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

Bradley Ylitalo

I could talk about the fact that the Eagles (bye), Vikings, Saints, and Rams continue to dominate the NFC, all while not being playoff teams in 2016. I could discuss how the Patriots are the Super Bowl favorites in my eyes after reeling off five straight wins, or how the Broncos are a bonafide dumpster fire as the one thing we thought they could count on, their defense, has given up 92 points over the last two weeks. But I’m way too excited to get into this mock draft, so let’s get started.

1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Cleveland is another mess in 2017. It’s not nearly all DeShone Kizer’s fault, but he clearly isn’t ready to run an NFL offense. After going with Myles Garrett with the number one pick last year, it’s time to go and get their franchise leader. Rosen is about as safe a quarterback as they come in my eyes, with no real concerning weaknesses to speak of. He should step in from day one, and be a viable option at a position Cleveland has been unable to fill for years.

2. San Francisco 49ers: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

This is a spot where I see San Francisco trading down, especially to a team looking at taking Darnold. But with a no-trade mock, I was forced to stay put and pick the best player on the board for San Francisco. With Jimmy Garoppolo in the fold, they’re gonna need to put him in the best position possible to succeed, so why not give him the best running back we’ve seen in years with Saquon Barkley. An unbelievable all-around talent, he is as close as you can get to a can’t miss.

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3. New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

The Eli Manning era appears to be coming to an ugly conclusion, and it’s time for New York to instill some hope to a fanbase that has endured a downright disappointing season. With Odell Beckham, Evan Engram, and Sterling Shepard, Darnold would have the necessary weapons to make an immediate impact once he takes over for Manning. This pick would give Giants fans a glimpse of a brighter future.

4. Indianapolis Colts: Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

When Indianapolis Colts made a run to the AFC championship just two seasons ago, it looked like they would be a perennial playoff team. Since then, things have taken an abysmal turn for the worse. To sum up their season; Andrew Luck can’t get healthy and the defense still cannot stop anyone.

I considered a lot of options here, but eventually settled on giving them who I believe is the top edge rusher in the class, Harold Landry. The Boston College product has all the tools necessary to be a consistent double-digit sack producer, he’s a nice pick here at number four here for Indianapolis.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Connor Williams, OT, Texas

There may be major concerns over Williams MCL issues this year, but if he checks out health wise come draft time, he should be the favorite to be the first offensive tackle off the board. Andy Dalton and the offense have yet to get going this year, but Williams would provide a major and needed boost. The true Junior shows an elite level of quickness, technique, and footwork which all point to him being an elite pass protector.

6. Los Angeles Chargers: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

If this is the first mock you’ve read this year, you might be surprised at an offensive guard going top ten, but in this case, it’s looking increasingly likely that it will happen. Nelson is about as solid as they come in both the run and pass game, and should prove to be a perennial pro bowler once he finds his footing in the NFL. The kind of running lanes Nelson blows open should do wonders for Melvin Gordon and the Chargers offense who are currently averaging under four yards per carry.

7. Denver Broncos: Bradley Chubb, EDGE, North Carolina State

Perhaps the AFC’s biggest disappointment, the Denver Broncos have gone from perceived playoff contenders to looking at what could be a five or six-win season. Teams can too often solely focus on slowing down Von Miller without worrying about his counter rusher, something teams couldn’t do when Demarcus Ware was on the other side. Shane Ray has yet to live up to his first-round expectations, and I ultimately view him as a quality third rusher more than a viable starter. Enter Bradley Chubb, who would do more than solve that. Chubb is a freak athlete with amazing strength who should prove to be a force to be reckoned with in every facet of the game.

8. Cleveland Browns (from HOU): Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

Cleveland lands a consensus top-five talent at number eight, and while free safety may not be their biggest need, there in no position to turn down talent like Fitzpatrick. This kid has every tool you look for in a DB, with incredible IQ and instincts that pop right off the tape. Cleveland needs difference makers on defense, and Minkah Fitzpatrick would be just that.

9. Chicago Bears: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Calvin Ridley was greatly considered here given how much Chicago needs a receiver, but CB is also a need and a talent like Denzel Ward simply couldn’t be passed on here. Ward, like his former teammate Marshon Lattimore, builds his game on incredible athleticism and hips, which should make him a lock-down man corner when he gets into his prime.

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Arden Key, EDGE, LSU

Tampa Bay badly needs a better pass rush, and here they get someone who in my preseason ranks was a top-five talent. Key is a 6’6, 265 lb monster around the edge who has all the athleticism and strength needed to be a true franchise pass rusher. If he can reach his full potential, Tampa Bay would be getting a steal with the tenth pick of the draft.

11. New York Jets: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

New York has a lot of young pieces on the defensive side of the ball to build around, now it’s time to go out and get their QB. Realistically, Allen will need a year of coaching to be ready for the defenses the NFL has to offer, but once he’s ready, we’re looking at a potential star. Combine his build (6’5), mobility, and arm talent, and you have yourself a signal caller with massive upside.

12. Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Joe Flacco has been starving for viable options at WR for too long now, and it has left this Baltimore offense looking uninspired and just plain ugly. Calvin Ridley would begin to turn that around. If you’ve been reading my scouting notebook, you know I liken Ridley to Brandin Cooks, and have him as the number one receiver on my board. It’s time for Baltimore to create a new identity on offense, and getting a playmaker like Ridley is a must in round one.

13. Oakland Raiders: Derwin James, S, Florida State

I thought about giving Oakland Derrius Guice here which would provide a long-term option at RB that they need badly, but Derwin James was just too much to pass up on. Pairing James with Karl Joseph would give Oakland a set of safeties that would make life a whole lot easier for a defense that hasn’t exactly been world beaters. James combines 6’3 height with an amazing athleticism, and is one of the better run defenders I’ve seen at the safety position.

14. Washington Redskins: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Kirk Cousins is gonna be in for one massive pay-day this off-season, and whether or not it’s Washington who decided to pay that check, they will be in need of a franchise RB. Looking at the box scores, Guice has had a disappointing junior season, but he’s still firmly sitting as a first-round talent as the college season is beginning to wind down. The Tiger combines an NFL ready blend of speed, vision, and power which should allow him to take over the Washington backfield the minute he signs his rookie deal.

15. Arizona Cardinals: Courtland Sutton, WR, Southern Methodist

Arizona is badly in need of QB help, so Mason Rudolph was a tough one to pass up on here, but at the end of the day Courtland Sutton made too much sense. Sutton is a legitimate NFL athlete at 6’4 and should prove to be a tough cover in the red zone. Larry Fitzgerald is only getting older, Sutton would be a worthy long term replacement.

16. Miami Dolphins: Tarvarus McFadden, CB, FSU

The Dolphin’s offense is embarrassing. There’s no getting around that. But the cold truth for Adam Gase and the rest of Miami is that their needs don’t stop there. Drafting McFadden would allow them to move Cordrea Tankersley to the slot where I believe he could excel, or would allow them to simply replace Xavien Howard in the starting lineup, who has had his fair share of struggles. Either way, adding McFadden would be a good get here in the middle of the first.

Check back soon for the rest of the first round!

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