Who are the best players still on the board after the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft?
Contact @PeteFiutak
2018 NFL Draft
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | OGs | OTs
DTs | DEs | LBs | Safs | CBs
Three Greatest Draft Picks For Each Team
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
– 2018 1st Round Pick Breakdown & Thoughts
Top 30 NFL Draft Players Available
30. S Jessie Bates, Wake Forest
A great hitter with the versatile and speed to play anywhere in a secondary, he’s got the smarts and the tools to be an instant starter somewhere somehow. He’s just an okay tackler, and he’s not a blazer, but he’s a baller who’s always around the play.
Original Projection: Second Round
29. WR James Washington, Oklahoma State
Here’s certainly not a perfect receiver prospect in a weak receiver draft, but he’s a field stretcher who can easily find a home as a No. 3 target – at worst – and be a fantastic part of an ensemble cast. You don’t produce like he did for so long without knowing what you’re doing.
Original Projection: Third Round
28. DE Rasheem Green, USC
In a draft full of hybrid pass rushers and smallish outside options, here’s your beef. The 275-pounder moves like a much smaller defender, with the upside to become one of the draft’s most productive players behind the line.
Original Projection: Second Round
27. C Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State
It doesn’t matter if he plays at guard, tackle, or ends up in the middle, he’s found a way to produce no matter where he works. He’s not the greatest athlete, but he’s a quarterback for a line. Expect him to be someone’s anchor after the second round.
Original Projection: Third Round
26. CB Donte Jackson, LSU
Oh yeah, you want his speed. The size isn’t there, and he’s not a great tackler, but there’s a place in the NFL for a producer who can run a 4.32. And yeah, he’s a tackler.
Original Projection: Second Round
25. WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
Either as a dangerous route runner and true No. 1 target, or as a devastating return man, there are several places he can work on an NFL team. Lightning quick and tough for his size, he stands out from the crowd. There aren’t any more reliable weapons in the draft.
Original Projection: Second Round
24. S Kyzer White, West Virginia
Kevin White’s brother, he might not receive the same recognition the other top safeties do, and he might be flying under he radar, but he’s a fierce and fearless hitter who’ll destroy running games.
Original Projection: Third Round
23. LB Malik Jefferson, Texas
He might not be all that huge, and he wasn’t quite the devastating force he was expected to be as a special recruit, even for Texas. However, he can find a way to become a good, productive cog in a linebacking corps. He’s the type of football player coaches love to have.
Original Projection: Third Round
22. OLB/DE Jeff Holland, Auburn
Size is a problem, and he’s not going to be a true defensive end. But as a tweener, he’s an edge rusher extraordinaire who knows how to screw up offenses. He’s tough for his 6-2, 249-pound size and will dominate on third downs.
Original Projection: Fourth Round
21. WR D.J. Chark, LSU
One of the superstars at the Combine, he’s a dangerous deep threat who can take over games on his own, and can come through in the clutch. He’s the rare guy who’ll probably be a whole lot better a pro than a college player – it’ll help to have a good quarterback throwing his way.
Original Projection: Second Round
20. LB Tegray Scales, Indiana
Okay, so he’s too small and doesn’t fit the type. It doesn’t matter. He’ll be a special teamer early on, a willing player in any style and system, and then he’ll be among a team’s leading tacklers. The instincts are off the charts.
Original Projection: Fourth Round
19. TE Mike Gesicki, Penn State
No, he’s not going to block, and yeah, he looks like he should block. Whatever – he’ll catch everything that comes his way and be a devastating matchup nightmare down the field. He’ll one day be on your fantasy team.
Original Projection: Second Round
18. OG Braden Smith, Auburn
Able to work at either tackle or guard spot, he’s a brutish run blocker considering his tall frame and length. Athletic, too, he’ll work out just fine in pass protection for a long, long time – as a guard. He’ll be a great value pick outside of the top 50.
Original Projection: Third Round
17. TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
The most talented tight end in the draft, it’s stunning that he isn’t being given more hype coming off a 92-catch season – even if it was at the FCS level. A superstar a the Combine, he has all the prototype tools, and he can catch. He won’t block all that well, but he’ll make a whole lot of plays.
Original Projection: Second Round
16. OT Orlando Brown, Oklahoma
Yeah, yeah, yeah, he’s too massive and he’s not strong enough and he’s not athletic enough and he’s not explosive enough. But he’s a tremendous football player who be far better and far more productive than his workouts. You don’t keep Baker Mayfield in one piece without doing something right.
Original Projection: Second Round
15. DE Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
A perfect get in the mid-second round, he’s a smart, tough pass rusher who knows how to work in a rotation and produce. He plays fast, gets into the backfield, and can start right away. He’s the disruptive force everyone is looking for – especially outside of the top 40.
Original Projection: Second Round
14. OG/OT Connor Williams, Texas
Is he a guard, a tackle, can he do either one, and can he do it at a high level? After a rough season, he was more than good enough at the Combine to prove that he’s healthy again, and now he’ll be someone’s try-out at tackle before becoming a tone-setter at guard.
Original Projection: Second Round
13. C James Daniels, Iowa
No, really. How did Frank Ragnow get selected before him? The Arkansas center was taken by Detroit – and it’s not a bad pick – but Daniels is a better guard if needed and a rock-solid center. Okay, so he’s slightly undersized at 6-3 and 295 pounds, but he can hit.
Original Projection: Second Round
12. S Justin Reid, Stanford
Really fast, and obviously, Stanford smart, he might not be the greatest run defender, but he can fly. A strong ball-hawker who made 94 tackles last season, he’s as solid an all-around safety pick as they come.
Original Projection: First Round
11. DT Maurice Hurst, Michigan
There’s a concern about his medical condition – he was found to have an irregular heartbeat – but as long as that’s okay, there’s a chance he might just be the best defensive tackle in the draft. A true leader, he’s great behind the line and he’s as consistent as they come.
Original Projection: Second Round
Comments