ReDrafting The First Five Picks of the 2018 NFL Draft
Former 2018 NFL First-Round Draft Pick Josh Rosen said there were nine mistakes made ahead of him, here we correct the first five of those nine “mistakes.”
1) Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming (Original Pick: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma)
A pretty easy start to this redraft. In just a few years, Josh Allen has transformed into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Allen has led the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs in the past three years and has arguably the best arm in football today. A physical force with a special talent, Allen is the clear choice to go number one overall here.
2) NEw York Giants: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville (Original Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State)
Another no-brainer, Lamar Jackson is one of the most prolific players in the NFL today. His unique running ability coupled with the throws he’s able to make makes his dominance nearly unstoppable on the field for defenses. In the 2019-20 season when Jackson won NFL MVP, he was only the second unanimous winner in league history (Tom Brady in 2010-11) to do so. Allen and Lamar going one and two didn’t need much thought.
3) New York Jets: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame (Original Pick: Sam Darnold, QB, USC)
One of the best offensive linemen in the league, Nelson is arguably the most valuable non-quarterback from this draft. The four-time pro bowler was named an All-Pro three of his four first professional seasons, and for his position, he still holds a tremendous impact on the field.
4) Cleveland Browns: Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State (Original Pick: Denzel Ward, DB, Ohio State)
Three-time Pro-Bowler Darius Leonard is regarded as one of the NFL’s best linebackers and his 11 interceptions since entering the league in 2018 are the most from a linebacker since. Leonard’s heavy impact on the Colts makes it hard for teams to pass on him in this redraft.
5) Denver Broncos: Jaire Alexander, DB, Louisville (Original Pick: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State)
One of the NFL’s best cornerbacks today, Jaire would have been a piece the Broncos could have used. They had lost cornerback Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr’s days in Denver were nearing an end. Here, the Broncos get a star who helps create problems in the passing game for offenses.