SideLion Report
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2018 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: The First 20 Picks

By Michael Kirkland

NEW YORK - APRIL 22: 2010 NFL Draft prospects pose for a group photo with former NFL Players including Jerry Rice, Dan Marino, Lawrence Taylor, Deion Sanders, Joe Montana, Floyd Little, Drew Brees, John Randal and NFL Commissioner during the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - APRIL 22: 2010 NFL Draft prospects pose for a group photo with former NFL Players including Jerry Rice, Dan Marino, Lawrence Taylor, Deion Sanders, Joe Montana, Floyd Little, Drew Brees, John Randal and NFL Commissioner during the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws a pass during the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners throws a pass during the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game against the Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images /

Picks 6-10

#6 – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma, *to the Buffalo Bills (via Colts & Jets): previous pick, same

The Colts’ dream was for one of Barkley or Chubb to fall to them, here. Since neither was available they allow the Bills to trade up in this scenario. The original pick was by the Jets, who have moved up to get Josh Allen.

(*This trade has not been made, but I do not see Mayfield falling due to Buffalo’s needs and extra picks)

#7 – Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: previous pick, same

The Buc’s lose Fitzpatrick, but still have a good, speedy, cover corner to select. The former Buckeye fills a need and is arguably a more polished cornerback than Fitzpatrick, due to his concentration as a full-time corner.

#8 – Quentin Nelson, G, Notre Dame, to the Chicago Bears: previous pick, Denzel Ward

Let me state for the record that taking a guard in the top ten makes little sense to me. I get wanting to shore up the interior of your offensive line. Protecting Mitchell Trubisky is the top priority for the Bears, I get that, too.

I’m not sure what analogy to use, but taking a guard, no matter how effectively he plays that position, just gets you a guard. Guards are necessary, but I have a seriously hard time justifying this high of a pick on a guy who can’t stop edge rushers or play tackle. Rant over.

If I was the Bears, I’d take Denzel Ward.

#9 – Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech, to the San Francisco 49’ers: previous pick, Nelson

John Lynch, the Niners’ general manager, is a savvy guy. He went out and got his quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, and signed him to a monster deal. As a former safety and Super Bowl winning defensive player, he knows that defense wins championships. Edmunds is a physical specimen, and runs like a running back at 6′-4″, and 253 pounds.

#10 – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio St., to the Oakland Raiders: previous pick Connor Williams

Simple, best player on the board that can team back up with other former Buckeye corner, Gareon Conley, to form a formidable duo on the outside. Besides, there aren’t any tackles worth a Top Ten selection.

Connor Williams was among a group of tackles that looked like possible high consideration, but none really measure up to the elite skills of  previous year’s best tackles.

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