Draft Notes

Before we get into the mock, I want to recap some of the recent news and current status surrounding the 2018 NFL Draft.

This year, there will be a surprising change about how we can view the draft. For years, Walt Disney's ESPN and the NFL Network have had great success televising the three-day spectacle, but someone finally found a loophole in the contract. The rights that ESPN paid for apparently only stipulates that no other "cable" network could broadcast the NFL Draft. Enter Fox Broadcasting Company. Since they are considered a "free" broadcast channel, able to be received by basic antennas, they do not fall under the restriction in ESPN's contract. What this means is more money for the NFL, and more choice for fans to watch, especially those who don't have pay services. The only real loser in this scenario is ESPN.

The main story about the draft, however, was the trade that the Jets made to move up to #3 overall with the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets sent picks no. 6, no. 37, and no. 49 in this year’s draft, plus a 2019 second-rounder out to have the ability to draft their "Quarterback of the Future". The only problem is, the Browns or Giants could take their preferred QB before they get the chance. The fact that neither of the Browns or Giants traded with the Jets leads me to believe they are set on taking their own QBs at 1 and 2. The Browns also own pick #4 due to a trade last year with Houston. Withe the possibility of quarterbacks being drafted with the first three picks, this could be a target for other QB-needy teams such as the Broncos, Bills, or Cardinals to trade up to.

After the top 10-12 players, most analysts have the talent dropping off a bit, with a large variation where the second-tier talent is going to be drafted. After Saquon Barkley, there are around 10 solid running backs that could go anywhere between mid first and late third round. The same is said for the wide receiver position, where it is very deep, but does not have a lot of top-end talent.

Quentin Nelson is the highlight of the offensive linemen group, but he plays guard, which is not as highly valued as tackle or center. After him, there is a decent gap in talent, though. On the Defensive line, Bradley Chubb has been getting the most attention, and is a potential target for Cleveland if they stay at 4 as an edge rusher.

Round 1 Mock Draft

Now while I suspect there will be more trades taking place both before and on draft day on April 26, for the purposes of this mock I will not be moving any picks around. It adds too much chaos to an already chaotic event. These picks are also what I think the teams will do, not what I would do in their situation.

1. Cleveland Browns, QB Sam Darnold, USC
The Browns are picking a QB, bottom line. They haven't selected a quarterback near the top of the draft since Tim Couch in their 1999 expansion season. With Tyrod Taylor in place as the starter, Darnold can sit for a while and learn about NFL defenses before being thrown to the wolves as so many other young Cleveland QBs. I was up in the air about this one, but Darnold's Pro Day cemented it for me. This is pretty much a lock.

2. New York Giants, QB Josh Rosen, UCLA
The Giants could go a number of ways here, but I think they realize Eli is going to be done soon, and Rosen is an outstanding prospect to take over. He's probably the best passer in the draft this year, and while he doesn't have the mobility of the others available, the Giants are used to playing without an agile QB. They could also possibly trade out if they think Eli has a few years left.

3. New York Jets, QB Josh Allen, Wyoming
With decently capable placeholders Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater already on board, the Jets can go with the riskier Allen here. Allen has tons of physical talent, the best arm in the class, and solid mobility. His problem is his accuracy and decision-making. Hopefully sitting for a year will help him work through those issues.

Stayed tuned for the second part of @jaymesbawned's draft analysis, to be published tomorrow.

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_{Cover photo credits: By Marianne O'Leary [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons}

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_{Author: @jaymesbawned
Editor: @bacchist}

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