2018 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks making 19-year old history
16. Baltimore Ravens: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
The Ravens had a chance to select Brian Urlacher with the fifth overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, but they already had a couple of All Pros at the position and elected to take running back Jamal Lewis instead.
They wound up winning the Super Bowl and having an historic defense, so I’m sure they don’t regret it, but could they pass up on a chance at a virtual Urlacher clone in this year’s draft?
Leighton Vander Esch is roughly the same size as Urlacher, and is a freak athlete (though not quite as freaky as Urlacher was…) with range to play sideline to sideline as well as shoot gaps and attack the line of scrimmage.
The Ravens’ defense needs a linebacker like that to pair with C.J. Mosley, and Vander Esch provides what they need.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Los Angeles Chargers have the luxury in this draft of not having many pressing needs.
Therefore, if a player like Derwin James falls to them all the way at 17 overall, it’s almost a no-brainer.
The Chargers already have a very fast, athletic, tough defense. James provides even more of all three of those things.
After missing the 2016 season due to injury, James came back with a vengeance in 2017, racking up 84 tackles and batting down a career high 11 passes with two interceptions and 5.5 tackles for loss.
This guy can play all over the field, and he will hit you hard.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
Every NFL draft class has surprising reaches, and this would certainly fit that description.
Hayden Hurst is not widely regarded as a top 20 player, but he might be a top target of the Seahawks after losing Jimmy Graham.
Hurst is an older rookie with a background in baseball, but he might be the most well-rounded player at the position in this year’s class as an in-line player as well as a receiver. Last year, the top tight end came off the board at pick number 19 (Bucs, O.J. Howard).
Hurst is not getting the same type of pre-draft hype as Howard was, but the need and situation could be the right fit here.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Da’Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
The Cowboys are another team with the opportunity to take the top player on their board.
Da’Ron Payne, for whatever reason, doesn’t get the type of respect I feel he deserves as a player. He’s got to be one of the strongest, most athletic 300 pounders that have come along.
Not only that, but Payne was a key member and a very productive member of a dominant Alabama defense.
The Cowboys could use his presence on the inside of their defensive line, where he can line up from the 0 technique to the three or even the five and be productive.
20. Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
The Detroit Lions brought in Matt Patricia from the New England Patriots to be their new head coach, and Patricia might see a little bit of Chandler Jones in Marcus Davenport, a player the Lions have been eyeing since the Senior Bowl.
The Lions have Ziggy Ansah coming back as their franchise player, but their pass rush is lacking outside of Ansah, and Davenport could provide a spark on the other side of the defense.
His athletic ability and the potential to play him at multiple positions defensively could also be key for the Lions picking him here.