2018 NFL Draft: Power Ranking The #1 Pick Contenders

CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 01: Seth DeValve /

The race for the playoffs is officially on as the first quarter of the season ends. At the same time so has the race for the #1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

With every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In order for teams to keep winning in this league, other teams must keep losing. That is the nature of sports. So far there have been a number of teams experiencing the downside of this reality, including a few that are unexpected. At present the most interesting part is which of them look like genuine contenders to lock up the top overall pick next year.

Everybody knows that pick can prove exceedingly valuable. Not only because it can land the best talent in a draft, but also its potential trade value for the more gambling-type teams. With 12 games remaining to play, who are the top five that have the best chance to claim it?

#5: New York Giants

Oh dear. Seems the honeymoon period for Ben McAdoo as head coach is fast coming to an end. If anything it started after that ugly performance in the playoffs against Green Bay. Since that demoralizing defeat, this team has looked off. Now they’re 0-4 and things that went right for them last year are no longer working. Not to mention they still can’t run the ball and Eli Manning is a year older. They have enough talent to turn it around, but things look bad.

#4: Indianapolis Colts

It’s starting to feel like 2011 all over again. The Colts feel like a top-heavy team carried for the most part by their superstar quarterback. It was true of Peyton Manning then and it’s proving true with Andrew Luck now. The team just can’t compete without their prized QB who has yet to even start practicing. This is not to say Jacoby Brissett isn’t giving a good effort but the problems for this team go beyond that. Much thanks to the mismanagement by previous GM Ryan Grigson.

#3: San Francisco 49ers

Being winless as they are, it’s important to have context with the 49ers. They’ve been in every single game up to this point. They lost at the end of regulation by two against the Rams and then fell in overtime against the Cardinals. If nothing else they are a team that is high on effort with a clear plan on the offensive side of the ball. Even with Brian Hoyer at quarterback they can move the ball. Still this is a team that sorely needs more help.

#2: Chicago Bears

Injuries are once again playing a part in the Bears’ struggles of late. However, the real culprit is the atrocious play of quarterback Mike Glennon. Thankfully the team is seeing sense and plan to start #2 overall pick Mitch Trubisky moving forward. Sadly that doesn’t solve their persistent issues at wide receiver. Maybe the rookie gives them some juice but it feels like this team hasn’t quite found its identity yet and it may be too late this year.

#1: Cleveland Browns

It shouldn’t be any surprised the Browns are topping, or rather bottoming this list. They were 1-15 last year and are winless so far in 2017. They have a rookie quarterback in DeShone Kizer under center with a thin supply of receiving options for him to use. If that weren’t bad enough, their prized #1 overall pick Myles Garrett remains sidelined with an ankle injury. There’s just not a lot to feel good about in terms of this team making any significant headway in the near future. Perhaps the return of Garrett will help, but it’s impossible to tell.

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