FIRST ROUND MOCK DRAFT (9-16)
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.
9 San Francisco DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
INSTANT ANALYSIS
If Fitzpatrick were to fall this far, John Lynch would have to feel like the luckiest GM in the land. Either Fitzpatrick or S Derwin James would be great picks here with Eric Reid gone and the top two remaining safeties set to hit free agency next season in Jaquiski Tartt & Jimmie Ward. Fitzpatrick would also be an instant upgrade over Ward.
Make sure to keep an eye on the impending legal issues from LB Reuben Foster. Georgia LB Roquan Smith could be an ideal fit if it becomes likely Foster will be done in San Francisco by time we get to draft day.
Other possibilities on my board here include RB Derrius Guice, DT Vita Vea and CB Denzel Ward. Vea would be an excellent upgrade over Earl Mitchell and Guice is the type of lead power-back this team can use to pair with Jerick McKinnon.
10 Oakland CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The Raiders nabbed one Buckeyes cornerback last year in the first-round when they took Gareon Conley 24th overall and I see no reason to believe they wouldn’t feel just as excited about going after his former teammate with this pick too.
Oakland also should consider taking RB Derrius Guice to eventually succeed Marshawn Lynch. They can also use depth at the defensive end spot with Denico Autry gone and with Mario Edwards Jr. set to hit the open market after the season. Edwards Jr. has an injury history as well and the Raiders are in bad cap shape, so it will be hard to find the money to afford bringing him back, especially with superstar end Khalil Mack looking for a huge payday and as might WR Amari Cooper.
If the Raiders want to add some depth up-front, then players like Marcus Davenport and Sam Hubbard would probably be two of their top targets.
11 Denver (via Miami trade) DT Vita Vea, Washington
INSTANT ANALYSIS
This is the reason why the Broncos can trade down for more picks. Vea will probably be available if the four QBs are already gone at this point. Of course, this all depends on whether GM John Elway is willing to roll with QB Case Keenum for a few years and if he thinks Paxton Lynch and/or Chad Kelly are viable future starters. Knowing just how Elway’s been successful with his personnel through the years, I feel he’ll be more confident sticking with a veteran than taking a chance on another young first-round prospect. This way he can bolster his defense like he did when they won their recent championship and then if he wants to take a chance on a QB later in the draft, he’ll be well equipped to do so with seven picks from rounds 2-5 even before he would add more picks with the type of Miami deal we just proposed.
Keep in mind that even though NT Domata Peko and fellow lineman like Shelby Harris and Zach Kerr all performed better than expected last season, all three will be free agents in 2019 while Peko turns 34 in November.
12 Tampa Bay (via Buffalo trade) S Derwin James, Florida State
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The Bucs should make a good trade-down partner because they still have plenty of holes to fill, especially in the defensive backfield and the offensive line.
With James still on the board he instantly becomes a top target.
I also believe RB Derrius Guice would be a great addition to their backfield.
13 Washington DT Da’ Ron Payne, Alabama
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The Redskins should get a good player here and Payne is the better of the one’s remaining on my board. After getting lucky last year with that amazing draft-slide by his former teammate Jonathan Allen last year, why wouldn’t the Redskins double-down on another stud performer from that defensive powerhouse program in Alabama?
LB Roquan Smith and CB Jaire Alexander are two other good players to consider with this pick.
14 Green Bay CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The Packers are a good trade-up candidate because they own 12 picks and can use quality players over quantity at this point.
Their two most glaring issues are located on the interior of the offensive line and at cornerback. If new GM Brian Gutekunst were able to swing a splash trade to move up and get a stud player like OG Quenton Nelson, it would be a great way to gain a positive reputation within the organization and the fan base.
Another possibility with this pick is to go after Jordy Nelson’s replacement by taking WR Calvin Ridley. Because whether they get one here or later, the Packers are going to need to upgrade the receiver position early, especially with Randall Cobb entering free agency next year.
15 New England (via Arizona trade) QB Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
INSTANT ANALYSIS
With so many holes to fill, the Cardinals would be in better shape by adding two to three more picks to their draft capital and the Patriots are the most likely team to help them get there.
If the Cardinals decided to make this pick, then the players who remain on our board like DE Marcus Davenport, DE Sam Hubbard, OT Mike McGlinchey, WR Calvin Ridley and LB Roquan Smith would make the most sense. Of course this all depends on whether they’re interested in adding a young signal-caller here too.
16 Baltimore LB Roquan Smith, Georgia
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Based on my board, I believe there are three players who would be great fits here with Smith leading the way. The former Georgia Bulldog is the type of linebacker I believe GM Ozzie Newsome would love to add to his team in his final draft. If Smith weren’t available though, then I’d look at WR Calvin Ridley or maybe even QB Lamar Jackson.
Another possibility would be for the Ravens to drop down any number of spots and add more picks.