2018 NFL Mock Draft: Iman Marshall could be good fit for Eagles
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Denzel Ward – Cornerback – Ohio State
Jameis Winston, Cameron Brate, Mike Evans, Doug Martin and DeSean Jackson are a good enough offense to win games, but in the NFC South with Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to build an elite defense. Vernon Hargreaves III has moved into the No. 1 cornerback role and has done a good job but opposite him while Brent Grimes is old now and should be moved to the slot. Urban Meyer keeps pumping talent into the NFL and Denzel Ward is another example of a top talent ready to make the next step. Ward could come into the Buccaneers’ secondary and start come the 2018 season.
12. Green Bay Packers – Trey Adams – Tackle – Washington
The Green Bay Packers only go as far as Aaron Rodgers will take them. Has there been an elite quarterback with a worse offensive line in football for the last 10 years? Green Bay needs to protect their quarterback, and they haven’t built an above average line in years. Trey Adams is a monster and should be able to step in and could start at guard as a rookie with the thoughts of kicking him out to tackle as his career progresses.
13. Cincinnati Bengals – Christian Kirk – Wide Receiver – Texas A&M
Cincinnati Bengals have seen their best success when Andy Dalton has had a plethora of weapons around him. The Bengals should surround Dalton with a playmaker opposite A.J. Green to have the best chance of getting back into the playoffs. Christian Kirk would be a nice complement to Green as he is a fellow playmaker and should help move some coverage away from Green. There should be no excuse for Dalton with John Ross, Green and Kirk for the next couple years.
14. Tennessee Titans – Bradley Chubb – Defensive End – North Carolina St.
The Tennessee Titans may have the least recognizable defense in the NFL and adding Bradley Chubb could be the ‘pop’ it needs to become an elite unit. The offense is set with young talent in Marcus Mariota, Corey Davis, and Derrick Henry, but the Titans front office has somewhat neglected the defense. Chubb is the type of rusher capable of 10+ sacks, a potential elite talent the Tennessee defense desperately needs.
15. Oakland Raiders – Bryce Love – Running Back – Stanford
It has been remarkable how Stanford has built a running back factory in Palo Alto and it may be crazy to say, but Bryce Love may be the best of the bunch. A Heisman candidate half way through the Stanford season, Love is averaging a first down every time he touches the ball and could be the perfect back to take over when Marshawn Lynch leaves the Oakland Raiders.
16. Buffalo Bills – Maurice Hurst – Defensive Tackle – Michigan
This pick could be drastically different when we find out what the 2018 Buffalo Bills will look like. Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy both could be gone and if that happens, both of their first-round picks could be used to rebuild the offense. Regardless, Kyle Williams looks to be on his way out and Marcell Dareus has become a major disappointment since signing that huge contract. A fresh face inside could spark Dareus leaving the Bills with a dynamic pairing inside, which is where Maurice Hurst comes into play.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mitch Hyatt – Offensive Tackle – Clemson
The Jacksonville Jaguars obviously need a new quarterback, but they have a playoff roster missing the key ingredient under center. The Jaguars should be players in free agency or trade for a veteran quarterback in the offseason to get them over the hump. Jacksonville drafted tackle Cam Robinson last year and he has been serviceable stepping in and starting, No matter who the quarterback is for the Jaguars next season, another premier offensive lineman, such as Mitch Hyatt, will come in handy not only for the new signal caller, but Leonard Fournette as well.
18. Baltimore Ravens – Derrius Guice – Running Back – LSU
The receiver and tight end class does not have much offensive elite talent this year and could be the year we see a handful of running backs going early. Derrius Guice is the next man on the list to give the Baltimore Ravens offense a spark. The Ravens haven’t had a solid running game since Ray Rice, trucking the likes of Ken Dixon, Buck Allen, Alex Collins and Terrance West to comprise a below average rushing attack. Guice could step in day one and be the playmaker Baltimore needs to get them deep into the playoffs.
19. Denver Broncos – Mason Rudolph – Quarterback – Oklahoma State
The Denver Broncos have essentially admitted that Paxton Lynch is a bust as they keep starting Trevor Siemian and signed Brock Oswieler. Mason Rudolph could be drafted inside the top 10, but if he slips, the Broncos should jump all over this guy. Rudolph has crazy stats and a bunch of experience, as he has carried the Oklahoma State offense for years and should make a quick jump into the NFL.
20. Minnesota Vikings – Quenton Nelson – Guard – Notre Dame
You have heard the old saying, “If you have three quarterbacks, you don’t have one.” The Minnesota Vikings’ offense has some elite talent at quarterback, and anyone seems to benefit from better play on the offensive line. The Vikings paid a lot of money on their offensive tackles last year and now its time to add a pro-ready guard in Quenton Nelson.