FIRST ROUND MOCK DRAFT (25-32)
Make sure to tune in Thursday on the Ourlads’ Football Radio Network for a mock draft special edition of Ourlads’ Guide to the 2018 NFL Draft with Dan Shonka. Dan and I will go in-depth on every pick in the first round.
25 Tennessee OG Isaiah Wynn, Georgia
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The Titans need a better push from the interior of their offensive line and Wynn would be an instant upgrade over LG Quinton Spain. Tennessee dropped from 3rd to 15th in rushing last season while in college Wynn helped Georgia rank 9th nationally on their way to the national title game.
26 Atlanta DE Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
INSTANT ANALYSIS
For the fifth time in six years the Falcons will use their top pick on a defensive player. A matter of fact, since HC Dan Quinn has taken over on the sidelines, GM Thomas Dimitroff has gone defense each year and I don’t see that changing after DE Adrian Clayborn and DT Dontari Poe exited in free agency.
Look for players like RB Rashaad Penny or WRs DJ Chark and Dante Pettis to be targets in round-two since the Falcons need more skill positon depth as well as a good young return man.
27 New Orleans TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
INSTANT ANALYSIS
I see this coming down to either Goedert or WR DJ Moore. The Saints have done a great job retooling the defense over the last few years and so they should be in good shape to add the top tight end in the draft for the offense. QB Drew Brees hasn’t had the luxury of utilizing this position in his arsenal since after the 2014 season when Jimmy Graham bolted for Seattle.
Moore would be a perfect eventual replacement for 33-year-old Ted Ginn Jr. as both a dangerous slot weapon and punt returner.
28 Pittsburgh LB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The Steelers are a good trade-down candidate since they have more holes to fill then you might think. Much of it has to do with weak cap space and a handful of key players hitting the open market after the season.
This is a tough call, but with Ryan Shazier out for next season and fellow inside linebacker Vince Williams a free agent in 2019, the Steelers need to address this positon more than any other. Vander Esch will also be useful thanks to his versatility that includes his ability to contribute on special teams right away. That’s key after Pittsburgh had to cut one of their top special team’s performers and two-time captain, Robert Golden.
Other possibilities on my board include RB Rashaad Penny, WR DJ Moore, TEs Mike Gesicki or Hayden Hurst and CB Josh Jackson. Penny would be in interesting choice since he could fill two holes including as the primary punt returner while providing Pittsburgh with a viable option in case they decide to eventually move on from Le’Veon Bell.
29 Jacksonville OG Braden Smith, Auburn
INSTANT ANALYSIS
I think Smith is the best option since he can play both inside and out. This will give the Jags a player who could take over for RG AJ Cann either this season or next and could also possibly move outside as RT Jermey Parnell’s eventual replacement down the road.
A couple of other options on our board here include OT Mike McGlinchey and CB Josh Jackson. Jackson is the type of playmaker who could take advantage of the Jags relentless pressure while McGlinchey would help add much needed depth at tackle since the jury is still out on LT Cam Robinson’s ability to play on the outside.
30 Minnesota OT Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The Vikings have some good options here from what’s left on our board with the Notre Dame tackle being the top priority and possibly the best player available. Minnesota‘s biggest team weakness is their offensive line and it’s not even close with only last year’s third-round pick C Pat Elflein considered a potential building block.
Other players the Vikings could consider here include RB Rashaad Penny, DT Maurice Hurst and CB Josh Jackson. Penny would be my next choice since he’d be able to instantly replace Jerick McKinnon’s value including that of a top kick returner.
31 Arizona (via New England trade) OT Kolton Miller, UCLA
INSTANT ANALYSIS
As we mentioned in our previous post, the Cardinals are a real good trade-down candidate because they have many needs, and with several really good options for them to consider they should be able to land a good one with this pick.
But there are still two positions that easily stick out and that require immediate help which is why we had to go with a lineman here. Miller just beats out fellow OTs Tyrell Crosby and Brian O’Neill.
The other position that needs a major upgrade is at cornerback which is why Josh Jackson was a really close runner-up. But since depth for defensive backs in this draft is way better than that of OTs, we felt strongly about taking Miller now and going after corners later.
I also think RB Rashaad Penny would be a great help to the depth behind David Johnson because he can also help the poor return game and overall special teams unit from last year. WR DJ Moore is another possible option after the Birds lost two of their top receivers (John & Jaron Brown) to free agency. And it’s been far too long since the Cardinals had a top-tier tight end to call on, so this would be a great draft to land one.
32 Philadelphia RB Rashaad Penny, San Diego State
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Based on the players left on our board, I believe this should come down to Penny, WR DJ Moore and either OTs Tyrell Crosby or Brian O’Neill.
Penny is a great fit with HC Doug Pederson’s team after the Eagles lost LeGarrette Blount to free agency and with Jay Ajayi set to hit the open market after the season. Penny could ultimately become their No. 1 running back before too long. He’s that talented. He’ll also be a huge help in the return game considering their top man, Kenjon Barner, is a free agent and is coming off a down year.
As for the other potential picks we mentioned, Moore would be a great insurance plan in the slot for Nelson Agholor, who becomes a free agent next year. Keep in mind the Eagles are currently 31st in the league in cap space. And let’s not forget that LT Jason Peters is 36 and coming off a serious knee injury that sidelined him for more than half the season. Vaitai Halapoulivaati filled in as well as he could for Peters, but the Eagles need more.