This is it for the NFL Draft
speculation as all our questions will be answered come 8pm Est. time today as
the real NFL Draft will get underway. Lots of smoke has been thrown out to
confuse and to gain leverage as team’s jock for position to select their
coveted player. ADF gives our final theories to where the next generation of
talent will reside. It shall be exciting to see how close we get.
Happy Draft Day!!!
ROUND 1
Cleveland Browns | Pick 1:
Sam Darnold (QB)
With recent rumors being pushed over the last few days
regarding the Browns interest in Mayfield and Allen leaves some believing
Darnold is out as the number one pick. ADF believes this is all smoke screen
and Cleveland will select the man they have been enamoured with since his pro
day. Darnold is going to be a Brown!
New York Giants | Pick 2:
Saquon Barkley (RB)
Amidst all the trade talk suggesting the Giants are
willing to trade down should be quashed on draft day as the price tag is far
too vast for any team to mortgage their future to jump to pick two. Dave
Gettleman will select Saquon Barkley to finally have a three-down franchise
runner in New York.
New York Jets | Pick 3:
Baker Mayfield (QB)
Baker to the Jets has been the consensus pick from ADF
throughout this process and nothing will change. Baker will become the new face
of the Jets as their future franchise quarterback.
Cleveland Browns | Pick 4:
Bradley Chubb (DE)
So much trade down speculation will be for not as the
price to move up will be far too great for any team to pull the trigger.
Cleveland will stand-pat and select the best pass rusher in the draft to team
up with Miles Garrett. Very nice start to the 2018 draft for the Browns at
picks one and four.
Denver Broncos | Pick 5:
Denzel Ward (DB)
Denver will give it their best shot to
move down the board but ultimately will stay at five understanding top tear
talent is far too difficult to find. Losing Aqib Talib will leave a glaring
hole in the once feared no-fly-zone prompting John Elway to recreate it for the
better with the drafts best cornerback. Chris Harris and Denzel Ward will form
a tandem like no other.
Buffalo Bills (Trade with IND) | Pick 6:
Josh Rosen (QB)
Buffalo will have to pay a price to climb the board
and jump into the sixth slot, but it shouldn’t be as expensive as jumping into
the top two of this draft. Brandon Beane’s soul objective is to get the Bills a
franchise quarterback once and for all. With this move Buffalo will draft Josh
Rosen whom is the most NFL ready passer in the draft to take the reins as the
future pivot.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Pick 7:
Derwin James (S)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will just sit and enjoy as they wait for
future all-star Derwin James to fall in their lap at pick seven. This is a
perfect need/fill for the Bucs while not compromising or reaching for potential
talent. James is as advertised and will become a true difference maker on this
defense.
Chicago Bears | Pick 8:
Quenton Nelson (G)
While ADF believes line backer could be
the play here, it will be very difficult for the Bears brain trust to pass up
on an impressive talent like Quenton Nelson. With their young quarterback
needing all the assistance to be successful, Nelson will provide the much
needed protection required to keep Trubisky upright on the regular.
San Francisco 49ers | Pick 9:
Tremaine Edmunds (LB)
ADF has eluded in our past mocks that we fully
understand the need for pass rushing assistance on this defense, but also
having a gaping hole with the Ruben Foster issue, now entertain stud Tremaine
Edmunds to help solve some of these problems. Edmunds is a beast and would
instantly solidify the 49ers middle of the defense. And by chance Foster comes
out clean from his legal issues; San Fran could have recreated a tandem as
scary as Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman.
Oakland Raiders | Pick 10:
Roquan Smith (LB)
Rounding out the top ten of the first round, the Oakland Raiders
will be over joyed to find themselves picking one of the better talents in this
draft in Roquan Smith. Teaming up with all-star Khalil Mack to form one of the
most dangerous pass rushing tandems in the league should make coach Gurden
over-joyed.
Arizona Cardinals (Trade with MIA) | Pick 11:
Josh Allen (QB)
The Cardinals will want to address their quarterback
situation to remove the Band-Aid approach that has been occurring for the last
several years with free agent quarterbacks. This situation for Josh Allen would
work perfectly as he could sit and learn behind Sam Bradford at least for one
season before he’s given the opportunity to run the show.
Indianapolis Colts (Trade with BUF) | Pick 12:
Mike McGlinchey (T)
In a trade down with the Buffalo Bills, the Colts will
get the twelfth and twenty second picks in the first round and will start by
selecting the best tackle in the pool. Shoring up their offensive line troubles
while collecting as much draft capital to rebuild this squad is their priority.
The Colts could turn things around rather quickly.
Washington Redskins | Pick 13:
Minkah Fitzpatrick (S)
While the Redskins struggled in stopping the run last
season, selecting a defensive tackle might be on the docket here. However,
having former Alabama product Minkah Fitzpatrick sitting there ripe for the
taking, it’s a no brainer. Teaming Fitzpatrick up with Josh Norman on the back
end will provide this defense a formable one-two punch.
Green Bay Packers | Pick 14:
Josh Jackson (DB)
As the Packers have been making headlines recently to
jump the board to select one of the better defensive backs in the draft, ADF
believes it won’t come to pass as the price tag will be far too great for Green
Bay to execute. Their consolation prise in selecting Josh Jackson isn’t
something to get upset about. Jackson will fill in as a day one starter and
help the Packers rebuild their back-end.
Miami Dolphins (Trade with ARZ) | Pick 15:
Vita Vea (DT)
Miami traded down in hopes to replace the gigantic
hole left when Ndamukong Suh was released by the club. Securing freak of nature
defensive tackle Vita Vea will help Miami’s defense with the transition of
trying to make this team an all-around better unit. Generating extra picks will
also help the cause.
Baltimore Ravens | Pick 16:
Harold Landry (DE)
The Baltimore Ravens are an interesting bunch at pick
sixteen as they could literally go in any direction. Since the Ozzie Newsome
and John Harbaugh tenue the first round has usually been dictated with picks to
help the strength of the club - the defense. The Ravens will select a great
pass rusher in Harold Landry to help keep the defense a dominating unit.
Los Angeles Chargers | Pick 17:
Leighton Vander Esch (LB)
While recent news has injury concerns potentially dropping
Vander Esch out of the first round and off some team boards all together, ADF
believes the Chargers will take a chance on the line backer. Shoring up the
middle of the defense will be a priority making this unit one to be feared in
2018.
Seattle Seahawks | Pick 18:
Jaire Alexander (DB)
Normally ADF would suggest that any team rebuilding
should start with either the offensive or defensive lines to get things going.
In this case for the Seahawks, they plainly have no viable cornerbacks to stop
the pass leaving all-star Earl Thomas to fend for himself. Not reaching the
six-foot mark would surly make some teams pass, but not coach Carroll.
Alexander would fit in like a glove in the Pacific North West.
Dallas Cowboys | Pick 19:
Courtland Sutton (WR)
While DJ Moore has been on team visits with the Dallas
Cowboys and the consensus has been that he could be on his way to Dallas, ADF
believes they will move in a different direction. Enter tall and powerful wide
receiver Courtland Sutton to Big-D. His size and catching ability is far too
impressive for the Cowboys to overlook. He will become a starter quickly in the
Cowboys offense.
Detroit Lions | Pick 20:
Marcus Davenport (DE)
ADF understands that the Lions have a great need at
the tight end position, but won’t be able to pass up on the raw talent of edge
rusher Marcus Davenport. This pick will make Ziggy Ansah breathe a breath of fresh
air to finally have a capable player on the line to remove double teams from
his side. Matt Patricia will begin to put a stamp on the defense with this
pick.
Cincinnati Bengals | Pick 21:
Calvin Ridley (WR)
Perhaps one of the bigger surprises of the draft will
be when the Bengals select Calvin Ridley to team up with all-star AJ Green. We
all understand the issues on the offensive line; however, getting a talent like
Ridley to act as the number two in this offense will be invaluable. With the draft
fairly deep in terms of offensive line (specifically Guard); ADF can easily see
the Bengals adding more offensive weapons to help this club get back on track.
Dalton, Mixon, Green, and Ridley look very scary on paper!
Indianapolis Colts (Trade with BUF) | Pick 22:
Derrius Guice (RB)
Coming back around to the Colts and their second pick
in the first round courtesy of the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis will address their
running back need with a potential star in Derrius Guice. Off field concerns
have Guice falling on some boards, but the Colts will be jumping for joy to
finally have a number one back that can help take pressure off of Andrew Luck.
New England Patriots | Pick 23:
Lamar Jackson (QB)
The Patriots could very well go offensive line here,
but seeing Lamar Jackson sitting at twenty three will force the hand of Bill
Belichick to bring the dynamic athlete to Boston. This situation will be the
most favorable for Jackson to get his feet wet in the NFL. Having the option to
sit behind Tom Brady learning the ins and outs of the game will be priceless to
his development. This will be the Pats succession plan.
Carolina Panthers | Pick 24:
Mike Gesicki (TE)
The Panthers are in desperate need of some play making
talent to round out this offense and keep them competitive. With Greg Olsen beginning
to pass his prime, adding a great talent like Mike Gesicki would be a perfect
fit for the Panthers. This pick would also allow Carolina to move into more two
tight end sets where both could be miss-match nightmares for opposing defenses.
ADF loves Gesicki to the Panthers at pick twenty four.
Tennessee Titans | Pick 25:
Rashaan
Evans (LB)
ADF had Evans to the Titans in their previous mock
drafts and will stand-pat and make the same selection. It’s been far too long
since Tennessee had a true middle line backer of this talent level to help
round out a unit that will definitely be on the rise in 2018. Teaming up with
the aging Wesley Woodyard would make this quite the stout group in the middle.
Atlanta Falcons | Pick 26:
Taven Bryan (DT)
ADF does believe that Atlanta could move to pick an
offensive weapon with this selection, but logical thinking would force the
Falcons to fill the need left by Dontari Poe. Coach Quinn will be smiling ear to
ear to have the super talented Taven Bryan part of the club. As a sidebar - ADF
won’t be surprised to see DJ Moore selected here also.
New Orleans Saints | Pick 27:
Carlton Davis (DB)
ADF had Carlton Davis going to the
Saints in previous mock drafts and will keep this pick the same for our final
addition. Davis has great size and his press coverage ability could be the best
in the draft class. The appeal for New Orleans in drafting Davis would give the
Saints something they haven’t had in their franchise’s history, a dominating
tandem at the defensive back position. Davis and Lattimore will be fantastic together
in a division full of great quarterbacks.
Pittsburgh Steelers | Pick 28:
Mason
Rudolph (QB)
Perhaps the shock of the first round will be made when the
Pittsburgh Steelers select Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement in Mason Rudolph.
Many have compared Mason to the likes of Big-Ben as their body frame looks
almost identical. This would be a fantastic solution for the future as Rudolph
could sit behind Roethlisberger learning the trade and becoming the next franchise
quarterback once Ben retires, which could be after this season. This will be a
very smart selection for the Steel-City.
Jacksonville Jaguars | Pick 29:
Isaiah Winn (G)
Depth will be the driving force for the Jacksonville
Jaguars at the bottom of the first round as they will get one of the better
tackle/guards in the entire draft. Opening up lanes for Leonard Fournette and
keeping Blake Bortles off the turf will go a long way for Jacksonville to make
it back to the AFC Championship game.
Minnesota Vikings | Pick 30:
Will Hernandez (G)
While Minnesota looks to be a true Super Bowl
contender from day one, they too will enjoy selecting players that will add to
the importance of adequate depth on the team. The Vikings offensive line was
vastly improved last season and will only become that much more dominate with a
true mauler like Will Hernandez.
New England Patriots | Pick 31:
Mike Hughes (DB)
The Patriots indeed have holes to fill this season and
one of those will be to find the replacement for the departed Malcolm Butler.
Mike Hughes looks like a Patriot even before he dons the uniform. Though Hughes
is a little under-sized for this make of NFL defensive backs these days; Mike
makes up for that with his physicality, ball hawking ability, and a direct understanding
of the game. Mike will be the perfect complement to Stephan Gilmore on this
defense.
Philadelphia Eagles | Pick 32:
Isaiah Oliver (DB)
This rich will continue to get richer as the Super Bowl
Champion Eagles will select a fantastic speedy cover corner in Isaiah Oliver.
He could instantly carve out a role for himself on this defense as his speed
will bail him out of situational mistakes while he stays step for step with
deep route receivers.
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