The 2018 NFL Draft will be here before we know it, and there’s only a few more events that could impact where top prospects will fall in the first round.
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Considering the 2018 NFL Draft is about two months away, some trades are still sure to shake up the type of needs that each team has entering the first round. The outlook of the projected draft board is a bit different since the Kansas City Chiefs dealt star cornerback Marcus Peters to the Los Angeles Rams, to join upstart head coach Sean McVay.
Moreover, the 2018 NFL Combine, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis will also have a big impact on the outlook of the first round. We got to witness a draft prospect like former UTSA Roadrunnders defensive end Marcus Davenport make rapid rise in the player pool during the Senior Bowl. Can he take the next step?
The two big events leading up to the NFL Draft are the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl. We’re just one day away from the start of the NFL Combine, which will wrap up both of those key events. Time is running out for some underrated prospects to make their name known to NFL scouts.
The Cleveland Browns will have the most pressure to make both of their top five picks in the first round ultimately pan out. They have a ton of needs to fill, especially at quarterback. But, just one NFL Draft will not plug all the holes that the Browns have on the roster.
Furthermore, the Browns are not the only team with some massive holes to fill. That’s what makes the NFL Draft so intriguing to the fans. There’s no single other off-season event that is more analyzed and watched than the NFL Draft.
Here’s the projected first round of the 2018 NFL Draft entering the NFL Combine.
The Browns’ first pick is a tough thing to figure out. The need of a quarterback is obvious, but so is the fact that it does not seem to work out too well when they pick that position in the first round. So, we’re going with the strategy they went with last year, and pick a top talent not at quarterback.
Last year, the Browns went with former Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Myles Garrett with their first overall pick. Garrett seems to be the future of the Browns defense. It worked out because they went with a player they could build around first.
Once again, we’ll have the Browns taking a non-quarterback with their first pick. The standout offensive guard for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is the player first off the board here. Nelson is the best overall offensive lineman in the draft.
Moreover, the next two offensive lineman that are likely to get taken off the board have a good amount of concern regarding injury history. Nelson isn’t really the safe pick here, but he helps the Browns build a solid roster around a quarterback that can take them far.
Time is running out for the two-time Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning to quarterback the New York Giants. It’s also time for a new direction, as we learned that former head coach Ben McAdoo really was not the answer for the Giants.
Now, the Giants need to find a new quarterback to build around, and there’s a few available that would fit the bill. The first that comes to mind is the UCLA Bruins superstar Josh Rosen. As the most polished quarterback in the class, Rosen is a great option to make an immediate difference.
It’s either going to be Rosen or USC Trojans product Sam Darnold that is taken off the board first at quarterback. There should be less doubt surrounding Rosen as a successful NFL quarterback than Darnold, who had some accuracy issues in 2017.
Given a decent situation, Rosen can take a team very far, as we learned with UCLA last year. The Giants do have some potential to make noise in the NFC East in 2018, but both sides of the ball have some work to do.
The Indianapolis Colts have two giant areas of need that general manager Chris Ballard needs to address. If the Colts do have the chance to nab Nelson at pick No. 3, they need to go ahead and pull the trigger.
But, if Nelson is taken off the board by either the Browns or the Giants in the first two picks of the round, the Colts could turn their attention to the pass rush, or lack thereof in their situation. Indy could not muster any sort of consistent pass rush in 2017.
That’s where standout NC State Wolfpack defensive end Bradley Chubb can help out. The Colts need to plug at least one of the holes along a rough defensive line in the first three rounds. This pick should either go to Nelson or Chubb, two of the most talented prospects on the board.
NC State is going to hurt without Chubb lining up on the line each Saturday. However, the Colts would see an immediate boost to their effectiveness on defense with this pick. Former Stanford Cardinal lineman Henry Anderson is good, but more of a rotation player.
Darnold finally gets his name called at pick No. 4, and the team he likely does not want to go to. Cleveland seems to be the place where quarterback careers come to an end, but something could be different here with a better draft and development strategy.
Since just one good pool of talent from a single draft is not going to single-handedly turn around Cleveland’s franchise fortunes, this is the time to build in the right direction. Too long have the Browns shifted strategies for franchise development, and made changes in the front office.
The quarterback with the highest ceiling in this draft, at least in terms of pocket passers, is Darnold. There are some other doubts surrounding the path of his NFL career, but he should still easily fall in the top five.
The Browns figured out that DeShone Kizer is not their quarterback of the future, as few others at his position struggled with as many turnovers as he did. Kizer had more interceptions tossed in the red zone than any other quarterback in 2017.
The Denver Broncos essentially need to rebuild the entire offense. That leaves two key positions as the highlights for their off-season project. Denver needs to find a solid quarterback and build the offensive line in front of them.
The most pressing need for the Broncos is at left tackle. While picking an injury prone offensive tackle like Connor Williams of the Texas Longhorns might seem risky, he is the most talented in the draft. Williams would easily be a top five pick without the injury concerns.
Really the two best options left along the offensive line after Nelson is off the board are Williams and Nelson’s fellow Notre Dame product Mike McGlinchey. But, the Broncos should go with the option here with the more raw talent.
This is a key pick to the Broncos fortunes in the future. Since winning the Super Bowl a few years ago, it’s been a pretty far fall. The defense is also better off than the offense, which is where they need the most help.
Many consider running back from the Penn State Nittany Lions Saquon Barkley the top overall player in the 2018 NFL Draft. And, he’s the type of running back that can make an impact in multiple aspects of the offense.
A Heisman favorite for the bulk of the 2017 campaign, Barkley offers a ton of versatility to any offense. He could have the type of impact seen by Ezekiel Elliott with the Dallas Cowboys in his first year. But, Barkley and Elliott do offer very different skill sets.
Any chance the New York Jets have at competing at a higher level in the AFC East this year starts with building on the offense. The Jets do need a quarterback very badly, but they need a rusher that’ll also be a face of the franchise for years to come.
Whatever Barkley is able to provide for the Jets, it’s likely better than what they’ve got now. Bilal Powell had some potential, but cannot match what Barkley brings to the table in any regards. He’s at a different level, and sets himself apart in this running back class too.
Upgrading the secondary is always a priority in the NFC South. Recently, the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints have all had strong passing games. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are really the only offense lacking in that department in the division.
Tampa Bay can make up for that by building a strong secondary, and they have the right pick in this NFL Draft to do just that. Head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Nick Saban, knows how to develop defensive talent and standout safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is no exception.
Fitzpatrick also has the versatility to cover really any spot in the secondary. His natural spot is safety, but he could fill in at cornerback also. One of the biggest needs to fill for Tampa is at both cornerback and safety.
They’re in a better situation at safety than at cornerback, but both spots would get an immediate upgrade from having the presence of Fitzpatrick on the depth chart. Here’s the perfect opportunity for the Bucs to make an immediate upgrade to the roster with one of the best overall players on the board.
The biggest area of need for the Chicago Bears is at wide receiver. There’s not really a clear-cut top receiver in this class, as there’s a few different names that all have the chance of being the first one off the board.
A solid candidate to be the first wide receiver picked in the first round is the 2017 Biletnikoff Award winner and First-Team All-American James Washington. The Oklahoma State Cowboys product had a huge career in Stillwater.
Furthermore, with how much the Bears have invested into their first round pick from 2017, North Carolina Tar Heels product Mitchell Trubisky, they need to build up the skill positions around him. Trubisky showed some real potential in 2017, and that should only get better in 2018.
The right pick for the Bears is on the offensive side of the ball. Washington is a receiver with elite speed and deep threat ability. His leaping and separation ability should set him apart as a top receiver at the next level.
Much like Chicago’s need for a wide receiver, the San Francisco 49ers need an upgrade at a few different levels on defense. If Fitzpatrick is already off the board by the ninth pick in the first round, which he likely will, be the 49ers do have a few other solid options.
This is not as deep of a cornerback class as there’s been in recent years. The top cornerback is Ohio State Buckeyes product Denzel Ward, and he’s likely to be the first one off the board. There’s some versatility to players like Fitzpatrick and a few other top safeties.
Ward’s quickness and overall athleticism should allow him to compete against some of the better NFL receivers. He’s got quick hips and solid leaping ability. The 49ers don’t have to worry about developing Ward‘s game at the professional level, he’s already got the skill required.
A potential concern for Ward is the limited exposure he had in college, as a primary corner. But, the talent level is there and so are the ball skills. If the 49ers can nab him with the ninth overall pick, that’s a great move to pursue.
The linebackers should start to fall off the board in bunches once the top 10 gets out of the way. Georgia Bulldogs standout linebacker Roquan Smith, who led the Bulldogs to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, is one of the top at his position in the draft class.
Cornerback is also a top priority for the Raiders. Unless they want to reach for someone or land a defensive back like Ward or Fitzpatrick at this point, and get very lucky, turning the attention to linebacker is a wise move.
Smith can play at inside linebacker, the main spot where the Raiders need help in the linebacking corps. Reports have shown that former 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman wants to resign with the Raiders, but having someone who can take over at this position for the future is a huge priority.
Giving other linebackers like Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin someone who can fill in alongside them would be huge for the entire Raiders defense, one that struggled to hold opposing offenses back consistently in 2017.
Few linebackers rose up draft board faster in the last month than Virginia Tech Hokies star linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Unlike Smith, Edmunds is not the most refined or proven prospect in the world, but he has a much higher ceiling.
There might not be a single other linebacker that has more potential than Edmunds here. He’s got a combination of size and athleticism that is not found in every linebacker class.
Adding some talent to a group of linebackers that features Raekwon McMillan and Kiko Alonso is huge too. Koa Misi is pretty much done in his career after a few injuries. And, the Dolphins could use some extra talent there to add depth.
For the Dolphins, they have at least enough talent to find quality starters for most positions across the board, but depth is the key concern. After trading away now Philadelphia Eagles running back and eventual Super Bowl Champion Jay Ajayi, running back is a need as well.
The need for offensive lineman is always prevalent, but the Cincinnati Bengals must address this need in the first few rounds. Adding more than one lineman would not be the worst move either. If they decide to keep former TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Andy Dalton on as the starter for the long-term, they need to protect him better.
What better for the Bengals to do than draft the best offensive lineman blocking for the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback in college football in 2017. Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle Orlando Brown is a sure-fire first round pick.
A lot is still open about where he will fall in the first round. It’s unlikely that he goes any higher than the tenth spot. But, his skill set and set as a tackle are very useful to a few different teams. He’s also strong in both the run and passing game.
Both Baker Mayfield and Sooners running back Rodney Anderson had a solid finish to the year mainly due to lining up behind possibly the best line in the nation in 2017. Taking a piece of that and building it up for the Bengals is a great potential move.
The Florida State Seminoles had one of their worst seasons in recent memory, in what also amounted to head coach Jimbo Fisher’s final year in Tallahassee. Fisher bolted for College Station and the Texas A&M Aggies following the 2017 season.
Meanwhile, Florida State’s best defensive player sat out the Independence Bowl against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and bolted for the NFL. Yet, it’s not a move that came with any surprise. James could not afford another injury like the one he suffered in 2016.
And, his game is about as ready for the NFL as it’s going to get. One team that could benefit from his elite athleticism and size is the Washington Redskins, who have a huge need at safety. The Redskins are missing a truly elite defensive back that can make a difference for the entire defense.
James might not slip all the way down to pick No. 13. If he or Fitzpatrick does, the Redskins need to jump on the opportunity. The defensive line could also use some work for the Redskins, but they did already pick up former Crimson Tide lineman Jonathan Allen last year.
It seems weird that the Green Bay Packers have a need at wide receiver. Over the years, they’ve been one of the better receiving corps in the NFL, but that has changed with age and injuries. Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and Davante Adams are not the long-term answer for the Packers.
Nelson is still solid, and so is Cobb, but they are changing. And, Nelson seems to always run into injury issues. Adams had some injury issues of his own, and still has some difficulties consistently catching the ball. Drops have been a concern for his entire career.
Addressing this need, especially with the Packers in contract extension talks with franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers, is a huge priority. Crimson Tide wide receiver, and National Champion, Calvin Ridley can help address that need.
Ridley or Washington should either be the first receiver off the board. But, Ridley’s versatility and route running ability makes him a great fit for Green Bay’s offense. He’s got reliable hands too so that Rodgers might be able to find himself a new primary target in the coming years.
Carson Palmer is aging, there’s no ignoring that now for the Arizona Cardinals. Finding the next quarterback in line is something that needs to happen now, and they’re need for that is more pressing than about any other team in the league.
The Cardinals like to utilize a few different aspects of their offense. With superstar running back David Johnson the emphasis will not be too heavy on the passing game, but it’s not going to ignore it either. Especially with a team used to having a strong receiving corps.
While the need to add to other areas of the roster, like offensive line and wide receiver, is still there, this quarterback class is deep and the Cardinals can take advantage of that with their No. 15 pick. Some talented quarterback worthy of a first round pick is going to fall to them.
That quarterback that falls to them could be Oklahoma State legend Mason Rudolph. During his time in Stillwater, Rudolph paired up with Washington to gash pretty much any defense they faced. He’s got a very strong arm and throws the deep ball better than about anyone in this class.
Wide receiver starts to thin out a bit once Ridley and Washington are gone. The chances of no team drafting a receiver in the top 15 are slim. But, there’s still some other names left that could be worthy of a mid-first round selection.
SMU Mustangs star receiver Courtland Sutton didn’t have the finish to the 2017 campaign that many expected, hurting his draft stock a bit, but the raw tools are still there. He’s got the size and strength to compete with anyone in the NFL.
There’s a certain learning curve that comes along with drafting Sutton. He’s not the most refined prospect, and breakaway speed might be a concern. However, he’s definitely the type of talent that could turn into a No. 1 receiver for the Baltimore Ravens.
The problem for the Ravens is that they need help in the receiving corps now. Sutton might not give them the relief they’re looking for. He’s got a ways to go before he reaches the potential he’s capable of. Still, the allure of his overall talent level might be too much to ignore here.
Figuring out the draft stock of Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey is a tough task right now. McGlinchey, Brown, and Williams are definitely the three top offensive tackles in this class. But, McGlinchey might be the lowest of the three.
It’s very likely that McGlinchey comes off the board well after his Notre Dame counterpart on the offensive line in Nelson. And, the lack of potential ability compared to some of the other tackles in this class could keep some of the top early in the first round away from him.
However, the overall frame and polished skill set that McGlinchey brings to the table are also hard to ignore. There’s also always the huge and widespread need for immediate help along the offensive line for a good chunk of teams in the NFL.
A team that could use some help blocking up front is the Los Angeles Chargers, as quarterback Philip Rivers still has some good years left. McGlinchey also brings a certain level of leadership and toughness that is unmatched by most prospects in 2018.
We do have three straight offensive lineman falling off the board due to the depth stacking up a bit better at this point in the first round. There’s a lot to choose from along the offensive line in the later first and second round of the NFL Draft.
If the Seahawks cannot get their hands on Williams, McGlinchey, or Brown, then going for the next best overall lineman is a wise move. Too long has Seattle put off the task of upgrading the offensive line in front of a premier star quarterback in favor of other large contracts.
Now is the time to upgrade the offensive line so that NC State and Wisconsin Badgers product Russell Wilson is not sent running for his life all the time. Seattle can do that by adding a versatile lineman in Ohio State center Billy Price.
Not only can Price fit in at center, he can also play at either guard spot. Price is a proven two-time All-American that knows what it takes to succeed at that will translate to the professional level. He one a National Championship with the Buckeyes, blocking for Ezekiel Elliott as a freshman.
This might be the biggest reach of this first round mock draft, but the South Carolina Gamecocks churned out a good one in talented tight end Hayden Hurst. The aging Jason Witten will not last for the Cowboys, entering his 16th season with the franchise.
Hurst is a big target that could get some significant playing time while the Cowboys officially phase Witten out of the offense. He’s also a multi-skilled weapon that can block, run tight end routes off the line, or just act as a traditional receiver because of his speed.
The age factor could impact a team drafting Hurst in the first round, or even early in the second. He is 25-years-old, which is even older than Johnny Manziel to put that in perspective. But, that’s not too bad for any team that needs immediate help at tight end.
The utility factor that Hurst brings will not let him slip too far, and Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett should love the idea of bolstering the offense quickly. Dallas does have a laundry list of needs on the defensive side of the ball, but tight end might be heir biggest overall.
The hype started to build around UTSA Roadrunners defensive end Marcus Davenport after the Senior Bowl. His big frame and explosiveness off the line caught the eye of a ton of NFL scouts, media, and fans alike.
Davenport is unlikely to slip out of the first round at this point. When the hype was at its greatest point during the Senior Bowl, people discussed Davenport in the realm of a top 10 pick. But, that hype has died down since then.
The athleticism and pure power from Davenport will tempt a ton of teams with a need to improve the pass rush. At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Davenport is extremely large physically and still has the mobility to punish opposing offensive lineman.
The fact that Davenport is not the most polished defensive end in the world, and may take a few years to get anywhere close to his ceiling, will also have the effect to turn suitors away. A talented edge rusher needs to be the No. 1 priority for the Detroit Lions in 2018. Davenport is a great land for them, if it happens.
The start of back-to-back picks comes here for the Buffalo Bills. There’s a few different ways that they could go, but quarterback is a top area to address. It seems like the Bills will still try to go with the dual-threat Virginia Tech product Tyrod Taylor, but possibly not for much longer.
Buffalo made a long-term commitment to Taylor a few years ago and don’t want to shy away from that just yet, especially with his contract potentially weighing them down. That’s where adding an experienced option like Baker Mayfield comes into play.
Mayfield does have some areas of his game that do need some development before he takes the reigns of an entire NFL offense. The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner has garnered a ton of hype since the Senior Bowl, and some team will take the chance on him eventually as their starting quarterback.
Considering Mayfield was thought of as a middle round pick entering the 2017 college football season, he’s made a ton of headway. There’s some drawbacks to bringing Mayfield on board, with some red flags during his career in Norman. That should not keep him out of the first round, though.
Drafting a linebacker developed by Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide is not the worst move for any team. In the second leg of back-to-back picks for the Bills, they can address a need on the other side of the ball.
While Mayfield gives them a future option, and safety net now, if Taylor does not work out under center. But, strong pass rushing linebacker Rashaan Evans does not have as much work to iron out kinks in his game. It’ll take him a few months to get acquainted, and that’s really it.
The Bills got this second pick in the first round from the Chiefs, the team that just dealt away Peters in one of the biggest trades of the off-season so far.
Either the linebacking corps or the defensive line needs an upgrade for the Bills. Evans would be one of the best overall players remaining on the board here. Preston Brown is rumored to be on his way out of Buffalo to the New England Patriots, and that makes the need even greater for the Bills at linebacker.
The Iowa Hawkeyes lose their best defensive player in cornerback Josh Jackson now. Jackson becomes one of the best corners in this class, and the best one outside of Ward. He should not fall out of the first round.
Morevoer, the Los Angeles Rams were a huge surprise in 2017 and can continue that momentum into 2018 by doing this NFL Draft right. The possible departure of starting cornerback Trumaine Johnson opens up a huge void at the position for the Rams.
Jackson brings he desired size of a defensive back now to the table at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. He does not have to bring the same skill set like Ward since he has the range and height to line up with most NFL receivers, even the taller of the bunch.
The Rams would be wise to move in the direction of a cornerback here. A position that would already be a need without a possible departure from Johnson becomes even more significant if he does leave.
Carolina’s strength of the defense used to be along the defensive line, and with the linebackers. While the linebackers are still strong with the presence of All-Pro Luke Kuechly there, the upgrade for this team should come along the defensive line in this draft.
Defensive end of the Boston College Eagles Harold Landry is one of the most underrated prospects in this class, and is a steal at this point in the first round. Playing at Boston College plays to part of the reason why he’s this low in the order.
Defensive tackle Kawaan Short still leads the way for the Panthers’ line and that will not change. The main issue there is next to Short and Mario Addison. Carolina has one of the worse off defensive end situations in the NFL.
Landry is very quick off the line and can really be a force to be reckoned with the NFC South. The Panthers’ pass rush needs a boost and Landry provides just that to whoever takes him. Landry’s senior year was underwhelming after an enormous performance junior year. That could also play a part in him falling down draft boards.
You have to start digging for the next best offensive lineman after the clear-cut top guys are off the board. Iowa center James Daniels could very easily fall in the first round, but that would have to go to a team with the clear need at that certain position on the line.
Georgia has the potential to have a few players taken in the first round, especially if running backs Sony Michel and Nick Chubb get early looks. However, the two most probably first round selections from the Dawgs are Smith and guard Isaiah Wynn.
The Tennessee Titans have a lot to block for at this moment. Oregon Ducks product and former Heisman winning quarterback Marcus Mariota has some injury concerns during his short NFL career already. If the Titans want to continue with him as the franchise quarterback, they need to protect him.
Moreover, the Titans have a dynamic duo in the backfield between another former Heisman winner in Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray. Wynn does not have the size necessary to play tackle in the NFL, like he did at UGA, so he’ll move to guard. But, his skill set gives him the ability to excel in that position at the next level.
The Washington Huskies are really starting to churn out a ton of NFL talent under current head coach, and former coach of the Boise State Broncos, Chris Petersen. Defensive tackle Vita Vea is just the next in that line of talented defensive players from Seattle.
A combination of size and speed that is unmatched by most even at the NFL level gives Vea a very intriguing pull to teams. His basic physical tools might keep some teams away in the top 15 or top 20, though. It’s hard to tell where he’ll ultimately fall in the first round.
Furthermore, much like the Panthers defensive line situation, the Falcons should prioritize building up the defensive line completely. Mainly, if the Falcons decide to let former Memphis Tigers defensive tackle Dontari Poe go to free agency this off-season, they need to find an answer at the position.
The Saints should be set on offense, for the most part, when it comes to the 2018 NFL season. But, building beyond that is an important step for head coach Sean Payton. Drew Brees will not last much longer and replacement will need to be found sooner rather than later.
Moreover, the Saints do already have a top-tier primary receiver on hand in former Ohio State standout Michael Thomas. But, there’s not much in the way of depth behind Thomas, and that should be addressed before the 2018 campaign kicks off.
Building up the receiving corps, and also finding a quarterback of the future is a large task for the Saints over this off-season, and in 2019 too. A good way to start off is by drafting a potential star receiver in Texas A&M’s weapon Christian Kirk.
New Orleans would not only get help on the offensive side of the ball with Kirk, he’s also a valuable weapon on special teams. Kirk averaged more than 26.0 yards per kick return in 2017, and that can help out the Saints during his rookie year also. Special teams are still an underrated and important aspect of the game that teams need to have an impact on. Kirk’s versatility in that aspect brings his overall value to first round status.
Crimson Tide safety Ronnie Harrison got a bit overshadowed during his time in Tuscaloosa due to the presence of Fitzpatrick next to him. However, Harrison is also a first round talent, even though if it’s not to the degree of Fitzpatrick.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a huge void at safety, and in the secondary altogether. Drafting a guy that plugs into the system immediately is a great move for the Steelers, a team that will be in contention for a few more years ahead.
Pittsburgh could make a long-term commitment to superstar running back Le’Veon Bell and they already did the same thing for wide receiver Antonio Brown. Although, the time is running out for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, as his age is catching up with him.
The Steelers do need to look in the direction of a quarterback later in the draft. But, upgrading the secondary is a primary concern that cannot be overlooked early. Harrison is athletic and rangy and hits very hard. He fits the generic mold of a solid NFL safety.
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed former UCF Knights quarterback Blake Bortles to a three-year contract extension, worth more than $50 million in guaranteed money. That signals a commitment to Bortles from the front office, despite all the scrutiny of his ability.
With how good the Jags’ young roster is, figuring out the quarterback situation is key to keeping control of the AFC South. While that division is consistently among the worst in the NFL, the top teams do swap all the time.
It’s only a matter of time before the Houston Texans get back on track after Deshaun Watson gets back and healthy. The Titans and Colts are also both building solid teams for the future. Jacksonville needs to keep on building up talent also.
Having a backup plan for the quarterback spot is a great way to keep things competitive on offense. The Louisville Cardinals are sending a former Heisman winning quarterback that could be the long-term answer for the Jags, if Bortles does not work out. They’ll at least give former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson a chance.
The final offensive lineman that comes off the board in the first round is an under the radar offensive tackle that could have a huge effect for the Minnesota Vikings offense. This Vikings offense does have an uncertain future, with so many options at quarterback.
Former Houston Cougars quarterback Case Keenum had a huge year, leading them to an NFC North Title and the NFC Championship Game, before falling short against the Eagles. And, Teddy Bridgewater seems to be out of the picture.
The raw talent is there for Pitt Panthers tackle Brian O’Neill to have a huge NFL career. He’s got some development to go through until he can be trusted to assume a sole starting spot on an offensive line.
Minnesota’s most glaring need is along the offensive line in general. They need to add at least one guard and one tackle in this class. O’Neill is a good start and there’s some depth to add from both positions here.
Guaranteed future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Tom Brady‘s next few years with the Patriots puts the offense under some uncertainty. There’s been some questions as to what Brady’s status is entering the 2018 season.
However, whatever way you look at it, the Patriots need to find another quarterback to take over after Brady. Since he’s turning 41-years-old before the kick-off of the 2018 regular season, it’s time to groom a younger quarterback to take over soon.
If Wyoming Cowboys quarterback Josh Allen manages to fall this far, it’s a great chance to the Patriots to snag a very talented option. It’s possible that Allen has the second highest upside of all the quarterbacks in this class, behind only Darnold.
Allen has the size and arm strength necessary to command really any type of offensive scheme he gets put into. He’s also got a sneaky ability to run the ball when things break down in the pocket. Allen is very tough to bring down and that should translate to his play at the next level.
The Colorado Buffaloes are going on two straight years of churning out a quality cornerback to the NFL. Last year, Colorado sent Chidobe Awuzie to the NFL, and he is now with the Cowboys. This year, Colorado will send an even more talented corner to the NFL in Isaiah Oliver.
There could be another former Colorado defensive back now playing in the NFC East, alongside the reigning Super Bowl Champions in the secondary. An area in need of upgrade for the Eagles, to stay at the level they want to be at on defense is at cornerback.
Outside of former LSU Tigers defensive back Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby, the Eagles don’t have much. They could add some more youth in the cornerback that has the most potential to become a lockdown cover man in this class in Oliver.
Next: Building the best college football super team
Landing a talent like Oliver to address a direct need would be a home run for one of the best rosters in the NFL entering 2018. If the Eagles have a good class out of the 2018 NFL Draft, they’ll be a scary good contender to repeat as Super Bowl Champions again in 2019.