NFL Draft: 2018 Draft Review

[Big Poppa Puck]

The Vikings trade of Mike Hughes for practically nothing made me think that probably enough time has passed to grade this class. 5th year options on players were recently decided too.


Vikings:

1 (30) Mike Hughes, CB, UCF - Only reason this isn't a F is because he was decent when he played which wasn't often. Tore his ACL his rookie year and then had the last two seasons cut short due to neck injuries that are rumored to be career threatening. Was just traded to the Chiefs for a swap of 6ths and 7ths.
D

2 (62) Brian O'Neill, RT, PITT - Very good RT who is probably underrated nationally. Was the Vikings best OL the last two or three years. Great pick.
A

4 (102) Jalyn Holmes, DE, Ohio St. - replacement level player, would be surprised if he makes the team this year.
C-

5 (157) Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan - Good depth TE, seems to get better every season. Finding a legit NFL player in the 5th round is never a bad thing.
B

5 (167) Daniel Carlson, K, Auburn - This is a F for the Vikings. Could not make anything and was cut after 2 games. But he's become a pretty decent Kicker for the Raiders. What makes this pick worse is that they traded up for him. DO NOT DRAFT SPECIALISTS, or at least not until the 7th if you're going to.
F

6 (213) Colby Gossett, G, App St. - Didn't make the team and has bounced around practice squads since. Opted out last year.
F

6 (218) Ade Aruna, DE, Tulane - Spent his rookie year on IR and was cut at the end of camp the next year.
F


7 (225) Devante Downs, LB, Cal - made the team initially as a backup/STer, was then cut in 2019 and has been with the Giants since as a ST guy.
D

-They also got RB Mike Boone as a UDFA this year but he just moved on too Denver.



Overall this is probably a C-/D+ at best and that's just because of O'Neill. Conklin is ok too. The rest were forgettable and Hughes is an injury bust.

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[Pestilence]

Jaguars:

29 Taven Bryan, DT, Florida. D
Was a reach at the time and hasn't been a factor during his tenure, though he's been healthy and active for all the games since drafted, starting 8 last year. Didn't get the fifth year option picked up.

61 DJ Chark Jr., WR, LSU. B+
Been the leading WR for the Jags for the past two years, really good pick.

93 Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama. B-
Played for two years and was traded to Cleveland for a fifth. Been a starting strong safety so quite good pick for a late third rounder.

129 Will Richardson, OT, NC State. C
Backup OT for a late fourth rounder. Could be worse I suppose, not a game changer.

203 Tanner Lee, QB, Nebraska. F
Flyer on a QB who was active for some preseason game but never for actual regular season game. F in a way but then again it's a flyer so.

230 Leon Jacobs, LB, Wisconsin. C
Good value, was starting LB last season but tore his ACL third game in.

247 Logan Cooke, P, Mississippi State. B
Been the starting punter since he got drafted, got a rich extension this Spring so good pick in a sense.

 

[MMC]

Rams

89 OT Joseph Noteboom
OK starter when healthy, unfortunately he misses lots of games due to injury though.

111 C Brian Allen
Pretty much the same deal as Noteboom

135 DE John Franklin-Myers
Rotational edge for his rookie year, waived after 1 season and claimed by the Jets

147 LB Micah Kiser
Our best pick of this draft, best ILB on the team

160 OLB Ogbonnia Okoronwko
3rd EDGE on our depth chart, pretty good as a rotational piece. Will start next season if Lewis isn't ready.

176 RB John Kelly
Didn't play much in 2 years outside of some appearances on special teams, waived after 2 years and claimed by Cleveland

192 OT Jamil Demby
Waived by the team before playing for us his rookie year, claimed by Detroit but was later signed back by us off their practice squad towards the end of the season. Only played 6 games, mostly been a practice squad mainstay for us.

195 DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
Great pick, he's our starting NT and should get an even bigger role next season without Brockers

205 DE Trevon Young
Played 2 games his rookie year, missed all of next season with injury, waived and signed to the Browns practice squad after 2019.

231 LB Travin Howard
Was on the practice squad his rookie year, decent rotational player in 2019, was expected to take on a bigger role in 2020 but missed the whole season due to injury. Could start next year next to Kiser.

244 DE Justin Lawler
Rotational player his rookie year, hasn't been healthy since.

 

[Blitzkrug]

Dolphins:

1 (11): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Was a really solid player in his rookie season for Miami. Decided he didn't want to be a part of what at the time, looked like a full on rebuild/tank. Was traded to the Steelers and has been nothing short of phenomenal for them with 2x All-Pro selections so far. Great pick all things considered.

2 (42): Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
Big, fast TE with hands like silk. Had a solid start as a rookie and then broke out last year and looks like will be the next in line of the TE's who are really just bigger slot WRs. Can't block but outside of that, really good pick.

3 (73): Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
Baker had a lot of scouts drooling over his physical attributes, specifically his speed. Was rotational in his rookie year and then became a full time player last season with a breakout 7 sacks and actually having the ability to cover TEs. Could be in for even bigger things in 2021 if he continues to progress. Great pick.

4 (123) Durham Smythe, TE, Notre Dame
Was solely taken to solve the "but Gesicki can't block" problem. Blocks, catches the occasional pass. Not bad, but probably isn't long for the Dolphins roster given they took Hunter Long in this year's draft. Meh pick, but it made sense given the context.

4 (131) Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
A strange pick looking back. Ballage was never a full time #1 even in college and was widely considered a change of pace back at best. The Dolphins drafted him to compete with...a guy who also didn't have much hope of being a full time back in Kenyan Drake. He's been on 4 NFL teams and has largely failed to impress despite having ample chances to do so. Bad pick.

6 (209) Cornell Armstrong, CB, Ole Miss
Never saw the field with the Dolphins, was cut and then Houston signed him. Played well enough as a gunner/depth guy to get a second contract but also isn't expected to get a shot at more playing time despite the Texans secondary being horrendous. Honestly for where he was taken, him being good enough to get another contract is probably more than enough to qualify as a decent pick.

7 (227) Quentin Poling, LB, Ohio
Undersized for his position, bounced around various practice rosters and is now an FA. Can't expect much from a 7th rounder.

7 (229) Jason Sanders, K, New Mexico
Complete throw dart at board pick and see what happens. What happened is Sanders ended up becoming one of the best kickers in the NFL and got himself a shiny 5 year extension recently, Great pick

Overall grade: B+

While they didn't really hit on their super late rounders outside of Sanders, the fact they got 3 key contributors (albeit one for another team) in the first three rounds is huge. One of the better drafts the Dolphins have had in a while

 

[MaxV]

Colts

1 (6) Quenton Nelson (OG)
If you are picking a guard in the top 10, he better be a Pro-Bowler. Luckily, Nelson is arguably the best player in NFL in his position.

2 (36) Darius Leonard (OLB)
Viewed as a reach at the time of the draft, Leonard has proved to be a huge steal. 2-time Pro-Bowler, 2-Time 1st-team all-pro and a 2nd-team all-pro, one of NFL's best Linebackers.

2 (37) Braden Smith (OL)
Originally picked as a guard, Smith was forced into playing RT because of rush of injuries. Not only has he handled the position, but he has since developed into one of NFL's top RTs.

2 (52) Kemoko Turay (DE)
Highly athletic edge who has flashed his talent, but unfortunately an ankle injury has slowed him down so far. He has already had 2 separate surgeries. Before injuring his ankle in 2019, he actually had a PFF grade of 91, although as a pass-rush specialist. Hopefully he can come back 100%, but it doesn't look very likely.

2 (64) Tyquan Lewis (DE)
Another talented edge who has been used both as a DE and as a DT. Just like Turay, he has moments where his talent was evident, but has yet to do it consistently. His role might be expanding next season, so he will have the opportunity to prove himself.

4 (104) Niheim Hines (RB)
Not a starting RB, but his importance to the offense is still evident. Led the team in receptions last year and had 862 total yards of offense despite being a situational player.

5 (159) Daurice Fountain (WR)
Showed flashes, but couldn't stay healthy.

5 (169) Jordan Wilkins (RB)
Solid backup RB, who has 4.9 career yards per carry. Might be capable of a bigger role, but he is a bit buried on Colts' depth chart.

6 (185) Deon Cain (WR)
Injuries have derailed his development.

7 (221) Matthew Adams (OLB)
Backup so far. Might have an opportunity to compete for more playing time next season with Anthony Walker's departure.

7 (235) Zaire Franklin (OLB)
Same as Adams.


If only Ballard could duplicate this sort of success every year, but that's unreasonable.

 

[StreetHawk]

Colts

1 (6) Quenton Nelson (OG)
If you are picking a guard in the top 10, he better be a Pro-Bowler. Luckily, Nelson is arguably the best player in NFL in his position.

2 (36) Darius Leonard (OLB)
Viewed as a reach at the time of the draft, Leonard has proved to be a huge steal. 2-time Pro-Bowler, 2-Time 1st-team all-pro and a 2nd-team all-pro, one of NFL's best Linebackers.

2 (37) Braden Smith (OL)
Originally picked as a guard, Smith was forced into playing RT because of rush of injuries. Not only has he handled the position, but he has since developed into one of NFL's top RTs.

2 (52) Kemoko Turay (DE)
Highly athletic edge who has flashed his talent, but unfortunately an ankle injury has slowed him down so far. He has already had 2 separate surgeries. Before injuring his ankle in 2019, he actually had a PFF grade of 91, although as a pass-rush specialist. Hopefully he can come back 100%, but it doesn't look very likely.

2 (64) Tyquan Lewis (DE)
Another talented edge who has been used both as a DE and as a DT. Just like Turay, he has moments where his talent was evident, but has yet to do it constantly. His role might be expanding next season, so he will have the opportunity to prove himself.

4 (104) Niheim Hines (RB)
Not a starting RB, but his importance to the offense is still evident. Led the team in receptions last year and had 862 total yards of offense despite being a situational player.

5 (159) Daurice Fountain (WR)
Showed flashes, but couldn't stay healthy.

5 (169) Jordan Wilkins (RB)
Solid backup RB, who has 4.9 career yards per carry. Might be capable of a bigger role, but he is a bit buried on Colts' depth chart.

6 (185) Deon Cain (WR)
Injuries have derailed his development.

7 (221) Matthew Adams (OLB)
Backup so far. Might have an opportunity to compete for more playing time next season with Anthony Walker's departure.

7 (235) Zaire Franklin (OLB)
Same as Adams.


If only Ballard could duplicate this sort of success every year, but that's unreasonable.

Remember the colts gained 2 extra 2nd round picks from the trade down with the Jets that draft plus another in 2019. Not every year you have multiple second rounders.

 

[Tony Romo]

Cowboys;

1) (19) Leighton Vander Esch, ILB
Good when healthy, but can never stay on the field. team didn't pick up his option. I wanted Alexander or James for this pick, both went off the board right before him.

2) (50) Connor Williams Guard
We needed a guard, doesn't really have NFL strength, gets bullied on bull rushes but is getting better. decent pick, not great but not bad. Wanted Landry (They didn't trade up.) or wanted Chark, they passed.

3) (81) Michael Gallup WR
Great pick, good steal in the third.

4) Dorance Armstrong JR
meh

4) Dalton Schultz
Good depth TE.

this draft was ok.

 

[Mr Misunderstood]

NYJ

1 - 3: Sam Darnold QB = F
Beating a dead horse, Mike Maccagnan and Adam Gase ruined his development. Did not surround the kid with weapons, an offensive line or competent coaching (looking at you Dowell Loggains). Mono and injuries hurt him but he rarely showed the flashes of brilliance he had his freshman season at USC. The pick is worse because they traded up and took another QB in the top 5 just 3 years later.

3 - 72: Nathan Shepherd DT = D
I swear his highlights ESPN showed on draft night were taken on a cell phone. 24 year old defensive lineman that played at Fort Hayes St. Considering who they had on the d line at the time, the pick made no sense. Hasn't made a large impact but at least he's played in 39 games since being drafted and is still on the team.

4-107: Chris Herndon TE = D
Injuries, suspensions and more injuries. He's shown his talent when rarely healthy and had a handful of good games. Jets fans are still holding out hope, but I don't have much.

6-179: Parry Nickerson CB = D
Undersized nickel corner played one season with the team and has bounced around the NFL since. Not that he was expected to be a starter but you would've hoped a draft pick could've been on the team longer than one season.

6-180: Folorunso Fatukasi DT = B
Played well as a NT in 2020 for a dreadful team. As a 6th rounder, he has far surpassed expectations and hopefully he can continue his progress under Robert Saleh.

6-204: Trenton Cannon RB = D
Undersized speedster played 20 games for the Jets, had 257 scrimmage yards as a rookie and 1 TD trying to use him on tosses and bubble screens. No longer on the team, but he produced far more than expected as a smaller player out of a small school (Virginia St.)

Mikey Macc SUCKED. We trust in JD to clean his mess.

 

[TheGreenTBer]

The only constructive thing Adam Gase ever did as a Jets employee was the power move to get Mccagnan out. Literally everything else he did was bad, terrible or worse than terrible.

Hopefully the Jets intend on developing Wilson properly and not doing what they did with Darnold which was basically the NFL equivalent of the guy in Indiana Jones: The Temple of Doom that got his heart ripped out by Mola Ram.

 

[Dr Salt]

DAL

1. Leighton Vander Esch LB

Good pick in the moment, in a theme similar to this year's draft, Dallas goes for the LB after the top-level secondary help is off the board. He had a great rookie season, followed up by a solid level sophomore campaign that had been dragged down injuries. Injuries were a theme again this season, and it seemed to hurt his play this time around. It's a sad path for him, but I don't think he has a big long-term future. Injuries suck.

2. Connor Williams LG

Meh. He took a massive step forward this year and is a solid guard but still well short of pro-bowl level guard, and I could see him staying in the long run due to how undervalued he would be on the free agent market, though I could also see him being let go.

3. Michael Gallup WR

A high end #2 wideout. Awesome pick, our best value but also likely won't stay after next year, but that has nothing to do with his play and all to do with out cap constraints.

4. Dorrance Armstrong Jr. DE

He is there. You lose some.

Round 4 still; Dalton Shultz TE

Good pick, great blocker, and showed himself as a solid pass-catcher when Jarwin got hurt. His role next year will be interesting.

5. Mike White QB
Throaway pick on a backup, not here anymore.

6. Chris Covington Jr LB
Depth piece for a while, gone.

Second 6th round pick; Cedrick Wilson WR
Our #4 WR, he's shone at times, could probably get re-signed for cheap, threw a TD pass to Dak

7. Bo Scrabrough
RB who never played a snap for us

Its an okay draft. The player output is okay, but the amount who will likely be here after their rookie deals are done could hit zero. It's sad to look at a draft that started off hot the first couple of years in that light.