A few thoughts from the Thursday’s first round of the 2018 NFL Draft:
Pick #1, Baker Mayfield (QB, Oklahoma) to Cleveland -- I already wrote a lengthy article on why I believe Mayfield should be the first QB taken, and while some people disagree, that’s not their biggest problem with the pick. Mayfield was not higher than the 6th or 7th best player on many mock draft boards, meaning Cleveland passed on one of the top 2-3 players (Bradley Chubb, Saquon Barkley) to take a player most people feel would’ve still been there at #4. I’m not sure I agree. If Barkley was taken #1 overall it creates a domino effect. With Barkley gone, the Giants might’ve taken aQB instead or traded the pick to a team looking for one. The result is that all of sudden two of the four best QBs are gone and Cleveland ends up taking a QB they obviously aren’t in love with just because they have to take someone. Sound familiar?
Pick #4, Denzel Ward (CB, Ohio State) to Cleveland -- Some people are killing this pick since it’s pretty universally agreed that Chubb was the best player available at #4. However, that doesn’t account for the fact that the Browns took Emmanuel Ogbah in the 2nd round in 2016, and Myles Garrett last year at #1. Chubb is an upgrade over Ogbah, but that isn’t a position of need. I personally don’t think Denzel Ward is a future star, but I do think his elite footwork, route reading, and athleticism will make him a really good NFL player, and I think his floor is IMMENSELY higher than 2014 bust Justin Gilbert. Also, the Browns can still take Harold Landry or Arden Key with the #1 or #3 picks in the second round.
Pick #5, Bradley Chubb (DE, NC State) to Denver -- Chubb joins Von Miller, Shane Ray, & Derek Wolfe in the Bronco’s stable of pass rushers. That’s a lot of hounds to sic on opposing quarterbacks.
Pick #6, Quenton Nelson (G, Notre Dame) to Indianapolis -- Finally, some protection for Andrew Luck. Many scouts had Nelson as the best overall lineman in the draft.
Pick #7, Josh Allen (QB, Wyoming) to Buffalo -- I’ve already expressed my concerns about Allen’s accuracy and lack of production, but I like his potential IF he’s given time to develop. Buffalo is NOT that place, in my opinion. A.J. McCarron and Nathan Peterman have a combined four NFL starts at QB, and if one of them starts to struggle it’s hard to see the Bills being patient enough to let Allen continue to watch and learn. I think there’s a very high probability he’s thrown to the wolves in year one, and if so, I think it could be disastrous for his development.
Pick #8, Roquan Smith (ILB, Georgia) to Chicago -- A lot of mock drafts had Tremaine Edmunds (Va Tech) slotted to be the first ILB taken, but apparently Chicago really likes UGA linebackers.
Pick #10, Josh Rosen (QB, UCLA) to Arizona -- This is a great situation for Rosen who won’t be forced to start immediately with Mike Glennon and Sam Bradford already on the roster. Maybe he’ll get over being pissed that “nine mistakes” were taken in front of him. Yes, he really said that. And Baker Mayfield gets all the Johnny Manziel comparisons?
Pick #11, Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB, Alabama) to Miami -- Minkah paired up with Pro Bowler Reshad Jones? That’s one heck of a safety tandem.
Pick #15, Kolton Miller (T, UCLA) to Oakland - Everyone expected Oakland to go defense here, but it’s hard to complain about protecting your franchise QB.
Pick #16 & 17 -- Tremaine Edwards (ILB, Va Tech) & Derwin James (S, Florida State) -- It was surprising to see both of these guys still available. Either could have easily been taken in the top-10. It will be interesting to see if either has production that matches their elite talent.
Pick #19, Leighton Vander Esch (ILB, Boise State) to Dallas -- I’m not familiar with Vander Esch (don’t get to watch much MWC football), but there are comparisons with size/athleticism of Brian Urlacher. There were a lot of projections that had Rashaan Evans going here, so it was interesting to see the small conference player picked first.
Pick #26, Calvin Ridley (WR, Alabama) to Atlanta -- The Falcons needed to replace Taylor Gabriel as their slot receiver and Andre Roberts as kick returner, but most people thought they would go with a defensive tackle first and target someone like Dante Pettis or Christian Kirk in the second round. Nope. The Falcons clearly wanted a deep threat to pair with Julio Jones and Mohammed Sanu and got arguably the best receiver in the entire draft.
Pick #27, Rashaad Penny (RB, San Diego) to Seattle -- Penny has the size (5-11, 220), speed (4.46 40-yard dash), and production to justify going in the first round, but he doesn’t have the pedigree of Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, or Derrius Guice -- the three backs expected to go in front of him. This was a bit of shocker, but the success of less celebrated backs like Kareem Hunt and Jordan Howard has broken the mold of having to take first “big school” backs in the first round.
Pick #31, Sony Michel (RB, Georgia) to New England -- Subtract Dion Lewis, add Sony Michel. To say he’s a perfect fit is an understatement. The Patriots are masterminds at this stuff.
Pick #32, Lamar Jackson (QB, Louisville) to Baltimore -- Jackson should have a great situation with the Ravens. He’lll have plenty of time to learn behind Joe Flacco and RG III and will be allowed to improve his footwork and accuracy while being groomed as Flacco’s heir apparent.
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