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5 Prospects Not Named Josh Allen Who Could Be the Top Pick in the 2018 NFL Draft

By Shawn Spencer

September 10, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against the UNLV Rebels during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
September 10, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) throws a pass against the UNLV Rebels during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike McGlinchey 2018 NFL Draft
Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) reacts as quarterback DeShone Kizer (not shown) scores a touchdown in the first quarter against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Mike McGlinchey (OT – Notre Dame)

The top of the board at offensive tackle next season should be much better than this year, but Mike McGlinchey is alone at the top of the class. The man who protected DeShone Kizer’s blindside for the past two seasons elected to return to Notre Dame for a fifth season and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.

According to CFB Film Room, McGlinchey has allowed just one sack each of the past two seasons and has a 97.5 percent success rate on pass plays over that span. He began his college career as a right tackle, which was actually the blindside at the time with lefty Malik Zaire starting at quarterback. The 6-foot-8 McGlinchey possesses long arms and solid movement skills which allow him to win one-on-one battles with some of the top edge rushers in the nation.

In the Super Bowl era, four offensive tackles have been selected number one overall. Ron Yary (drafted in 1968) and Orlando Pace (1997) are in the Hall of Fame, and Jake Long (2008) played like a Hall of Famer until injuries took a toll. Only Eric Fisher (2013) hasn’t panned out.

McGlinchey may be reunited with Kizer at the next level. Kizer was selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft and Cleveland is one of the favorites to have the top pick again in 2018. If that were to happen, McGlinchey would likely play right tackle as a rookie with Cameron Erving moving back inside. The contract of left tackle Joe Thomas is up after the 2018 season, which would allow McGlinchey to move back to the left side in year two.

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