2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sean Dyer’s First-Round Mock 3.0

Previous picks: 1.0 – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame; 2.0 – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

The Los Angeles Chargers 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.

Previous picks: 1.0 – Connor Williams, OT, Texas; 2.0 – Derwin James, S, Florida State

As the Seattle Seahawks go through what appears to be an inevitable rebuild, it’s tough to peg where they’ll go in the draft. They have had needs across the offensive line for years, yet have repeatedly ignored them. They also have holes in the secondary after releasing Richard Sherman and Jeremy Lane, the neck injury to Kam Chancellor, and the uncertain future of Earl Thomas.

Seattle’s defensive line also has issues. Michael Bennett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and Cliff Avril has a career-threatening neck injury of his own. Although Connor Williams or Derwin James could be the pick here, I’m going with Harold Landry. Landry battled injury issues his senior year but was an absolute terror his junior year. He can team up with Frank Clark and get after the passer as Seattle moves to a new era of Seahawks football.

Previous picks: 1.0 – Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama; 2.0 – D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland 

After releasing Dez Bryant, wide receiver became the obvious biggest need for the Dallas Cowboys and with the top receiver prospect still on the board, Calvin Ridley is a no-brainer. Ridley was underutilized at times while at Alabama but he’s the consensus top wideout in this year’s class.

Dallas’s offensive line isn’t quite what it used to be but with Ezekiel Elliott on the field, the running game is just fine. However, the Cowboys need to add weapons for Dak Prescott in the passing game. They added Allen Hurns to go along with Cole Beasley but tight end Jason Witten is nearing the end of his NFL career. Ridley will give America’s team a young offensive weapon who can grow with Prescott and Elliott.

Previous picks: 1.0 – Derrius Guice, RB, LSU (Detroit Lions); 2.0 – Derrius Guice, RB, LSU (Lions)

With Derwin James falling, the Cleveland Browns flex their draft capital muscles and come get one of the most talented players in the draft. James is a top 10 talent, but if he slides past Tampa Bay, there isn’t a team with an obvious need at safety. The Browns trade picks No. 33 and 64 to draft James and pair him with recently-acquired Damarious Randall, who Cleveland is moving from cornerback to free safety.

James and Jabrill Peppers are similar players in that both excel in the box and could move to linebacker. James is better in coverage so Peppers could be the one who moves closer to the line of scrimmage. Cleveland is just looking to add talented football players and having Randall, Peppers, and James all in the same secondary is not a bad thing. Leaving the first round with Sam Darnold, Bradley Chubb, and Derwin James is also a huge home run.

The Detroit Lions could easily draft Derrius Guice here, but with Saquon Barkley being the only running back taken thus far, they should be able to get either Guice or Sony Michel at No. 33.