2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sean Dyer’s First-Round Mock 2.0
By Sean Dyer
Pick Analysis. Boston College. Harold Landry. 29. Scouting Report. EDGE. player. 28
Previous pick: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville (Jacksonville Jaguars)
The Jacksonville Jaguars are loaded just about everywhere and don’t need to reach to fill any one position. Their biggest needs are at inside linebacker to replace the retired Paul Posluszny and at quarterback, in case Blake Bortles is not the future. As we mentioned, the top linebacker prospects are off the board and with Lamar Jackson going to the Saints, the top quarterbacks are also gone. The Jaguars can then shop this pick and pick up some extra Day 2 picks. With Harold Landry falling, the Oakland Raiders jump back into the first round to add the talented pass rusher. Combining Landry with Khalil Mack could be deadly for opposing offensive lines. With Roquan Smith and Landry, the Raiders would be big Day 1 winners after adding so much young talent to a defense that really needs it.
60. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Georgia. Isaiah Wynn. OL. 30. player
Previous pick: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
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. If Remmers go back to tackle, they’ll need a new guard. Either way, Isaiah Wynn would be a huge help. Wynn was the left tackle for Georgia but a lack of size has scouts projecting him to move to guard. His versatility would be a huge asset for Minnesota as they could move pieces around. After giving Kirk Cousins the NFL’s first fully guaranteed contract, the Vikings need to protect their investment. Literally.
Pick Analysis. CB. Jaire Alexander. 31. player. 57. Scouting Report. Louisville
Previous pick: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville (New England Patriots)
The Chicago Bears may have brought back Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara, but today’s NFL really requires three cornerbacks. An impressive NFL Combine forced scouts to go back and look at Jaire Alexander’s tape and he’s been moving up draft boards ever since. Alexander could man the slot for Chicago and lock down the likes of Randall Cobb and Golden Tate. After using free agency to address the offense, adding Leighton Vander Esch and Alexander in the first round would be a big boost for the Bears defense.
Pick Analysis. OT. Oklahoma. Orlando Brown. 32. player. Scouting Report. 54
Previous pick: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
What do you get a team that already has everything? How about a replacement for an All-Pro offensive tackle? Jason Peters is 36 years old and coming off a torn ACL. Regardless of whether he comes back effectively in 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles need to find his successor. Although Orlando Brown had one of the worst NFL Combine performances of all-time, his tape shows a pretty powerful offensive tackle. It’s certainly questionable if he can play left tackle in the NFL but a role as a mauling right tackle could be in his future. If that’s the case, the Eagles could move Lane Johnson to the blindside and insert Brown at right tackle. Philly can do just about whatever they want with this pick because their roster is loaded.
Next: Sean Dyer’s First-Round Mock Draft 1.0
There you have it, our second 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!