2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sean Dyer’s First-Round Mock 1.0
By Sean Dyer
Picks 30-32
Pick Analysis. OT. 30. player. 60. Scouting Report. UCLA. Kolton Miller
The Minnesota Vikings invested heavily in their offensive line last offseason and it helped them get all the way to the NFC Championship Game. But there’s still work to be done.
The big investments the Vikings made were signing tackles Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers. Due to injuries, Remmers ended up playing guard at the end of the season and it turns out that might be his best position. If Minnesota keeps Remmers inside, they’ll need a new tackle. Enter Kolton Miller.
Miller has a ridiculous 6’9, 310 lb. frame and is athletic enough to play left tackle in the NFL. With Reiff holding down the blindside, Miller could play right tackle for the Vikings with Remmers at guard. After giving Kirk Cousins the NFL’s first fully guaranteed contract, the Vikings need to protect their investment. Literally.
Pick Analysis. 31. 47. Scouting Report. CB. Louisville. Jaire Alexander. player
The New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl this year because they let a backup quarterback in Nick Foles hang 41 points on them. Bill Belichick needs to address his defense.
One area of need that immediately comes to mind is cornerback after Malcolm Butler left via free agency. The Patriots did reunite the McCourty twins, trading for Jason, but he’s not a long-term answer at the position.
Jaire Alexander has been moving up draft boards lately, working his way into the first round. Alexander is quick and instinctive, never leaving receivers’ sides. Injuries held him back in 2017 but if you turn on his 2016 tape, you’ll be reminded why he was a top prospect coming into last season.
Alexander could use his quickness to start in the slot, eventually taking over outside when Jason McCourty moves on.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Courtland Sutton. 32. player. 54. WR. SMU
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What do you get a team that already has everything? I guess another offensive weapon.
The Philadelphia Eagles defense is stacked. Like, it’s scary good. They have incredible depth on the defensive line and in the secondary. They were also able to re-sign Nigel Bradham, keeping their linebacking unit intact.
Offensively, perhaps they could look for an eventual replacement for Jason Peters. They could also look to replace Brent Celek and Trey Burton.
The pick here is Courtland Sutton. Although they signed Mike Wallace, he just replaces Torrey Smith as the “run straight and that’s it” receiver. Alshon Jeffery is locked up long-term and Nelson Agholor has found his stride in the slot. Adding the 6’3, 218 lb. Sutton on the outside would give Carson Wentz and Nick Foles an embarrassment of riches.
Next: New York Giants No. 2 pick continues to increase in value
There’s our first crack at an entire first-round NFL mock draft! What did you think? What did you think of your team’s selection? Any prospects I missed entirely? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll take them into consideration when I release my next mock draft!