Draft Day! The first round finally takes place on Friday night (from 2am), all three draft days will be live and in the original commentary on DAZN. Time for a final forecast: Once again this year the SPOX-NFL community has come together and completely typed through the first three rounds.
1st Cleveland Browns (Schnosi89) – Sam Darnold, QB, USC
With Tyrod Taylor a QB which is a starter for at least one year was counseled in the offseason. Sam Darnold is the quarterback who, in my opinion, fits best into the scheme of the new offensive coordinator Todd Haley and can be introduced very carefully to the task of franchise-QB. All the basics are available to him and can be expanded through optimal coaching in order to manage the franchise in the long term.
2nd New York Giants (bkg86) – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Less upside than Darnold, currently the better quarterback. It allows the Giants to make a smooth transition from one franchise quarterback to the next. Rosen has everything an NFL quarterback needs and is the logical choice at 2.
3rd New York Jets (MrWest) – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The jets take Josh Allen at position 3 for a fist-thick surprise. The 21-year-old has the best physical conditions of all quarterbacks, but definitely still needs some time to correct his inaccuracies. In New York he has enough time behind McCown and Bridgewater.
4th Cleveland Browns (Schnosi89) – Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
With three QBs from the board, the browns have a free choice. Bradley Chubb is the best player available for me at this point, also in terms of value. Together with Garrett and Ogbah, Cleveland is well positioned in the Pass Rush. The trio should now bring the pass defense to an appropriate level.
5th Denver Broncos (SoSatansbraten) – Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
With Baker Mayfield on the board, it’s not an easy decision for the Broncos. However, since Keenum will be tied to Denver for the next two years, Denver is strengthening its Interior O-Line at this point. Nelson has everything (body, athletics, strength, technique) to be one of the best guards in the league in the medium term. With Bolles, Leary, Paradis, Nelson and Veldheer, Case Keenum and Denvers Running Backs can work with a more than solid line in the coming season.
6 Indianapolis Colts (BigLuck and klausinho) – Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
At this stage of the draft a difficult spot for the colts, the two desired prospects are already gone. In reality, this is likely to be a running back, but I go with the Need and draw the best ILB in the draft class, even if it may be a few picks too early for him. Roquan has the speed, game intelligence and athletic skills Ballard seeks, and can become the central fixture in the Colts’ new defense.
7th Tampa Bay Buccaneers (tbb) – Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
Fitzpatrick is the best defensive back of the drag, in Tampa it will be used mainly as safety. With his game intelligence he takes the Secondary of Bucs to a new level, which is not so difficult.
8th Chicago Bears (ClemsonNation and BearDown91) – Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
At 19, Edmunds is one of the youngest players at this year’s Drafts. He already has a rare combination of athleticism and speed, with two very productive years (over 100 tackles in his previous two seasons) as leader of Virginia Tech University. However, his instincts are still raw and he sometimes reads plays wrong or too slowly. However, these mistakes should be reduced by experience. In Chicago he meets the appropriate coaching staff around Vic Fangio to develop into a starting inside linebacker and possible pro bowl candidate.
9th San Francisco 49ers (Vizzy and LazyLi0n) – Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College
Landry is the prototype Leo Pass Rusher in the 49ers’ scheme. Depending on the staff, he can rushen the quarterback from both sides, as he has the athletic skills to play both as LEO and as Sam. With his Bend and his speed we like Landry as Pass Rusher best for the 49ers system. The 2016 tape shows a potential top 5 pick, last season’s reputation in draft circles dropped due to injury.
10th Oakland Raiders (Hertz) – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Linebacker would have been my first choice here, but both top prospects are already gone. Since the cornerback position at the Raiders is not exactly low occupied and behind Conley due to injuries a question mark stands, I pick here for me the No. 1 cornerback of this year’s drag. Ward is small but incredibly fast and athletic. Could play both Outside and the Nickel.
11th Miami Dolphins (DanMarinoseinSohn) – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The love for Baker Mayfield is very big in South Beach and since he falls to 11 here, he is also bred. Does Miami need a quarterback? In any case, we are looking at the options. Due to the restructuring at Ryan Tannehill he is safe for at least one year and Baker can actually study for at least one year in the bank. A Mahome’s CC scenario is quite conceivable. Onfield undoubtedly a top QB in the class and since the attitude and leadership will also count in Miami, Baker is logical for me here.
12th Buffalo Bills (svenko) – Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Considering Mayfield has just gone to the Phins and McCoy has reached the 30-year mark, the Bills here are making a luxury pick with Barkley, who is surprisingly still there.
13 Washington Redskins (IamRGIII) – Vita Vea, DT, Washington
The Interior D-Line is becoming increasingly important in the NFL, see for example the Rams. Interior Pass Rush has become very important. Washington also had serious problems in the run defense last year. With Vita Vea you can tackle both problems. It is an excellent run-stopper and can also be used as a pass rusher inside pressure on the QB. Because of his sheer size he will force double teams against him. With last year’s draft pick Jonathan Allen, Vea can form a very dominant defense line.
14th Green Bay Packers (Mister0in) Derwin James, S, Florida State
Green Bay needs reinforcements everywhere in the defense due to some departures. James is an absolute playmaker for the secondary. Pettine loves flexible and aggressive safeties that can also be used close to the LoS. In James, Value meets Need. Could be a wish scenario for the Cheeseheads.
15th Arizona Cardinals (adriano0589) – Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The number 3 quarterback on my board is still available and accordingly easy the choice falls to me here. Jackson has played in a comparatively complex college open and has constantly improved as a passer. With his extraordinary athleticism, he will fit very well into the strongly run-heavy offense that Arizona will play in the future – quite apart from the fact that he does not have to start immediately. The inconstant Accuracy is cause for concern, but I believe that it can be repaired by correcting the footwork.
16th Baltimore Ravens (duncan21) – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
After the Free Agency Right Tackle is the biggest Need and here you get the best tackle of the class. McGlinchey played both sides of ND and should be an upgrade on the right immediately. It is one of the best prospects in its class, a good run blocker and moves well against the rush.
Page 1: 1st round, picks 1 to 16
Page 2: 1st round, picks 17 to 32
Page 3: 2nd round, picks 33 to 48
Page 4: 2nd round, picks 49 to 64
Page 5: 3rd round, picks 65 to 80
Page 6: 3rd round, picks 81 to 100