2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sean Dyer’s First-Round Mock 3.0
By Sean Dyer
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 5. 16. QB. Wyoming. Josh Allen. player
Previous picks: 1.0 – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma (Denver Broncos); 2.0 – Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame (Broncos)
With Josh Allen getting past the Browns, Giants, and Jets, the Buffalo Bills get aggressive and use their draft capital to select their franchise quarterback. Since trading Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland, the Bills have been trying to move up in the draft. They already went from No. 21 to No. 12 by trading Cordy Glenn to the Cincinnati Bengals and they move up to No. 5 here by using a package of picks including No. 12, No. 22, No. 53, and a 2019 first-round pick.
Allen has about as much arm strength as you’ll see in an NFL prospect but his sub-par college completion percentage has been a cause of concern for some scouts. He would compete with AJ McCarron for the starting gig in Buffalo as a rookie and it wouldn’t be long before he’s the full-time starter.
6. 57. Notre Dame. Quenton Nelson. OG. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Previous picks: 1.0 – Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State (Indianapolis Colts); 2.0 – Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State (Colts)
General manager Ryan Pace likes to get aggressive on draft day, as evidenced by moving up one spot to get Mitchell Trubisky last year. He’ll move up two spots here (using the No. 105 pick and a 2019 pick) to reunite Quenton Nelson with his college offensive line coach, Harry Hiestand, now the Chicago Bears OL coach.
Not only is Nelson familiar with Hiestand, but he’s one of the most talented prospects in this year’s class. Nelson is one of the best guard prospects in years. He’s a phenomenal run blocker and is also an above-average pass blocker. He’ll keep Trubisky upright and open holes for Jordan Howard as the Bears look to go from rebuilders to contenders.
Pick Analysis. Minkah Fitzpatrick. 48. DB. Alabama. 7. player. Scouting Report
Previous picks: 1.0 – Derwin James, S, Florida State; 2.0 – Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need help in their secondary whether it’s at cornerback or safety. This makes Minkah Fitzpatrick the perfect pick because he can play both. Fitzpatrick started as a corner at Alabama before moving to safety and he excelled in both roles.
The Bucs brought Brent Grimes back on a one-year deal to line up opposite Vernon Hargreaves making safety more of an immediate need. However, long-term Tampa could use Fitzpatrick at corner. One thing that’s for sure is that the Bucs will find playing time for Fitzpatrick early and often. He could play deep safety and move to the slot in sub packages, similar to what Tyrann Mathieu did in Arizona.
UCLA. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. Josh Rosen. 8. player. 45
Previous picks: 1.0 – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State (Chicago Bears); 2.0 – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma (New England Patriots)
John Elway gets really aggressive here. After trading out of No. 5 and acquiring picks No. 12 and 22 in a trade with the Buffalo Bills, Elway sends those two first-rounders and a mid-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts to come back up and draft Josh Rosen. The Colts continue to stockpile picks and the Broncos get their franchise quarterback for about $5.5 million less and still add an extra 2019 first-round pick.
Rosen has great arm talent and can make all of the throws. He throws a tight spiral and a great deep ball. Some believe he has attitude issues but others don’t seem to mind. He can sit behind Case Keenum in Denver and take the torch in a year or two. Denver’s window of defensive greatness is starting to close so they need to figure out their quarterback situation.