UCLA football might have one top pick in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft, but Josh Rosen isn’t the only Bruin that’s going to be drafted this year.
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The UCLA Bruins are no stranger to top-flight talent. The Bruins routinely bring in high-end recruiting classes and those typically translate into several high round selections. The 2018 NFL Draft figures to be more of the same for the latest batch of prospects out of Westwood.
UCLA has had at least three players drafted every year since 2013, including four first round picks in that span – Datone Jones (No. 26, 2013), Anthony Barr (No. 9, 2014), Kenny Clark (No, 27, 2016) and Takkarist McKinley (No. 26, 2017),
In addition to presumed early first round pick Josh Rosen, five other Bruins were invited to the 2018 NFL Combine. On the offensive side of the ball Kolton Miller, Scott Quessenberry and Jordan Lasley received invitations to Indianapolis. Kenny Young and Matt Dickerson were invited from the Buins’ defensive unit.
The draft is fast approaching. Which UCLA Bruins will hear their names called in the 2018 NFL Draft?
Josh Rosen is the most pro-ready quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft, but when have the Cleveland Browns ever been known to make the “obvious” choice? The Browns have two of the top four selections, and are still a few years away from being back in win-now mode. They’ll likely opt for Sam Darnold, the quarterback prospect perceived to have the highest upside, or do-it-all running back Saquon Barkley. Either choice leaves Rosen available for the New York Giants at No. 2 overall.
The Giants’ new regime isn’t ready to quit on their long-time quarterback Eli Manning just yet. But, if New York is serious about returning to contention quickly they won’t have another opportunity to get a franchise-caliber passer before Manning is put out to pasture. Even if they’ve tried to talk themselves out of it, the front office won’t let Rosen slide past them.
The New York media market is no stranger to larger-than-life personalities. Rosen has already ruffled feathers with his words while playing college ball and he doesn’t look to be slowing down. To be fair – he’s backed up the words with a strong on-field performance. Rosen threw for just shy of 9,500 yards in 30 games at UCLA with 59 touchdown passes and 26 interceptions.
The next Bruin off the board will be Rosens’ security blanket, Kolton Miller. The redshirt junior started all 13 games at left tackle in his final season at UCLA and was reward with a second-team All-Pac 12 selection.
Miller was Pro Football Focus’ seventh ranked offensive tackle in this year’s draft. That ranking, and Millers’ appeal to NFL teams, is driven primarily by his hulking frame. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weight 300 pounds Miller looks like an NFL offensive lineman. He had his ups and downs at UCLA, but NFL-size is NFL-size.
If Miller can add some good muscle to his imposing frame he projects as a multi-year NFL starter. He’s capable of starting as quickly as this season if he ends up in the right place.
The Denver Broncos have two major needs in the 2018 draft: quarterback and offensive line. Assuming the address the former with their No. 5 overall selection they’ll want to find some capable bodies to protect their new franchise passer. At that point in the top-tier of offensive tackles will be off the board, but Miller’s upside should be enough to earn him the Broncos’ selection.
Jordan Lasley led the Pac-12 in receiving yards in 2018. His nine touchdowns were one touchdown grab shy of his teammate, Darren Andrews, who led the conference in touchdowns. Both receivers were beneficiaries of having Josh Rosen throwing them open, calling into question what upside they possess apart from their elite quarterback.
While Lasley is a bit on the slender side, his sure-handedness and effectiveness with the ball in the air make him worthy of a mid-round selection. He doesn’t project as a No. 1 at the next level, but could find himself as a steady No. 2 option opposite of an elite wide receiver.
Chicago lost their elite wideout Alshon Jeffery and haven’t found anyone to replace him just yet. There are a host of decent and average wide receivers in Chicago, giving Lasley just as much of a shot at a starting role as Kevin White or Cameron Meredith. The Bears could opt to grab a pair of wide receivers in the draft, making Lasley a safe option for to play alongside whomever they tab as WR1.
The Quessenberry name is already known around NFL circles. Scott’s brother, David, an offensive lineman for the Houston Texans, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2014. His teammates and the league rallied around him as he fought and subsequent won his battle with cancer before making his NFL debut on Christmas Day this past season.
The NFL doesn’t hand out courtesy picks, but they do value toughness. Scott battled through shoulder surgeries that caused him to miss the entirety of the 2015 season. In his three healthy seasons as a starter at UCLA, Quessenberry didn’t miss a start. An honorable mention Pac-12 center, Quessenberry was also nominated for the Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy watch lists.
This far down in the draft teams aren’t expecting to find someone who can grab a starting spot from day one, but San Francisco could be an exception. The 49ers current starting center Daniel Kilgore was a fifth round selection, but off field issues as well as sporadic production on the field have not endeared him to the organization.
Kilgore isn’t going anywhere just yet, but the 49ers are going to continue to explore other options. Quessenbery could turn into a steady player down the road, making him a good grab late in the draft for San Francisco.
Kenny Young had a rough 2017 season. Young, alongside a battered UCLA defense, looked overwhelmed at times and did not show the football intellect that he had displayed during his junior campaign. Young slowed on his first step and frequently watched the play come to him rather than attacking the ball carrier in space. Nevertheless, the raw football talent is there.
Young was a first-team All-Pac 12 selection. He has strides to make in the technical aspects of the game, but his speed and versatility are something that can’t be taught. Young possess above average cover skills and won’t get beat to the edge often on the next level.
His speed should be enough to secure him a roster spot as a special teams contributor. That’s not the kind of player you draft until late on the third day of the draft, but given the potential Young possesses, he’d make a fairly low risk seventh round selection. How long he sticks will be entirely up to him. If he can continue to supplement his athleticism with bonafide football IQ he’ll have a fighting chance at a prolonged NFL career.
If anyone is able to elevated themselves from this tier to a late-round selection it’s going to be defensive end Matt Dickerson. The underutilized senior never played more than 12 games in a season, only starting seven games in his final year at UCLA because of injuries.
The remainder of UCLA’s draft entrants were not invited to the 2018 NFL Combine. It’s not impossible to be drafted without going to the combine, but the touch points and relationships which can be built there are certainly advantageous to the invitees.
The Bruins’ Pro Day will be the last opportunity for the remaining UCLA hopefuls to leave positive impressions with on-hand NFL Scouts. The remaining draft-eligible Bruins include wide receiver Darren Andrews, wide receiver Eldridge Massington, tight end Austin Roberts, safety Jaleel Wood and defensive lineman Jacob Tuioti-Mariner.
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Stocks will continue to rise and fall as the draft approaches. Not even Rosen is safe until the picks are in on April 26, 27 and 28. No matter what happens, UCLA promises to have another impressive draft.