Risen Star
Likes Collector
- Messages
- 87,169
- Reaction score
- 204,899
Winners
Baltimore Ravens
Ozzie Newsome's final draft in charge of the Ravens' front office went just how he likes it. He traded down twice (from No. 16 to No. 22 to No. 25) and ended up with a guy he likes. South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst was neck and neck with South Dakota State's Dallas Goedert for the top tight end in this class. Hurst is a complete player who takes pride in his blocking. He really impressed me with his maturity when I talked to him. That's a good fit for the Ravens, who have tried to improve their weapons around Joe Flacco.
And speaking of Flacco, Newsome had one more trade in him that puts the veteran quarterback on notice. Newsome dealt picks 52 and 125 -- plus a second-round pick in 2019 -- to move up to No. 32 to take Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, who now will have a fifth-year option, which is extremely important for quarterbacks. Flacco is 33 and is coming off a run of questionable seasons. He has one year left on his deal. Jackson isn't ready to push Flacco, but he gives them a tantalizing developmental option if Flacco has another clunker of a season.
Los Angeles Chargers
How did Florida State safety Derwin James make it to No. 17? With no top-tier nose tackles on the board there, general manager Tom Telesco didn't have to contemplate passing over the best player available for a need position. James is going to play immediately, and I think he'll be on my all-rookie team in 2018. I love this pick.
Arizona Cardinals
I know UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen has durability concerns, and he has battled some injuries. There also are questions -- fair or not -- about his leadership skills. Does he have that extra intangible to be the great quarterback he is capable of being? On the field, he's NFL-ready. He makes throws few quarterbacks can. And people forget that Rosen outplayed Sam Darnold when USC and UCLA met late last season. Rosen is a good player, and he's going to be motivated. I wouldn't be shocked if he played early for Arizona, which has Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon signed to short-term deals.
Plus, the Cardinals jumped two spots to get in front of the Dolphins to take Rosen and only gave up extra third- and fifth-round picks.
Atlanta Falcons
Calvin Ridley at No. 26 is going to be a steal, and the Falcons are going to be a prolific offense -- again -- in 2018. The Alabama wide receiver dropped a little bit after the combine, but he's the best wideout in this class, and he already is a great route runner. Trust the tape on Ridley. And watch him and Julio Jones light up defenses.
Chicago Bears
I didn't think Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith would make it to No. 8; he had been trending up over the past few weeks, and I thought the Colts might take him at pick 6. He's going to be the leader of the Bears' defense, and he can be a great inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He's going to run sideline to sideline, and he's one of the best tacklers to come out of college in the past decade. I like that Chicago didn't overthink this one.
Denver Broncos
I never thought NC State pass-rusher Bradley Chubb was going to make it to the Broncos at No. 5. He's not a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense, but he's versatile. And now he gets to learn from Von Miller, one of the league's best edge defenders. Chubb is relentless, and he already has advanced pass-rushing moves. My best comp for Chubb throughout the process has been longtime Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake.
Washington Commanders
Washington gets a bump here for filling its biggest need with Alabama nose tackle Da'Ron Payne, who fell in the Commanders' lap at No. 13. I had given them Payne in a few mock drafts, and this pick just makes sense.
Question marks
Cleveland Browns
New Browns general manager John Dorsey is rolling the dice by taking Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 pick. Yes, we heard the buzz over the past few days; I even changed my final mock draft on Thursday morning. And we know Browns consultant Scot McCloughan, the former Commanders GM, thought Mayfield was the best QB in this draft. But I still thought Dorsey might take Darnold or Wyoming's Josh Allen, who were both higher on my board.
I know Dorsey saw Mayfield play in person in 2017, and I know Dorsey liked him after meeting with him. And listen, I like Mayfield as a player. But he's the No. 12 prospect on my board, and I don't like him as the first overall pick. He's not very big (6 feet, 215 pounds), and he played in a creative offense at Oklahoma in which pass-catchers were running open on every play. Now, Mayfield has an underrated arm, and he's the ultimate leader and competitor. But slow down on the Russell Wilson comps. Wilson has the athleticism of an NFL running back and a huge arm. These are distinct players.
As for the Browns' other choice -- they got the No. 4 overall pick from the Texans in the Deshaun Watson deal last year -- I would have gone with Bradley Chubb over Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. You put Chubb with Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah, and that's an elite edge-rushing trio. And pass-rushers help the secondary too. Ultimately, though, I don't blame Dorsey & Co. for filling a need, and Ward is the best true corner in this class.
New Orleans Saints
Maybe I didn't learn my lesson after I hated the Saints giving up a 2018 second-round pick to move up to take Alvin Kamara last year. (Hey, I did adjust my re-grades.) But giving up next year's first-round pick (plus the No. 27 pick and a fifth-rounder this year) to take a raw pass-rusher at pick 14 is too much. Texas-San Antonio's Marcus Davenport is a 6-foot-6, 264-pound athletic specimen, but he's going to need time to adjust to the NFL. New Orleans is clearly going for it in 2018, but Davenport can't be counted on to be an impact player as a rookie.
On the other side of this, new Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst's first draft move was to add a 2019 first-round pick. Not bad.
Seattle Seahawks
This is a head-scratching pick. Rashaad Penny in Round 1? The San Diego State running back is the No. 57 player on my Big Board. And look at the backs still on the board -- Derrius Guice (LSU), Sony Michel and Nick Chubb(Georgia). Even Ronald Jones III (USC) had a higher grade than Penny. If Seattle wanted a bell cow back, it could have done better. And what about defensive back or offensive line or edge rusher? I can't wrap my head around this one.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Virginia Tech's Terrell Edmunds was my eighth-ranked safety. Eighth. And the Steelers took him at No. 28 overall. There's no doubt that he's physically gifted like his brother, Tremaine, who went 12 spots ahead of him, but the tape doesn't show a first-round player. In fact, I thought he might be underrated as a versatile safety who could play in the slot. But that's when I thought he was more likely to go at the end of Day 2. This is another head-scratcher.
New York Giants
You should know my defining strategy if I were an NFL general manager: I'd NEVER take a running back in Round 1. Seriously. There's value on Day 2. So, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is a great player -- he's my No. 1 prospect in this class -- but I wouldn't have picked him at No. 2. Especially when Eli Manning is 37 years old and there's no real answer behind him. Sam Darnold was on the board, and that's who I would have picked. Now, watch Barkley win offensive rookie of the year. ...
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys reached at No. 19. They could have had Calvin Ridley, the top wide receiver in this draft. They could have had Alabama inside linebacker Rashaan Evans, the No. 23 player on my Big Board. Instead, they went with Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who had one great season and a great combine. Is he a one-year wonder? I ranked him No. 37 overall in this class. Sure, linebacker was one of the Cowboys' top needs, but this is a reach.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills moved up from No. 12 to No. 7 and gave up two second-round picks to get their quarterback of the future in Wyoming's Josh Allen. I like Allen -- he's a rare talent -- but Buffalo has too many holes to give up premium picks to move up five spots. This could turn out well if Allen isn't rushed into playing; Buffalo does have AJ McCarron as starter for 2018. Buffalo also moved up to take Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, giving up an extra third-round pick while swapping No. 22 for No. 16. Those are picks the Bills really needed.
Cincinnati Bengals
I had a late second-round grade on Ohio State center/guard Billy Price, whom the Bengals took at No. 21, but part of that is because Price got injured at the combine (torn pectoral). I just think Iowa's James Daniels is a better player, and he was still on the board.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2018/i...losers-mel-kiper-picks-question-marks-round-1
Baltimore Ravens
Ozzie Newsome's final draft in charge of the Ravens' front office went just how he likes it. He traded down twice (from No. 16 to No. 22 to No. 25) and ended up with a guy he likes. South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst was neck and neck with South Dakota State's Dallas Goedert for the top tight end in this class. Hurst is a complete player who takes pride in his blocking. He really impressed me with his maturity when I talked to him. That's a good fit for the Ravens, who have tried to improve their weapons around Joe Flacco.
And speaking of Flacco, Newsome had one more trade in him that puts the veteran quarterback on notice. Newsome dealt picks 52 and 125 -- plus a second-round pick in 2019 -- to move up to No. 32 to take Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, who now will have a fifth-year option, which is extremely important for quarterbacks. Flacco is 33 and is coming off a run of questionable seasons. He has one year left on his deal. Jackson isn't ready to push Flacco, but he gives them a tantalizing developmental option if Flacco has another clunker of a season.
Los Angeles Chargers
How did Florida State safety Derwin James make it to No. 17? With no top-tier nose tackles on the board there, general manager Tom Telesco didn't have to contemplate passing over the best player available for a need position. James is going to play immediately, and I think he'll be on my all-rookie team in 2018. I love this pick.
Arizona Cardinals
I know UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen has durability concerns, and he has battled some injuries. There also are questions -- fair or not -- about his leadership skills. Does he have that extra intangible to be the great quarterback he is capable of being? On the field, he's NFL-ready. He makes throws few quarterbacks can. And people forget that Rosen outplayed Sam Darnold when USC and UCLA met late last season. Rosen is a good player, and he's going to be motivated. I wouldn't be shocked if he played early for Arizona, which has Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon signed to short-term deals.
Plus, the Cardinals jumped two spots to get in front of the Dolphins to take Rosen and only gave up extra third- and fifth-round picks.
Atlanta Falcons
Calvin Ridley at No. 26 is going to be a steal, and the Falcons are going to be a prolific offense -- again -- in 2018. The Alabama wide receiver dropped a little bit after the combine, but he's the best wideout in this class, and he already is a great route runner. Trust the tape on Ridley. And watch him and Julio Jones light up defenses.
Chicago Bears
I didn't think Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith would make it to No. 8; he had been trending up over the past few weeks, and I thought the Colts might take him at pick 6. He's going to be the leader of the Bears' defense, and he can be a great inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He's going to run sideline to sideline, and he's one of the best tacklers to come out of college in the past decade. I like that Chicago didn't overthink this one.
Denver Broncos
I never thought NC State pass-rusher Bradley Chubb was going to make it to the Broncos at No. 5. He's not a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense, but he's versatile. And now he gets to learn from Von Miller, one of the league's best edge defenders. Chubb is relentless, and he already has advanced pass-rushing moves. My best comp for Chubb throughout the process has been longtime Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake.
Washington Commanders
Washington gets a bump here for filling its biggest need with Alabama nose tackle Da'Ron Payne, who fell in the Commanders' lap at No. 13. I had given them Payne in a few mock drafts, and this pick just makes sense.
Question marks
Cleveland Browns
New Browns general manager John Dorsey is rolling the dice by taking Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 pick. Yes, we heard the buzz over the past few days; I even changed my final mock draft on Thursday morning. And we know Browns consultant Scot McCloughan, the former Commanders GM, thought Mayfield was the best QB in this draft. But I still thought Dorsey might take Darnold or Wyoming's Josh Allen, who were both higher on my board.
I know Dorsey saw Mayfield play in person in 2017, and I know Dorsey liked him after meeting with him. And listen, I like Mayfield as a player. But he's the No. 12 prospect on my board, and I don't like him as the first overall pick. He's not very big (6 feet, 215 pounds), and he played in a creative offense at Oklahoma in which pass-catchers were running open on every play. Now, Mayfield has an underrated arm, and he's the ultimate leader and competitor. But slow down on the Russell Wilson comps. Wilson has the athleticism of an NFL running back and a huge arm. These are distinct players.
As for the Browns' other choice -- they got the No. 4 overall pick from the Texans in the Deshaun Watson deal last year -- I would have gone with Bradley Chubb over Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. You put Chubb with Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah, and that's an elite edge-rushing trio. And pass-rushers help the secondary too. Ultimately, though, I don't blame Dorsey & Co. for filling a need, and Ward is the best true corner in this class.
New Orleans Saints
Maybe I didn't learn my lesson after I hated the Saints giving up a 2018 second-round pick to move up to take Alvin Kamara last year. (Hey, I did adjust my re-grades.) But giving up next year's first-round pick (plus the No. 27 pick and a fifth-rounder this year) to take a raw pass-rusher at pick 14 is too much. Texas-San Antonio's Marcus Davenport is a 6-foot-6, 264-pound athletic specimen, but he's going to need time to adjust to the NFL. New Orleans is clearly going for it in 2018, but Davenport can't be counted on to be an impact player as a rookie.
On the other side of this, new Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst's first draft move was to add a 2019 first-round pick. Not bad.
Seattle Seahawks
This is a head-scratching pick. Rashaad Penny in Round 1? The San Diego State running back is the No. 57 player on my Big Board. And look at the backs still on the board -- Derrius Guice (LSU), Sony Michel and Nick Chubb(Georgia). Even Ronald Jones III (USC) had a higher grade than Penny. If Seattle wanted a bell cow back, it could have done better. And what about defensive back or offensive line or edge rusher? I can't wrap my head around this one.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Virginia Tech's Terrell Edmunds was my eighth-ranked safety. Eighth. And the Steelers took him at No. 28 overall. There's no doubt that he's physically gifted like his brother, Tremaine, who went 12 spots ahead of him, but the tape doesn't show a first-round player. In fact, I thought he might be underrated as a versatile safety who could play in the slot. But that's when I thought he was more likely to go at the end of Day 2. This is another head-scratcher.
New York Giants
You should know my defining strategy if I were an NFL general manager: I'd NEVER take a running back in Round 1. Seriously. There's value on Day 2. So, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is a great player -- he's my No. 1 prospect in this class -- but I wouldn't have picked him at No. 2. Especially when Eli Manning is 37 years old and there's no real answer behind him. Sam Darnold was on the board, and that's who I would have picked. Now, watch Barkley win offensive rookie of the year. ...
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys reached at No. 19. They could have had Calvin Ridley, the top wide receiver in this draft. They could have had Alabama inside linebacker Rashaan Evans, the No. 23 player on my Big Board. Instead, they went with Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who had one great season and a great combine. Is he a one-year wonder? I ranked him No. 37 overall in this class. Sure, linebacker was one of the Cowboys' top needs, but this is a reach.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills moved up from No. 12 to No. 7 and gave up two second-round picks to get their quarterback of the future in Wyoming's Josh Allen. I like Allen -- he's a rare talent -- but Buffalo has too many holes to give up premium picks to move up five spots. This could turn out well if Allen isn't rushed into playing; Buffalo does have AJ McCarron as starter for 2018. Buffalo also moved up to take Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, giving up an extra third-round pick while swapping No. 22 for No. 16. Those are picks the Bills really needed.
Cincinnati Bengals
I had a late second-round grade on Ohio State center/guard Billy Price, whom the Bengals took at No. 21, but part of that is because Price got injured at the combine (torn pectoral). I just think Iowa's James Daniels is a better player, and he was still on the board.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2018/i...losers-mel-kiper-picks-question-marks-round-1
