Ryan Romero's 2018 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1 Picks 17-32

Ryan Romero follow @DraftProfessor Last Updated: December 9, 2017.

17. Detroit Lions: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
    
    
    They are able to finally get the defensive interior lineman that they have always wanted to be able to create havoc in the interior especially now in such a key time knowing that the Minnesota Vikings have been able to draft Dalvin cook and get a basic second resurrection of Adrian Peterson so right now the Lions are able to get a guy that can plug up the middle and that line so they also have someone who has a good character at this point as well and somebody who is used to a winning culture and someone that can be able to translate that over so hopefully this will give the Lions elevation that they need to be able to stay relevant inside the NFC as well especially with the quarterbacks like Carson Wentz, Kirk Cousins, Dak Prescott, Eli Manning, Drew Brees, if the Lions ever run into anybody into the postseason they will want to be able to get pressure and right now that isn't going to happen unless it's in the linebacking position or the secondary for the Lions so they drafting a defensive interior linemen right now it gives them the best shot to staying relevant in the conference and if they do make the postseason next year they will continue to play at a high level because they are going to be able to get that pass protection broken up by the aggressive player who knows how to use technique and use a different mental ability to be able to get past an offense of lineman versus off physical which makes me create player I'm actually sad that he has fallen this low but other teams need a different players especially with how everything has changed I really think that he is going to be capable of being a top 7 player so I honestly hope that I'm wrong that he falls this low.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
    
    
18. Buffalo Bills: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
    
    
    The Buffalo Bills end up selecting Payne and they finally are able to get the aggressive defense of interior lineman that comes from an even better program especially after some of the poor decisions that have come from this particular organization. I think that this player is going to be that Lawrence Taylor type player or LT if you will the resurrection of him bringing back that passion I think that he is going to be a very safe pick and help keep the Bills relevant and maybe even push the Patriots aside once Tom Brady retires and Bill Belichick becomes irrelevant so in the next five to possible seven years they will be able to be a very strong team in the AFC Conference be able to stay competitive especially if they can get that interior rush I mean you have different players that are coming up like the Chargers who would end up getting a Sam Darnold coming up in this draft or you also have Derek Carr who has been able to really make a name for himself by being able to throw the ball to eat but you also have other players to like Andrew Luck in the same conference so it really kind of comes down to they need to track this particular player to stay relevant and continue to put pressure on other teams in the offense of side because it seems as though the AFC West is going to become a much more offense of style type of play instead of the traditional bread and butter of run up the gut and be able to open up the pass pocket.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
    
    
    
    
19. Green Bay Packers: Allen Lazard, WR, Iowa State
    
    
    Maybe the Green Bay Packers will finally be able to see the tweets that I send them when I say that they needed to draft a wide receiver because at this point last year I was calling for them to draft Zay Jones in the first round despite having three wideouts in Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, and DaVante Adams. Adams is a Free Agent in 2018 plus the duo of Nelson and Cobb will be Free Agents at wide receiver. With no guards on the board grabbing the best receiver on the board Lazard is a great option.
    
    
    
    Allen Lazard is going to be an immediate impact player. He can run his routes like no other receiver on the roster not to mention he has great hands he won't drop the ball in key situations and it seems as though that Rogers maybe on the last few years in this career because once you pay that collarbone it's going to be prone to continue to break and we have seen that happen with other players especially like Tony Romo now in the NFC is becoming much more aggressive and hard-hitting position not to mention it seems as though these young NFC Conference teams are able to start getting more stacked on the secondary making it a little bit more hard for quarterbacks to be able to get there reads open so I being able to draft this particular player who understands the whereabouts of the different layers of a defense if you will he will be able to sneak through those holes in the zone and be able to read defenses well enough to make the right call when it comes to running an option route so right now this would be a great Packers pick so Aaron Rodgers can help this kid look like an stud in the long run.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Mason Cole, C, Michigan
    
    
20. Atlanta Falcons: Ronnie Harrison, FS, Alabama
    
    
    Ronnie Harrison is picked here to help build the Falcons secondary that blew a tremendous lead and allowed Tom Brady the chance to drive down the field successfully a few times so he would be a good fit in case the Falcons ever run into the situation that they need to prevent any kind of deep ball.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Armani Watts, FS, Texas A&M
    
    
    
    
21. Buffalo Bills: Malik Jefferson, MLB, Texas
    
    
    Many people still aren't going to be sold on Malik Jefferson especially after his disappointing as his season has been this past year but I really think that Texas University will always be able to develop good aggressive players and I think that that's going to be the culture that you would be able to help praying to the bills so now that the bills are able to stay productive on defense because their offense to me as clearly there that has been able to be shown throughout the season even with the horrorriffic decision-making of benching Tyrod Taylor so that being said Malik Jefferson brings an instinctual linebacker who is going to be able to sit there and really pay attention to where the other players are going not to mention he has a motor on them so he'll be able to be a three and four down player that's still going to be able to give you the same type of passion and strength that you want at the end of the game that you got at the beginning of the game when he was still energetic so that being said he's also coming from a great background football so I feel feel like this is a great pick for the bills to be able to help rebuild at defense and actually start closing games ultimately in the wrong long run and especially with some of these hard and fast hitting whole running backs I think that in aggressive quick running linebacker like Malik Jefferson is the ideal fit and a great pick for them right now.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Archie Lewis, LG, Boise State
    
    
22. Baltimore Ravens: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
    
    
    Sutton has fallen this low because he has a very bad tendency of trying to catch the ball by clapping it, however I still think that he is going to be one of the best wideouts and let's traffic because he has to clear physical capability especially for his height and weight and the way that he aggressively fights for a ball there is no doubt about it that Courtland Sutton is going to be a great player so at this particular pick, I think that it is going to be a safe pic for him to be able to go to a team that's going to help him use that aggressive mentality and use this physical All-Star talent to develop and I feel like with Joe Flacco or whoever the Ravens end up trying to get a quarterback or half succeed him he will end up being a key piece to helping this quarterback developed because of his great game play that being said he's a big target in the end zone and I feel like it will help the Ravens continue to grow as a team and be able to help them score.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Harold Landry, 3-4 ROLB, Boston College
    
    
    
    
23. Seattle Seahawks: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
    
    
    Josh Jackson gets selected here because he is a great cornerback that is going to be an athletic play making cornerback especially with Richard Sherman getting older in age and his injury as well so I really think that he is going to be a good cornerback in a good fit because he's so instinctual which will translate well into the whole Pete Carroll Iran system as far as a coaching scheme goes not to mention their defensive coordinator is great at Defensive Player Development so I feel as though this is a great situation for Jackson to end up in that and I feel as though that it will actually help the Seahawks gain an advantage especially in the postseason when you have guys like that Ryan and Drew Brees trying to be able to score touchdowns late in the fourth quarter you're going to have this athletic flying squirrel if you will come out of nowhere and create chaos in the secondary by being able to come up and create plays musing his great hands and his Rye instinctual Talent Plus he is a hard-hitting person despite what some people think.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
    
    
24. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo
    
    
    They end up drafting Anthony Johnson out of Buffalo because they want to be able to draft somebody to help entice Cam Newton into staying so by being able to constantly give him on offense of target I feel as though that that was the big missing piece from the Carolina Panthers so you have this guy who is able to run his route to catch the ball with his good hands and he's able to sit there and really play aggressive play making football and has that type of offense that I feel like would fit well into the offense of play-calling of the Carolina Panthers that being said I feel like you would be able to almost give him that Kelvin Benjamin type of safety blanket if you will and I think that that in the end is what Cam Newton wanted he wanted to play maker but also a safety blanket and that in particular is what this player from Buffalo brains as a player that's going to be able to help bail is quarterback out and key situations and help keep the ball going on third Downs so I feel as though that this is great pick for the Panthers.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
    
    
    
    
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
    
    
    Jacksonville finally fixed the Gap with the how did we end up opening are play making ability especially in the passing game like drafting Leonard Fournette and the early around last year so now they are able to draft a wide receiver and really help get that offense the spark in the necessary boost that it needs to be able to help stay relevant specially in such an aggressive AFC Conference especially with all the teams that are able to get this raw scoring Talent so now they're able to add that second piece and dynamic in the puzzle especially when it comes to the offense of dynamic of the football so now you have the Jacksonville Jaguars being able to improve their offense that much more and it actually is going to help them get their defense that rest that they're going to need because they're actually going to be able to stay on the field and actually have play management plus they're going to win to get the same thing that's as wide receiving class that I've noticed on Game film seems to really have which is a good play making ability on third down so really this is like better strategic pic for Jacksonville in my opinion for the long run.
    
    
    
    Sure Jacksonville may lose Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee. Having two deep threats with elite speed like Anthony Miller and Dede Westbrook takes this passing game to new heights.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
    
    
26. Tennessee Titans: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
    
    
    The Titans end up with Alexander in this particular pick because they want to be able to get a secondary player that is going to help them, big especially in those light round games and the postseason not to mention the late games that always end up going to overtime or anything like that you're finally going to get a quarterback or I should say cornerback as we going to have the confidence to be able to stay on his man and get physical and that's really what he brings he's going to be able to bring that physical type play that Pacman Jones wants to give in Tennessee when they were starting to become relevant and right now I think that that's what this team needs is a physical player that isn't going to be afraid to go after those big heads and was Alexander that's the type of player that you're going to get so I think that drafting this player is it really good bargain pick I guess you would say in the first round especially for being picked this high in the first round considering some of the other different? Said at some people have had with him so I feel as though that he's going to be a value pick I guess is what I'm trying to say and I think that they end up getting a really good value out of him I think that he can develop into a starter the question now becomes is he going to be able to maintain those one-on-one coverages against some of the more Elite receiver so I could Demaryius Thomas like Brandin Cooks and like an AJ Green that's going to be the big question can he develop his style play to be able to cover these other receivers and their styles of play I think ultimately the answer is yes so hopefully he ends up getting drafted by the Titans cuz I feel like they're coaching staff would be able to really help develop his overall gameplay where once he becomes a free agent he's going to be able to really click the big bucks of that contract.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Micah Kiser, 3-4 MLB, Virginia
    
    
    
    
27. New Orleans Saints: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
    
    
    The Saints get Allen it makes the most sense right now especially with how old Drew Brees is becoming and you want to be able to continue to stay relevant however the question will become drafting quarterback this late in the first round is almost risky especially with how some of the other laid around first text for quarterbacks have turned out so it really makes you wonder if this is the right choice however I have full confidence that Josh Island comes from professional type style of offense from the University of Wyoming and I think that having Drew Brees as a teacher is really going to give him the benefit especially because he's going to be able to really learn the different types of defensive play that comes in playing in that particular conference because you're going to be saying the Washington Redskins are going to be seeing the Seattle Seahawks you will be seeing the Carolina Panthers you see these different types of athletic Playmakers as well that come from different teams like the Minnesota Vikings as well so I think ultimately Allen is going to be able to help make that change and that progress that the Saints are going to need especially when Drew Brees decides to step down which hopefully won't be for a year to which I think is all that Allen would need to be able to make this translation of the NFL because for anyone that knows football knows that the University of Wyoming is using a very good style of offense of play in their playbook in college so it's really helping their players translate well into the NFL.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
    
    
28. Philadelphia Eagles: Chukwuma Okorafor, LT, Western Michigan
    
    
    Jason Peters got placed on injured reserve at left tackle this year. Okorafor is a great successor for the aging left tackle in Philadelphia.
    
    
    
    The Eagles get this extraordinary left tackle out of Western Michigan to be able to help create more success of Carson Wentz to give him more throwing time would be absolutely key especially and keep big game situations and I think that he will be able to come up in these situations as a playmaker now that he's going to have the time with this guy blocking for him I really like his awareness I like his footwork for the most part however I think that he could use a lot more strength and I think that he would be able to ultimately get that in Philadelphia so I think ultimately as we see a kid that had the potential to be a first-round pick really turn into that first round pick being picked up by Philadelphia so they're going to be able to groom him into that offense of lineman and give him that attitude as well that you want so I think ultimately we see a great player in the making especially going to the steam and you have a guy like Carson Wentz who's used pressure he's going to get a quick release so that will actually help this kid develop as well because now he's not going to have to have that pressure and that need to pay I have to protect this quarterback and give him plenty of time to throw because Carson Wentz is already on that level where he's able to quickly read a defense make decisions.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Quenton Nelson, LG, Notre Dame
    
    
    
    
29. Los Angeles Rams: Orlando Brown, RT, Oklahoma
    
    
    The Los Angeles Rams end up getting Orlando Brown out of Oklahoma he's been able to really shine and show flashes of that professional style of offense of lineman that you want although I'm surprised that he actually does fall this low but my big thing is his technique. Is he going to be able to maintain his blocks is he going to be able to get the right blocking technique down to be able to hold his defenders down without getting a penalty at me and I think that the instinct in the awareness as they are the football IQ is there as well I mean he's very smart player he understands the angles and being able to slide over as an offense of lineman the question is ultimately going to be his strength in then his stamina as well not to mention the ability to be able to teach him on where to put his hand so he doesn't get called for these penalties because everything else is there.
    
    
    
    I think that he ends up ultimately dropping the slow as well because potentially you're going to have to risk having to coach somebody into playing at a professional level with somebody that has the professional physical traits of that makes sense so ultimately I think that this is a good fit because Los Angeles as a young and upcoming team and they seem to be developing their players very well plus he had Jared Goff who has been able to really show what he's capable of doing especially in the league right now so by being able to add somebody that's going to be able to protect us blind side or his non Blind Side when it comes to his Dropbox he's going to be able to continue to put up these numbers and I think that right now at this pic the Rams almost risk that so this pic might be subject to change
    
    
    Previous Pick: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
    
    
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans, 3-4 MLB, Alabama
    
    
    Pittsburgh won't have Ryan Shazier or Tyler Matakevich for Sunday Nights game against the Ravens. Vince Williams is serviceable, but he's not a special talent like Evans.
    
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Steelers end up getting evidence and they are known to be able to follow up linebackers especially in this type of culture so I really think ultimately it's going to be a good play in a good move by them especially from coming from a winning culture of like Alabama has been able to achieve over the past couple of years so I think that he's going to be able to bring that play in that professional type of mentality that Steven has been able to instill in some of these defensive players especially over the past couple of Seasons when it's come to draft high so you take that into consideration I feel like all to mately they make a great pick.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Jake Browning, QB, Washington
    
    
    
    
31. Minnesota Vikings: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
    
    
    At this point Hurst is the top defensive tackle on the board. After studying him closer on tape, I'm gonna say he dominates the 2018 Senior Bowl in Mobile and ends up jumping Wilkins as the top defensive tackle. Minnesota needs to replace Sharrif Floyd and this is a perfect candidate for Minnesota here.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Connor Williams, LT, Texas
    
    
32. New England Patriots: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
    
    
    Malcolm Butler is a Free Agent after this year. It's hard for me to believe that Butler gets renewed after getting picked apart by Emmanuel Sanders a few weeks ago when New England played Denver.
    
    
    
    The New England Patriots take Denzel Ward out of Ohio State because he has the raw hard-hitting athletic play making style that you want in a cornerback, not to mention as mentioned before in the AFC Conference there's plenty of athletic type of quarterbacks and receivers that are going to be able to need to be covered and I think right now New England has been known to have a poor secondary so having this pick is really going to be able to elevate their play especially from the culture of Ohio State produce these aggressive corners.
    
    
    
    I think ultimately this helps the New England Patriots seal late games and be able to win games that they should so they can get off to these 15 and 1 to 16 and 0 starts that you see in past seasons and I think ultimately that this particular player will be starting and if he is growing on the Patriots he will thrive in Belichick's defense.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama