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Todd McShay's 2018 NFL draft buzz - Everything I'm hearing on top prospects, teams, picks by Todd McShay
With the 2018 NFL draft rapidly approaching, I've been making calls to my sources in the league to get a sense for when some of the big-name prospects could come off the board, players who are rising, where the quarterbacks will go and more.
I've compiled a bunch notes from those conversations below, including what I'm hearing from many top-10 teams.
Teams in top 10
Cleveland Browns (Picks 1 and 4) General manager John Dorsey is playing this one close to the vest. Every time I ask anyone I trust in the league, personnel directors and GMs don't know what the Browns are doing. I've heard from GMs further down the board that they've heard the pick at No. 1 will be QB Josh Allen, but they're not sure. The majority of reactions I've received are some form of: "I keep hearing Allen, and I'm surprised." It will be either Allen or Sam Darnold at No. 1.
At No. 4, the Browns will run the card up and take either Saquon Barkley or Bradley Chubb, from what I'm hearing. The question is only which one. If both are available, I'm not sure whom they prefer. Chubb would seem to make more sense to pair opposite Myles Garrett.
New York Giants (2) There is no indication at this point that the Giants are willing to move out of the No. 2 spot. If Allen does go No. 1, some people believe the Giants will take Darnold. I don't believe New York would take any other QB at No. 2.
Many people outside the organization have said to me, "Giants are taking, Chubb, right? It's the obvious pick." Inside the organization, anyone I've talked to who claims to know what's going on feels like the pick will be Barkley.
New York Jets (3) From what I understand, Darnold is their top choice if he's there. They've narrowed it to three QBs after moving up from No. 6. I'm not sure of the order after Darnold, but Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen are the other two QBs they're considering.
Denver Broncos (5) Denver has become really interesting. Early in the process in February, one of my sources said they had legitimate interest in Mayfield. After the Broncos signed Case Keenum, I kind of wrote it off. But someone recently pointed out that Gary Kubiak loves Keenum, and when you watch the tape, you see similarities between Keenum and Mayfield. Mayfield could come in as a backup, learn and develop into a starter down the road. If they don't take Mayfield (or he's off the board), I don't think they love anyone outside of Chubb. If it's not Mayfield and if Chubb is off the board, look for Denver to try to move down. This draft is loaded with Day 2 talent and the Broncos could look to fill a few holes on their roster with additional picks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7) It seems like they have narrowed in on Derwin James. James going to Tampa Bay seems like the worst-kept secret in the NFL right now.
Chicago Bears (8) They're in a good spot. If one of the four QBs is available here, this is probably when we'll see a QB-needy team (Buffalo, Arizona, etc.) move up. If not, Chicago needs a guard, CB and several other positions. The Bears could wind up with one of the top three players in this draft at No. 8 if Nelson is the pick.
Oakland Raiders (10) The name I keep hearing is Roquan Smith, but I think it's highly likely he's gone by this point. Two other names I've heard are Tremaine Edmunds and Vita Vea, but remember: Jon Gruden is back in charge, and it's his first draft. There could always be a last-minute change.
Buffalo Bills (12, 22) Buffalo is trying to move up. I feel very confident in saying if the Bills can't move up to get the QB they want, it won't be from a lack of trying.
Arizona Cardinals (15) They've been really quiet throughout this process, but it won't surprise me a bit if they deal up for a QB. I know there's some love for Allen and some love for Mayfield in that building.
New England Patriots (23, 31) If you've heard anything, let me know. True to form, I've gotten nothing of substance about their draft.
Players
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
I've thought for a while that he would go in the first round, but now I feel stronger than ever that will be the case. I just don't know which team. The four teams I'm hearing are most likely, based on their creative thinking and offensive minds: Jacksonville, New Orleans, New England and Pittsburgh.
Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
Multiple teams have asked me about him. On tape, he's a top-15 or top-20 pick (he's my 18th-ranked prospect), but teams are trying to sort through some off-field baggage. He's a player with a wide range in selection, probably from 20 to 40, but it has nothing to do with his talent on the field.
The three likely first-round wide receivers I hear are Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore and Courtland Sutton. Ridley is the best route runner, Moore is great after the catch and Sutton will likely go Day 1 because he's 6-foot-4 and ran well.
If there's going to be a second RB in Round 1, Sony Michel has the best chance. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Barkley, and then the next two backs were from Georgia. There are more questions surrounding Derrius Guice and Ronald Jones II than there were at the end of the season. Best guess is Guice won't be in Round 1, and Jones won't be one of the top three RBs off the board.
It's not a draft full of elite talent along the offensive line, but teams are keenly aware there will be a run -- and when the run happens, the talent remaining will be ugly.
Offensive linemen I'm hearing are likely to go in Round 1:
OT: Nelson, Mike McGlinchey, Kolton Miller
OC/OG: James Daniels, Connor Williams
With the 2018 NFL draft rapidly approaching, I've been making calls to my sources in the league to get a sense for when some of the big-name prospects could come off the board, players who are rising, where the quarterbacks will go and more.
I've compiled a bunch notes from those conversations below, including what I'm hearing from many top-10 teams.
Teams in top 10
Cleveland Browns (Picks 1 and 4) General manager John Dorsey is playing this one close to the vest. Every time I ask anyone I trust in the league, personnel directors and GMs don't know what the Browns are doing. I've heard from GMs further down the board that they've heard the pick at No. 1 will be QB Josh Allen, but they're not sure. The majority of reactions I've received are some form of: "I keep hearing Allen, and I'm surprised." It will be either Allen or Sam Darnold at No. 1.
At No. 4, the Browns will run the card up and take either Saquon Barkley or Bradley Chubb, from what I'm hearing. The question is only which one. If both are available, I'm not sure whom they prefer. Chubb would seem to make more sense to pair opposite Myles Garrett.
New York Giants (2) There is no indication at this point that the Giants are willing to move out of the No. 2 spot. If Allen does go No. 1, some people believe the Giants will take Darnold. I don't believe New York would take any other QB at No. 2.
Many people outside the organization have said to me, "Giants are taking, Chubb, right? It's the obvious pick." Inside the organization, anyone I've talked to who claims to know what's going on feels like the pick will be Barkley.
New York Jets (3) From what I understand, Darnold is their top choice if he's there. They've narrowed it to three QBs after moving up from No. 6. I'm not sure of the order after Darnold, but Baker Mayfield and Josh Rosen are the other two QBs they're considering.
Denver Broncos (5) Denver has become really interesting. Early in the process in February, one of my sources said they had legitimate interest in Mayfield. After the Broncos signed Case Keenum, I kind of wrote it off. But someone recently pointed out that Gary Kubiak loves Keenum, and when you watch the tape, you see similarities between Keenum and Mayfield. Mayfield could come in as a backup, learn and develop into a starter down the road. If they don't take Mayfield (or he's off the board), I don't think they love anyone outside of Chubb. If it's not Mayfield and if Chubb is off the board, look for Denver to try to move down. This draft is loaded with Day 2 talent and the Broncos could look to fill a few holes on their roster with additional picks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7) It seems like they have narrowed in on Derwin James. James going to Tampa Bay seems like the worst-kept secret in the NFL right now.
Chicago Bears (8) They're in a good spot. If one of the four QBs is available here, this is probably when we'll see a QB-needy team (Buffalo, Arizona, etc.) move up. If not, Chicago needs a guard, CB and several other positions. The Bears could wind up with one of the top three players in this draft at No. 8 if Nelson is the pick.
Oakland Raiders (10) The name I keep hearing is Roquan Smith, but I think it's highly likely he's gone by this point. Two other names I've heard are Tremaine Edmunds and Vita Vea, but remember: Jon Gruden is back in charge, and it's his first draft. There could always be a last-minute change.
Buffalo Bills (12, 22) Buffalo is trying to move up. I feel very confident in saying if the Bills can't move up to get the QB they want, it won't be from a lack of trying.
Arizona Cardinals (15) They've been really quiet throughout this process, but it won't surprise me a bit if they deal up for a QB. I know there's some love for Allen and some love for Mayfield in that building.
New England Patriots (23, 31) If you've heard anything, let me know. True to form, I've gotten nothing of substance about their draft.
Players
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
I've thought for a while that he would go in the first round, but now I feel stronger than ever that will be the case. I just don't know which team. The four teams I'm hearing are most likely, based on their creative thinking and offensive minds: Jacksonville, New Orleans, New England and Pittsburgh.
Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
Multiple teams have asked me about him. On tape, he's a top-15 or top-20 pick (he's my 18th-ranked prospect), but teams are trying to sort through some off-field baggage. He's a player with a wide range in selection, probably from 20 to 40, but it has nothing to do with his talent on the field.
The three likely first-round wide receivers I hear are Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore and Courtland Sutton. Ridley is the best route runner, Moore is great after the catch and Sutton will likely go Day 1 because he's 6-foot-4 and ran well.
If there's going to be a second RB in Round 1, Sony Michel has the best chance. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it was Barkley, and then the next two backs were from Georgia. There are more questions surrounding Derrius Guice and Ronald Jones II than there were at the end of the season. Best guess is Guice won't be in Round 1, and Jones won't be one of the top three RBs off the board.
It's not a draft full of elite talent along the offensive line, but teams are keenly aware there will be a run -- and when the run happens, the talent remaining will be ugly.
Offensive linemen I'm hearing are likely to go in Round 1:
OT: Nelson, Mike McGlinchey, Kolton Miller
OC/OG: James Daniels, Connor Williams
- Don't be surprised if Geron Christian and Orlando Brown are gone by the end of Round 2, because O-line talent drops off severely after them.
- Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA: Picks 14-23
- Taven Bryan, DT, Florida: Some mixed opinions. Likely a late-Day 1 or early-Day 2 pick.
- Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia: A potential first- or early-second-round pick, but multiple teams are looking into a durability issue. Nothing major, but could cause him to slip in the second.
- Mo Hurst, DT, Michigan: Because of the nature of his heart condition, several teams have taken him off their board. It's a risk-reward issue, but he could fall into Day 3.
- Rasheem Green, DE, USC: More durability issues than I was aware of early on.
