Fantasy football analysis of every NFL Draft 2018 pick from the first round.
This content previously appeared on Rotoballer.com
NFL Draft 2018, No. 1: Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns
It was expected all along that the Browns would choose a franchise quarterback with the first overall pick, so this doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Mayfield has height and off-field questions, but his intangibles on the field make him stand out over the rest of the QB class in this draft. With Tyrod Taylor already named the starter to begin 2018, Mayfield won’t have much redraft value out of the gate.
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NFL Draft 2018, No. 2: Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
The Giants weren’t about to let Barkley get past them at No. 2. With Eli Manning aging and declining rapidly, the G-Men want to upgrade their backfield to make it easier on him. Barkley is arguably the most talented all-around player in this year’s draft, and he could easily become a three-down back for the Giants immediately. This pick is bad news for Jonathan Stewart and Wayne Gallman. Barkley will be an early-round pick in both redraft and dynasty/keeper leagues.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 3: Sam Darnold, QB, New York Jets
Darnold was a candidate to go first overall to the Browns, but he’ll land in the Big Apple instead. He may be the most NFL-ready QB in this year’s draft class, and Jets head coach Todd Bowles has said he won’t be afraid to start a rookie under center if he proves he’s ready. The Jets other options are veteran Josh McCown or Teddy Bridgewater. While the Jets don’t have great weapons in the passing game, Darnold may have the most redraft value of any QB in this draft class.
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NFL Draft 2018, No. 4: Denzel Ward , CB, Cleveland Browns
The Browns definitely needed to shore up their secondary. Ward can both cover deep and defend the run with great skill.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 5: Bradley Chubb, DE, Denver Broncos
Chubb may be the second most talented overall player in this year’s draft class. He’s a beast off the end and can also defend the run excellently. He’ll pair nicely with Von Miller rushing the passer on the other side. Many pundits expected the Broncos to go with a quarterback early, but they did sign Case Keenum in free agency, and they preferred to bolster their defense after losing Aqib Talib. Denver’s pass rush remains their strength with the addition of Chubb.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 6: Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts
Nelson will certainly help Indy’s ground game, and more importantly will help Andrew Luck stay upright if he’s able to come back from his shoulder injury this season.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 7: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
Allen is probably the biggest project quarterback in this year’s draft, but he could be starting immediately in Buffalo, as A.J. McCarron is at the top of their current depth chart. Expect both Allen and McCarron to compete for the starting gig in training camp. Accuracy has been Allen’s biggest weakness on film. Along with Sam Darnold of the Jets, Allen could have the most fantasy value in single-year leagues in 2018 if he wins a starting job.
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NFL Draft 2018, No. 8: Roquan Smith, LB, Chicago Bears
Smith is a highly skilled player that is extremely versatile in the middle of the defense. He’s a skilled blitzer as well and has excellent awareness in the passing game as well. He should step in right away in the middle of the Bears defense and could immediately become an option IDP leagues.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 9: Mike McGlinchey, OT, San Francisco 49ers
He’s best at right tackle and could benefit from getting stronger as he moves to the next level. With this pick, it’s obvious the Niners are prioritizing their offensive line as they look to protect their franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo. McGlinchey will help do that.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 10: Josh Rosen , QB, Arizona Cardinals
Rosen becomes the fourth quarterback selected in the top 10 of a draft, which is the first time ever in NFL history. Even though the Cards signed oft-injured quarterback Sam Bradford in free agency, Rosen could easily step in and start right off the bat. If he does, he’ll likely latch on to wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald early and often. Rosen will have strong dynasty/keeper league value and will be an intriguing redraft prospect in two-QB leagues. Rosen isn’t very mobile, but he’s a great pocket passer, has great football IQ and is NFL-ready.
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NFL Draft 2018, No. 11: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Miami Dolphins
Fitzpatrick is very versatile in the secondary and has a very high football IQ. He is the all-time leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns at Alabama and will be a team leader on defense at the next level. He’ll immediately upgrade a Miami secondary that can really use the help. His leadership qualities may be his greatest asset.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 12: Vita Vea, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vea will combine with Gerald McCoy on the defensive line in Tampa to help seriously upgrade their pass rush and run defense. Vea has tremendous speed and power on the line and is able to shoot gaps with power. He’s known for defending the run, but he can also win one-on-one matchups.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 13: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Washington Redskins
Payne is a disruptive force on the defensive line and is really athletic. He can get into the backfield with ease and quickness as a hole-filler. He should start immediately on Washington’s D-line. Payne didn’t have a ton of sacks but tallied a lot of QB hurries and pressures.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 14: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Washington Redskins
The New Orleans Saints traded up to select Texas-San Antonio defensive end Marcus Davenport at No. 14 overall in the 2018 NFL draft. It’s a bit of a shock, but the Saints definitely needed more defensive line help. Davenport is a great athlete and is a scheme fit for New Orleans’ improving defense. He explodes at the point of impact and is a good finisher in the backfield. Cameron Jordan has some extra help now on that line, which should help make him more productive.
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NFL Draft 2018, No. 15: Kolton Miller, OT, Oakland Raiders
He’s a freakish athlete at 6-foot-9 and has great feet as a left tackle. He’ll be the protector of quarterback Derek Carr as the Raiders look to improve on offense after a disappointing season in 2018. It’s a big area of need for the Raiders on the offensive line, and he should start immediately.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 16: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills
He has a rare combination of size and speed for a linebacker, so he’s certainly a specimen. He also has nice versatility for his size, and he can rush the passer or play in space in coverage. He needs to work on his tackling in the backfield and at the line of scrimmage, however. Edmunds will turn 20 years old next week but he has a high ceiling at the next level.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 17: Derwin James, S, Los Angeles Chargers
James was certainly the best player left on the draft board, and he will immediately upgrade LA’s secondary. He’s extremely versatile and has great instincts. He can also play up in the running game and is a fine tackler. It’s a great pick for the Chargers, who need more help on the defensive side of the ball.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 18: Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers
He plays with an edge on an island on the outside and is very fast. Alexander loves the big stage and steps up in big games. Green Bay’s pass defense has really fallen apart in recent years, so Alexander will be asked to step in right away and limit big plays on the edge. He could also be used on special teams as a punt returner because of his world-class speed. There are some injury concerns with Alexander, though.
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NFL Draft 2018, No. 19: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Vander Esch brings speed and athleticism to a Cowboys defense that was sorely lacking it. He also played basketball in his youth and had a 40-inch vertical at the combine. He’ll bring size, length, instincts and athleticism up the middle to pair with the oft-injured Sean Lee. Vander Esch can defend the run and the pass.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 20: Frank Ragnow, C, Detroit Lions
Ragnow is a hole-filler and will definitely make life easier on quarterback Matthew Stafford. An injury late last season slowed him down, but if he’s fully healthy, he’ll be a great addition as an anchor to Detroit’s offensive line. A solid combine for Ragnow made him a late riser on the draft board.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 21: Billy Price, C, Cincinnati Bengals
Price will stay in state. It was a big area of need for the Bengals, and Price can play both center and guard, although it is probably a bit of a reach. Cincy was a weak overall rushing offense last year, mainly because their offensive line was spotty and inconsistent. This is good news for running back Joe Mixon, who could be looking at a breakout in 2018.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 22: Rashaan Evans, LB, Tennessee Titans
Linebacker was a big need for the Titans, and Evans grew up as a defensive end. He’s an instinctive and explosive player that has a lot of versatility. Evans was injured early last year, but he came on strong late in the year and showed his skills by blitzing often. Tennessee will surely look to build around Evans in the middle for years to come.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 23: Isaiah Wynn, G, New England Patriots
He’s an offensive guard, but he has the potential to play left tackle in the NFL. He was a stud in the Senior Bowl and his pass protection in college was spectacular. He’s also tough, as he played through a torn labrum at the end of last season. The Pats will surely get the most out of Wynn as he is tasked with protecting the all-important Tom Brady for at least one more year.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 24: D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers
He becomes the first receiver taken in this year’s draft. He posted freakish numbers in college and was a workout warrior. Moore can track the ball well over his shoulder and is consistent catching the ball. Not only does he have great speed, but he excels at breaking tackles, which could also make him an option on special teams. The Panthers definitely needed receiver help alongside Devin Funchess, but it doesn’t necessarily mean Moore will carve out redraft value in fantasy leagues right away. Don’t overpay for him.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 25: Hayden Hurst, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Hurst was drafted in the 17th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013. A Thor lookalike, Hurst is 6-foot-4 and could immediately make an impact in the passing game for Baltimore in 2018. He has a great story behind him, and he can play out wide or inside in the slot. Hurst has great hands, a good catch radius and can break tackles. Hurst can win on the edge and is physical, too, so he could block if asked. He’s easily the most impressive tight end in this draft class. Don’t expect much out of him in his rookie year, but he could be a sleeper in deeper leagues with quarterback Joe Flacco often times hooking up with tight ends in the red zone.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 26: Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons
It gives quarterback Matt Ryan more firepower in the passing game, and Ridley could be the best receiver in this draft class. Ridley is very quick, but he’ll need to work on overcoming press coverage. Ridley makes his living down the field after the catch, and he’ll be able to learn from elite wideout Julio Jones. In that offense in Atlanta, Ridley perhaps has the most single-season value for fantasy owners and the most upside for a rookie receiver in Year 1.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 27: Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks
It’s a surprising pick, even late in the first round. Penny doesn’t have much size, but he racked up the yards in college at SDSU. Head coach Pete Carroll is looking for a bell-cow back, so Penny might be that guy. Penny ran for 2,248 yards in his last year in college and is more of an in-between-the-tackles, downhill runner. Unless Seattle’s offensive line improves quickly, Penny could struggle to find extra yards right off the bat, but he should be expected to see a lot of work immediately.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 28: Terrell Edmunds, S, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Edmunds brothers out of Virginia Tech were both selected in the first round this year, which is pretty neat. Edmunds is a big, physical defensive back with a huge vertical. He plays best going downhill and can hit hard, but he also has range and can play in man-to-man coverage. Pittsburgh will like his physicality in the middle of the field to help their overall pass defense.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 29: Taven Bryan, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags continue to load up on strong defensive players. Bryan loves to knock offensive linemen back into the backfield. His numbers might not indicate how good he actually is, but he needs to get better at finishing plays once he disrupts the backfield. There is a lot of talent around him in Jacksonville, so he may not play a lot initially.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 30: Mike Hughes, DB, Minnesota Vikings
Hughes has a history of off-field incidents and bounced around colleges because of that. On the field, he has the total package with tremendous ball skills and physicality. He has a knack for tracking the ball deep down the field and winning 50-50 balls. He slid down the draft board because of his off-field issues, but he could be a fine pro and should immediately help Minnesota’s shaky secondary.
NFL Draft 2018, No. 31: Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots
Michel looked great in the college playoffs. He’s an explosive back that profiles similarly with Saints back Alvin Kamara. Michel has great upper-body strength and can provide chunk plays with his athleticism and strength. The Pats have plenty of versatility in their backfield once again, and Michel can help fill the void that Dion Lewis left in free agency. However, Michel may not make a huge impact right away, as he’ll have to contend for carries with Rex Burkhead, James White, Jeremy Hill and Mike Gillislee. The Patriots could be looking to trade one of their other backs at this point. Some teams were worried about the condition of Michel’s knee — he tore his left ACL in high school. Longevity could be an issue with him.
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NFL Draft 2018, No. 32: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
With Joe Flacco getting older and not looking so hot in recent years, Jackson will become his successor eventually. There have been questions about whether Jackson can succeed at the next level under center, but his athleticism is off the charts. Jackson has a huge arm and can make plays with his legs if the pocket collapses. The Ravens have plenty of upside in their future quarterback, and he’ll have around two to three years behind Flacco to develop. Jackson will be a popular dynasty/keeper selection, but you can avoid him in redraft leagues in 2018.
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