Who Did the Best in the NFL Draft?
Now that the NFL Draft is over, it’s time to take a look at who did the best. Who are the winners and losers?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had an excellent NFL draft, picking up players who will fill needs and help the team immediately. With their first pick, they took a player who can step in and start at left tackle right away. They also picked up a running back and a wide receiver, both of whom should make an impact this season.
Traded down and still got their guy in Vita Vea
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a beeline for the defensive side of the ball with their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, as they selected Washington nose tackle Vita Vea with the No. 12 overall selection.
The selection of Vea fills a big need for the Bucs, who were ranked 32nd in the league in rushing defense last season. Vea, who is 6-foot-4 and 347 pounds, is a massive body in the middle of the defensive line and should help clog up rushing lanes for opponents.
Got a potential steal in Ronald Jones II
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took a chance on Ronald Jones II in the second round of the NFL draft and it could pay off big time.
Jones was considered a potential first-round pick, but fell to the Bucs at No. 38 overall. He’s an explosive running back out of USC who should be able to have a big impact in Tampa’s offense right away.
Jones is joining an offense that already has a lot of firepower, with weapons like Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. If he can live up to his potential, the Bucs could have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
Baltimore Ravens
After an up and down regular season, the Baltimore Ravens came into the NFL draft with eleven picks. They had needs at wide receiver, edge rusher, and cornerback. The Ravens had a great draft, adding playmakers on both sides of the ball. Here is a look at the Ravens’ draft class.
Traded up to get Lamar Jackson
In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Ravens traded up to pick number 32 to take Lamar Jackson. The Ravens gave up the 52nd pick and a 2019 second-rounder to get him. Jackson was the last of the four quarterbacks selected in the first round, but he has a chance to be special. The Ravens believe he is their quarterback of the future and they are committed to developing him.
Second-round pick Hayden Hurst could be a future star
With their first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Hayden Hurst, a tight end from South Carolina. Hurst, who is 6’5” and 250 pounds, is a physical specimen who has the potential to be a future star in the NFL.
Hurst is a dependable receiver who has good hands and can make tough catches in traffic. He is also an excellent blocker, which will be a valuable asset for the Ravens’ offense. While he may not be an elite player at this point in his career, Hurst has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end for the Ravens.
Los Angeles Rams
It’s time to take a look at who did the best in the NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams made a lot of noise on draft night, and they definitely improved their team. They added some key players that will help them make a run at the Super Bowl. Let’s take a look at their draft class.
Used their first-round pick on a player who can contribute right away in Marcus Peters
The Los Angeles Rams addressed one of their most pressing needs with their first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, selecting cornerback Marcus Peters out of the University of Washington.
Peters is a physical cornerback who has the size (6’0″, 197 lbs) and athleticism to match up with the big, physical receivers in the NFC West. He’s also a ballhawk, with eight interceptions in each of his last two seasons at Washington.
The Rams are counting on Peters to be a starter from Day 1, and he should be able to contribute right away. With Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson already in place, the Rams could have one of the best young cornerback trios in the NFL.
Second-round pick Ogbonnia Okoronkwo could be a sleeper
The Los Angeles Rams added some good talent in the 2019 NFL draft, but their second-round pick could be a sleeper.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo was drafted with the59th overall pick in the second round by the Rams. He is a 6’1”, 243-pound outside linebacker from Oklahoma. Okoronkwo was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and he was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 after posting 8.0 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss.
Okoronkwo is a constant threat off the edge and he has a non-stop motor. He needs to add some bulk to his frame, but he has the potential to be a very good player in the NFL. He could be a rotational player as a rookie, but he has the potential to develop into a starter down the road.
Minnesota Vikings
It’s time to take a look at who did the best in the NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings had a great draft, and they are definitely a team to watch out for in the future. They drafted a lot of players who will be able to make an impact right away, and they also have some great young talent.
Traded up to get Mike Hughes
The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2018 NFL Draft with eight picks, but that number was quickly reduced to seven when they traded up in the first round to select cornerback Mike Hughes.
The Vikings surrendered the 30th overall pick, a fourth-round selection and a 2019 sixth-round choice to the New England Patriots in order to move up and take Hughes. It was a bit of a head-scratching move given that the team already had two established starters at cornerback in Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes, but it appears that the team is high on Hughes’ potential.
Time will tell if the trade was worth it, but it’s certainly an interesting move by the Vikings.
Second-round pick Brian O’Neill could be a future starter
The Minnesota Vikings selected offensive tackle Brian O’Neill in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
O’Neill played college football at Pittsburgh, where he was a two-time All-ACC selection. He started all 13 games at left tackle as a senior in 2017.
At 6-foot-7, O’Neill has ideal size for an NFL offensive tackle. He’s also athletic, having run a 4.82-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
O’Neill will compete for a backup spot behind starters Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers in 2018. He has the potential to develop into a starter down the road.
