2018 NFL Draft: Packers upgrade secondary in two-round mock draft
25. Tennessee Titans: Sam Hubbard, EDGE, Ohio State
The Titans need to improve their pass rush if they want to become a consistent playoff contender, but unfortunately for them I think the top tier of pass rushers will be gone by the time they are picking at 25.
Sam Hubbard would still be a solid pick. He occasionally drops into coverage and could play both defensive end and outside linebacker. Hubbard’s flaws may have been a little hidden as he spent his college career playing on one of the most talented defenses in the country.
26. Atlanta Falcons: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
The Falcons would be smart to address their secondary here playing in a conference full of great quarterbacks. That makes Isaiah Oliver a smart pick.
He is good in coverage and should be good in run support as well.
27. New Orleans Saints: Da’Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
The Saints could look to find a quarterback of the future, but I am beginning to think they won’t after Sean Payton‘s recent comments about the quarterback class.
If the Saints feel iffy about whoever the best quarterback is, then they should probably focus on improving either their offensive or defensive line here. Their biggest need in my opinion is at the tight end position, but I don’t think any of the tight ends in this year’s class are worth a first-round pick.
That is why I think they should go with a defensive lineman like Da’Ron Payne here. They need to find someone that can upgrade their run defense and bring versatility to their defensive line.
That is why Payne is an ideal option for the Saints here. He helped lead one of the best run defenses in the country at Alabama, and could play at the next level as either a nose tackle or a 3-technique.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The Steelers are in desperate need of a linebacker after Ryan Shazier‘s injury. Ideally Leighton Vander Esch falls to them, but I doubt that happens as so many teams need linebacker help in the early 20s.
Evans would still be a solid pick for Pittsburgh. He is a jack-of-all-trades linebacker who will be able to blitz off the edge, stop the run, and drop into coverage. He is a physical player that would really excel in the AFC North.
Evans feels like a very safe and reliable pick who will be able to help out your team for the next decade.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State
I think the Jaguars will go with an offensive lineman at this pick. It could be a tackle like Kolton Miller or Jamarco Jones, but I think the smart move would be to take Billy Price.
Price is one of the safer picks in this year’s draft and I love his versatility. Leonard Fournette should throw a parade if Price is the Jags’ pick.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
Will Hernandez would be a excellent pick by Minnesota here. He is one of my favorite players in this year’s draft and I feel he is getting underrated some. The Vikings’ rushing offense could dominate the NFC if they get Hernandez here.
31. New England Patriots: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
I would be looking at Ronald Jones here if I were the Patriots, but I don’t think the depth at offensive tackle is that good after Miller is off the board, so it would make sense to get someone that can ensure Tom Brady‘s blindside is well protected.
Miller has a similar build to Nate Solder, who they let walk this offseason, and would be a logical replacement to him.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Ronald Jones, RB, USC
The Eagles could look to add a receiver here (their biggest need) but I don’t really like many of the receivers in this year’s class so they should probably look at another position.
Howie Roseman has constructed the Eagles’ roster incredibly well, so they really can look at the best available players here and not focus that much on team needs. Jones would be one of, if not the best player left on the board at this point.
The Eagles would have one of the best running back groups in the league with Jay Ajayi, Ronald Jones, and Corey Clement if they selected Jones here. Jones would be a solid runner for the Eagles but he would also help Carson Wentz significantly in the passing game as well.
Another reason why Philly should seriously consider a running back at this pick is the fact Jay Ajayi only has one year left on his rookie deal.
The Eagles may not want to pay a running back that much money if they have to give Carson Wentz a big extension, and drafting Jones would ensure the Eagles have a reliable running back corps for the next few years, even if they let Ajayi walk in free agency next offseason.
Drafting Jones and not waiting on a running back until Day 2 also gives the Eagles the added bonus of a fifth-year option.