2018 NFL Draft Results

Round 1 Picks 1-16

Baker Mayfield goes first overall in a stunner.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: April 26, 2018.

1. Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma A- Grade
   
   
   Cleveland did the unthinkable going 0-16. It's going to be up to the Browns to restore faith in Cleveland because LeBron James may leave after this season and the Chief Wahoo logo will no longer appear on Indians jerseys after 2018. Yes, you'll still see the Wahoo logo in our MLB Power Rankings and MLB Mock Drafts because I'm keeping that up until the Indians win a World Series. Let's get back to the Browns though because it's up to them to restore things in Cleveland.
   
   
   
   John Dorsey seems like someone who will take a quarterback that can read up to 6 progressions because the only quality I saw this with when it came to the 2017 quarterbacks was Patrick Mahomes. Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, and Baker Mayfield all have this quality. Sam Darnold didn't throw at the 2018 NFL Combine, but Dorsey went to Darnold's Bowl Game against Ohio State and he didn't go to Mayfield or Rosen's Pro Day. Dorsey went to Mahomes Pro Day at Texas Tech last season in his final season as the Chiefs GM.
   
   
   
   For much of the draft process we thought Sam Darnold would be the top pick. As things unfolded the 2017 Heisman Trophy Winner Baker Mayfield ended up being the top pick despite being 6-1 220 lbs. He's more along the lines of Drew Brees than Johnny Manziel and has a better arm then Brees did when he came out of Purdue.
   
   
   
   Baker Mayfield dominated 2015 with 3,700 passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 68.1 completion percentage in 2015. Baker Mayfield had 3,965 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and a 71.0 completion percentage in 2016. So far in 2017, Mayfield has 4,340 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and a 71.0 completion percentage. Mayfield is on pace to become the first quarterback with back-to-back seasons with a completion percentage of 71 percent or higher since Andrew Luck. Mayfield balled out in the Senior Bowl practice sessions despite leaving the game. Baker is a team player who can blend in with Cleveland.
   
   
   
   I would have gave Sam Darnold an A+ grade, Saquon Barkley an A+ grade, and Josh Rosen an A grade at 1. Baker Mayfield is the next best thing though and a way better pick then Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson for Cleveland so I won't harp on this pick too much and will give it an A- grade.
   
   
   
   I have a film session of Baker Mayfield on my Youtube Channel. I'll post a video of it so you can watch the tape rather than reading these in depth write ups. Thomas Coburn from our podcast was kind enough to help me evaluate Mayfield on tape.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State A+ Grade
   
   
   New York takes the best player on the board at 2. I have a max grade on Saquon Barkley. I had a max grade on Andrew Luck and Myles Garrett. New York gets their home run threat in the 6-0 230 lb Saquon Barkley. An offense with Eli Manning, Saquon Barkley, and Odell Beckham Jr. would take off.
   
   
   
   Saquon Barkley gives the Giants a running back with the vision, pass protection, pass catching, and speed that you want a franchise running back to have. Barkley had 1,076 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns as a true freshman in 2015. He had 1,496 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns as a true sophomore in 2016. Barkley has 1,134 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, and 594 receiving yards as a junior in 2017. Barkley has also corrected his issues in pass protection making him a three down back. Saquon Barkley gives quarterback Eli Manning someone in the backfield that he can depend on.
   
   
   
   I have a film session of Saquon Barkley on my Youtube Channel. I'll post a video of it so you can watch the tape rather than reading these in depth write ups.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB, USC A Grade
   
   
   New York gets the quarterback they wanted to tank for all along at 3. Sam Darnold was the guy the Jets were aiming to tank for at the beginning of the year. They are thrilled to get USC quarterback Sam Darnold the consensus top quarterback prospect at 3 here.
   
   
   
   Sam Darnold could develop under Teddy Bridgewater and Josh McCown for a year. Once New York improves their right tackle situation he could start. If New York patches up the offensive line at right tackle in this draft, then I have no problem with Sam Darnold starting from the get go in week 1 if he shows he's improved his mechanics throughout training camp.
   
   
   
   Sam Darnold had 3,787 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 63.7 completion percentage. Darnold had 80 more passing yards and a higher completion percentage than Josh Rosen and he dominated his Pro Day in the rain so I don't see how the New York Jets would pass on Sam Darnold at 3 here. The only reason this doesn't get an A+ grade is because the Jets gave up both second round picks as well a a 2019 draft pick to get Darnold. I gave the Rams a B+ and Eagles B- grade back in 2016 even though I loved both quarterback prospects coming out of college as the process unfolded.
   
   
   
   I have a film session of Sam Darnold on my Youtube Channel. I'll post a video of it so you can watch the tape rather than reading these in depth write ups. The Darnold video was my first video, so I hope you enjoy it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State F Grade
   
   
   Denzel Ward is a huge reach here. The Browns took a nickel cornerback in the top 5. I have Minkah Fitzpatrick, Josh Jackson, and Donte Jackson ahead of Denzel Ward. They filled a need, but reached for a nickel cornerback.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Denver Broncos: Bradley Chubb, 3-4 LOLB, North Carolina State B Grade
   
   
   Denver is already loaded at 3-4 outside linebacker with Von Miller, Shane Ray, and Demarcus Walker. Bradley Chubb would have been a better fit for Cleveland or Indianapolis in a 4-3 defense.
   
   
   
   Bradley Chubb will thrive in a 4-3 defense as a 4-3 only prospect. Denver is drafting him as a 3-4 outside linebacker which is why this is a B grade for me. With 40 solo tackles, 33 assisted tackles, 73 total tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and 10 quarterback hurries in 2017, Chubb is the best player on the board, but this is a B grade.
   
   
   
   I also have a film session of Bradley Chubb on my Youtube Channel. I'll post a video of it so you can watch the tape rather than reading these in depth write ups
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Indianapolis Colts: Quenton Nelson, LG, Notre Dame A+ Grade
   
   
   Andrew Luck needed protection. Quenton Nelson protects Andrew Luck and gives the Colts the best offensive lineman in the 2018 NFL Draft.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming D Grade
   
   
   This is a huge reach by the Buffalo Bills. Josh Rosen is the best quarterback on the board. Horrible decision by Buffalo reaching for a top 15 talent in the top 10. Josh Allen is not worth 12, 53, and 56.
   
   
   
   I uploaded a film session on Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen. Allen is worth a top 15 pick, but not a top 5 pick after rewatching his tape.
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Chicago Bears: Roquan Smith, 3-4 MLB, Georgia A+ Grade
   
   
   Roquan Smith had 72 solo tackles, 41 assisted tackles, 113 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 8 quarterback hurries, 5.5 sacks, 2 deflections from pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in 2017. Smith is my fifth best overall player in the draft behind Barkley, Chubb, Nelson, and Minkah and San Francisco can get the best player available at a position of need with the ninth overall pick as well as my highest graded middle linebacker since Luke Kuechly.
   
   
   
   I also have a film session of Roquan Smith on my Youtube Channel. I'll post a video of it so you can watch the tape rather than reading these in depth write ups.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. San Francisco 49ers: Mike McGlinchey, RT, Notre Dame A Grade
   
   
   Mike McGlinchey is someone can groom behind Joe Staley. San Francisco traded their right tackle Trent Brown to the Patriots so I'm adjusting this grade to an A grade.
   
   
   
10. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA A Grade
    
    
    Arizona moved up to 10 and kept their second rounder. They got the best quarterback ont he board here.
    
    
    
    Josh Rosen went 50/55 at his Pro Day throwing in the wind. He also threw in the rain like Darnold at a private workout.
    
    
    
    Rosen has 3,717 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and a 62.5 completion percentage in 2017. Rosen would have three consecutive seasons of 3,500 passing yards if he didn't suffer a season ending injury in 2016 plus he was the top quarterback recruit coming out of High School.
    
    
    
    I have a film session of Josh Rosen on my Youtube Channel. I'll post a video of it so you can watch the tape rather than reading these in depth write ups.y.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. Miami Dolphins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS, Alabama A Grade
    
    
    Miami got a top 5 player at 11. The problem is they didn't address a need with bigger issues on the front 7. I am giving it an A grade because I love the value.
    
    
    
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vita Vea, DT, Washington B Grade
    
    
    Tampa Bay got Vita Vea to pair with Gerald McCoy. I'm amazed Tampa Bay passed on Derwin James. This would have been an A+ grade if they took Derwin, but I understand why they took Vita Vea since they lost their two best defensive tackles besides Gerald McCoy.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Washington Redskins: Da'Ron Payne, NT, Alabama A Grade
    
    
    Washington gets Jonathan Allen's teammate and my top graded defensive tackle here. Great pick by Washington and totally deserving of an A grade.
    
    
    
14. New Orleans Saints: Marcus Davenport, LE, UTSA C Grade
    
    
    New Orleans needs to bolster the defensive line. Marcus Davenport would be a great pass rusher to pair with Cameron Jordan at 4-3 left end. I'm giving the Saints a C grade because they gave up a 2019 first rounder.
    
    
    
    I also have a film session of Marcus Davenport on my Youtube Channel. I'll post a video of it so you can watch the tape rather than reading these in depth write ups.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
15. Oakland Raiders: Kolton Miller, RT, UCLA C+ Grade
    
    
    The Raiders get a right tackle at this point. Kolton Miller is a right tackle that the Raiders can develop.
    
    
    
16. Buffalo Bills: Tremaine Edmunds, MLB, Virginia Tech A- Grade
    
    
    Buffalo needed a middle lienbacker and got a top 10 player. They get an A grade here for making an excellent selection at 16, but they had to trade 22 and 65 to Baltimore. Buffalo now does not pick again until 96 which is why the Bills get an A- grade here after revisiting the picks they lost from trades.