.
15. Miami Dolphins: Da'Ron Payne
The Dolphins moved on from Suh, and literally have a big hole to feel at defensive tackle. With Vea off the board, they can get the 2nd best defensive tackle in Payne. He can handle taking on blocks, has good strength and has multiple moves to get pressure.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Ridley
It seems the Ravens issues at receiver never really worked out with those they brought in last year, so the take Ridley and pair him with Crabtree. Ridley is explosive with speed, and the ability to separate if corners give him some room.
17. LA Chargers: Mike McGlinchey
The Chargers have done a good job already addressing the offensive line last draft, getting Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeny for the guard spots. Now they go get the best tackle in the draft, and continue overhauling the once weakest spot on the team from 2 years back. They also added Mike Pouncey at center this offseason.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Derwin James
The Seahawks need to start rebuilding their strong point that use to be, the defense and what way to do that by getting James. James is a force, and a big hitter who will replace Kam Chancellor who's future is in jeopardy with a neck injury.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Tavon Bryan
The Cowboys release of Dez Bryant might argue receiver is the top need, but they signed both Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson in the offseason to go with Williams, Beasley and Switzer. They have problems on the defensive line getting pressure outside of Demarcus Lawrence. Bryan can help bring inside pressure at the d tackle spot, and also brings some position flexibility on the line.
20. Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport
New head coach Matt Patricia has a decision to make, address a weak pass rush or also weak offensive line. Being a defensive minded coach, and that Ensah is only under the tag this year they opt for defensive line. Davenport brings his small school ability speed and quickness off the edge, and has impressed at the combine and pro day.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: James Daniels
With Russell Bodine leaving in free agency, the interior of the offensive line is in big trouble, so taking flexible center/guard Daniels is ideal. His position ability allows the Bengals to have some options of their line. They already addressed tackle with acquiring Cordy Glenn from the Bills.
22. Buffalo Bills: Isaiah Wynn
With a trade up earlier the Bills landed their Quarterback of the future being Baker Mayfield. They need to address the offensive line for him, with Eric Wood and Richie Incognito retiring. Isaiah Wynn is a good option, as he can play both guard and tackle if needed. His strength and positive use of his hands with allow him to start day 1.
23. New England Patriots: Rashaan Evans
The Patriots acquired this from the Rams for Cooks, and use it to address it's biggest need on defense. They were beat most of the year by running backs who matched up against linebackers. Evans brings many things, included the new age size and speed linebackers are looking like. He can cover, rush off the edge, and delay blitz up the middle. Pairing him another Bama linebacker in Hightower would be ideal.
24. Carolina Panthers: Cortland Sutton
The Panthers dealt Cam's favorite target away being Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills, and need to replace him. Cortland Sutton brings a big frame to them, bringing good size/speed combination and someone who can fight through traffic/contact.
25. Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry
The Titans made a big move to address the corner position getting Malcolm Butler paired with former Patriot Logan Ryan. Now they can address pass rush, as both Orakpo and Morgan are aging and free agents after this year. Landry can rush off the edge and uses his hands well, but also can drop in coverage.
26. Atlanta Falcons: Maurice Hurst
The Falcons have a solid defensive core that is young, but they need to pair someone with Grady Jarrett. Hurst also brings interior power and quickness, similar to Jarrett, but brings a bit more speed allowing him to penetrate gaps better and move along the line.
27. New Orleans Saints: Mike Gesicki
The Saints had a great year, and struck gold in the draft with both Lattimore and Kamara. Their offense was good, but lacked production from the tight ends. Mike Gesicki will provide good speed, hands and route running to stretch the field like the Jimmy Graham days.
28. Pittsburg Steelers: Justin Reid
The Steelers also can consider linebacker, but they have drafted many in the last 3-4 years as TJ Watt was a good selection last season. With Ryan Shazier up in the air they will have a tough decision. They have missed a impact safety since Troy Polumalu and released Mike Mitchell this offseason. Reid has good football IQ, and can play deep cover or play up in the box.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Connor Williams
The Jaguars made a big move signing Andrew Norwell to solidify left guard for some time, but the right side of the line also needs help. Williams played tackle at Texas, but some view him as a guard in the NFL. It will keep Blake Bortles happy, and Leonard Fornette.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Billy Price
The Vikings had a great season end short to the soon to be Super Bowl champs. They added Kirk Cousins, and he inherits some great offensive weapons in Diggs, Rudolph, Thielen and Cook. Getting additional help for the offensive line to keep him protected is needed, so they take a flyer on the best rated center in the draft. Price is very good, but is recovering from a injury in which he should be ready for pre-season.
31. Indianapolis Colts: Kolton Miller (Pats receive : #36, #67
The Colts have many needs on both sides of the ball, and got extra picks in the trade with the Jets. After addressing linebacker, they go with Miller at tackle. They need to protect Andrew Luck, and Miller has elite size and showed off in the combine from speed, bench and positional drills.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Orlando Brown
The Eagles don't have many holes on the roster, but the loss of Jason Peters is a concern, especially for the long haul. Brown slipped after a terrible combine performance, but on tape shows a player who can dominate at his position.
