Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Final 2018 NFL mock draft
46. . Linebacker. Virginia Tech. Tremaine Edmunds. 6. player
Maybe the first surprise of the night? Depending on how you feel about Denver.
The Colts need pass rushers. Ok, the Colts need everything. So, looking for a guy who impacts multiple areas makes the most sense.
Tremaine Edmunds can cover, play the run and rush the passer blitzing off ball or coming off the edge.
Indianapolis already traded back once in this draft and may do so again with Chubb and Barkley off the board.
But, considering the price, some teams may not be willing to offer what the Colts would ask.
Oklahoma. Baker Mayfield. 7. player. 32. . Quarterback
(trade with Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
With Miami and even Washington ahead of them in this draft possibly eyeing a quarterback, the Cardinals are a sleeper to trade up and grab a guy who will eventually replace Sam Bradford.
Giving up their second-round pick is a heavy price to pay for him, but if they get this right then their offense will be set for the better part of the next decade.
Baker Mayfield may be the wildcard in this year’s quarterback class, but he’s also got something the Cardinals will love. A fighting spirit.
If he’s forced into action as a rookie then Larry Fitzgerald will be a godsend. David Johnson’s return will also serve to take some pressure off.
Must Read: Quenton Nelson Profile
57. . Guard. Notre Dame. Quenton Nelson. 8. player
The Bears defense needs some help still but giving some firm protection in front of Mitch Trubisky is important here as well.
Quenton Nelson not only gives the quarterback some confidence in his front line, it also makes things easier for Jordan Howard when running through the middle of the defense.
Oh, and he has the ability and nastiness to pull a lead block for Tarik Cohen around the edge.
9. player. 42. . Safety. Florida State. Derwin James
What do you get a safety turned general manager who seems to have his team on the cusp of becoming a contender in the NFC West?
A leader on defense who plays safety, that’s what. Derwin James can bring to the defense what Jimmy Garoppolo brought to the offense.
Leadership and talent. The situation with Reuben Foster certainly gives cause for John Lynch to go after a linebacker, but without knowing how the future will unfold, James is the call here.
Must Read: Derwin James Profile
player. 28. . Linebacker. Georgia. Roquan Smith. 10
Going against running backs Melvin Gordon and Kareem Hunt means the Raiders need a linebacker who can diagnose, pursue and close.
Roquan Smith fits the bill, and may even be the top linebacker on their board over Edmunds considering Smith projects as an inside linebacker.