Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook: 2018 NFL Mock Draft 1.0, Part Two

In case you missed it, make sure you go back and check out part one, which covered picks 1-16.

17. Dallas Cowboys: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

Most say Wilkins is a top ten or 12 talent, so Jerry Jones and co would be in full celebration landing him at seventeen. The Clemson product has shown a promising upside with a great blend of athleticism, strength, and technique. Wilkins would be a day one starter and do a lot to help out an already solid Cowboys run defense.

18. Buffalo Bills: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

Tyrod Taylor has shown me enough this year that I think the Bills have to ride with him into 2018. It’s the defense that needs help in Buffalo, and Jaire Alexander would be a damn good fit. Alexander is a tremendous athlete whose hips aren’t too shabby either. He’s made plays all through his career at Louisville, and projects as a potential superstar at the NFL level.

[am4show have=’g1;’ guest_error=’sub_message’ user_error=’sub_message’ ]

19. Detroit Lions: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

Ezekiel Ansah and Anthony Zettel have proven to be a component duo for the Motor City, but another edge rusher would go a long way. Clelin Ferrell projects as an upper tier run defender who could cause havoc in the passing game with his tremendous strength. I’m not completely sold on his quickness playing DE in a 4-3 system, but he’s certainly a top 20 talent.

20. Green Bay Packers: Malik Jefferson, ILB, Texas

The Packers will probably end up drafting closer to tenth than 20th when April rolls around, but for now, I’ll give them Malik Jefferson who would do wonders for a defense in need of quality players. Jefferson stands at 6’3 and has athleticism and tackling ability that makes him one of the best linebackers in the class. With Jefferson in town, we could finally see Green Bay’s defense take a much needed step forward.

21. Atlanta Falcons: Maurice Hurst Jr, DT, Michigan

Dontari Poe hasn’t been a terrible nose tackle for the 5-4 Falcons, but the fact of the matter is that there aren’t many holes for the reigning NFC champions. Maurice Hurst would only serve to improve a mediocre run defense for Atlanta, something Dan Quinn is no doubt looking to do. With Hurst and Jarrett on the inside, they would be set at defensive tackle for a long time.

Maurice Hurst incredibly gifted in football IQ, amazing how quickly he diagnoses this screen!! #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter @mohurstjr pic.twitter.com/Nwh9hAdQ1N

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) October 19, 2017

22. Tennessee Titans: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

Tennessee has all the makings of a perennial playoff contender. Now it’s simply time to keep adding quality players like Ronnie Harrison. Pair his 6’3 frame with an ability to absolutely fly, and you have yourself one hell of a safety prospect. Jonathan Cyprien has had one rough 2017, and Harrison would be a stellar replacement plan.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

You’d have to think Mason Rudolph would be ecstatic about his landing spot here. Jacksonville has all the makings of a perennial powerhouse on defense, and has a run game led by Leonard Fournette that looks like it will flourish for years to come. All that’s needed now is a QB to be the final piece of the puzzle, and Mason Rudolph would be a terrific candidate. The 6’5 Senior has put up insane numbers in Stillwater and has traits that point to NFL success as he matures.

24. Buffalo Bills (from KC): Sam Hubbard, EDGE, Ohio State

Buffalo already added Jaire Alexander to it’s back end, so it’s now time to add a difference maker to a front seven in need of a boost. As seen on Sunday against New Orleans, Buffalo is struggling to stop the run and it just so happens that’s one of Hubbard’s defining strengths. I don’t know if Hubbard has the same upside of the pass rushers previously mentioned in this mock, but he should be a plug and play starter for many seasons.

25. Seattle Seahawks: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Seattle added Duane Brown via trade with the Houston Texans, but there is still much work that needs to be done to an offensive line that has failed to protect Russell Wilson for way too long. I firmly believe Wilson is a top-five QB, and it’s time Seattle starts treating him like the asset he is. Drafting Mike McGlinchey would be a great start. McGlinchey will be able to play either tackle spot and thrive if he can make the most of his footwork, power, and quickness. The bottom line is Seattle needs a sure thing, and McGlinchey may just be that.

LT Mike McGlinchey helps create massive lane for Wimbush, loving what I’m seeing from McGlinchey!! @mmcglinch68 #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter pic.twitter.com/QsWiKWiUv9

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) October 9, 2017

26. Carolina Panthers: Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

Kelvin Benjamin is gone, and suddenly Carolina needs help at the WR position. Fairly similar to Benjamin, Cain predicates his game on the ability to win the 50-50 balls. He would fill the hole Benjamin left as a viable third down and red zone target for Newton.

27. Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

If Ben Roethlisberger does indeed decide to retire, then Pittsburgh will be scrambling to get a QB for a super bowl caliber team. But assuming Big Ben stays put, adding another young talent to a fairly talented defense would only make the Steelers a better, and more balanced team. Oliver is a terrific run defender who at 6’1 has shown impressive athleticism that has me excited about his NFL future. Late in the first round, Oliver would be an easy choice for Pittsburgh.

28. New England Patriots: Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State

We all know Bill Belichick. The odds that they keep this pick are pretty slim. But picking as if they are staying put, I’m going to give them a player who may end up being the best pass rushing defensive tackle from this class. I’d worry some about the fit in Matt Patricia’s 3-4 scheme, but the talent at this point in the first round is simply too much to pass up on. Jones is a fantastic athlete with a terrific hand usage who should be a nightmare to block play in and play out.

Dre’Mont Jones bursts through the line before the H-Back can crunch down on him, stops the play in the backfield!! #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter pic.twitter.com/hvlP3lyV7o

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) October 25, 2017

29. Los Angeles Rams: Dorance Armstrong, EDGE, Kansas

I think we all know by now that the Rams offense led by Jared Goff is for real. The defense has been far from disappointing, but adding another edge rusher is certainly a need to a team that ranks 28th in the NFL in sacks. Adding Dorance Armstrong wouldn’t be an immediate fix, but he would definitely be a great building block. Size, speed, and power are all strengths for the Jayhawk, it’ll just take time for him to improve his hand fighting and technique.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

The Vikings added Jaleel Johnson in the 2017 draft, but if you ask me he’s more of a depth defensive tackle than a long-term starter. While adding a starting three-technique if far from the highest of concerns for Minnesota, they cannot pass on the prospects of adding Da’Ron Payne to a defensive line with Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, and Danielle Hunter. Payne is a great athlete who can handle his own strength-wise, he’d be a great fit with Mike Zimmer and Minnesota.

31. New Orleans Saints: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

The Drew Brees era will unfortunately come to an end soon here, and it’s about time that the Saints start grooming a replacement. Mayfield’s height at 6’1 and footwork as a whole worry me, but the way he has dominated college football this year has many saying he will end up being a first-round pick. Mayfield would be in good hands learning from Brees and Payton, which could prove monumental to a QB coming from a Big 12 offense.

That’s a 60 yard throw right on the #DraftTwitter #NFLDraft @DFF_Devy pic.twitter.com/09cwob2dT0

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) August 23, 2017

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Ronald Jones, RB, USC

I know the Eagles traded for Jay Ajayi, but looking at him this year, I’m far from convinced he’s the franchise back in Philly. Carson Wentz looks like he may be the best young QB in the NFL and adding Ronald Jones might just be the best thing you can do for him. Jones is an electric athlete with good vision who reminds me a lot of Dalvin Cook. You ask Carson Wentz if he would like to add a Dalvin Cook kind of back to his offense, and you know exactly how he would respond.

Please leave a comment or question below, and I’ll be sure to respond!

Well, that wraps up this week’s edition of “Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook”, feel free to shoot me a question on Twitter (@NFL_Drafthub), I’m always happy to interact with football fans. Be on the lookout for next week’s poll as to which fan question we will cover! See you next time!

[/am4show]