1. Cleveland Browns- Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Browns finally get their QB of the future on the big man from the small school. While Darnold or Rosen may be the safer picks, I think that the Browns love what Allen can be. He has been compared to Carson Wentz and Big Ben. That's pretty good company. New Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley had Ben in Pittsburgh, so could do wonders with that kind of potential. He can sit behind Tyrod Taylor for a year, learn the game and the offense, and then start in 2019.
2. New York Giants- Sam Darnold, QB, USC
If Darnold had gone #1, this wouldn't be a QB. However, with possibly the safest and most talented QB in the draft there, I think the Giants pull the trigger on him. He will be able to sit behind Eli Manning, a similar-style QB, and step in right away when Eli retires or leaves NY. Darnold is better than Davis Webb, and the Giants simply can't pass up on this prospect.
3. New York Jets- Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The Jets traded up to get a QB, and they pick the biggest name and the biggest personality. They may have to give him a babysitter whenever he isn't on the field, but his love of the game, competitive fire, accuracy, and winning pedigree cannot be questioned. He will light the fire in the Jets that they haven't had for a while. With that talented defense, even slightly above average QB play could make them a contender.
4. Cleveland Browns- Saquon Barkely, RB, Penn State
The Browns win the draft! Barkely might be the best player in the entire draft, and the Browns are able to secure both him and their QB in the first 4 picks. He is too good to pass up on here, and the Browns fans would immediately love him. He would be the face of the franchise over the QB, because he will come in right away with the potential to be a top 10 running back in the league as a rookie. Gil Brandt called him the next Mashall Faulk. You have to take him here.
5. Denver Broncos- Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
Well, the Broncos are a little disappointed that none of their top 3 QBs fell to them. They will take a good hard look at Josh Rosen, but in the end, John Elway will remember he won a Super Bowl with a sub-par Peyton Manning being carried by an epic defense. Taking the best defensive player available to pair with Von Miller will give AFC West QBs nightmares. Plus, Case Keenum was a Pro Bowl QB last year, and is an instant upgrade to the Broncos previous QBs.
6. Indianapolis Colts- Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Assuming Andrew Luck still has arms, can still throw a football, and will actually take the field this year (all big assumptions), the Colts would do well to protect their $150 million franchise QB. Quenton Nelson is the best offensive lineman in the draft. Much like a Zack Martin or Brandon Scherff, he is good enough on the inside that he will make the rest of the line better. The Colts will actually be able to protect their QB, run the ball, and compete in games now.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Brent Grimes isn't exactly a young man, so corner is a big need area for the Bucs. Denzel Ward is the latest excellent corner prospect from Ohio State, and would be able to come in and play immediately if needed. Pairing him with Vernon Hargreaves would give the Bucs one of the best young corner combos in the league.
8. Chicago Bears- Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
This is the Bears. The Monsters of the Midway. They play defense. They have linebackers like Butkus, Urlacher, and Singletary. This pick would be the Bears getting back to their true identity. Smith is that thumper in the middle of the defense that can do it all, or move outside to pass rush with his exceptional speed. He will come in and immediately be the best player on the defense.
9. San Francisco 49ers- Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama
Is he a corner? Is he a safety? Well, all the 49ers need to know is that he is a fantastic football player who will immediately help their secondary. I think he will primarily play safety, but is so talented and versatile that he will never need to be subbed out. Even better, Richard Sherman will be able to teach him everything he knows.
10. Oakland Raiders- Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech
The Raiders need to give Khalil Mack a little help on defense, and Edmunds is the kind of physical freak that Al Davis would have loved. He is still just 19, and is still learning how good he can be. NFL.com says his player comp is Brian Urlacher. Who wouldn't want to draft that? Plug him in on the defense for the next decade and be happy with the results.
11. Miami Dolphins- Vita Vea, DT, Washington
I don't buy the "Dolphins taking a QB" talk. They got to the playoffs with a healthy Ryan Tannehill. Instead, I think they have to address that Suh-sized hole in the middle of their defensive line. Vea is a super-athletic nose tackle who will be able to help with both the pass rush and stopping the run.
12. Buffalo Bills- Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
So, I don't project trades. That said, I think that the Bills will get Rosen, but somewhere in the Top 10. They have the capital to move up and get their man. AJ McCarron isn't their long term solution, based on what they paid him. Rosen's commitment to football has been questioned (not sure why), but his ability and talent never has been. He may be the most pro-ready QB in the draft, and could compete for the starting job right away.
13. Washington Redskins- Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
The player comp is Ndamukong Suh. Payne took over the National Championship game, essentially shutting down Georgia's offense by himself. He would be paired with former teammate Jonathan Allen in Washington, and help the worst rush defense in the league, finally solving one of the longest lingering issues for the Skins.
14. Green Bay Packers- Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The Packers need help in the secondary, and Jaire Alexander is super-talented. He put on a show at the combine, running a 4.38 40 and excelling in all the drills. He could be an upgrade over both Tramon Williams or Kevin King. A shut down corner is needed in a division that now has both Matt Stafford and Kirk Cousins.
15. Arizona Cardinals- Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
From one team of Cardinals to another. Arizona needs to finally address their QB of the future question, and the Heisman-winning QB is the best QB available. He is a dynamic playmaker with his feet, and throws a great deep ball. He can potentially be a new Mike Vick, and the team could build their offense towards what he does best. The idea of running a read option with Jackson and David Johnson would give defensive coordinators fits.
16. Baltimore Ravens- Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Ravens just signed Willie Snead, but he isn't the answer. DJ Moore may be the better WR in the long run, but I think the Ravens and their fans have fallen in love with Ridley. He can come in and immediately be the #1 option for Joe Flacco. He has explosive speed, is a crisp route runner, and has great hands. It is a no-brainer pick for a team that needs all the help it can get on offense.
17. Los Angeles Chargers- Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Chargers will be over the moon to get this guy at 17. With comps to Eric Berry, he would be able to come in and fill that void at safety that has existed for the Chargers since Eric Weddle left. He would be the best player in the secondary the first day he shows up for practice.
18. Seattle Seahawks- Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
A tall corner with a ton of ability? That sounds like Seahawks football to me. The Legion of Boom lost Richard Sherman, and Jackson could come in and start opposite Shaq Griffin. The Hawks could also trade back, since they don't pick again until Round 4, but I think that Jackson would be the best fit for their franchise.
19. Dallas Cowboys- DJ Moore, WR, Maryland
Did you hear the Cowboys cut Dez Bryant? That hasn't been major news or anything. They now have a group of also-rans at receiver, and need to replace their best playmaker. Cue DJ Moore, who has the size, speed, and ability to come in and be that #1 guy for Dak Prescott and company. At worst, he is a great WR2.
20. Detroit Lions- Marcus Davenport, DE, UT-San Antonio
Raw and from a small school, Davenport nevertheless wowed scouts with his play and ability. The Lions could pair him with Ziggy Ansah and wreck havoc on the NFC. Davenport would play DE for the Lions, but has the agility and ability to drop into space as a 3-4 OLB if they switch their base.
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Vontaze Burfict will miss the first month of the season, and isn't exactly a spring chicken. Bringing a thumper like Evans into the mix will allow that defense to keep their intensity and swagger. He can run sideline to sideline, and does well in both run-stopping and the pass rush.
22. Buffalo Bills- Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
It sounds like Richie Incognito doesn't want to come back to Buffalo, so O-line help becomes an immediate need. Hernandez is a great pass-blocker, but an elite run blocker. He would be able to give Shady McCoy massive holes to run through, and will help keep Josh Rosen upright as he takes the reigns in Buffalo.
23. New England Patriots- Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Patriots manage to get the best tackle in the draft all the way at 23. They lost Nate Solder to the Giants, so they need to be able to find his replacement. McGlinchey can play left or right tackle, and can help keep the ageless wonder Tom Brady upright for yet another playoff run.
24. Carolina Panthers- Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
The first player from the real National Champions is off the board. Mike Hughes fits an immediate need. The Panthers secondary hasn't looked the same since Josh Norman took his talents to DC. Hughes is a playmaker, as was evident by how well he played in the Peach Bowl vs Auburn. He can also return kicks if Christian McCaffery doesn't want to.
25. Tennessee Titans- Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
The Titans are set on offense, with their QB, RB, OL all solid, and spending last year's first round pick on a wide out. Adding a strong pass rush would help bring their team to the next level, not just making the playoffs, but competing realistically for an AFC Championship. Harold Landry can get after the QB with a huge burst. If he hones his technique a little, he can be a monster edge rusher.
26. Atlanta Falcons- Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
The Falcons lost Dontari Poe to free agency, so they need help in the middle of that defensive line. Bryan, much like Poe, is an amazing athlete for a big guy. He has the ability to not just stop the run, but pursue a player downfield if need be. He would be a Day 1 starter for the Falcons as they look to return to the Super Bowl.
27. New Orleans Saints- Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Drew Brees has running backs, wide outs, a decent defense, and a good OL. The thing he has been missing in recent years was a standout tight end. Coby Fleener was a disappointment, and Ben Watson is older. Goedert is a superb pass-catching tight end, who would instantly become Brees' favorite red zone target.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
The Steelers love linebackers. They lost Ryan Shazier to a scary injury, and may never get him back. Vander Esch can be that kind of dynamic defensive stopper that the Steelers love. He can play both inside and out, can cover, and can rush the passer. He would be a great fit in black and yellow.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
What a difference a year makes. The Jaguars are picking very late in the first round thanks to their incredible defense, a stellar running game, and Blake Bortles not messing up too much. As a run-first team, they need to keep that OL as strong as possible. Miller is an excellent run-blocking tackle, who will help Leonard Fournette guide the Jags back to the playoffs.
30. Minnesota Vikings- James Daniels, OG/C, Iowa
You don't sign a QB to a massive contract if you can't protect him. While Kirk Cousins has some mobility, he would rather be able to work out of a clean pocket. Daniels, playing at guard, would be an immediate upgrade. He also has the versatility to play center if needed.
31. New England Patriots- Justin Reid, S, Stanford
The Patriots secondary was exposed in the Super Bowl by Nick Foles. They need to add more play makers and smart defenders. Justin, younger brother of All-Pro safety Eric Reid, is better in coverage than his older brother, and can help shore up that secondary for the future.
32. Philadelphia Eagles- Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
The Super Bowl champions don't have that many holes on their roster. However, they did lose Trey Burton to Chicago, and Zach Ertz seems to miss time every year. Hurst isn't the best blocker, but he is an excellent weapon in the passing game. Line him up in the slot vs a safety or a linebacker, and he could school them all day with his size and leaping ability.
So there you go! Round 1 in the books! Look for Rounds 2-7 to come tomorrow night, and as always, enjoy the Draft!
#DickHammer
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