2018 NFL Draft

[RTTAS]

In terms of first round picks, as an optimist, I reckon:

Near-Locks: Darnold, Rosen, Mayfield, Allen, Nelson, McGlinchey
Probable (50-75%): Price, Hubbard, Bryan, Kolton Miller, Rudolph
Plausible (25-50%): Hurst, Andrews, Vander Esch, O'Neill, Williams
Long Shots: (sub-25%): Braden Smith, Goedert, Ragnow, Falk, Litton, Fumagalli

My tip is 10-12 but could potentially get to 16 (so half-half!) with some good luck at the combine, senior bowl, and pro days. The worst-case scenario is probably about 7, but even that's better than a few drafts over recent years.

 

[Rocky B]

Just hoping to see Nall’s name called. Along with Jake Weineke....(many others, of course) I’m rooting big time for Nick Holley to get a look....I don’t believe he is healthy enough for a combine invite or even a pro day......For those who don’t know, he’s a Kent St guy that came in as a running back but ended up being a qb....Injured this year, I’m thinking JEdelman-like......
Plus, I’m hoping Dalton Crossan gets another look after getting hurt in Colts camp......

 

[Leonardfan]

Troy Apke......

https://www.landof10.com/penn-state/former-penn-state-s-troy-apke-wins-nflpa-collegiate-bowl-mvp

Thanks for positing that rocky! Glad to see Apke getting some recognition. Ideally he gets a combine invite. He is easily an NFL caliber player especially compared to all of the terrible DBs who are unable to tackle who current litter NFL rosters.

 

[Don Wassall]

Just hoping to see Nall’s name called. Along with Jake Weineke....(many others, of course) I’m rooting big time for Nick Holley to get a look....I don’t believe he is healthy enough for a combine invite or even a pro day......For those who don’t know, he’s a Kent St guy that came in as a running back but ended up being a qb....Injured this year, I’m thinking JEdelman-like......
Plus, I’m hoping Dalton Crossan gets another look after getting hurt in Colts camp......

Here's a short highlights video of Weineke, which rubs it in Minnesota's face for not recruiting Jake, the same old story, hopefully Jake and whoever made this video understand it's systematic and not isolated or random as the media always likes to pretend.

 

[Extra Point]

Here's a short highlights video of Weineke, which rubs it in Minnesota's face for not recruiting Jake, the same old story, hopefully Jake and whoever made this video understand it's systematic and not isolated or random as the media always likes to pretend.

Nice video. And no rap music!

 

[Leonardfan]

It is Senior Bowl week. Here is the list of all of our guys attending - a huge number of white defensive players were snubbed this year as usual:


North Team
DT Harrison Phillips
LB Nick DeLuca
OC Mason Cole
OC Scott Quessenberry
OG Sean Welsh
OG Cole Madison
OG Wyatt Teller
LB Garret Dooley
OT Brian O'Neill
OT Brett Toth
QB Josh Allen
QB Tanner Lee
QB Baker Mayfield
QB Luke Falk
TE Mike Gesicki
TE Tyler Conklin
TE Troy Fumagalli
TE Durham Smythe
WR Justin Watson
WR Braxton Berrios

South Team
DE Kylie Fitts
DT Christian LaCouture
FB Nick Bawden
OC Bradley Bozeman
OC Austin Corbett
OG Skyler Phillips
OG Colby Gossett
OG Taylor Hearn
OT Alex Cappa
QB Brandon Silvers
QB Kyle Lauletta
QB Kurt Benkert
QB Mike White
TE Adam Breneman
TE Dallas Goedert

 

[Shadowlight]

Try as I might I have difficulty staying with these college all star games. I sifted through the Shrine Bowl last week but lost interest as usual. Granted the Senior Bowl has more of the top players so I will try and stick with it as much as I can tolerate. Nice to see S Troy Apke play well in the other bowl game Saturday but he is still a long shot but never say never. If he burns up on his pro day a team might flag him late for special teams. And once he gets his foot in the door a possible avenue to become a starting S. He did a hell of a job this past season with Penn State. After years of being a back up he got his chance and just kept getting better as the season wore on. God knows we need more white DBs in the NFL.

Mel Kiper has QB Josh Allen going number one to the Browns. There are no easy answers when it comes to QB's. Even on this site people are on different sides when it comes to some QB's like say Tim Tebow.

Allen is the sphinx of this year's draft. He had an off year. But if you were to draw up the prototypical modern day athletic QB he would fit the mold. The two question marks are his ACUURACY and ability to PROCESS his reads. The QB position isn't just about physical ability. The mental aspect is CRUCIAL. With Allen a team is taking a risk albeit he played on a team with a very low level of talent and played better towards the end. But a team could strike gold as well. His upside is roughly John Elway. Very high. But his low side is a QB that can't complete enough passes.

I will have to look at him closer the next month plus but sometimes desperate teams need to make risky moves. Sometimes it is worth it when the player could turn out to be another John Elway.

 

[Extra Point]

Josh Allen only completed 56% of his passes his last two years. I realize he may not have had the best supporting cast but still one would expect a high first round pick to do better than that.

I think the Browns should take Baker Mayfield.

 

[Shadowlight]

For sure Allen's completion rate is enough to scare the daylights out of anyone. That is the reason he is the most polarizing QB in the draft. It bothers me too.

But keep in mind Mel Kiper says the media should stuff those stats. He points out the playing conditions in Wyoming and that league are very bad. The weather can play a huge role and the level of talent he had around him was piss poor to be polite. That still doesn't excuse his bad play but Kiper and a few others are warning that his natural talent is so off the charts a team could be missing the big one. It is a riverboat gamblers game at this point but sometimes you have to jump off that boat into the cool waters below to find hidden treasures.

It is that old age dilemma. Is he worth the risk or should teams play it safer? My understanding is John Elway likes Allen. Whatever way it shakes down this will be an intriguing QB list as it plays out in the first round.

 

[Leonardfan]

Allen's completion % is a concern but I saw enough of Wyoming this year to not put as much stock into it since his receivers dropped a ton of balls. He is a very raw prospect but I really like what I have read and seen about the kid's mentality. His arm is pretty amazing too. His best bet is a veteran team with a vet QB and coaching staff that actual knows how to develop QBs.

 

[Shadowlight]

I was listening to some of the NFL network post game stuff last night and Deion Sanders was going on about replacing Bortles next year with Lamar Jackson. The white host wasn't too impressed with that which sent Sanders into a frenzy. Good grief.

Mel Kiper had grave concerns about Kizer and so far he was spot on. Kiper has suggested that Jackson will be moved to WR after he vainly tries to make it as a QB which tells you how much Mel thinks of Jackson. Ha. So at the combine he will be in with the QB's and some might be impressed but to me he is too slender to play QB in the NFL and just not good enough in my opinion. I would not draft him.

It comes down to the core four, Allen, Darnold, Mayfield and Rosen. Josh Rosen is the most polished but I prefer a more athletic type at QB. That is just me though.

Mayfield could end up great and there are plenty of Russell Wilson comparisons.

Sam Darnold I suspect is the safest pick. He checks all of the boxes.

And Allen has been discussed. Worth noting he looked a lot better last year when he had better talent around him.

 

[TwentyTwo]

Watching so many Drafts in the past coming away disappointed ...it's almost like when you see an uptick in WR's the DB crop is down...it's ebb n flow...seems like NEVER BOTH..the rigid 50-something(60?) white players is all that is allowed in the Draft.

The only white DB taken in the 17' Draft was Nate Gerry 5th Round/Eagles; they converted him to a hybrid LBer role.

Not looking that much better for 18' ...thought Junior DB Chase Hansen might Declare early being 25 years old in May; played only 8 games due to injury...but he's going to play Sr. season at Utah instead.

As mentioned previously Cole Reyes is projected a 4th Round pick by some .. ..6th round by others
Hopefully Troy Apke can get taken in the Later Rounds....

Not sure if Micah Hanneman gets Drafted? Certainly capable; may have to go the route of fellow ex-BYU undrafted Daniel Sorenson w KC Chiefs??
Drue Tranquill .... was a big DB ; but now looks to be playing more of a Hybrid LB like Gerry
Carter Jacobs .... he likely won't get Invite to Combine...hopefully tears it up at his Pro Day for Cincinnati!
Jordan Brown.... led the FCS in INT's this season; ex QB turned CB turned Safety...possibly lands in Training Camp?
Nick Gisauldi (Cornell) Long shot.... surprise everybody landing on an NFL 53 man roster; if not then at least Practice Squad
CB Brad Ellis (Ohio U.) is a long shot


>19' Draft for DB's does look a lot more promising than in recent memory! These DB's should all go within first 3 Rounds!!
Chase Hansen(if he stays healthy?); at 6'-2" 220 hoping he could be the next John Lynch!
Andrew Wingard...high-octane DB closest thing to Eric Weddle in recent memory!
Tanner Muse...Stud DB from Clemson that stays away from baseball
Brandon Snyder...thumper from Iowa...came back too soon from ACL/Re-injured?

 

[celticdb15]

Good write up 22. So as of right now it looks like only Reyes is a lock to be drafted.. Let's hope The UDFA route is friendly to us.

Happy Apke has had a good showing , he's worked himself into draft consideration as you and others have mentioned!

Hannemann should indeed get a call as UDFA, I've seen a lot of him. Reminds me of former Packers and current Buffalo Bill, Micah Hyde.

Not sure why Tranquill hasn't been invited to any All Star Games or combine he checks all the boxes except being white? He's definitely this year's version of Gerry good comparison. Though Gerry racked up a lot more INTs.

One other guy I'd like to mention and he's been mentioned a lot before on this site, is the hard hitting Dallin Leavitt. He's always around the ball I'd compare him to a 5'10 Sendejo!

The rest you mention all deserve so much more than just the appraisal we throw at them!

**Agree on the Wingard comparison to Weddle! Special talent!

 

[celticdb15]

Awesome video for Wieneke! Establishing himself as a mid Rd pick. Very good hands and high pointing the ball aka going up to get the ball over defenders.

Minnesota is notorious at ignoring in state white talent. Both football and basketball. Schools like Wisconsin and North Dakota State have reaped the benefits of their ignorance!

 

[TwentyTwo]

Thanks Celticdb15...Solid post from you as well...

ALMOST included Dallin Leavitt on above post; had a INT in his Bowl game; is also noted the shot he took from JuJuShuster Smith back in 16' (think Bengals Vontaze Burfict getting leveled this season)...Leavitt is a Tough dude! ...like the Sendejo comparison. There will be a white DB somewhere whether late Round or UDFA that makes a splash & catches clueless dwf's off-guard...

Yes indeed...Zach Zenner seemed to start the South Dakota State pipeline....

It has been fun keeping track of WR Jake Wieneke(high pointing ball-Good eye Celticdb) ; he proved he was an NFL Prospect when he owned TCU his Junior season! The 1 - 2 Punch of him & TE Dallas Goedert who projects as Late 1st Round by some...if any so-called Draft expert says "It's a down year for TE's this year" ; we know why! Also massive D-Lineman Kellen Soulek (6'-5" 320) SHOULD get a NFL Combine Invite to Indy!! Of course gotta watch out for Ole' Petey in Seattle drafting him & turning him into O-Lineman...

 

[FootballDad]

Just came across this article on Gayhoo sports bashing Wyoming QB Josh Allen about his throwing accuracy. How many black QB prospects have been wildly inaccurate during these workouts? And Allen wasn't even that bad. But I don't seem to recall any mainstream articles calling them busts-in-the-making as this article implies.

 

[celticdb15]

Just came across this article on Gayhoo sports bashing Wyoming QB Josh Allen about his throwing accuracy. How many black QB prospects have been wildly inaccurate during these workouts? And Allen wasn't even that bad. But I don't seem to recall any mainstream articles calling them busts-in-the-making as this article

Duhshone Kiser had similar % on a more talented Notre Dame team just last year. But he's an upsider with a rocket arm. Blah blah blah.

I'm not completely sold on Allen, but he's worth a mid 1st to early 2nd rd pick. No doubt about it.

 

[Leonardfan]

Allen looks alot better today. I am watching the practice and it does seem they are really trying to build him up. I would rather see him fall to the late first round so he can sit and develop. He is pretty damn impressive though.

 

[Leonardfan]

I have followed the Senior Bowl practices pretty closely this week and overall it was a pretty solid week. The only really bad news is that both Adam Breneman and Dallas Goedert were shutdown on Tuesday because of hamstring injuries.

From what I saw on Josh Allen he made some really fantastic throws in practice and displays Culter level arm strength. Accuracy continues to be an issue but in the interview I saw it sounds like he is working on his mechanics and acknowledges the flaws in his game right now which is a good thing. Overall he had a steady week of practices and did nothing to really hurt or amplify his draft stock. It sounds like he will be a 1st round when all is said and done.

Baker Mayfield basically came in and checked off any concerns or potential ammo for the media to hurl at him during the next 3 months. Everyone was ready to call him the next Manziel but he couldn't be further from that. He is listed at over 6' tall, he showed more than enough arm strength, displayed his athleticism and his ability to come in and digest a new offense quickly. It was a very successful week for him. My guess is he will be a top 20 pick.

Out of the other QBs it sounds like Luke Falk, Mike White and Kyle Lauletta were the next best QBs (more from what I read than what I was able to see) . I would think all three could be developmental type mid rounders - 3/4th round for some of the teams with aging QBs. Benkert was inconsistent, Tanner Lee looks the part and throws the ball nicely but has issues reading defenses and throwing INTs.

Braxton Berrios seems to have had a good week of practices and is in the mold of Amendola, Edelman and Welker - quick as a cat and catches everything. Catch radius be damned this kid should be a 3rd/4th rounder. I have to wonder if any of the supposed personnel experts in Mobile remembered how Amendola took over the game this past weekend. Will one of these teams wise up or will they all just follow the same caste mentality that has plagued the league for 30 + years.

Justin Watson the WR from Penn had a solid week - made a couple highlight real catches. My hope is he gets a combine invite and runs a 4.5. The exposure for him the past two weeks should be a good thing.

As mentioned before for the TE Position - both Goedert and Breneman were knocked out early due to hamstring injuries. Geisecki improved as the week went on and probably established himself as a quality receiving TE, Fumagalli also had a solid showing in both catching and blocking. It sounds like Durham Smythe had a really good week and built some positive buzz which will only help his stock. Conklin out of CMU had a pretty good week as well.

It sounds like most of the guys on the O-line did well enough to get drafted. I hear that Army OT Brett Toth was very good and pretty much dominated anyone he went up against and has had his stock rise quite a bit. However due to the military changing their rules he may have to serve a two year commitment. I find it odd that only the black Navy QB Keenan Reynolds has been able to defer his service obligation. One would think that an academy player who looks to be a potential 2nd/3rd round pick would be afforded the same treatment. Overall it looks like it may be a year our guys outnumber the sumos in the NFL draft. Here are some of the other Senior Bowl OL standouts:

- Wyatt Teller
- Alex Cappa
- Cole Madison
- Mason Cole
- Brian O'Neil
- Sean Welsh
- Mason Cole
- Bradley Bozeman
- Austin Corbett
- Colby Gossett



On defense their were only 5 players present which goes with the trend of defense becoming a "black thang". Stanford DT Harrison Phillips had a great week - very dominant and strong in drills. He may have an outside shot at round 1 now. LB Nick DeLuca also did pretty well for himself - I heard quite a few segments where the commentators were complimentary towards him. I read that Christian LaCouture also had a good and steady week of practices so hopefully we see him get drafted. Dooley and Fitts didn't do anything to hurt their stock but I wasn't able to find anything about them really sticking out or making an impression.

 

[Heretic]

I have followed the Senior Bowl practices pretty closely this week and overall it was a pretty solid week. The only really bad news is that both Adam Breneman and Dallas Goedert were shutdown on Tuesday because of hamstring injuries.

From what I saw on Josh Allen he made some really fantastic throws in practice and displays Culter level arm strength. Accuracy continues to be an issue but in the interview I saw it sounds like he is working on his mechanics and acknowledges the flaws in his game right now which is a good thing. Overall he had a steady week of practices and did nothing to really hurt or amplify his draft stock. It sounds like he will be a 1st round when all is said and done.

Baker Mayfield basically came in and checked off any concerns or potential ammo for the media to hurl at him during the next 3 months. Everyone was ready to call him the next Manziel but he couldn't be further from that. He is listed at over 6' tall, he showed more than enough arm strength, displayed his athleticism and his ability to come in and digest a new offense quickly. It was a very successful week for him. My guess is he will be a top 20 pick.

Out of the other QBs it sounds like Luke Falk, Mike White and Kyle Lauletta were the next best QBs (more from what I read than what I was able to see) . I would think all three could be developmental type mid rounders - 3/4th round for some of the teams with aging QBs. Benkert was inconsistent, Tanner Lee looks the part and throws the ball nicely but has issues reading defenses and throwing INTs.

Braxton Berrios seems to have had a good week of practices and is in the mold of Amendola, Edelman and Welker - quick as a cat and catches everything. Catch radius be damned this kid should be a 3rd/4th rounder. I have to wonder if any of the supposed personnel experts in Mobile remembered how Amendola took over the game this past weekend. Will one of these teams wise up or will they all just follow the same caste mentality that has plagued the league for 30 + years.

Justin Watson the WR from Penn had a solid week - made a couple highlight real catches. My hope is he gets a combine invite and runs a 4.5. The exposure for him the past two weeks should be a good thing.

As mentioned before for the TE Position - both Goedert and Breneman were knocked out early due to hamstring injuries. Geisecki improved as the week went on and probably established himself as a quality receiving TE, Fumagalli also had a solid showing in both catching and blocking. It sounds like Durham Smythe had a really good week and built some positive buzz which will only help his stock. Conklin out of CMU had a pretty good week as well.

It sounds like most of the guys on the O-line did well enough to get drafted. I hear that Army OT Brett Toth was very good and pretty much dominated anyone he went up against and has had his stock rise quite a bit. However due to the military changing their rules he may have to serve a two year commitment. I find it odd that only the black Navy QB Keenan Reynolds has been able to defer his service obligation. One would think that an academy player who looks to be a potential 2nd/3rd round pick would be afforded the same treatment. Overall it looks like it may be a year our guys outnumber the sumos in the NFL draft. Here are some of the other Senior Bowl OL standouts:

- Wyatt Teller
- Alex Cappa
- Cole Madison
- Mason Cole
- Brian O'Neil
- Sean Welsh
- Mason Cole
- Bradley Bozeman
- Austin Corbett
- Colby Gossett



On defense their were only 5 players present which goes with the trend of defense becoming a "black thang". Stanford DT Harrison Phillips had a great week - very dominant and strong in drills. He may have an outside shot at round 1 now. LB Nick DeLuca also did pretty well for himself - I heard quite a few segments where the commentators were complimentary towards him. I read that Christian LaCouture also had a good and steady week of practices so hopefully we see him get drafted. Dooley and Fitts didn't do anything to hurt their stock but I wasn't able to find anything about them really sticking out or making an impression.

Elway requested that both Mayfield and Allen be part of the team that Vance Johnson is coaching so they could be evaluated (as potential picks). Elway said he was impressed with Allen's arm and overall size, but did mention that Allen was a bit off throwing over the middle, whereas Baker's accuracy was much better on those. He also said they are evaluating their "intangibles" - how they carry themselves, their confidence level, etc., as the NFL can easily "break you". So, I'm expecting either Allen, Mayfield or Cousins to be their starter come next fall as Elway indicated he would probably pursue Cousins if he became available.

 

[Leonardfan]

Pretty amazing Elway has given up on Lynch without ever giving him a chance at all.

 

[Don Wassall]

Pretty amazing Elway has given up on Lynch without ever giving him a chance at all.

The treatment of Lynch has been a real head scratcher, even by NFL standards.

Great coverage of the Senior Bowl, I wish we could make you a full-time scout.

 

[Leonardfan]

The treatment of Lynch has been a real head scratcher, even by NFL standards.

Great coverage of the Senior Bowl, I wish we could make you a full-time scout.

Thanks. I don't think I could really stomach being surrounded by such cucks though!

I forgot to mention that Mason Rudolph has a foot injury which caused him to miss the senior bowl as well. It is very early in the draft but our guys should make up some ground at QB, OL and TE which are the only acceptable caste positions.

 

[celticdb15]

I concur, solid update! Thanks LF!

 

[La France Blanche]

I like the quarterback situation this year. Some good potential storylines. Josh Rosen, a likely #1 as far as talent and NFL readiness, but comes with personal baggage. Sam Darnold, the "safe" pick. Baker Mayfield, the high-risk, high-reward choice, and Josh Allen, the dark horse. And Lamar Jackson, the other dark horse.

(Sorry).