2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sean Dyer’s First-Round Mock 3.0
By Sean Dyer
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 9. player. CB. Ohio State. Denzel Ward. 42
Previous picks: 1.0 – Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame; 2.0 – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
The San Francisco 49ers may have signed Richard Sherman to a three-year deal, but they still need help in their secondary. The Niners’ biggest focus should be getting Jimmy G weapons but with Saquon Barkley off the board, there isn’t value in any of the available playmakers.
San Fran has spent their last three first-round picks on defensive linemen so it’s time to address the back end. With Minkah Fitzpatrick listed as a safety, Denzel Ward is the consensus top cornerback prospect. He lacks ideal size (5’10) but he’s the latest corner to come out of Ohio State, which has been an NFL cornerback factory. Ward can play in the slot or outside but will have to be ready for plenty of balls to be thrown his way playing opposite Sherman.
Pick Analysis. Georgia. 10. 28. Scouting Report. LB. Roquan Smith. player
Previous picks: 1.0 – Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia; 2.0 – Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The Oakland Raiders have needed help in the middle of their defense for quite some time and Roquan Smith could be the answer. Smith has sideline to sideline speed, is a sure tackler, and what really separates him from other linebackers is his instincts. Smith always seems to be at the right place at the right time and makes plays all over the field.
NaVorro Bowman was a band-aid at middle linebacker for Oakland last season. They can now let him walk in free agency and add a young player who could remind them of Bowman in his prime.
Vita Vea. 59. Pick Analysis. DT. Washington. 11. player. Scouting Report
Previous picks: 1.0 – Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech; 2.0 – Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Ndamukong Suh is now a member of the Los Angeles Rams. Meet his replacement in Miami. Vita Vea is a great athlete in the middle of the defense and can be a run stuffer as well as provide a pass rush.
The Miami Dolphins could use help at linebacker and Tremaine Edmunds should be considered but with Raekwon McMillan returning from a torn ACL, the Phins hold off on linebacker help. Replacing Suh with Vea saves Miami a ton of money and might not be a huge drop off in production considering where the two players are in their respective careers.
Scouting Report. Virginia Tech. 46. 12. player. Pick Analysis. LB. Tremaine Edmunds
Previous picks: 1.0 – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming (Buffalo Bills); 2.0 – Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech (New York Giants)
After trading back twice, the Indianapolis Colts finally make a pick! They add much-needed extra picks to add talent to their roster and use the first to add a dynamic linebacker for the middle of their defense.
Tremaine Edmunds can fly around the field and also provides a solid pass rush. He could play middle or outside linebacker for the Colts as they transition to a 4-3 defense. Edmunds and Roquan Smith are linebackers 1A and 1B in this year’s class and it’s up for debate which one is better. Indy should be happy they are able to trade back twice and still get a player who is likely in the top five on their big board.