2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sean Dyer’s First-Round Mock 1.0
By Sean Dyer
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: A detailed view of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: A detailed view of the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/28de942389beb171377de27f84ea24810e599f6bdaebf1721ce1425072ac1c3d.jpg)
Picks 15-18
Scouting Report. WR. player. Pick Analysis. Alabama. Calvin Ridley. 15. 32
The Arizona Cardinals are trying to make one last playoff push with Larry Fitzgerald but also have to prepare for when he finally hangs them up. Drafting Calvin Ridley helps Arizona do both.
Despite signing Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon, the Cardinals still need a long-term option at quarterback but all of the top signal callers are gone. As they roll with Bradford, they need to surround him with weapons. John and Jaron Brown both left in free agency, creating a hole next to Fitzgerald on the wide receiver depth chart.
Ridley is the top receiver in the class. He was a little underutilized at Alabama but still put up solid stats. He will help form a solid duo with Fitzgerald this year and replace Fitz as the No. 1 wideout when the future Hall of Famer retires.
EDGE. player. 26. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. UTSA. Marcus Davenport. 16
Despite adding Michael Crabtree and John Brown in free agency, the Baltimore Ravens need more help at wide receiver and would’ve loved to see Calvin Ridley fall one more pick. As things stand, they add one of the top pass rushers in the class.
The Ravens are built of defense and you can never have too many pass rushers. Baltimore has Terrell Suggs, Za’Darius Smith, and Matt Judon in place, but Suggs is nearing the end of his career.
Marcus Davenport is still a bit raw and faced lesser competition in Conference USA but he can really get after the quarterback. He’s also a solid run defender.
This will be Ozzie Newsome’s last NFL Draft as Ravens general manager so he leaves his mark by giving Baltimore their future Suggs.
Pick Analysis. player. Scouting Report. OT. Notre Dame. Mike McGlinchey. 17. 13
The Los Angeles Chargers are set up pretty well for a team that started last season 0-4 and missed the playoffs. Philip Rivers is still playing good football. Melvin Gordon is one of the top running backs in the NFL. Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry are solid weapons. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are one of the top pass rushing duos in the league. Casey Heyward leads an underrated secondary. If the Chargers can solidify their offensive line and add a playmaker at linebacker, they could be the favorites to win the AFC West in 2018.
LA added Mike Pouncey at center in free agency and are hoping Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney, their 2017 second and third-round picks, respectively, will take major strides and be their starting guards. With the interior of the offensive line in good shape, the Chargers need to improve their tackles.
Russell Okung was decent at left tackle last year but is getting older and Joe Barksdale needs to be replaced at right tackle. Mike McGlinchey is an NFL left tackle but could also play right tackle if needed. Adding McGlinchey allows Los Angeles to potentially move some pieces around and improve both tackle spots with one pick.
Pick Analysis. OT. Texas. 18. Scouting Report. Connor Williams. player. 36
The Seattle Seahawks have been trying to fix their offensive line for years to no avail. Aside from Duane Brown and Justin Britt, the Seahawks offensive line is a mess. Germain Ifedi will likely get another shot to prove himself but he’s yet to live up to his first-round expectations. D.J. Fluker was also added in free agency but on a one-year deal.
Connor Williams was the top offensive tackle in the country before missing a good chunk of his senior year due to injury. Some scouts think Williams could kick inside to guard while others see a franchise left tackle. Seattle could use him either way with holes at both tackle and guard.