Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook: 2018 NFL Mock Draft 2.0, Part Two

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

17) Los Angeles Chargers (9-7): Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

One of the more talented teams in all of the league, the Chargers were a couple of bounces away from being a scary playoff opponent. Despite the fact Philip Rivers is now 36 years of age, I really like what Los Angeles has going forward. Add in Rashaan Evans to a defense with the likes of Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, and good young cornerbacks, and suddenly, things look even more promising.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (6): Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Rashaan Evans is one powerful dude. #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter pic.twitter.com/TCFm4jESB3

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) November 21, 2017

18) Seattle Seahawks (9-7): Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Oklahoma

If you’ve watched any Seahawk football over the past few years, you’ve seen one of the better quarterbacks we have in our game scrambling for his life on nearly every play. Things have got to change. Orlando Brown isn’t someone I’d spend a top-20 pick on, but desperate situations call for (semi) desperate measures. Combining a 6’8, 340 lb frame with a with sound technique and hand usage, he should be a solid addition to the worst offensive line in the league.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (25): Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

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

19) Dallas Cowboys (9-7): Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

After Dak Prescott’s relative struggle to repeat his rookie season and Dez Bryant’s down year, things aren’t looking nearly as rosy for America’s team as they were a year ago. The offense still has a lot of great pieces, and while going with a receiver here made a lot of sense, adding Christian Wilkins to a young aspiring defense felt like a perfect fit. With terrific athleticism, football IQ, and ability to shed blocks, Wilkins seems destined to be a terrific three-technique.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (17): Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

20) Detroit Lions (9-7): Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Enough is enough. Detroit needs to find a bonafide running back. Both Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah are nice pieces, but neither has been much of a sidekick to Matthew Stafford and the passing game. Something that is definitely on my draft wish list is getting Detroit a running back. Guice hasn’t had flashy highlights or eye-popping stats, but the talent to be a franchise running back is undoubtedly there for the Tiger.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (19): Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson

21) Buffalo Bills (9-7): Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan

Kyle Williams is now 34 years old. Outside of him, the interior of the defensive line is looking pretty dire for Buffalo. It’s time to add some youth. Hurst may not be the most well-known player in America, but you know for certain his teammates appreciate what he does on a play-by-play basis. I don’t exactly know what the Bills are going forward, but Maurice Hurst would be a solid pick and fit, through and through.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (18): Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

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) Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)): Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

I’ve heard Bills fans clamoring, and I mean clamoring all year long for a replacement at QB. After seeing what Tyrod Taylor and the offense were able to do in their playoff game against Jacksonville, I don’t disagree. A team that could shock the draft world by trading up to get one of the top four quarterbacks, look out for Buffalo near and on draft day. A pure thrower of the football, Rudolph’s strengths come in terms of accuracy and mechanics, while his weaknesses show up in his footwork and mobility. This may be a bit of a reach strictly on talent, but it’s worth a shot for a team with multiple first-round selections.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (24): Sam Hubbard, EDGE, Ohio State

23) Los Angeles Rams (11-5): Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa

I was extremely tempted to give Los Angeles an edge defender here, but the talent and playmaking ability with Joshua Jackson was too much to pass up on. After an uber exciting year with marked improvement from Todd Gurley and Jared Goff, the Rams may be set up to be a playoff team for several years to come. Overflowing with talent on the offensive side, GM Les Snead must focus on improving the defense over the next few years. Jackson isn’t the most athletic corner in the draft, but his football IQ and man coverage skills make him well worth it at number 23.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (29): Dorance Armstrong, EDGE, Kansas

24) Carolina Panthers (11-5): Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

One thing has become apparently clear when watching the Panthers this season – aid is needed among the wide receiver group. Cam Newton, Christian McCaffrey, and Greg Olsen aren’t going to win playoff games on their own. They need a legitimate threat on the outside. Christian Kirk has been the apple of devy fan’s eyes since his the moment he committed to play in College Station. Having gathered nearly 3,000 receiving yards in three years against SEC defenses, you can bet Kirk will be a first rounder come April.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (26): Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

25) Tennessee Titans (9-7): Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

A prospect I had as a surefire top-ten pick in my preseason rankings, I’m still a big believer in what Harold Landry can become. An absolute blur with terrific bend around the edge, he’d give Tennessee a great combination between him and Brian Orakpo. Still a young team with a lot of upside, I love the direction the Titans are headed.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (22): Ronnie Harrison, SS, Alabama

26) Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6): Billy Price, OL, Ohio State

Look at the stats and you’ll see Leonard Fournette as a productive, yet inefficient running back. It’s not all on Fournette’s broad shoulders, as the offensive line in front of him has done little to help. With Brandon Linder being a bright spot at center for Jacksonville, Billy Price would slide in nicely at either of the guard positions. Playing center during his senior season in Columbus, he has shown himself to be NFL-ready in all facets of blocking. A terrific athlete with even better footwork, I really like the Ohio State product’s future.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (23): Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

27) Atlanta Falcons (10-6): Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Top to bottom, the Falcons have one of the best rosters in football. If you have to identify one position as in need of talent, it’s the linebackers. Deion Jones is a great young talent, and De’Vondre Campbell isn’t too shabby either. However, they now just need a ‘thumper’ to come down and stop the run. It’s safe to say Tremaine Edmunds is a perfect match. A superb tackler with an exceptional ability to deal with blockers, the Hokie would make Atlanta all the more dangerous on defense.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (21): Maurice Hurst Jr., DT, Michigan

Tremaine Edmunds is one hell of a run defender! Finds himself in bad spot but eludes blockers and makes the tackle! #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter pic.twitter.com/oR0nPADJIT

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) October 31, 2017

28) New Orleans Saints (11-5): Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas

While the Saints defense is much improved from years prior, more work is still needed to be done for Mickey Loomis. Jefferson was a consensus top-20 talent in preseason rankings and has fallen just a bit, but is still every bit of an NFL-level linebacker. A rangy athlete with terrific technique and smarts, Jefferson would be a great fit as the ‘Mike’ ‘backer in New Orleans.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (31): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

29) Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3): Arden Key, EDGE, LSU

The Steelers championship window may soon be closing, so Kevin Colbert must make these picks count. Pittsburgh has found the first half of their outside backers in the 3-4 with T.J. Watt. Now it’s time to find his running mate. Arden Key, by statistical measures, had a disappointing Junior campaign. But there’s a reason many had him as a top-five pick going into 2017. The 6’6 Key has tremendous burst and bend around the edge that should provoke terror in opposing offensive tackles and quarterbacks. With enormous potential, the LSU product could become the best pass rusher from this draft.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (27): Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

30) Philadelphia Eagles (13-3): Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

Philadelphia is plain difficult to mock for. Their roster is seriously, and ridiculously stacked. With no pressing needs at the moment, I decided to give Carson Wentz and the offense another weapon to build around. A complete receiver who can block, run routes, and “go up and get it” with the best of them, Cain would give Wentz another big-bodied pass catcher to go along with Alshon Jeffery and Zach Ertz.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (32): Ronald Jones, RB, USC

31) New England Patriots (13-3): Marcus Davenport, EDGE, University of Texas-San Antonio

Putting Marcus Davenport under the tutelage of Bill Belichick and his coaching staff would be an amazing thing to watch. The Roadrunner is a 6’7, athletic freak with otherworldly strength. These guys are worth taking late in round one even if they aren’t as refined as you would like. We could see Davenport be the next “small school gem” if he lands in the right situation, and it’s hard to find a better one than New England.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (28): Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State

Every game Marcus Davenport plays is a highlight reel. #NFLDraft #DraftTwitter pic.twitter.com/FoJdMxTrRG

— Bradley Ylitalo (@NFL_drafthub) January 9, 2018

32) Minnesota Vikings (13-3): Taven Bryan, DT, Florida

GM Rick Spielman won’t hesitate for a second to add young talent to a defense that already ranks as the best in the NFL. A defensive front that features Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, and Linval Joseph has been filled out quite nicely by 33-year-old defensive tackle Tom Johnson, but he’s not the long-term solution at the three-technique for Mike Zimmer. While the stats aren’t fantastic for the Florida Junior, the athleticism and potential he has flashed make him a more than intriguing prospect. Taven Bryan is a name to keep an eye on and could rise even further than the back end of the first round.

Mock Draft 1.0 Selection (30): Daron Payne, DT, Alabama

Well, that wraps up this edition of “Bradley Ylitalo’s Scouting Notebook”, please leave a comment or question below. Feel free to shoot me a question on Twitter (@NFL_Drafthub), I’m always happy to interact with football fans. See you next time!

[/am4show]