2018 NFL Mock Draft: The final one before the draft gets underway
Wide Receiver. Alabama. Calvin Ridley. 16. player. 26.
Despite adding several receivers this offseason, it is still the biggest need for the Ravens. They added John Brown, Michael Crabtree and Willie Snead, but it still is not enough because the team lacks a true number one.
Ridley offers a combination of all of those receivers in one. He may not be as fast as Brown, but he can separate and create space for himself with his speed. He runs solid routes like Crabtree and has the ability to play in the slot like Snead.
Adding a weapon like Ridley can assist in prolonging Joe Flacco’s career and turning the Ravens back into a playoff contender. (Stephen)
Previous Pick: Atlanta traded up and selected Vita Vea
Lamar Jackson. 17. player. 13. . Quarterback. Louisville
The Chargers win the Lamar Jackson sweepstakes. Los Angeles has a roster filled with young studs, so they can afford to take a chance on a player like Jackson.
Once Philip Rivers calms down from seeing his team draft a first-round quarterback, he will be a great mentor to Jackson. Rivers has a couple of elite years left in the tank so there will be plenty of time for Jackson to learn.
In a couple of years, Jackson will be the most dynamic player in the game and he will have Hunter Henry and Keenan Allen to help him along to many playoff wins. (Justin)
Previous Pick: Unchanged
UCF. Mike Hughes. 18. player. 36. . Cornerback
Mike Hughes plays a very similar style to recently released corner Richard Sherman. He is physical at the line and will try to jam receivers and disrupt them immediately. With Jared Goff and Jimmy Garoppolo coming into their own in the division, upgrading the secondary for Seattle is a major need.
The aforementioned Sherman is gone along with Jeremy Lane and the safety tandem of Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas is not getting any younger. The days of the ‘Legion of Boom’ roaming around is now gone and the team needs to focus on rebuilding what was once their calling card. That can start with the selection of Hughes.
Come draft night, however, I fully expect the Seahawks to move this pick and acquire more picks as they lack a second in this year’s draft which is deep in positions they need. (Stephen)
Previous Pick: Unchanged