Biggest Winners: Denver Broncos
Despite their struggles in 2017, it was pretty apparent that the Broncos were a team that needed to be retooled, not rebuilt and John Elway's moves in the draft reflected that line of thinking. Elway's strategy was a nice combination of addressing needs (running back Royce Freeman, inside linebacker Josey Jewell, tight end Troy Fumagalli) and adding depth/youth at their position of strengths (edge rusher Bradley Chubb, wide receivers Cortland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton, cornerback Isaac Yiadom)-all while consistently getting good value throughout the draft. He also deserves credit for not feeling pressured to take a quarterback with the 5th overall pick, despite their abundance of woes at the position over the past 2 seasons. Free agent acquisition Case Keenum deserves a shot to prove his solid 2017 season with the Vikings wasn't a fluke and a well-rounded front 7 player like Chubb is a surer bet to help them get back on track after a miserable 5-11 2017 campaign than any of the QB's remaining on the board would've been.
Honorable Mentions: Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Chicago Bears
Biggest Losers: Buffalo Bills
The Bills shocked the football world in 2017 by clinching their 1st playoff berth in 18 years. In his inaugural draft as the front office's shot caller, GM Brandon Beane did everything in his power to ensure it will be another 18 before they get back. While they made a couple of nice value picks (defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, guard Wyatt Teller) in the middle rounds, the rest of their draft was a head-scratching clusterfuck. Beane kicked things off with a bang by trading ahead of 3 teams that have their quarterback situations for at least the immediate future nailed down (Bears, 49ers, Raiders) to take 1x 2nd Team All-Mountain West selection Josh Allen, who surely won't be the next Jamarcus Russell or Josh Freeman, 7th overall. Naturally, he followed up that baffling move by using the team's other 1st round pick to trade up to #16 and take another wildly unpolished prospect in Virginia Tech inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Day 3 didn't offer much solace from this unnecessary dice roll extravaganza as they spent most of their remaining resources on defensive backs from D1-A schools (Taron Johnson, Siran Neal) and receivers (Ray-Ray McCloud,Austin Proehl) who slipped through the cracks at ACC powerhouse programs. Those beautiful degenerate bastards in Bills Mafia deserve better than this and if I were a diehard fan of this seemingly cursed organization, I'd be livid with these drastic, poorly thought-out moves.
Dishonorable Mentions: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders
Best Value Pick: Derwin James, safety (Selected 17th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers)
As I mentioned in my Mock Draft piece last week, every year has a player that slides for no legitimate reason at all. In 2018, that man was Derwin James. The Florida State product has the versatility, instincts and coverage skills to potentially be a godsend for a Chargers secondary that is a playmaking safety away from being an elite unit.
Honorable Mentions: Josh Jackson, cornerback (Selected 45th overall by the Green Bay Packers), Connor Williams, tackle/guard (Selected 50th overall by the Dallas Cowboys), Will Hernandez, guard (Selected 34th overall by the New York Giants)
Worst Value Pick: Josh Allen, quarterback (Selected 7th overall by the Buffalo Bills)
Spending a top 10 pick on a quarterback that boasts as many on-field red flags as Allen is downright reckless. If you look past his ability to throw a ball 10,000 yards through the air, you'd see a guy that struggled with accuracy, decisionmaking and consistency at the University of Wyoming, which isn't exactly a powerhouse in the world of college football. I'll be stunned if the contingent of Bills fans that were calling for Tyrod Taylor's head over the last few seasons aren't wishing he was still under center by mid-October when Allen has repeatedly skied the ball over the heads of his receivers and yacked all over his cleats in crunchtime situations.
Dishonorable Mentions: Kolton Miller, tackle (Selected 15th overall by the Oakland Raiders), Tremaine Edmunds, inside linebacker (Selected 16th overall by the Buffalo Bills), Terrell Edmunds, safety (Selected 30th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers)
10 Biggest Sleepers:
1.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, edge rusher (Selected 160th overall by the Los Angeles Rams)
2.Tyrell Crosby, tackle/guard (Selected 153rd overall by the Detroit Lions)
3.Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (Selected 106th overall by the Denver Broncos)
4.Nick Nelson, cornerback (Selected 110th overall by the Oakland Raiders)
5.Equanemious St.Brown, wide receiver (Selected 207th overall by the Green Bay Packers)
6.Duke Ejiofor, edge rusher (Selected 177th overall by the Houston Texans)
7.Tim Settle, defensive tackle (Selected 163rd overall by the Washington Redskins)
8.Wyatt Teller, guard (Selected 166th overall by the Buffalo Bills)
9.Parry Nickerson, cornerback (Selected 179th overall by the New York Jets)
10.DeShon Elliott, safety (Selected 190th overall by the Baltimore Ravens)
10 Biggest Potential Busts:
1.Josh Allen, quarterback (Selected 7th overall by the Buffalo Bills)
2.Tremaine Edmunds, inside linebacker (Selected 16th overall by the Buffalo Bills)
3.Terrell Edmunds, safety (Selected 30th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers)
4.Kolton Miller, tackle (Selected 15th overall by the Oakland Raiders)
5.Hayden Hurst, tight end (Selected 25th overall by the Baltimore Ravens)
6.Dante Pettis, wide receiver (Selected 44th overall by the San Francisco 49ers)
7.Darius Leonard, linebacker (Selected 36th overall by the Indianapolis Colts)
8.Breeland Speaks, edge rusher (Selected 46th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs)
9.Christian Kirk, wide receiver (Selected 47th overall by the Arizona Cardinals)
10.Duke Dawson, cornerback (Selected 56th overall by the New England Patriots)
Overall Grades:
(Full draft classes can be found here: www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000930225/article/2018-nfl-draft-final-quicksnap-grades-for-all-32-teams)
Arizona Cardinals: B
Atlanta Falcons: B
Baltimore Ravens: B+
Buffalo Bills: D+
Carolina Panthers: B
Chicago Bears: A-
Cincinnati Bengals: B+
Cleveland Browns: B+
Dallas Cowboys: B+
Denver Broncos: A
Detroit Lions: B
Green Bay Packers: A
Houston Texans: B+
Indianapolis Colts: B-
Jacksonville Jaguars: B+
Kansas City Chiefs: C+
Los Angeles Chargers: B
Los Angeles Rams: B
Miami Dolphins: B+
Minnesota Vikings: B-
New England Patriots: B
New Orleans Saints: B-
New York Giants: A-
New York Jets: B
Oakland Raiders: C+
Philadelphia Eagles: B
Pittsburgh Steelers: B
San Francisco 49ers: C
Seattle Seahawks: B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+
Tennessee Titans: B
Washington Redskins: B
Monday, April 30, 2018
Sunday, April 29, 2018
2018 NFL Draft: Top 50 Overall Prospects+5 Best Players at Each Position (Updated with NFL Landing Spots)
Overall Prospects:
1.Saquon Barkley, running back (Penn State) Selected 2nd overall by the New York Giants
2.Quenton Nelson, guard (Notre Dame) Selected 6th overall by the Indianapolis Colts
3.Roquan Smith, inside linebacker (Georgia) Selected 8th overall by the Chicago Bears
4.Denzel Ward, cornerback (Ohio State) Selected 4th overall by the Cleveland Browns
5.Derwin James, safety (Florida State) Selected 17th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers
6.Bradley Chubb, edge rusher (NC State) Selected 5th overall by the Denver Broncos
7.Vita Vea, defensive tackle (Washington) Selected 12th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8.Mike McGlinchey, tackle (Notre Dame) Selected 9th overall by the San Francisco 49ers
9.Josh Jackson, cornerback (Iowa) Selected 45th overall by the Green Bay Packers
10.Frank Ragnow, center (Arkansas) Selected 20th overall by the Detroit Lions
11.Sam Darnold, quarterback (USC) Selected 3rd overall by the New York Jets
12.Baker Mayfield, quarterback (Oklahoma) Selected 1st overall by the Cleveland Browns
13.Jaire Alexander, cornerback (Louisville) Selected 18th overall by the Green Bay Packers
14.Isaiah Wynn, guard/tackle (Georgia) Selected 23rd overall by the New England Patriots
15.Connor Williams, tackle/guard (Texas) Selected 50th overall by the Dallas Cowboys
16.Derrius Guice, running back (LSU) Selected 59th overall by the Washington Redskins
17.Josh Rosen, quarterback (UCLA) Selected 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals
18.Marcus Davenport, edge rusher (Texas San-Antonio) Selected 14th overall by the New Orleans Saints
19.Will Hernandez, guard (UTEP) Selected 34th overall by the New York Giants
20.Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety/cornerback (Alabama) Selected 11th overall by the Miami Dolphins
21.Dallas Goedert, tight end (South Dakota State) Selected 49th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles
22.Cortland Sutton, wide receiver (SMU) Selected 40th overall by the Denver Broncos
23.Nick Chubb, running back (Georgia) Selected 35th overall by the Cleveland Browns
24.Harold Landry, edge rusher (Boston College) Selected 41st overall by the Tennessee Titans
25.Taven Bryan, defensive tackle (Florida) Selected 29th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars
26.Donte Jackson, cornerback (LSU) Selected 55th overall by the Carolina Panthers
27.Ronald Jones, running back (USC) Selected 38th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
28.Isaiah Oliver, cornerback (Colorado) Selected 58th overall by the Atlanta Falcons
29.Ronnie Harrison, safety (Alabama) Selected 93rd overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars
30.Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle (Michigan) Selected 140th overall by the Oakland Raiders
31.Billy Price, center/guard (Ohio State) Selected 21st overall by the Cincinnati Bengals
32.Mike Gesicki, tight end (Penn State) Selected 42nd overall by the Miami Dolphins
33.Da'Ron Payne, defensive tackle (Alabama) Selected 13th overall by the Washington Redskins
34.Mike Hughes, cornerback (UCF) Selected 30th overall by the Minnesota Vikings
35.Calvin Ridley, wide receiver (Alabama) Selected 26th overall by the Atlanta Falcons
36.James Washington, wide receiver (Oklahoma State) Selected 60th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers
37.Leighton Vander Esch, inside linebacker (Boise State) Selected 19th overall by the Dallas Cowboys
38.Jessie Bates, safety (Wake Forest) Selected 54th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals
39.Sony Michel, running back (Georgia) Selected 31st overall by the New England Patriots
40.Rashaan Evans, inside linebacker (Alabama) Selected 22nd overall by the Tennessee Titans
41.Mason Rudolph, quarterback (Oklahoma State) Selected 76th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers
42.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, edge rusher (Oklahoma) Selected 160th overall by the Los Angeles Rams
43.Anthony Miller, wide receiver (Memphis) Selected 51st overall by the Chicago Bears
44.Rashaad Penny, running back (San Diego State) Selected 27th overall by the Seattle Seahawks
45.D.J. Moore, wide receiver (Maryland) Selected 24th overall by the Carolina Panthers
46.James Daniels, center (Iowa) Selected 39th overall by the Chicago Bears
47.Tyrell Crosby, tackle/guard (Oregon) Selected 153rd overall by the Detroit Lions
48.Mark Andrews, tight end (Oklahoma) Selected 86th overall by the Baltimore Ravens
49.Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (Iowa) Selected 106th overall by the Denver Broncos
50.Justin Reid, safety (Stanford) Selected 68th overall by the Houston Texans
Top 5 Prospects by Position:
Quarterback:
1.Sam Darnold (USC) NFL team: New York Jets
2.Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) NFL team: Cleveland Browns
3.Josh Rosen (UCLA) NFL team: Arizona Cardinals
4.Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) NFL team: Pittsburgh Steelers
5.Lamar Jackson (Louisville) NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
Running Back:
1.Saquon Barkley (Penn State) NFL team: New York Giants
2.Derrius Guice (LSU) NFL team: Washington Redskins
3.Nick Chubb (Georgia) NFL team: Cleveland Browns
4.Ronald Jones (USC) NFL team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5.Sony Michel (Georgia) NFL team: New England Patriots
Wide Receiver:
1.Cortland Sutton (SMU) NFL team: Denver Broncos
2.Calvin Ridley (Alabama) NFL team: Atlanta Falcons
3.James Washington (Oklahoma State) NFL team: Pittsburgh Steelers
4.Anthony Miller (Memphis) NFL team: Chicago Bears
5.D.J. Moore (Maryland) NFL team: Carolina Panthers
Tight End:
1.Dallas Goedert (South Dakota State) NFL team: Philadelphia Eagles
2.Mike Gesicki (Penn State) NFL team: Miami Dolphins
3.Mark Andrews (Oklahoma) NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
4.Hayden Hurst (South Carolina) NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
5.Chris Herndon (Miami) NFL team: New York Jets
Tackle:
1.Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame) NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
2.Connor Williams (Texas) NFL team: Dallas Cowboys
3.Tyrell Crosby (Oregon) NFL team: Detroit Lions
4.Kolton Miller (UCLA) NFL team: Oakland Raiders
5.Jamarco Jones (Ohio State) NFL team: Seattle Seahawks
Guard:
1.Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
2.Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) NFL team: New England Patriots
3.Will Hernandez (UTEP) NFL team: New York Giants
4.Braden Smith (Auburn) NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
5.Wyatt Teller (Virginia Tech) NFL team: Buffalo Bills
Center:
1.Frank Ragnow (Arkansas) NFL team: Detroit Lions
2.Billy Price (Ohio State) NFL team: Cincinnati Bengals
3.James Daniels (Iowa) NFL team: Chicago Bears
4.Austin Corbett (Nevada) NFL team: Cleveland Browns
5.Will Clapp (LSU) NFL team: New Orleans Saints
Edge Rusher:
1.Bradley Chubb (NC State) NFL team: Denver Broncos
2.Marcus Davenport (Texas San-Antonio) NFL team: New Orleans Saints
3.Harold Landry (Boston College) NFL team: Tennessee Titans
4.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma) NFL team: Los Angeles Rams
5.Sam Hubbard (Ohio State) NFL team: Cincinnati Bengals
Defensive Tackle:
1.Vita Vea (Washington) NFL team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2.Taven Bryan (Florida) NFL team: Jacksonville Jaguars
3.Maurice Hurst (Michigan) NFL team: Oakland Raiders
4.Da'Ron Payne (Alabama) NFL team: Washington Redskins
5.Harrison Phillips (Stanford) NFL team: Buffalo Bills
Inside Linebacker:
1.Roquan Smith (Georgia) NFL team: Chicago Bears
2.Leighton Vander Esch (Boise State) NFL team: Dallas Cowboys
3.Rashaan Evans (Alabama) NFL team: Tennessee Titans
4.Josey Jewell (Iowa) NFL team: Denver Broncos
5.Oren Burks (Vanderbilt) NFL team: Green Bay Packers
Cornerback:
1.Denzel Ward (Ohio State) NFL team: Cleveland Browns
2.Josh Jackson (Iowa) NFL team: Green Bay Packers
3.Jaire Alexander (Louisville) NFL team: Green Bay Packers
4.Donte Jackson (LSU) NFL team: Carolina Panthers
5.Isaiah Oliver (Colorado) NFL team: Atlanta Falcons
Safety:
1.Derwin James (Florida State) NFL team: Los Angeles Chargers
2.Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) NFL team: Miami Dolphins
3.Ronnie Harrison (Alabama) NFL team: Jacksonville Jaguars
4.Jessie Bates (Wake Forest) NFL team: Cincinnati Bengals
5.Justin Reid (Stanford) NFL team: Houston Texans
1.Saquon Barkley, running back (Penn State) Selected 2nd overall by the New York Giants
2.Quenton Nelson, guard (Notre Dame) Selected 6th overall by the Indianapolis Colts
3.Roquan Smith, inside linebacker (Georgia) Selected 8th overall by the Chicago Bears
4.Denzel Ward, cornerback (Ohio State) Selected 4th overall by the Cleveland Browns
5.Derwin James, safety (Florida State) Selected 17th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers
6.Bradley Chubb, edge rusher (NC State) Selected 5th overall by the Denver Broncos
7.Vita Vea, defensive tackle (Washington) Selected 12th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8.Mike McGlinchey, tackle (Notre Dame) Selected 9th overall by the San Francisco 49ers
9.Josh Jackson, cornerback (Iowa) Selected 45th overall by the Green Bay Packers
10.Frank Ragnow, center (Arkansas) Selected 20th overall by the Detroit Lions
11.Sam Darnold, quarterback (USC) Selected 3rd overall by the New York Jets
12.Baker Mayfield, quarterback (Oklahoma) Selected 1st overall by the Cleveland Browns
13.Jaire Alexander, cornerback (Louisville) Selected 18th overall by the Green Bay Packers
14.Isaiah Wynn, guard/tackle (Georgia) Selected 23rd overall by the New England Patriots
15.Connor Williams, tackle/guard (Texas) Selected 50th overall by the Dallas Cowboys
16.Derrius Guice, running back (LSU) Selected 59th overall by the Washington Redskins
17.Josh Rosen, quarterback (UCLA) Selected 10th overall by the Arizona Cardinals
18.Marcus Davenport, edge rusher (Texas San-Antonio) Selected 14th overall by the New Orleans Saints
19.Will Hernandez, guard (UTEP) Selected 34th overall by the New York Giants
20.Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety/cornerback (Alabama) Selected 11th overall by the Miami Dolphins
21.Dallas Goedert, tight end (South Dakota State) Selected 49th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles
22.Cortland Sutton, wide receiver (SMU) Selected 40th overall by the Denver Broncos
23.Nick Chubb, running back (Georgia) Selected 35th overall by the Cleveland Browns
24.Harold Landry, edge rusher (Boston College) Selected 41st overall by the Tennessee Titans
25.Taven Bryan, defensive tackle (Florida) Selected 29th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars
26.Donte Jackson, cornerback (LSU) Selected 55th overall by the Carolina Panthers
27.Ronald Jones, running back (USC) Selected 38th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
28.Isaiah Oliver, cornerback (Colorado) Selected 58th overall by the Atlanta Falcons
29.Ronnie Harrison, safety (Alabama) Selected 93rd overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars
30.Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle (Michigan) Selected 140th overall by the Oakland Raiders
31.Billy Price, center/guard (Ohio State) Selected 21st overall by the Cincinnati Bengals
32.Mike Gesicki, tight end (Penn State) Selected 42nd overall by the Miami Dolphins
33.Da'Ron Payne, defensive tackle (Alabama) Selected 13th overall by the Washington Redskins
34.Mike Hughes, cornerback (UCF) Selected 30th overall by the Minnesota Vikings
35.Calvin Ridley, wide receiver (Alabama) Selected 26th overall by the Atlanta Falcons
36.James Washington, wide receiver (Oklahoma State) Selected 60th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers
37.Leighton Vander Esch, inside linebacker (Boise State) Selected 19th overall by the Dallas Cowboys
38.Jessie Bates, safety (Wake Forest) Selected 54th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals
39.Sony Michel, running back (Georgia) Selected 31st overall by the New England Patriots
40.Rashaan Evans, inside linebacker (Alabama) Selected 22nd overall by the Tennessee Titans
41.Mason Rudolph, quarterback (Oklahoma State) Selected 76th overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers
42.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, edge rusher (Oklahoma) Selected 160th overall by the Los Angeles Rams
43.Anthony Miller, wide receiver (Memphis) Selected 51st overall by the Chicago Bears
44.Rashaad Penny, running back (San Diego State) Selected 27th overall by the Seattle Seahawks
45.D.J. Moore, wide receiver (Maryland) Selected 24th overall by the Carolina Panthers
46.James Daniels, center (Iowa) Selected 39th overall by the Chicago Bears
47.Tyrell Crosby, tackle/guard (Oregon) Selected 153rd overall by the Detroit Lions
48.Mark Andrews, tight end (Oklahoma) Selected 86th overall by the Baltimore Ravens
49.Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (Iowa) Selected 106th overall by the Denver Broncos
50.Justin Reid, safety (Stanford) Selected 68th overall by the Houston Texans
Top 5 Prospects by Position:
Quarterback:
1.Sam Darnold (USC) NFL team: New York Jets
2.Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) NFL team: Cleveland Browns
3.Josh Rosen (UCLA) NFL team: Arizona Cardinals
4.Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) NFL team: Pittsburgh Steelers
5.Lamar Jackson (Louisville) NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
Running Back:
1.Saquon Barkley (Penn State) NFL team: New York Giants
2.Derrius Guice (LSU) NFL team: Washington Redskins
3.Nick Chubb (Georgia) NFL team: Cleveland Browns
4.Ronald Jones (USC) NFL team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5.Sony Michel (Georgia) NFL team: New England Patriots
Wide Receiver:
1.Cortland Sutton (SMU) NFL team: Denver Broncos
2.Calvin Ridley (Alabama) NFL team: Atlanta Falcons
3.James Washington (Oklahoma State) NFL team: Pittsburgh Steelers
4.Anthony Miller (Memphis) NFL team: Chicago Bears
5.D.J. Moore (Maryland) NFL team: Carolina Panthers
Tight End:
1.Dallas Goedert (South Dakota State) NFL team: Philadelphia Eagles
2.Mike Gesicki (Penn State) NFL team: Miami Dolphins
3.Mark Andrews (Oklahoma) NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
4.Hayden Hurst (South Carolina) NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
5.Chris Herndon (Miami) NFL team: New York Jets
Tackle:
1.Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame) NFL team: San Francisco 49ers
2.Connor Williams (Texas) NFL team: Dallas Cowboys
3.Tyrell Crosby (Oregon) NFL team: Detroit Lions
4.Kolton Miller (UCLA) NFL team: Oakland Raiders
5.Jamarco Jones (Ohio State) NFL team: Seattle Seahawks
Guard:
1.Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame) NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
2.Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) NFL team: New England Patriots
3.Will Hernandez (UTEP) NFL team: New York Giants
4.Braden Smith (Auburn) NFL team: Indianapolis Colts
5.Wyatt Teller (Virginia Tech) NFL team: Buffalo Bills
Center:
1.Frank Ragnow (Arkansas) NFL team: Detroit Lions
2.Billy Price (Ohio State) NFL team: Cincinnati Bengals
3.James Daniels (Iowa) NFL team: Chicago Bears
4.Austin Corbett (Nevada) NFL team: Cleveland Browns
5.Will Clapp (LSU) NFL team: New Orleans Saints
Edge Rusher:
1.Bradley Chubb (NC State) NFL team: Denver Broncos
2.Marcus Davenport (Texas San-Antonio) NFL team: New Orleans Saints
3.Harold Landry (Boston College) NFL team: Tennessee Titans
4.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma) NFL team: Los Angeles Rams
5.Sam Hubbard (Ohio State) NFL team: Cincinnati Bengals
Defensive Tackle:
1.Vita Vea (Washington) NFL team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2.Taven Bryan (Florida) NFL team: Jacksonville Jaguars
3.Maurice Hurst (Michigan) NFL team: Oakland Raiders
4.Da'Ron Payne (Alabama) NFL team: Washington Redskins
5.Harrison Phillips (Stanford) NFL team: Buffalo Bills
Inside Linebacker:
1.Roquan Smith (Georgia) NFL team: Chicago Bears
2.Leighton Vander Esch (Boise State) NFL team: Dallas Cowboys
3.Rashaan Evans (Alabama) NFL team: Tennessee Titans
4.Josey Jewell (Iowa) NFL team: Denver Broncos
5.Oren Burks (Vanderbilt) NFL team: Green Bay Packers
Cornerback:
1.Denzel Ward (Ohio State) NFL team: Cleveland Browns
2.Josh Jackson (Iowa) NFL team: Green Bay Packers
3.Jaire Alexander (Louisville) NFL team: Green Bay Packers
4.Donte Jackson (LSU) NFL team: Carolina Panthers
5.Isaiah Oliver (Colorado) NFL team: Atlanta Falcons
Safety:
1.Derwin James (Florida State) NFL team: Los Angeles Chargers
2.Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) NFL team: Miami Dolphins
3.Ronnie Harrison (Alabama) NFL team: Jacksonville Jaguars
4.Jessie Bates (Wake Forest) NFL team: Cincinnati Bengals
5.Justin Reid (Stanford) NFL team: Houston Texans
Saturday, April 28, 2018
2018 NFL Draft: 25 Best Day 3 Prospects
1.Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle (Michigan)
2.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, edge rusher (Oklahoma)
3.Equanimeous St.Brown, wide receiver (Notre Dame)
4.Tyrell Crosby, tackle (Oregon)
5.Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (Iowa)
6.Duke Ejiofor, edge rusher (Wake Forest)
7.Nick Nelson, cornerback (Wisconsin)
8.Jamarco Jones, tackle (Ohio State)
9.Tim Settle, defensive tackle (Virginia Tech)
10.Skai Moore, inside linebacker (South Carolina)
11.Will Clapp, center/guard (LSU)
12.Da'Shawn Hand, edge rusher (Alabama)
13.Kyzir White, safety (West Virginia)
14.Wyatt Teller, guard (Virginia Tech)
15.Kyle Lauletta, quarterback (Richmond)
16.Parry Nickerson, cornerback (Tulane)
17.Quin Blanding, safety (Virginia)
18.Marcell Ateman, wide receiver (Oklahoma State)
19.Chris Herndon, tight end (Miami)
20.Greg Stroman, cornerback (Virginia Tech)
21.Mark Walton, running back (Miami)
22.Hercules Mata'afa, edge rusher (Washington State)
23.Troy Fumagalli, tight end (Wisconsin)
24.Mike White, quarterback (Western Kentucky)
25.Damon Webb, safety (Ohio State)
2.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, edge rusher (Oklahoma)
3.Equanimeous St.Brown, wide receiver (Notre Dame)
4.Tyrell Crosby, tackle (Oregon)
5.Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (Iowa)
6.Duke Ejiofor, edge rusher (Wake Forest)
7.Nick Nelson, cornerback (Wisconsin)
8.Jamarco Jones, tackle (Ohio State)
9.Tim Settle, defensive tackle (Virginia Tech)
10.Skai Moore, inside linebacker (South Carolina)
11.Will Clapp, center/guard (LSU)
12.Da'Shawn Hand, edge rusher (Alabama)
13.Kyzir White, safety (West Virginia)
14.Wyatt Teller, guard (Virginia Tech)
15.Kyle Lauletta, quarterback (Richmond)
16.Parry Nickerson, cornerback (Tulane)
17.Quin Blanding, safety (Virginia)
18.Marcell Ateman, wide receiver (Oklahoma State)
19.Chris Herndon, tight end (Miami)
20.Greg Stroman, cornerback (Virginia Tech)
21.Mark Walton, running back (Miami)
22.Hercules Mata'afa, edge rusher (Washington State)
23.Troy Fumagalli, tight end (Wisconsin)
24.Mike White, quarterback (Western Kentucky)
25.Damon Webb, safety (Ohio State)
Thursday, April 26, 2018
2018 NFL Draft: Top 50 Overall Prospects+5 Best Players at Each Position
Top 50 Overall Prospects:
1.Saquon Barkley, running back (Penn State)
2.Quenton Nelson, guard (Notre Dame)
3.Roquan Smith, inside linebacker (Georgia)
4.Denzel Ward, cornerback (Ohio State)
5.Derwin James, safety (Florida State)
6.Bradley Chubb, edge rusher (NC State)
7.Vita Vea, defensive tackle (Washington)
8.Mike McGlinchey, tackle (Notre Dame)
9.Josh Jackson, cornerback (Iowa)
10.Frank Ragnow, center (Arkansas)
11.Sam Darnold, quarterback (USC)
12.Baker Mayfield, quarterback (Oklahoma)
13.Jaire Alexander, cornerback (Louisville)
14.Isaiah Wynn, guard (Georgia)
15.Connor Williams, tackle/guard (Texas)
16.Derrius Guice, running back (LSU)
17.Josh Rosen, quarterback (UCLA)
18.Marcus Davenport, edge rusher (Texas San-Antonio)
19.Will Hernandez, guard (UTEP)
20.Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety/cornerback (Alabama)
21.Dallas Goedert, tight end (South Dakota State)
22.Cortland Sutton, wide receiver (SMU)
23.Nick Chubb, running back (Georgia)
24.Harold Landry, edge rusher (Boston College)
25.Taven Bryan, defensive tackle (Florida)
26.Donte Jackson, cornerback (LSU)
27.Ronald Jones, running back (USC)
28.Isaiah Oliver, cornerback (Colorado)
29.Ronnie Harrison, safety (Alabama)
30.Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle (Michigan)
31.Billy Price, center/guard (Ohio State)
32.Mike Gesicki, tight end (Penn State)
33.Da'Ron Payne, defensive tackle (Alabama)
34.Mike Hughes, cornerback (UCF)
35.Calvin Ridley, wide receiver (Alabama)
36.James Washington, wide receiver (Oklahoma State)
37.Leighton Vander Esch, inside linebacker (Boise State)
38.Jessie Bates, safety (Wake Forest)
39.Sony Michel, running back (Georgia)
40.Rashaan Evans, inside linebacker (Alabama)
41.Mason Rudolph, quarterback (Oklahoma State)
42.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, edge rusher (Oklahoma)
43.Anthony Miller, wide receiver (Memphis)
44.Rashaad Penny, running back (San Diego State)
45.D.J. Moore, wide receiver (Maryland)
46.James Daniels, center (Iowa)
47.Equanemious St. Brown, wide receiver (Notre Dame)
48.Tyrell Crosby, tackle (Oregon)
49.Mark Andrews, tight end (Oklahoma)
50.Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (Iowa)
Top 5 Prospects by Position:
Quarterback:
1.Sam Darnold (USC)
2.Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma)
3.Josh Rosen (UCLA)
4.Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State)
5.Lamar Jackson (Louisville)
Running Back:
1.Saquon Barkley (Penn State)
2.Derrius Guice (LSU)
3.Nick Chubb (Georgia)
4.Ronald Jones (USC)
5.Sony Michel (Georgia)
Wide Receiver:
1.Cortland Sutton (SMU)
2.Calvin Ridley (Alabama)
3.James Washington (Oklahoma State)
4.Anthony Miller (Memphis)
5.D.J. Moore (Maryland)
Tight End:
1.Dallas Goedert (South Dakota State)
2.Mike Gesicki (Penn State)
3.Mark Andrews (Oklahoma)
4.Hayden Hurst (South Carolina)
5.Chris Herndon (Miami)
Tackle:
1.Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame)
2.Connor Williams (Texas)
3.Tyrell Crosby (Oregon)
4.Kolton Miller (UCLA)
5.Jamarco Jones (Ohio State)
Guard:
1.Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame)
2.Isaiah Wynn (Georgia)
3.Will Hernandez (UTEP)
4.Braden Smith (Auburn)
5.Wyatt Teller (Virginia Tech)
Center:
1.Frank Ragnow (Arkansas)
2.Billy Price (Ohio State)
3.James Daniels (Iowa)
4.Austin Corbett (Nevada)
5.Will Clapp (LSU)
Edge Rusher (Defensive End/Outside Linebacker):
1.Bradley Chubb (NC State)
2.Marcus Davenport (Texas San-Antonio)
3.Harold Landry (Boston College)
4.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma)
5.Sam Hubbard (Ohio State)
Defensive Tackle:
1.Vita Vea (Washington)
2.Taven Bryan (Florida)
3.Maurice Hurst (Michigan)
4.Da'Ron Payne (Alabama)
5.Harrison Phillips (Stanford)
Inside Linebacker:
1.Roquan Smith (Georgia)
2.Leighton Vander Esch (Boise State)
3.Rashaan Evans (Alabama)
4.Josey Jewell (Iowa)
5.Tremaine Edmunds (Virginia Tech)
Cornerback:
1.Denzel Ward (Ohio State)
2.Josh Jackson (Iowa)
3.Jaire Alexander (Louisville)
4.Donte Jackson (LSU)
5.Isaiah Oliver (Colorado)
Safety:
1.Derwin James (Florida State)
2.Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama)
3.Ronnie Harrison (Alabama)
4.Jessie Bates (Wake Forest)
5.Justin Reid (Stanford)
1.Saquon Barkley, running back (Penn State)
2.Quenton Nelson, guard (Notre Dame)
3.Roquan Smith, inside linebacker (Georgia)
4.Denzel Ward, cornerback (Ohio State)
5.Derwin James, safety (Florida State)
6.Bradley Chubb, edge rusher (NC State)
7.Vita Vea, defensive tackle (Washington)
8.Mike McGlinchey, tackle (Notre Dame)
9.Josh Jackson, cornerback (Iowa)
10.Frank Ragnow, center (Arkansas)
11.Sam Darnold, quarterback (USC)
12.Baker Mayfield, quarterback (Oklahoma)
13.Jaire Alexander, cornerback (Louisville)
14.Isaiah Wynn, guard (Georgia)
15.Connor Williams, tackle/guard (Texas)
16.Derrius Guice, running back (LSU)
17.Josh Rosen, quarterback (UCLA)
18.Marcus Davenport, edge rusher (Texas San-Antonio)
19.Will Hernandez, guard (UTEP)
20.Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety/cornerback (Alabama)
21.Dallas Goedert, tight end (South Dakota State)
22.Cortland Sutton, wide receiver (SMU)
23.Nick Chubb, running back (Georgia)
24.Harold Landry, edge rusher (Boston College)
25.Taven Bryan, defensive tackle (Florida)
26.Donte Jackson, cornerback (LSU)
27.Ronald Jones, running back (USC)
28.Isaiah Oliver, cornerback (Colorado)
29.Ronnie Harrison, safety (Alabama)
30.Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle (Michigan)
31.Billy Price, center/guard (Ohio State)
32.Mike Gesicki, tight end (Penn State)
33.Da'Ron Payne, defensive tackle (Alabama)
34.Mike Hughes, cornerback (UCF)
35.Calvin Ridley, wide receiver (Alabama)
36.James Washington, wide receiver (Oklahoma State)
37.Leighton Vander Esch, inside linebacker (Boise State)
38.Jessie Bates, safety (Wake Forest)
39.Sony Michel, running back (Georgia)
40.Rashaan Evans, inside linebacker (Alabama)
41.Mason Rudolph, quarterback (Oklahoma State)
42.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, edge rusher (Oklahoma)
43.Anthony Miller, wide receiver (Memphis)
44.Rashaad Penny, running back (San Diego State)
45.D.J. Moore, wide receiver (Maryland)
46.James Daniels, center (Iowa)
47.Equanemious St. Brown, wide receiver (Notre Dame)
48.Tyrell Crosby, tackle (Oregon)
49.Mark Andrews, tight end (Oklahoma)
50.Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (Iowa)
Top 5 Prospects by Position:
Quarterback:
1.Sam Darnold (USC)
2.Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma)
3.Josh Rosen (UCLA)
4.Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State)
5.Lamar Jackson (Louisville)
Running Back:
1.Saquon Barkley (Penn State)
2.Derrius Guice (LSU)
3.Nick Chubb (Georgia)
4.Ronald Jones (USC)
5.Sony Michel (Georgia)
Wide Receiver:
1.Cortland Sutton (SMU)
2.Calvin Ridley (Alabama)
3.James Washington (Oklahoma State)
4.Anthony Miller (Memphis)
5.D.J. Moore (Maryland)
Tight End:
1.Dallas Goedert (South Dakota State)
2.Mike Gesicki (Penn State)
3.Mark Andrews (Oklahoma)
4.Hayden Hurst (South Carolina)
5.Chris Herndon (Miami)
Tackle:
1.Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame)
2.Connor Williams (Texas)
3.Tyrell Crosby (Oregon)
4.Kolton Miller (UCLA)
5.Jamarco Jones (Ohio State)
Guard:
1.Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame)
2.Isaiah Wynn (Georgia)
3.Will Hernandez (UTEP)
4.Braden Smith (Auburn)
5.Wyatt Teller (Virginia Tech)
Center:
1.Frank Ragnow (Arkansas)
2.Billy Price (Ohio State)
3.James Daniels (Iowa)
4.Austin Corbett (Nevada)
5.Will Clapp (LSU)
Edge Rusher (Defensive End/Outside Linebacker):
1.Bradley Chubb (NC State)
2.Marcus Davenport (Texas San-Antonio)
3.Harold Landry (Boston College)
4.Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (Oklahoma)
5.Sam Hubbard (Ohio State)
Defensive Tackle:
1.Vita Vea (Washington)
2.Taven Bryan (Florida)
3.Maurice Hurst (Michigan)
4.Da'Ron Payne (Alabama)
5.Harrison Phillips (Stanford)
Inside Linebacker:
1.Roquan Smith (Georgia)
2.Leighton Vander Esch (Boise State)
3.Rashaan Evans (Alabama)
4.Josey Jewell (Iowa)
5.Tremaine Edmunds (Virginia Tech)
Cornerback:
1.Denzel Ward (Ohio State)
2.Josh Jackson (Iowa)
3.Jaire Alexander (Louisville)
4.Donte Jackson (LSU)
5.Isaiah Oliver (Colorado)
Safety:
1.Derwin James (Florida State)
2.Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama)
3.Ronnie Harrison (Alabama)
4.Jessie Bates (Wake Forest)
5.Justin Reid (Stanford)
2018 NFL Mock Draft 6.0 (Draft Day)
1.Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen, quarterback (Wyoming)
The great debate about what quarterback will have the distinct pleasure of having their career ruined... I mean get drafted by the Cleveland Browns has raged on for months. Will long-projected 1st overall pick Sam Darnold fulfill his destiny or can big-hand behemoth Josh Allen build on months of "HE HAS ALL THE TOOLS" buzz in scouting circles to steal his thunder? While it's certainly conceivable that Browns brass are considering taking either of these guys (or perhaps Baker Mayfield if you believe Adam Schefter's report from Tuesday morning), I'm inclined to think this "no one knows who they're going to chose" narrative is a classic misdirection tactic. GM John Dorsey is the type of guy that swoons over tall, unpolished quarterbacks who can sling the ball downfield (evidenced by his decision to trade up to select Patrick Mahomes last season when he was with the Chiefs) and Allen fits that mold better than just about any other prospect in the past decade.
2.New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, running back (Penn State)
You always have to account for the wild card factor with a front office that's headed by Dave Gettleman, but Barkley just makes the most sense for this team right now. Barkley is a potentially elite 3-down back that could help make the back 9 of Eli Manning's career a lot more pleasant by giving this offense a much-needed versatile playmaker out of the backfield.
3.New York Jets: Sam Darnold, quarterback (USC)
The Jets quarterback room, which currently consists of Josh McCown, Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenburg and free agent pickup Teddy Bridgewater, is about to get even more crowded. Multiple reports have stated that the powers that be in East Rutherford love Baker Mayfield, but I'd be pretty surprised if they passed up an opportunity to take Darnold-who possesses similar upside without Mayfield's potential personality baggage.
4.Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, cornerback (Ohio State)
Having a pair of top 5 selections in a draft where QB's are a hot commodity is quite the luxury for the Browns. This team still needs to improve at pretty much every position and barring some truly wild shit unfolding in the 2 picks prior to this one, they'll have a deep pool of potential blue chip players to pick from. Myles Garrett's strong rookie season makes it unlikely that Bradley Chubb will be in the mix here, so I'm going to commit a blind dart throw and say that Ward will be on his way to the Dawg Pound. Ward is a fearless, physical corner with tremendous ball skills that reminds me a lot of his former college teammate Marshon Lattimore and could really help this suspect secondary that has gotten consistently destroyed by Antonio Brown and A.J. Green over the years improve right away.
5.Denver Broncos: Baker Mayfield, quarterback (Oklahoma)
Just because the Broncos signed Case Keenum to a multi-year contract in free agency doesn't mean that they aren't still in the market for a quarterback. There's no chance in hell John Elway has an issue with Mayfield's unapologetic arrogance plus the reigning Heisman winner's accuracy, decisionmaking and pocket awareness will undoubtedly intrigue him after watching sloppy QB play derail his otherwise pretty talented team over the past 2 seasons.
6.Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, edge rusher (NC State)
Even with the additional picks they picked when they swamped places with the Jets, it remains a strong possibility that the Colts will trade down once again to acquire even more picks to help jumpstart their rebuilding process. If Chris Ballard decides to stay put at #6, Chubb seems like the obvious choice. With his well-rounded game and exceptional athleticism, Chubb could give the Colts the disruptive front 7 presence they desperately need to compete in the suddenly loaded AFC South.
7.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety/cornerback (Alabama)
The Bucs surrendered the most passing yards in the league last season, but luckily for them, they've got a host of decorated defensive backs they can chose from at #7. While Derwin James, Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson have arguably generated buzz during the latter stages of the predraft process, the consistency, range and football IQ Fitzpatrick flashed during his time at Alabama makes him the favorite to land in Tampa.
8.Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, guard (Notre Dame)
Every move Ryan Pace has made since the start of the free agency has been designed to aid the development of 2nd-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky and I don't expect that to change on draft night. The Bears are currently in the market for a new starting left guard after severing ties with 32-year old Pro Bowler Josh Sitton and if he's available when they're on the clock, I expect Quenton Nelson will be the guy to step into that role. Nelson is quite possibly the most touted interior line prospect of this decade so far and the presence of his college offensive line coach Harry Halstead on the Bears staff should increase his odds of living up to his off-the-charts potential.
9.San Francisco 49ers: Derwin James, safety (Florida State)
After being gift-wrapped Jimmy Garoppolo at the trade deadline last October, the 49ers can now turn their attention to adding complementary pieces in the draft. The back end of their defense has been a fatal flaw since Jim Harbaugh left town and with their decision to not retain longtime starter Eric Reid, their safety situation is particularly dire. Boasting strong zone coverage skills, sure tackling and a willingness to handle any assignment you throw at him, James is a jack knife that could bring a much-needed playmaking presence to their woeful secondary.
10.Oakland Raiders: Tremaine Edmunds, inside linebacker (Virginia Tech)
I'd be stunned if the inaugural selection of Jon Gruden's comeback tour wasn't salacious. This guy didn't return to the sidelines after a decade-long hiatus with the intent of making sensible decisions that are met with universal kudos from the NFL community. While I'm not ruling out whatever the 2018 equivalent of Al Davis picking Darrius Heyward-Bey with the 7th overall pick would be, Edmunds seems like the perfect, headline-grabbing "I'M BACK GUYS" move for the godfather of Spider Y-2 Banana. Taking a freakishly athletic yet completely unrefined inside linebacker who doesn't turn 20 until next month with a top 10 pick is a ballsy move that will either make you look like a genius or a total jabroni in 3-4 years time.
11.Miami Dolphins: Vita Vea, defensive tackle (Washington)
Considering all of the house cleaning they've done since the start of the new league year, you have to believe that the Dolphins will consider taking a quarterback to succeed Ryan Tannehill with this pick. Ultimately, I think they'll give the injury-prone Tannehill another crack at being the uncontested starter and try to fill some of the other holes they created with their flurry of personnel moves last month by bringing in a potential defensive force like Vea. While stepping into a role that was previously held by a hard-nosed wrecking ball in Ndmuakong Suh is incredibly intimidating, Vea has the strength and short-area quickness to blossom into a successful interior defensive lineman in the NFL.
12.Buffalo Bills: Josh Rosen, quarterback (UCLA)
In a not-so-shocking development considering the fickle nature of many NFL owners, Rosen's outspoken criticism on numerous taboo subjects such as the NCAA's treatment of its athletes, the current President of the United States and losing culture that surrounds the Cleveland Browns has caused him to slip down draft boards. This puzzling tumble could end up being the blessing that the Bills, who have been aggressively trying to trade into the top 5 to select a possible franchise QB since they acquired the #12 pick from the Bengals last month, never expected to happen. Rosen's intelligence, quick release and track record of exceling without top-tier talent around him give him a legitimate chance to have the best pro career of any quarterback in this lauded draft class.
13.Washington Redskins: Jaire Alexander, cornerback (Louisville)
Alexander has been flying up the draft boards in recent weeks and if you put on his tape, it's easy to see why. His footwork, quickness and ability to track and make plays on the ball might be better than anyone else in this deep corner class. That skill set make him a very appealing option for a Redskins squad that currently has a staggering lack of depth behind top dog Josh Norman and just dealt promising young gun Kendall Fuller to the Chiefs in the Alex Smith trade.
14.Green Bay Packers: Marcus Davenport, edge rusher (Texas San-Antonio)
The Packers pass-rush has been a problem for years and now that Dom Capers and Ted Thompson are out of the equation, it seems like they might actually use high-level assets to address it. Davenport's technique needs some work and his lack of experience against top-tier Division 1 competition in college is a bit concerning, but his high motor and excellent Senior Bowl performance suggests that he could turn into a force at the next level.
15.Arizona Cardinals: Mike McGlinchey, tackle (Notre Dame)
Thanks to the retirement of Carson Palmer and surprising release of safety Tyrann Mathieu this offseason, the gaping holes across the Cardinals offensive line have gone relatively unnoticed. With their commitment to start Sam Bradford in 2018, they're going to need to try and stop him from spontaneously combusting on the field by addressing their o-line in the draft and McGlinchey, who is the cleanest prospect available at this juncture, provides them with the best chance of preventing (or more likely, delaying) that on-field fatality from happening. McGlinchey's consistently strong run-blocking, solid pass-protection and experience lining up at both tackle spots would make him an ideal option for a group that appears primed to be erratic as hell for the foreseeable future.
16.Baltimore Ravens: Roquan Smith, inside linebacker (Georgia)
Just about every draft has a highly-regarded player with no off-the-field issues that slides down the board for some inexplicable reason. Based on nothing besides my gut feeling, Roquan Smith strikes me as that guy this year. Inside linebacker is nowhere near the top of the Ravens list of needs, but I just can't see a well-coached, defensive-minded team passing on an opportunity to land a player that has as much as star potential as Smith does.
17.Los Angeles Chargers: Taven Bryan, defensive tackle (Florida)
The Chargers painfully inept rushing defense (142 rushing yards per game, 31st in the league) played a pivotal role in the death of their playoff hopes during the 2017 season. Plugging a quick, hard-nosed mauler like Taven Bryan into their interior defensive line rotation would be a welcome first step towards building a front that might be able to slow down an opponent's rushing attack from time to time.
18.Seattle Seahawks: Josh Jackson, cornerback (Iowa)
Following the departures of Jeremy Lane, DeShawn Shead and Richard Sherman this offseason, the Seahawks corner group is going to be full of new faces the next time they hit the field. Long, aggressive ballhawk Josh Jackson is a perfect scheme fit that could help this retooled secondary hit the ground running in 2018.
19.Dallas Cowboys: Calvin Ridley, wide receiver (Alabama)
Jerry Jones' decision to move on from Dez Bryant earlier this month makes wide receiver even more of priority for a team that was already lacking weapons for Dak Prescott to throw to. While I wouldn't be surprised if speedster D.J. Moore or jump-ball specialist Cortland Sutton ended up with a star on their helmet, Calvin Ridley's SEC pedigree and noted route-running prowess gives him the slight edge over the rest of the top WR's in this polarizing class.
20.Detroit Lions: Harold Landry, edge rusher (Boston College)
With top sack artist Ziggy Ansah only under contract for 1 more season, the Lions long-term defensive end/outside linebacker situation is pretty murky. Adding Harold Landry, who has the most pure pass-rushing potential in this year's draft, to their front 7 should steadily improve their edge defense this season while also giving them a capable successor to Ansah if he fails to sign a long-term deal with the team.
21.Cincinnati Bengals: James Daniels, center (Iowa)
All indications out of Cincinnati seem to point to the Bengals zeroing in on an offensive lineman in the 1st round, which make sense considering how much they struggled upfront in 2017. While Arkansas product Frank Ragnow has a better college track record and is currently climbing up draft boards, I believe that Daniels' superior athleticism will make him a more appealing option for the Bengals.
22.Buffalo Bills: Isaiah Wynn, guard (Georgia)
The brutal comedown from the surreal high that the Bills experienced after clinching their 1st playoff berth since the Clinton administration has been expedited this offseason in large part due to the departures of 3 of their starting offensive lineman (left tackle Cordy Glenn, left guard Richie Incognito, center Eric Wood) from last year's team. This mass exodus has created a really shitty situation for the Bills offense and could ultimately force them to table their desire to trade up and select their quarterback of the future. If the Bills don't end up giving away this pick in a trade, Wynn has the polish and versatility to potentially soften the devastating blows this o-line has suffered over the past few months.
23.New England Patriots: Connor Williams, tackle/guard (Texas)
Nate Solder's not-so-surprising departure in free agency has left the increasingly important role of protecting Tom Brady's blind side vacant. As stubborn as Bill Belichick is, I don't see him entrusting LaAdrian Waddle or 2nd year-guy Antonio Garcia, who spent his entire rookie season on IR, with that job on a full-basis going into the 2018 season. Despite the injuries and bouts of inconsistent play that somewhat derailed his final year at Texas, Williams has enough intriguing physical tools (quick feet, good hand use, serious mean streak) that could be parlayed into something special by their masterful o-line coach Dante Scarnecchia to be viewed as a long-term option at a position that is incredibly hard to find quality talent at.
24.Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore, wide receiver (Maryland)
The shocking mid-season trade of Kelvin Benjamin left a massive hole in the Panthers aerial attack that the likes of Curtis Samuel, Russell Shepard and Kaelin Clay just couldn't fill in the latter stages of last season. D.J. Moore could put an end to this pressing receiver problem that has plagued the offensively-challenged Panthers since their Super Bowl loss in 2015. Moore's speed and post-catch ability would make him an ideal complement to their tall, physical top receiver Devin Funchess.
25.Tennessee Titans: Sam Hubbard, edge rusher (Ohio State)
With Chubb, Davenport and Landry all likely to be off the board by the time they choose, the edge rush-needy Titans are going to be forced to put their gambling hats on earlier than they expected. In a sea of raw prospects, Hubbard's exceptional size (6"5, 270 lbs), strength and proficiency against the run make him a particularly intriguing dice roll.
26.Atlanta Falcons: Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle (Michigan)
While there's no denying their notable improvement over the past 2 seasons, the Falcons still have some glaring they need to address before they can be considered a great defense. Even with the medical red flags that prevented him from participating in drills at the Scouting Combine, Hurst's devastating first-step and knack for causing problems at the line of scrimmage makes him a worthwhile risk for a Falcons team whose defensive interior has gotten manhandled by the strong offensive lines and rushing attacks of their rivals in the NFC South.
27.New Orleans Saints: Hayden Hurst, tight end (South Carolina)
Drew Brees presumably signed the final contract of his career in March and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the start of his closing act as Saints QB than selecting another vertical threat to put next to rising star wideout Michael Thomas. Hurst is a Jimmy Graham-esque slot receiver in a tight end's body that could turn into a god damn force of nature in this diverse uptempo offense.
28.Pittsburgh Steelers: Leighton Vander Esch, inside linebacker (Boise State)
The absence of inside linebacker Ryan Shazier following a spinal cord injury that almost left him paralyzed last December opened up a massive void in the middle of the Steelers defense that caused them to flat-out implode down the stretch. With Shazier's career possibly in jeopardy, bringing in Vander Esch would make a lot of sense. Vander Esch's ability to fly around the field and change direction on a whim make him an ideal candidate to make up for the loss of Shazier's valuable sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability in Keith Butler's zone-heavy scheme.
29.Jacksonville Jaguars: Dallas Goedert, tight end (South Dakota State)
A lack of reliable options in the passing game was a huge detriment to the Jaguars Cinderella playoff run last season. While Tom Coughlin has brought in a couple of serviceable veterans (Donte Moncrief, Austin Seferian-Jenkins) this offseason that should help them combat the problem, Goedert has the potential to turn into the physical, acrobatic catch-making matchup nightmare the Jags need to diversify their offense. The South Dakota State product has the size and body control to make contested redzone catches and also has some showed some real promise as a blocker, which would be great for a team with a young bellcow back that had some issues with consistently open rushing lanes in 2017.
30.Minnesota Vikings: Will Hernandez, guard (UTEP)
The retirement of longtime center/guard Joe Berger is a significant loss for an offensive line that was quietly one of the sharpest in the league in 2017. While Hernandez likely won't be able to fill Berger's leadership role right away, he's a tough player with a sky-high celling that should keep $84 million man Kirk Cousins from getting killed up the middle during his inaugural year as the Vikings starting quarterback while also opening up some nice holes for his running backs.
31.New England Patriots: Mason Rudolph, quarterback (Oklahoma State)
Bill Belichick didn't go out and secure a 2nd 1st-round pick with the intention of bolstering his defense or offensive line. The man is livid about how the situation with Jimmy Garoppolo went down and it would be a staggering upset if he didn't use one of these picks (or package them to trade up) to select a quarterback. The leak about Lamar Jackson's secret pre-draft visit this past weekend has created quite the sir among the media, but unless future head coach Josh McDaniels is smitten with the 2016 Heisman Winner out of Louisville, I just don't see him ending up in a Patriots uniform. Rudolph fits the tall, accurate pocket passer prototype Belichick has favored during his entire tenure in New England and while I'm not going to pretend he has the same upside as Garoppolo, he could turn into a damn fine successor to Tom Brady if he continues to fine-tune his game.
32.Philadelphia Eagles: Donte Jackson, cornerback (LSU)
I initially had Mike Hughes slotted here, but I'd be surprised if Howie Roseman was willing to use a high pick on a guy with legal red flags while the bizarre Daryl Worley incident is still fresh in his mind. Jackson's top-end speed, strong coverage skills and fearless playing style would make him a welcome addition to a defensive back group that just lost its excellent slot corner Patrick Robinson in free agency.
Second Round:
33.Cleveland Browns: Kolton Miller, tackle (UCLA)
34.New York Giants: Frank Ragnow, center (Arkansas)
35.Cleveland Browns: Da'Ron Payne, defensive tackle (Alabama)
36.Indianapolis Colts: Mike Hughes, cornerback (UCF)
37.Indianapolis Colts: Rashaad Penny, running back (San Diego State)
38.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sony Michel, running back (Georgia)
39.Chicago Bears: Cortland Sutton, wide receiver (SMU)
40.Denver Broncos: Derrius Guice, running back (LSU)
41.Oakland Raiders: Harrison Phillips, defensive tackle (Stanford)
42.Miami Dolphins: Lamar Jackson, quarterback (Louisville)
43.New England Patriots: Rashaan Evans, inside linebacker (Alabama)
44.Washington Redskins: Lorenzo Carter, edge rusher (Georgia)
45.Green Bay Packers: Isaiah Oliver, cornerback (Colorado)
46.Cincinnati Bengals: Ronnie Harrison, safety (Alabama)
47.Arizona Cardinals: Christian Kirk, wide receiver (Texas A&M)
48.Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Reid, safety (Stanford)
49.Indianapolis Colts: Tyrell Crosby, tackle (Oregon)
50.Dallas Cowboys: Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (Iowa)
51.Detroit Lions: Mike Gesicki, tight end (Penn State)
52.Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Lauletta, quarterback (Richmond)
53.Buffalo Bills: Brian O'Neill, tackle (Pittsburgh)
54.Kansas City Chiefs: Arden Key, edge rusher (LSU)
55.Carolina Panthers: Billy Price, center/guard (Ohio State)
56.Buffalo Bills: Anthony Miller, wide receiver (Memphis)
57.Tennessee Titans: Ronald Jones, running back (USC)
58.Atlanta Falcons: D.J. Chark, wide receiver (LSU)
59.San Francisco 49ers: Orlando Brown, tackle (Oklahoma)
60.Pittsburgh Steelers: Nick Chubb, running back (Georgia)
61.Jacksonville Jaguars: Malik Jefferson, inside linebacker (Texas)
62.Minnesota Vikings: Carlton Davis, cornerback (Auburn)
63.New England Patriots: Duke Ejiofor, edge rusher (Wake Forest)
64.Cleveland Browns: James Washington, wide receiver (Oklahoma State)
The great debate about what quarterback will have the distinct pleasure of having their career ruined... I mean get drafted by the Cleveland Browns has raged on for months. Will long-projected 1st overall pick Sam Darnold fulfill his destiny or can big-hand behemoth Josh Allen build on months of "HE HAS ALL THE TOOLS" buzz in scouting circles to steal his thunder? While it's certainly conceivable that Browns brass are considering taking either of these guys (or perhaps Baker Mayfield if you believe Adam Schefter's report from Tuesday morning), I'm inclined to think this "no one knows who they're going to chose" narrative is a classic misdirection tactic. GM John Dorsey is the type of guy that swoons over tall, unpolished quarterbacks who can sling the ball downfield (evidenced by his decision to trade up to select Patrick Mahomes last season when he was with the Chiefs) and Allen fits that mold better than just about any other prospect in the past decade.
2.New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, running back (Penn State)
You always have to account for the wild card factor with a front office that's headed by Dave Gettleman, but Barkley just makes the most sense for this team right now. Barkley is a potentially elite 3-down back that could help make the back 9 of Eli Manning's career a lot more pleasant by giving this offense a much-needed versatile playmaker out of the backfield.
3.New York Jets: Sam Darnold, quarterback (USC)
The Jets quarterback room, which currently consists of Josh McCown, Bryce Petty, Christian Hackenburg and free agent pickup Teddy Bridgewater, is about to get even more crowded. Multiple reports have stated that the powers that be in East Rutherford love Baker Mayfield, but I'd be pretty surprised if they passed up an opportunity to take Darnold-who possesses similar upside without Mayfield's potential personality baggage.
4.Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, cornerback (Ohio State)
Having a pair of top 5 selections in a draft where QB's are a hot commodity is quite the luxury for the Browns. This team still needs to improve at pretty much every position and barring some truly wild shit unfolding in the 2 picks prior to this one, they'll have a deep pool of potential blue chip players to pick from. Myles Garrett's strong rookie season makes it unlikely that Bradley Chubb will be in the mix here, so I'm going to commit a blind dart throw and say that Ward will be on his way to the Dawg Pound. Ward is a fearless, physical corner with tremendous ball skills that reminds me a lot of his former college teammate Marshon Lattimore and could really help this suspect secondary that has gotten consistently destroyed by Antonio Brown and A.J. Green over the years improve right away.
5.Denver Broncos: Baker Mayfield, quarterback (Oklahoma)
Just because the Broncos signed Case Keenum to a multi-year contract in free agency doesn't mean that they aren't still in the market for a quarterback. There's no chance in hell John Elway has an issue with Mayfield's unapologetic arrogance plus the reigning Heisman winner's accuracy, decisionmaking and pocket awareness will undoubtedly intrigue him after watching sloppy QB play derail his otherwise pretty talented team over the past 2 seasons.
6.Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, edge rusher (NC State)
Even with the additional picks they picked when they swamped places with the Jets, it remains a strong possibility that the Colts will trade down once again to acquire even more picks to help jumpstart their rebuilding process. If Chris Ballard decides to stay put at #6, Chubb seems like the obvious choice. With his well-rounded game and exceptional athleticism, Chubb could give the Colts the disruptive front 7 presence they desperately need to compete in the suddenly loaded AFC South.
7.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety/cornerback (Alabama)
The Bucs surrendered the most passing yards in the league last season, but luckily for them, they've got a host of decorated defensive backs they can chose from at #7. While Derwin James, Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson have arguably generated buzz during the latter stages of the predraft process, the consistency, range and football IQ Fitzpatrick flashed during his time at Alabama makes him the favorite to land in Tampa.
8.Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, guard (Notre Dame)
Every move Ryan Pace has made since the start of the free agency has been designed to aid the development of 2nd-year quarterback Mitch Trubisky and I don't expect that to change on draft night. The Bears are currently in the market for a new starting left guard after severing ties with 32-year old Pro Bowler Josh Sitton and if he's available when they're on the clock, I expect Quenton Nelson will be the guy to step into that role. Nelson is quite possibly the most touted interior line prospect of this decade so far and the presence of his college offensive line coach Harry Halstead on the Bears staff should increase his odds of living up to his off-the-charts potential.
9.San Francisco 49ers: Derwin James, safety (Florida State)
After being gift-wrapped Jimmy Garoppolo at the trade deadline last October, the 49ers can now turn their attention to adding complementary pieces in the draft. The back end of their defense has been a fatal flaw since Jim Harbaugh left town and with their decision to not retain longtime starter Eric Reid, their safety situation is particularly dire. Boasting strong zone coverage skills, sure tackling and a willingness to handle any assignment you throw at him, James is a jack knife that could bring a much-needed playmaking presence to their woeful secondary.
10.Oakland Raiders: Tremaine Edmunds, inside linebacker (Virginia Tech)
I'd be stunned if the inaugural selection of Jon Gruden's comeback tour wasn't salacious. This guy didn't return to the sidelines after a decade-long hiatus with the intent of making sensible decisions that are met with universal kudos from the NFL community. While I'm not ruling out whatever the 2018 equivalent of Al Davis picking Darrius Heyward-Bey with the 7th overall pick would be, Edmunds seems like the perfect, headline-grabbing "I'M BACK GUYS" move for the godfather of Spider Y-2 Banana. Taking a freakishly athletic yet completely unrefined inside linebacker who doesn't turn 20 until next month with a top 10 pick is a ballsy move that will either make you look like a genius or a total jabroni in 3-4 years time.
11.Miami Dolphins: Vita Vea, defensive tackle (Washington)
Considering all of the house cleaning they've done since the start of the new league year, you have to believe that the Dolphins will consider taking a quarterback to succeed Ryan Tannehill with this pick. Ultimately, I think they'll give the injury-prone Tannehill another crack at being the uncontested starter and try to fill some of the other holes they created with their flurry of personnel moves last month by bringing in a potential defensive force like Vea. While stepping into a role that was previously held by a hard-nosed wrecking ball in Ndmuakong Suh is incredibly intimidating, Vea has the strength and short-area quickness to blossom into a successful interior defensive lineman in the NFL.
12.Buffalo Bills: Josh Rosen, quarterback (UCLA)
In a not-so-shocking development considering the fickle nature of many NFL owners, Rosen's outspoken criticism on numerous taboo subjects such as the NCAA's treatment of its athletes, the current President of the United States and losing culture that surrounds the Cleveland Browns has caused him to slip down draft boards. This puzzling tumble could end up being the blessing that the Bills, who have been aggressively trying to trade into the top 5 to select a possible franchise QB since they acquired the #12 pick from the Bengals last month, never expected to happen. Rosen's intelligence, quick release and track record of exceling without top-tier talent around him give him a legitimate chance to have the best pro career of any quarterback in this lauded draft class.
13.Washington Redskins: Jaire Alexander, cornerback (Louisville)
Alexander has been flying up the draft boards in recent weeks and if you put on his tape, it's easy to see why. His footwork, quickness and ability to track and make plays on the ball might be better than anyone else in this deep corner class. That skill set make him a very appealing option for a Redskins squad that currently has a staggering lack of depth behind top dog Josh Norman and just dealt promising young gun Kendall Fuller to the Chiefs in the Alex Smith trade.
14.Green Bay Packers: Marcus Davenport, edge rusher (Texas San-Antonio)
The Packers pass-rush has been a problem for years and now that Dom Capers and Ted Thompson are out of the equation, it seems like they might actually use high-level assets to address it. Davenport's technique needs some work and his lack of experience against top-tier Division 1 competition in college is a bit concerning, but his high motor and excellent Senior Bowl performance suggests that he could turn into a force at the next level.
15.Arizona Cardinals: Mike McGlinchey, tackle (Notre Dame)
Thanks to the retirement of Carson Palmer and surprising release of safety Tyrann Mathieu this offseason, the gaping holes across the Cardinals offensive line have gone relatively unnoticed. With their commitment to start Sam Bradford in 2018, they're going to need to try and stop him from spontaneously combusting on the field by addressing their o-line in the draft and McGlinchey, who is the cleanest prospect available at this juncture, provides them with the best chance of preventing (or more likely, delaying) that on-field fatality from happening. McGlinchey's consistently strong run-blocking, solid pass-protection and experience lining up at both tackle spots would make him an ideal option for a group that appears primed to be erratic as hell for the foreseeable future.
16.Baltimore Ravens: Roquan Smith, inside linebacker (Georgia)
Just about every draft has a highly-regarded player with no off-the-field issues that slides down the board for some inexplicable reason. Based on nothing besides my gut feeling, Roquan Smith strikes me as that guy this year. Inside linebacker is nowhere near the top of the Ravens list of needs, but I just can't see a well-coached, defensive-minded team passing on an opportunity to land a player that has as much as star potential as Smith does.
17.Los Angeles Chargers: Taven Bryan, defensive tackle (Florida)
The Chargers painfully inept rushing defense (142 rushing yards per game, 31st in the league) played a pivotal role in the death of their playoff hopes during the 2017 season. Plugging a quick, hard-nosed mauler like Taven Bryan into their interior defensive line rotation would be a welcome first step towards building a front that might be able to slow down an opponent's rushing attack from time to time.
18.Seattle Seahawks: Josh Jackson, cornerback (Iowa)
Following the departures of Jeremy Lane, DeShawn Shead and Richard Sherman this offseason, the Seahawks corner group is going to be full of new faces the next time they hit the field. Long, aggressive ballhawk Josh Jackson is a perfect scheme fit that could help this retooled secondary hit the ground running in 2018.
19.Dallas Cowboys: Calvin Ridley, wide receiver (Alabama)
Jerry Jones' decision to move on from Dez Bryant earlier this month makes wide receiver even more of priority for a team that was already lacking weapons for Dak Prescott to throw to. While I wouldn't be surprised if speedster D.J. Moore or jump-ball specialist Cortland Sutton ended up with a star on their helmet, Calvin Ridley's SEC pedigree and noted route-running prowess gives him the slight edge over the rest of the top WR's in this polarizing class.
20.Detroit Lions: Harold Landry, edge rusher (Boston College)
With top sack artist Ziggy Ansah only under contract for 1 more season, the Lions long-term defensive end/outside linebacker situation is pretty murky. Adding Harold Landry, who has the most pure pass-rushing potential in this year's draft, to their front 7 should steadily improve their edge defense this season while also giving them a capable successor to Ansah if he fails to sign a long-term deal with the team.
21.Cincinnati Bengals: James Daniels, center (Iowa)
All indications out of Cincinnati seem to point to the Bengals zeroing in on an offensive lineman in the 1st round, which make sense considering how much they struggled upfront in 2017. While Arkansas product Frank Ragnow has a better college track record and is currently climbing up draft boards, I believe that Daniels' superior athleticism will make him a more appealing option for the Bengals.
22.Buffalo Bills: Isaiah Wynn, guard (Georgia)
The brutal comedown from the surreal high that the Bills experienced after clinching their 1st playoff berth since the Clinton administration has been expedited this offseason in large part due to the departures of 3 of their starting offensive lineman (left tackle Cordy Glenn, left guard Richie Incognito, center Eric Wood) from last year's team. This mass exodus has created a really shitty situation for the Bills offense and could ultimately force them to table their desire to trade up and select their quarterback of the future. If the Bills don't end up giving away this pick in a trade, Wynn has the polish and versatility to potentially soften the devastating blows this o-line has suffered over the past few months.
23.New England Patriots: Connor Williams, tackle/guard (Texas)
Nate Solder's not-so-surprising departure in free agency has left the increasingly important role of protecting Tom Brady's blind side vacant. As stubborn as Bill Belichick is, I don't see him entrusting LaAdrian Waddle or 2nd year-guy Antonio Garcia, who spent his entire rookie season on IR, with that job on a full-basis going into the 2018 season. Despite the injuries and bouts of inconsistent play that somewhat derailed his final year at Texas, Williams has enough intriguing physical tools (quick feet, good hand use, serious mean streak) that could be parlayed into something special by their masterful o-line coach Dante Scarnecchia to be viewed as a long-term option at a position that is incredibly hard to find quality talent at.
24.Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore, wide receiver (Maryland)
The shocking mid-season trade of Kelvin Benjamin left a massive hole in the Panthers aerial attack that the likes of Curtis Samuel, Russell Shepard and Kaelin Clay just couldn't fill in the latter stages of last season. D.J. Moore could put an end to this pressing receiver problem that has plagued the offensively-challenged Panthers since their Super Bowl loss in 2015. Moore's speed and post-catch ability would make him an ideal complement to their tall, physical top receiver Devin Funchess.
25.Tennessee Titans: Sam Hubbard, edge rusher (Ohio State)
With Chubb, Davenport and Landry all likely to be off the board by the time they choose, the edge rush-needy Titans are going to be forced to put their gambling hats on earlier than they expected. In a sea of raw prospects, Hubbard's exceptional size (6"5, 270 lbs), strength and proficiency against the run make him a particularly intriguing dice roll.
26.Atlanta Falcons: Maurice Hurst, defensive tackle (Michigan)
While there's no denying their notable improvement over the past 2 seasons, the Falcons still have some glaring they need to address before they can be considered a great defense. Even with the medical red flags that prevented him from participating in drills at the Scouting Combine, Hurst's devastating first-step and knack for causing problems at the line of scrimmage makes him a worthwhile risk for a Falcons team whose defensive interior has gotten manhandled by the strong offensive lines and rushing attacks of their rivals in the NFC South.
27.New Orleans Saints: Hayden Hurst, tight end (South Carolina)
Drew Brees presumably signed the final contract of his career in March and I can't think of a better way to celebrate the start of his closing act as Saints QB than selecting another vertical threat to put next to rising star wideout Michael Thomas. Hurst is a Jimmy Graham-esque slot receiver in a tight end's body that could turn into a god damn force of nature in this diverse uptempo offense.
28.Pittsburgh Steelers: Leighton Vander Esch, inside linebacker (Boise State)
The absence of inside linebacker Ryan Shazier following a spinal cord injury that almost left him paralyzed last December opened up a massive void in the middle of the Steelers defense that caused them to flat-out implode down the stretch. With Shazier's career possibly in jeopardy, bringing in Vander Esch would make a lot of sense. Vander Esch's ability to fly around the field and change direction on a whim make him an ideal candidate to make up for the loss of Shazier's valuable sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability in Keith Butler's zone-heavy scheme.
29.Jacksonville Jaguars: Dallas Goedert, tight end (South Dakota State)
A lack of reliable options in the passing game was a huge detriment to the Jaguars Cinderella playoff run last season. While Tom Coughlin has brought in a couple of serviceable veterans (Donte Moncrief, Austin Seferian-Jenkins) this offseason that should help them combat the problem, Goedert has the potential to turn into the physical, acrobatic catch-making matchup nightmare the Jags need to diversify their offense. The South Dakota State product has the size and body control to make contested redzone catches and also has some showed some real promise as a blocker, which would be great for a team with a young bellcow back that had some issues with consistently open rushing lanes in 2017.
30.Minnesota Vikings: Will Hernandez, guard (UTEP)
The retirement of longtime center/guard Joe Berger is a significant loss for an offensive line that was quietly one of the sharpest in the league in 2017. While Hernandez likely won't be able to fill Berger's leadership role right away, he's a tough player with a sky-high celling that should keep $84 million man Kirk Cousins from getting killed up the middle during his inaugural year as the Vikings starting quarterback while also opening up some nice holes for his running backs.
31.New England Patriots: Mason Rudolph, quarterback (Oklahoma State)
Bill Belichick didn't go out and secure a 2nd 1st-round pick with the intention of bolstering his defense or offensive line. The man is livid about how the situation with Jimmy Garoppolo went down and it would be a staggering upset if he didn't use one of these picks (or package them to trade up) to select a quarterback. The leak about Lamar Jackson's secret pre-draft visit this past weekend has created quite the sir among the media, but unless future head coach Josh McDaniels is smitten with the 2016 Heisman Winner out of Louisville, I just don't see him ending up in a Patriots uniform. Rudolph fits the tall, accurate pocket passer prototype Belichick has favored during his entire tenure in New England and while I'm not going to pretend he has the same upside as Garoppolo, he could turn into a damn fine successor to Tom Brady if he continues to fine-tune his game.
32.Philadelphia Eagles: Donte Jackson, cornerback (LSU)
I initially had Mike Hughes slotted here, but I'd be surprised if Howie Roseman was willing to use a high pick on a guy with legal red flags while the bizarre Daryl Worley incident is still fresh in his mind. Jackson's top-end speed, strong coverage skills and fearless playing style would make him a welcome addition to a defensive back group that just lost its excellent slot corner Patrick Robinson in free agency.
Second Round:
33.Cleveland Browns: Kolton Miller, tackle (UCLA)
34.New York Giants: Frank Ragnow, center (Arkansas)
35.Cleveland Browns: Da'Ron Payne, defensive tackle (Alabama)
36.Indianapolis Colts: Mike Hughes, cornerback (UCF)
37.Indianapolis Colts: Rashaad Penny, running back (San Diego State)
38.Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sony Michel, running back (Georgia)
39.Chicago Bears: Cortland Sutton, wide receiver (SMU)
40.Denver Broncos: Derrius Guice, running back (LSU)
41.Oakland Raiders: Harrison Phillips, defensive tackle (Stanford)
42.Miami Dolphins: Lamar Jackson, quarterback (Louisville)
43.New England Patriots: Rashaan Evans, inside linebacker (Alabama)
44.Washington Redskins: Lorenzo Carter, edge rusher (Georgia)
45.Green Bay Packers: Isaiah Oliver, cornerback (Colorado)
46.Cincinnati Bengals: Ronnie Harrison, safety (Alabama)
47.Arizona Cardinals: Christian Kirk, wide receiver (Texas A&M)
48.Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Reid, safety (Stanford)
49.Indianapolis Colts: Tyrell Crosby, tackle (Oregon)
50.Dallas Cowboys: Josey Jewell, inside linebacker (Iowa)
51.Detroit Lions: Mike Gesicki, tight end (Penn State)
52.Baltimore Ravens: Kyle Lauletta, quarterback (Richmond)
53.Buffalo Bills: Brian O'Neill, tackle (Pittsburgh)
54.Kansas City Chiefs: Arden Key, edge rusher (LSU)
55.Carolina Panthers: Billy Price, center/guard (Ohio State)
56.Buffalo Bills: Anthony Miller, wide receiver (Memphis)
57.Tennessee Titans: Ronald Jones, running back (USC)
58.Atlanta Falcons: D.J. Chark, wide receiver (LSU)
59.San Francisco 49ers: Orlando Brown, tackle (Oklahoma)
60.Pittsburgh Steelers: Nick Chubb, running back (Georgia)
61.Jacksonville Jaguars: Malik Jefferson, inside linebacker (Texas)
62.Minnesota Vikings: Carlton Davis, cornerback (Auburn)
63.New England Patriots: Duke Ejiofor, edge rusher (Wake Forest)
64.Cleveland Browns: James Washington, wide receiver (Oklahoma State)
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
The Best and Worst of Elizabeth Olsen
“The Best and Worst of” series chronicles the career
highlights and lowlights of an actor starring in one of the week's
new theatrical releases. This week, I take a look at the filmography
of “Avengers: Infinity War” star Elizabeth Olsen.
Films starring Elizabeth Olsen that I've seen:
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Oldboy
Godzilla
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Captain America: Civil War
Wind River
Ingrid Goes West
Kodachrome
Best Performance: Ingrid Goes West (2017)
I felt that Ingrid Goes West was the best acted film of last year and Olsen's remarkable turn in the co-leading role helped set the tone for the brilliance of the entire ensemble cast. As a Los Angeles-based Instagram "influencer" that ends up befriending her stalker (an equally great Aubrey Plaza), Olsen gives an incredibly nuanced performance that highlights the flavor-of-the-week mentality, phony glamour and crushing loneliness that exists behind an individual that chooses to project a façade of perfection on social media.
Worst Performance: Godzilla (2014)
Olsen's considerable acting gifts are buried by a garbage script that gives her nothing to do besides scream and looked confused for two hours.
Best Film: Wind River (2017)
Up-and-coming screenwriter Taylor Sheridan's (Sicario, Hell or High Water) crazy hot streak followed him behind the camera with Wind River, a riveting mystery thriller which very well could be his finest project to-date. Sheridan, who also penned the script, effortlessly transitions to the director's chair with a film that's full of pulse-pounding tension, excellent character development and a pair of terrific performances from his leads (Jeremy Renner, Olsen).
Worst Film: Godzilla (2014)
If future filmmakers want to learn how to not make a monster movie, Gareth Edwards' Godzilla holds all the answers. Choosing to spend a bulk of the runtime focusing on a group of wooden, underdeveloped human characters while a monster is going around San Francisco and fucking shit up is an infuriating decision by Edwards, who between this and Rogue One has solidified himself as a master of making exciting things boring, that results in a tedious and utterly pointless film that made me yearn for the overwhelming cheesiness of Roland Emmerich's 1998 version.
Thank you for reading this week's edition of “The Best and Worst of”. The next victim of my praise and ire will be “Overboard” star Anna Faris.
Films starring Elizabeth Olsen that I've seen:
Martha Marcy May Marlene
Oldboy
Godzilla
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Captain America: Civil War
Wind River
Ingrid Goes West
Kodachrome
Best Performance: Ingrid Goes West (2017)
I felt that Ingrid Goes West was the best acted film of last year and Olsen's remarkable turn in the co-leading role helped set the tone for the brilliance of the entire ensemble cast. As a Los Angeles-based Instagram "influencer" that ends up befriending her stalker (an equally great Aubrey Plaza), Olsen gives an incredibly nuanced performance that highlights the flavor-of-the-week mentality, phony glamour and crushing loneliness that exists behind an individual that chooses to project a façade of perfection on social media.
Worst Performance: Godzilla (2014)
Olsen's considerable acting gifts are buried by a garbage script that gives her nothing to do besides scream and looked confused for two hours.
Best Film: Wind River (2017)
Up-and-coming screenwriter Taylor Sheridan's (Sicario, Hell or High Water) crazy hot streak followed him behind the camera with Wind River, a riveting mystery thriller which very well could be his finest project to-date. Sheridan, who also penned the script, effortlessly transitions to the director's chair with a film that's full of pulse-pounding tension, excellent character development and a pair of terrific performances from his leads (Jeremy Renner, Olsen).
Worst Film: Godzilla (2014)
If future filmmakers want to learn how to not make a monster movie, Gareth Edwards' Godzilla holds all the answers. Choosing to spend a bulk of the runtime focusing on a group of wooden, underdeveloped human characters while a monster is going around San Francisco and fucking shit up is an infuriating decision by Edwards, who between this and Rogue One has solidified himself as a master of making exciting things boring, that results in a tedious and utterly pointless film that made me yearn for the overwhelming cheesiness of Roland Emmerich's 1998 version.
Thank you for reading this week's edition of “The Best and Worst of”. The next victim of my praise and ire will be “Overboard” star Anna Faris.
Monday, April 23, 2018
MCU Ranked
All of the marketing blitzkriegs, post-credit teases and top secret productions have all lead up to this moment. After a decade of buildup that has yielded billions of dollars for the comic book juggernaut, Marvel is finally releasing the first part of their (presumably) game-changing Avengers: Infinity War this Thursday night. In honor of this historic event, I decided to take a trip down memory lane and rank the 18 pre-Infinity War entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from worst to best. Before I get started, it needs to be noted that nothing else influenced my opinions other than the films themselves. The very little that I know about the source material has exclusively come from small tidbits I've picked up from conversations with people that have actually read the comics over the years and that fact will likely become evident pretty quickly once you read what I wrote below. May you all successfully avoid Infinity War spoilers before you get a chance to see it and please feel free to share your own MCU rankings in the comment section below.
18.Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): Special shoutout to the only movie that's ever lulled me to sleep in a movie theater. The second installment of Marvel's team-up extravaganza was every bit of the dull, overstuffed and soulless clusterfuck that the original wasn't. I'd happily rewatch any of the Fantastic Four films or the emo Spider-Man sections of Spider-Man 3 over this meandering pile of shit any day of the week.
Grade: D+
17.Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): I'm not going to pretend like Captain America: The First Avenger is this completely unwatchable poopfest. It's never boring, reasonably well-acted and the ending is actually kind of heartbreaking. However, there was a lot of shit about Steve Rodgers' first big-screen adventure since 1990 that really bothered me. Red Skull is the CEO of Disposable Jabroni Villain Inc., the saccharine tone results in some seriously cringeworthy moments and even though it was important to the story, skinny, CGI Chris Evans was nightmare-inducing.
Grade: C+
16.Iron Man 2 (2010): Robert Downey Jr.'s effortless charisma and a relatively strong, action-packed final act keeps things from completely failing apart, but a pair of shitty, overacted villains (Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell) and oddly high volume of corny moments (fuckin drunk Iron Man...) made this a major downgrade from the original.
Grade: C+
15.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 (2017): This ended up being one of the more gut-wrenching letdowns in recent memory. Everything is great when the titular heroes are doing their "bust balls and ungracefully stop space crime" routine out of the gate, but when the film inorganically turns into a sappy family melodrama around the halfway mark, much of the goofy charm of these characters -as well as the overall entertainment value- get sucked into a wormhole.
Grade: B-
14.Captain America: The Winter Solider (2014): The Winter Solider gave the Captain America series a much-needed facelift after The First Avenger. The more serious tone allowed Chris Evans to add more depth to the character and new directors Anthony and Joe Russo, who have since taken over The Avengers franchise following the departure of Joss Whedon, to stage some pretty tense fight scenes. Real shame about that comically convoluted political/spy thriller plot that eats up most of the film's 150-minute runtime though.
Grade: B-
13.Thor: The Dark World (2013): This is a wildly popular pick for the worst entry in the MCU so far and I completely understand why. Natalie Portman looks like she's ashamed to be involved with the production, some of the jokes are really awful (Stellan Skarsgard screaming wild scientific theories sans pants is eerily similar to a scene from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen with John Turturro) and leaving Loki on the sidelines while some lame-ass elves try to destroy Asgard was a pretty major miscalculation. That being said, I thought there was enough quality action scenes, charismatic performances and clever gags scattered throughout the film to make its flaws somewhat forgivable.
Grade: B
12.Ant-Man (2015): Considering all of the behind-the-scenes drama (director change shortly before the start of principal photography, numerous rewrites, etc.) that plagued its production, it's pretty remarkable that Ant-Man ended up being a modest success. With its heist-driven story full of colorful characters and amusing one-liners, Ant-Man was a nice deviation from the MCU's grand-scale norm.
Grade: B
11.The Incredible Hulk (2008): Just about all traces of The Incredible Hulk have been removed from the MCU since Edward Norton declined to reprise the role in future films, which is kind of a shame because it's actually a pretty solid flick. Portraying Bruce Banner as a broken, distant man that's desperately trying to find a cure for his affliction made the character a lot more interesting and Louis Leterrier delivered the healthy amount of satisfying Hulk destruction that Ang Lee's mutant poodle-filled disaster sorely lacked.
Grade: B
10.Captain America: Civil War (2016): Civil War's highlights are in the upper echelon of MCU moments and creative decisions. The two biggest action scenes (the opening fight in Lagos, the airport scene) are staggering, the introductions to Black Panther and Tom Holland's Spider-Man are perfect, and its self-contained narrative was a refreshing reprieve from the relentless worldbuilding they had been relying on in the films leading up to it. Unfortunately, these brilliant elements are undercut by erratic pacing and a frustrating refusal to remain committed to the darkness that the story teases throughout. While the sheer amount of untapped potential that's on display here will always bother me, Civil War's admirable strengths and the role it played in ultimately changing this mega-franchise for the better was enough to bump it up a few spots on this list.
Grade: B
9.Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): Sony should write a passionate thank you note to Marvel Studios for successfully restoring the Spider-Man brand after nearly a decade of soiling the friendly neighborhood webslinger's good name. A great sense of humor paired with its effective portrayal of Peter Parker as a bumbling teenager who hasn't quite figured out the whole superhero thing yet made Homecoming the first consistently enjoyable Spider-Man film since the OG Spider-Man 2.
Grade: B+
8.Thor (2011): As far as superhero origin stories go, Thor is definitely amongst the best. Chris Hemsworth's immense likability, jokes that land at a pretty high clip and the presence of a memorable, well-developed villain in Loki made this a particularly successful "fish out of water" tale.
Grade: B+
7.Doctor Strange (2016): With its dazzling psychedelic imagery, mystical action sequences and an imperfect hero played by the always great Benedict Cumberbatch, Doctor Strange officially ushered in Marvel's semi-experimental "phase three" era that erased the "been there, done that" feeling that plagued most of the post-Avengers films. Hopefully the rumored sequel goes into production before too long because I would love to spend more time in this wild world of space-and-time manipulating magic.
Grade: B+
6.The Avengers (2012): While it losses a little bit of its initial "wow" factor upon repeat viewings, I still really admire what Joss Whedon was able to pull off here. The creator of cult television phenomenon's Buffy, The Vampire Slayer and Firefly was able to give fans the breezy, epic team-up movie they'd been clamoring for without being overwhelmed by the intimidating volume of characters or interconnecting storylines that he had to work with.
Grade: A-
5.Iron Man 3 (2013): Most MCU fans have a film that they feel is underrated in the unforgiving court of public opinion. Shane Black's largely polarizing Iron Man 3 holds that distinction for me. I found a lot of the plot threads that bugged people (the twist with The Mandarin, the scenes in Tennessee, Tony Stark's PTSD brought on by the events of The Avengers) to be brilliant, richly-rewarding risks that helped set this film apart from its predecessors without taking away from its established strengths (Downey Jr., exciting action scenes, great one-liners).
Grade: A
4.Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): Guardians of the Galaxy provides the glorious answer to the burning question of what would happen if you decided to take The Avengers to space and got them hopped up on DMT. This beautiful introduction to the most lovable antiheroes the bowels of space have to offer is a colorful, twisted blast that has plenty of laughs and a strong rewatchability factor.
Grade: A
3.Iron Man (2008): You could make a strong argument that the MCU wouldn't have turned into the worldwide phenomenon its become without Iron Man. Jon Faverau got this interconnected series of films off to a roaring start by crafting a highly entertaining origin story that's driven by strong character development, cool action scenes and a magnetic performance from a perfectly-cast Robert Downey Jr in the leading role.
Grade: A
2.Black Panther (2018): 2018's biggest cultural phenomenon thus far is a masterclass in genre filmmaking. Making a film that simultaneously works as a complex, emotionally-charged political saga that comments on real world issues and a vivid superhero spectacle that's driven by immensely likable characters and terrific action sequences is a staggering accomplishment that only a virtuoso director like Ryan Coogler could pull off.
Grade: A
1.Thor: Ragnarok (2017): Handing the reigns of the Thor franchise over to Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) was the greatest decision Kevin Feige has made during his time overseeing this connected universe. Waititi's energetic directorial style paired with an amazing ensemble cast that fully embraced his oddball sense of humor paved the way for the funniest, strangest and most deliriously entertaining superhero movie I've ever had the pleasure of watching.
Grade: A
18.Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): Special shoutout to the only movie that's ever lulled me to sleep in a movie theater. The second installment of Marvel's team-up extravaganza was every bit of the dull, overstuffed and soulless clusterfuck that the original wasn't. I'd happily rewatch any of the Fantastic Four films or the emo Spider-Man sections of Spider-Man 3 over this meandering pile of shit any day of the week.
Grade: D+
17.Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): I'm not going to pretend like Captain America: The First Avenger is this completely unwatchable poopfest. It's never boring, reasonably well-acted and the ending is actually kind of heartbreaking. However, there was a lot of shit about Steve Rodgers' first big-screen adventure since 1990 that really bothered me. Red Skull is the CEO of Disposable Jabroni Villain Inc., the saccharine tone results in some seriously cringeworthy moments and even though it was important to the story, skinny, CGI Chris Evans was nightmare-inducing.
Grade: C+
16.Iron Man 2 (2010): Robert Downey Jr.'s effortless charisma and a relatively strong, action-packed final act keeps things from completely failing apart, but a pair of shitty, overacted villains (Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell) and oddly high volume of corny moments (fuckin drunk Iron Man...) made this a major downgrade from the original.
Grade: C+
15.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 (2017): This ended up being one of the more gut-wrenching letdowns in recent memory. Everything is great when the titular heroes are doing their "bust balls and ungracefully stop space crime" routine out of the gate, but when the film inorganically turns into a sappy family melodrama around the halfway mark, much of the goofy charm of these characters -as well as the overall entertainment value- get sucked into a wormhole.
Grade: B-
14.Captain America: The Winter Solider (2014): The Winter Solider gave the Captain America series a much-needed facelift after The First Avenger. The more serious tone allowed Chris Evans to add more depth to the character and new directors Anthony and Joe Russo, who have since taken over The Avengers franchise following the departure of Joss Whedon, to stage some pretty tense fight scenes. Real shame about that comically convoluted political/spy thriller plot that eats up most of the film's 150-minute runtime though.
Grade: B-
13.Thor: The Dark World (2013): This is a wildly popular pick for the worst entry in the MCU so far and I completely understand why. Natalie Portman looks like she's ashamed to be involved with the production, some of the jokes are really awful (Stellan Skarsgard screaming wild scientific theories sans pants is eerily similar to a scene from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen with John Turturro) and leaving Loki on the sidelines while some lame-ass elves try to destroy Asgard was a pretty major miscalculation. That being said, I thought there was enough quality action scenes, charismatic performances and clever gags scattered throughout the film to make its flaws somewhat forgivable.
Grade: B
12.Ant-Man (2015): Considering all of the behind-the-scenes drama (director change shortly before the start of principal photography, numerous rewrites, etc.) that plagued its production, it's pretty remarkable that Ant-Man ended up being a modest success. With its heist-driven story full of colorful characters and amusing one-liners, Ant-Man was a nice deviation from the MCU's grand-scale norm.
Grade: B
11.The Incredible Hulk (2008): Just about all traces of The Incredible Hulk have been removed from the MCU since Edward Norton declined to reprise the role in future films, which is kind of a shame because it's actually a pretty solid flick. Portraying Bruce Banner as a broken, distant man that's desperately trying to find a cure for his affliction made the character a lot more interesting and Louis Leterrier delivered the healthy amount of satisfying Hulk destruction that Ang Lee's mutant poodle-filled disaster sorely lacked.
Grade: B
10.Captain America: Civil War (2016): Civil War's highlights are in the upper echelon of MCU moments and creative decisions. The two biggest action scenes (the opening fight in Lagos, the airport scene) are staggering, the introductions to Black Panther and Tom Holland's Spider-Man are perfect, and its self-contained narrative was a refreshing reprieve from the relentless worldbuilding they had been relying on in the films leading up to it. Unfortunately, these brilliant elements are undercut by erratic pacing and a frustrating refusal to remain committed to the darkness that the story teases throughout. While the sheer amount of untapped potential that's on display here will always bother me, Civil War's admirable strengths and the role it played in ultimately changing this mega-franchise for the better was enough to bump it up a few spots on this list.
Grade: B
9.Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): Sony should write a passionate thank you note to Marvel Studios for successfully restoring the Spider-Man brand after nearly a decade of soiling the friendly neighborhood webslinger's good name. A great sense of humor paired with its effective portrayal of Peter Parker as a bumbling teenager who hasn't quite figured out the whole superhero thing yet made Homecoming the first consistently enjoyable Spider-Man film since the OG Spider-Man 2.
Grade: B+
8.Thor (2011): As far as superhero origin stories go, Thor is definitely amongst the best. Chris Hemsworth's immense likability, jokes that land at a pretty high clip and the presence of a memorable, well-developed villain in Loki made this a particularly successful "fish out of water" tale.
Grade: B+
7.Doctor Strange (2016): With its dazzling psychedelic imagery, mystical action sequences and an imperfect hero played by the always great Benedict Cumberbatch, Doctor Strange officially ushered in Marvel's semi-experimental "phase three" era that erased the "been there, done that" feeling that plagued most of the post-Avengers films. Hopefully the rumored sequel goes into production before too long because I would love to spend more time in this wild world of space-and-time manipulating magic.
Grade: B+
6.The Avengers (2012): While it losses a little bit of its initial "wow" factor upon repeat viewings, I still really admire what Joss Whedon was able to pull off here. The creator of cult television phenomenon's Buffy, The Vampire Slayer and Firefly was able to give fans the breezy, epic team-up movie they'd been clamoring for without being overwhelmed by the intimidating volume of characters or interconnecting storylines that he had to work with.
Grade: A-
5.Iron Man 3 (2013): Most MCU fans have a film that they feel is underrated in the unforgiving court of public opinion. Shane Black's largely polarizing Iron Man 3 holds that distinction for me. I found a lot of the plot threads that bugged people (the twist with The Mandarin, the scenes in Tennessee, Tony Stark's PTSD brought on by the events of The Avengers) to be brilliant, richly-rewarding risks that helped set this film apart from its predecessors without taking away from its established strengths (Downey Jr., exciting action scenes, great one-liners).
Grade: A
4.Guardians of the Galaxy (2014): Guardians of the Galaxy provides the glorious answer to the burning question of what would happen if you decided to take The Avengers to space and got them hopped up on DMT. This beautiful introduction to the most lovable antiheroes the bowels of space have to offer is a colorful, twisted blast that has plenty of laughs and a strong rewatchability factor.
Grade: A
3.Iron Man (2008): You could make a strong argument that the MCU wouldn't have turned into the worldwide phenomenon its become without Iron Man. Jon Faverau got this interconnected series of films off to a roaring start by crafting a highly entertaining origin story that's driven by strong character development, cool action scenes and a magnetic performance from a perfectly-cast Robert Downey Jr in the leading role.
Grade: A
2.Black Panther (2018): 2018's biggest cultural phenomenon thus far is a masterclass in genre filmmaking. Making a film that simultaneously works as a complex, emotionally-charged political saga that comments on real world issues and a vivid superhero spectacle that's driven by immensely likable characters and terrific action sequences is a staggering accomplishment that only a virtuoso director like Ryan Coogler could pull off.
Grade: A
1.Thor: Ragnarok (2017): Handing the reigns of the Thor franchise over to Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) was the greatest decision Kevin Feige has made during his time overseeing this connected universe. Waititi's energetic directorial style paired with an amazing ensemble cast that fully embraced his oddball sense of humor paved the way for the funniest, strangest and most deliriously entertaining superhero movie I've ever had the pleasure of watching.
Grade: A
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