Lamar Jackson, Harold Landry, Justin Reid and more: The best pick from each round of the NFL draft
Working out the best picks in each round of the NFL Draft
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The best pick in each round of the 2018 NFL Draft
The 2018 NFL Draft was again an action-packed affair. A record-tying first round saw five quarterbacks come off the board, while the inspirational Shaquem Griffin became the first one-handed player ever drafted when the Seattle Seahawks (who drafted his brother Shaquill last year) selected the athletic linebacker in the fifth round.
One of the joys of the draft process is that impactful players can be found throughout the seven rounds. Almost every year late-round choices turn into All-Pros: one only has to look at the career sixth-round pick Tom Brady has produced to prove that gems can be found. Here are the best picks in each round of the NFL Draft...
Round One - Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, No.32 Overall, Baltimore Ravens
After taking Hayden Hurst at Number 25 overall, it looked like another disappointing night for Ravens fans. Baltimore has stuck by Joe Flacco for a couple of years longer than they perhaps should have, with the veteran coasting on one admittedly impressive Super Bowl run five years ago. The Ravens needed a splash pick.
In his final draft as the team’s General Manager, however, the legendary Ozzie Newsome traded up to grab the most electrifying quarterback in the draft. Lamar Jackson was unfairly labelled a running quarterback and even a wide receiver by certain antiquated analysts in the run-up to the draft but he improved as a passer every year at Louisville and has sky-high potential.
Snaring him with the final pick of the first round gives the Ravens the fifth-year option, and Jackson could prove the steal of the draft; he has the game-breaking ability to completely change the way dual-threat quarterbacks are evaluated by the NFL.
Round Two - Harold Landry, Edge Rusher, No. 41 Overall, Tennessee Titans
Mike Vrabel’s first draft as Tennessee Titans coach was a strong one. The former Patriots linebacker focused on the position he knows best early on, taking a hard-hitting leader in the middle in Rashaan Evans in Round One (though it is believed he coveted Leighton Vander Esch), and following it up with impressive edge-rusher Harold Landry after trading up in the second.
Landry was the second best pure pass-rusher in the draft, and his 2016 tape screamed top ten. Bendy and athletic, Landry’s a natural third-down pass-rusher initially for the Titans and will get the chance to develop behind Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan. Vrabel developed Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney into top-tier players as the linebackers coach with the Houston Texans – he should do similarly with Landry.
The Boston College product will have a ten-sack season within his first three years in the league.
Round Three – Justin Reid, Safety, No.68 Overall, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans did not pick in the first two rounds, trading away their first pick to grab Deshaun Watson last year and their second-rounder to rid themselves of Brock Osweiler and his horrific contract. Yet they still drafted a potential star: certain analysts had Justin Reid as a first-round player, and thus he was an excellent value selection at the top of the third round.
Reid likely won’t start as a rookie barring injury, with Andre Hal and free-agent signee Tyrann Mathieu pretty secure as Houston’s starting safeties. He will get opportunities in sub-packages and can do a bit of everything on the backend.
Comfortable in man coverage against wide receivers, he is a natural athlete who can also be deployed in the box or in deep zone coverage. Mathieu only signed one-year deal, and given the ‘Honey Badger’ has had his injury troubles, Reid could breakout for the Texans sooner rather than later.
Round Four – Josh Sweat, Edge Rusher, No.130 Overall, Philadelphia Eagles
The rich got richer at the bottom of the fourth round as the defending Super Bowl champions added another defensive line difference-maker. Josh Sweat tumbled down the board due to concerns over a serious high school knee injury, but he proved himself an uber-athlete at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.53 second 40-yard dash and excellent marks in both the broad and vertical jumps, highlighting Sweat’s explosiveness.
Florida State’s used their edge-rushers in a bizarre manner under Jimbo Fisher but Sweat flashed an early round skillset anyway, and should have been at least a second round selection.
The Eagles should get the best out of him and it will be fun watching a truly elite athlete in their already spectacular defensive line rotation.
Round Five – Tyrell Crosby, Offensive Lineman, No.153 Overall, Detroit Lions
The NFL has a serious issue with a lack of quality tackles entering the league, and it is incredibly rare that a tackle with physical gifts and good tape lasts to the fifth round. Nevertheless Tyrell Crosby did, and the selection of the ex-Oregon man should make Lions fans extremely happy. He played at left tackle with the Ducks is almost certainly shifting inside to guard in Detroit and should fit well on the interior with his powerful straight line run-blocking style.
Coming from a non-traditional NFL blocking system, Crosby showed in limited opportunities that he can kick-slide and pass block effectively. His footwork in pass-sets will need work, but even truly elite college tackle prospects require development in this regard. With good coaching and patience, Crosby has the upside to become a left tackle in the league and should be at the very least a good bulldozing guard.
The Lions’ offensive line could be sneakily good in 2018 after adding Crosby and venomous interior lineman Frank Ragnow. Given they haven’t had a 100 yard game from a running back since 2013, Detriot badly needed reinforcements and should be much more balanced next year.
Round Six – Equanimeous St. Brown, Wide Receiver, No.207 Overall, Green Bay Packers
Equanimeous Tristan Imhotep J. St. Brown (to use his full name) was one of the more interesting prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft. Fluent in three languages and with brothers named Amon-Ra and Osiris, St. Brown garnered Round One buzz in August after excelling with Deshone Kizer at Notre Dame. A lacklustre 2017 season can in part be chalked up to inconsistent quarterback play, but it plunged his stock such that an extremely talented receiver went on Day Three.
A rumoured distaste for special teams saw some teams completely avoid the 6-foot-5 wideout, but he has the opportunity with the Jordy Nelson-less Packers to make an impact. Aaron Rodgers should enjoy his lengthy frame and athleticism, and Green Bay should keep him focused on the job at hand. St. Brown will either be a Pro Bowler or out of the league before his rookie contract finishes.
Round Seven – Bo Scarbrough, Running Back, No.236 Overall, Dallas Cowboys
Casual college football fans will have been extremely surprised to see Scarbrough on the board in the later ebbs of the draft if their only exposure to the Alabama running back was his dominant performances against Washington and Clemson in last year’s College Football Playoff.
Another who fell due to injury issues, the 235-pounder simply dismisses defenders. With straight-line speed, too, a healthy Scarbrough can cause serious damage. Dallas could be a perfect situation for him. Ezekiel Elliott will handle bell-cow duties and Tavon Austin’s athleticism will be utilised in various capacities from the backfield, keeping the brittle back’s touches down and lessening the risk of another leg injury.
With the Cowboys’ offensive line clearing runways for him, Scarbrough could take off.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments