2018 NFL Draft Simulator: Year of the QB

[arrowryan]

Most of you guys knows how this works by now, but I'll go over the rules again for anyone who has forgot or to anyone who is new to this.

A few years ago, Fanspeak made a fun game for the upcoming NFL Draft...

1.) Pick you team(s)
2.) You also need to pick a few other things like who's big board you're picking from, team needs, difficulty, etc..
3.) Draft for your team(s). You can do a 1 round simulator or you can do the full 7 rounds.
4.) It is encouraged that you share your draft picks with us and even give a small reason why you went with each pick.

Here is the link: https://fanspeak.com/ontheclock/

Mods, people started sharing their 2018 draft picks with the 2017 draft simulator thread. Can one of you take those posts and move them to this thread? Thanks

 

[arrowryan]

Here is my first draft. I did a 5 round mock because the last 2 rounds are a total crap shoot. Pittsburgh Steelers, obviously.

Round 1, Pick 28: Rashaan Evans I was between Rashaan Evans and Justin Reid. In the real draft, I'd be happy with either pick. Evans would be ANOTHER first round linebacker picked by Pittsburgh. He has the ability to play both inside or outside. He'll replace the great Ryan Shazier and will give Pittsburgh the athletic ability they were missing after the Shazier injury. He'll also bring pass rush ability.

Round 2, Pick 28: Mike Gesicki. He made himself a lot of money at the combine. He helped himself so much that he very well could be a first round pick. Pittsburgh has Jesse James, but he hasn't shown the ability to be a consistent NFL starter. Gesicki is big, blocks well, and can move for a big guy.

Round 3, Pick 28: Jesse Bates III. His name popped up on my radar recently. He had a good 40 time at the combine and has the ability to be a true ball hawking FS in the NFL. Move Sean Davis to SS and put Bates at FS; thats a good, young safety tandem. I'll be cheering for him since he's a Fort Wayne native.

Round 4. They don't have a pick. Traded their 4th round pick for Vance McDonald last off season.

Round 5, Pick 11: DJ Chark. I don't think Chark makes it to round 5. He's another guy that had a good combine. But he was on the board so I had to take him. Martavis Bryant is most likely gone after 2018. Chark is fast af and will be a good replacement. Pittsburgh is notorious for finding good receivers in the later rounds. Hopefully they can find another one this year.

Round 5, Pick 28: Holton Hill. He was a pretty good CB at Texas. Pittsburgh doesn't need a starting corner with this pick, but he'll be a quality depth piece and could be a starter down the road.

 

[IrishLion]

R1 - Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama - Bengals go "best available," not reaching for OT or G. Fitzpatrick is an upgrades at any DB position except CB1. Adding Fitzpatrick to William Jackson III, George Iloka, and Dre Kirkpatrick makes this one of the better DB units in the NFL.

R2 - Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia - Plug-and-play starter at a position of need. 2nd round win.

R3 - Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma - The Bengals reap the profits of Brown's poor combine. He plugs in at LT, letting Cedric Obueghi slide over to RT, and now two positions improve on one pick. The Bengals OL goes from "abysmal" to "Wildcard quality at least" in the first three rounds.

R3 - Rasheem Green, DL, USC - Andrew Billings is a mammoth body, but you need someone to split reps with him 50/50. Green is a nice addition for the depth rotation, and could potentially take the job outright, playing next to Geno Atkins and making life hell for opposing guards and centers.

R4 - Duke Ejiofor, DE, Wake Forest - The Bengals add a third-down pass rush specialist to go along with last year's breakout pass-rushing star Carl Lawson.

R5 - Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia - Athletic upgrade at LB over Nick Vigil, who was already pretty good for Cincy. Kiser will clean up on early downs while offenses worry about scheming for Burfict.

R5 - Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana - I wanted a QB with this pick, but Virginia's Kurt Benkert got stolen just before we were on the clock. Simmie Cobbs is a decent consolation prize. He's a big body, possession-type of guy that compliments AJ Green's well-rounded skills and John Ross' speed.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Picked for the Colts:

3: R1P3
G QUENTON NELSON
NOTRE DAME

36: R2P4
RB SONY MICHEL
GEORGIA

67: R3P3
CB CARLTON DAVIS
AUBURN

104: R4P4
WR MICHAEL GALLUP
COLORADO STATE

140: R5P3
CB HOLTON HILL
TEXAS

178: R6P4
EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN
NOTRE DAME

221: R7P3
S TRAY MATTHEWS
AUBURN

This would put more weapons around luck and help them shore up the secondary. I whiffed on OT and DE so they'd need to make some moves in Free Agency.

 

[ACamp1900]

Since it's all in fun, the Browns sign Cousins in my world and are set with he and Kizer at QB:

1: R1P1
EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB
NC STATE
He and Garrett, the thought gives me a Chubby...

4: R1P4
S MINKAH FITZPATRICK
ALABAMA
Easily the best fit for the Browns in the entire draft in terms of need vs talent, complete no-brainer. If in real life we somehow don't get Fitz a lot of Browns fans, including myself, will be very disappointed.

33: R2P1
RB DERRIUS GUICE
LSU
They do need RBs...

35: R2P3
WR COURTLAND SUTTON
SMU
They have a couple really nice weapons, but need more depth.

64: R2P32
OT JAMARCO JONES
OHIO STATE
Going to need tackles soon...

65: R3P1
CB CARLTON DAVIS
AUBURN
depth in the secondary.

 

[ACamp1900]

I think what will most likely happen is we draft Darnold at 1 and take Fitz at 4... I'd be fine with that...

 

[IrishLion]

I think what will most likely happen is we draft Darnold and take Fitz...

I thought the Browns were in love with Allen?

 

[ACamp1900]

I thought the Browns were in love with Allen?

There are reports that they love Allen, Darnold and Mayfield... it's kind of all over the map... I think it's pretty clear that if they stay at 1 they'll take their QB, at least in my mind... I haven't seen much implying they like Rosen so watch him be the pick...

As of now the majority opinion seems to be they are leaning Darnold.

 

[ACamp1900]

If it were me I would have given Cousins anything he wanted... enough is enough with that position, get someone that you at least know is ready to rock at an above average-ish level.

 

[Luckylucci]

If it were me I would have given Cousins anything he wanted... enough is enough with that position, get someone that you at least know is ready to rock at an above average-ish level.

Can't say I've followed it very closely from the Browns perspective. Were they just not willing to pay him what he wanted? Or, did he eliminate them for other reasons?

 

[ACamp1900]

Can't say I've followed it very closely from the Browns perspective. Were they just not willing to pay him what he wanted? Or, did he eliminate them for other reasons?

I don't think anyone is sure but it sounds like both of the bolded are true...

It's strange, Haslam hires Brown for a complete rebuild that everyone knows will take years... after two years they fire Sashi, which to me shows they want to get better NOW... but Cousins is there, pay him and get better... If they aren't willing to pay him then they must still be in on this ~five year re-build... if that's the case then why fire Sashi?? The tension between he and Hue Jackson must have gotten beyond toxic. Only thing I can imagine.

 

[IrishLion]

There are reports that they love Allen, Darnold and Mayfield... it's kind of all over the map... I think it's pretty clear that if they stay at 1 they'll take their QB, at least in my mind... I haven't seen much implying they like Rosen so watch him be the pick...

As of now the majority opinion seems to be they are leaning Darnold.

I liked Mayfield more than any of them before the combine. He's got enough arm strength to make any throw, the intelligence to throw with anticipation, better accuracy than Allen, not injury prone like Rosen, and doesn't get the yips like Darnold.

The only question is his maturity, but if Jameis Winston has made it this far without doing something dumb in Tampa Bay, I believe Mayfield can hold things together wherever he ends up.

However, after watching Allen throw at the combine, I don't think it would be egregious for a team to take a chance on him moreso than any other guy.

I still hate the fact that execs view Lamar Jackson's accuracy as a hindrance and are giving Allen a pass on it, though.

Jackson is going to be good as long as he ends up in a decent situation. Could be similar to the DeShaun Watson phenomenon. Watson didn't get his due prior to the draft and should have been picked higher, but fell victim to being a mobile black dude. Execs chose to ignore the three years of film of Watson making all the throws. They're doing the same with Jackson.

 

[Luckylucci]

There are reports that they love Allen, Darnold and Mayfield... it's kind of all over the map... I think it's pretty clear that if they stay at 1 they'll take their QB, at least in my mind... I haven't seen much implying they like Rosen so watch him be the pick...

As of now the majority opinion seems to be they are leaning Darnold.

Not that this matters much but we have a radio personality out here who thinks Darnold is the second coming of Andrew Luck. And I couldn't disagree more. I could not draft a QB, #1, that turned the ball over that much. I could certainly be wrong but he was a TO machine last year.

 

[arrowryan]

If the Browns want to get better, they should probably do something about their 1-31 HC. It’s not all the the GM’s fault.

 

[Legacy]

I used NFL Mock for both Big Board and for Needs (Updated 3/7)

5: R1P5 -- QB JOSH ALLEN, WYOMING
40: R2P8 -- LB RASHAAN EVANS, ALABAMA
71: R3P7 -- OT TYRELL CROSBY, OREGON
99: R3P35 -- RB KERRYON JOHNSON, AUBURN
106: R4P6 -- WR DEON CAIN, CLEMSON
109: R4P9 -- CB TARVARUS MCFADDEN, FLORIDA STATE
142: R5P5 -- WR DANTE PETTIS, WASHINGTON
163: R5P26 -- C AUSTIN CORBETT, NEVADA
182: R6P8 -- LB SHAQUEM GRIFFIN, UCF
225: R7P7 -- TE DALTON SCHULTZ, STANFORD

Offense - 7 picks, Defense - 3

Offense - Filled QB (Some rate Allen as the top QB), ROT, All-SEC RB, Interior OL Depth, Third option at WR and backup in case Demaryius Thomas leaves, backup TE

Defense - Filled LB need, backup LB, and CB to take Talib's place.

 

[arrowryan]

I switched it up a little bit and did a mock with the Browns because why not? I rag on them a lot, but they have a legit chance to be competitive in the AFCN soon. I did this mock pretending the additions of Jarvis Landry and Tyrod Taylor never happened.

Round 1, Pick 1: Saquon Barkley. I think he is the best player in the draft. They'll have their running back for many years to come. He is great at everything, he's strong, and he can run like a gazelle. Draft him and use Duke Johnson as your back up.

Round 1, Pick 4: Josh Allen. He is an ideal, typical QB that would succeed in the AFCN. I think he is the best QB in the draft. Don't throw him to the wolves though, please. Let him sit a year and learn the league. Allen and Barkley could be a GREAT tandem.

Round 2, Pick 1: Justin Reid. He could be the smartest player in the draft and he loves the game of football. He played 4-5 different positions at Stanford. He can play FS, SS, or corner. It doesn't matter where you put him. Reid and Peppers would be great.

Round 2, Pick 3: James Washington. Antonio Brown-esque. He was one of my favorite players in CFB the last two years. Terrific route runner and I think he'll have a very productive NFL career.

Round 2, Pick 32: Leighton Vander Esch. Holy cow, you guys have a lot of picks. LVE is super athletic, can play in space, and he is big. The ideal linebacker to cover tight ends and running backs. He would look good next to Collins.

Round 4, Pick 1: Lorenzo Carter.SPEED. A change of pace pass rusher compared to Myles Garrett. A good pass rush is key to making the playoffs.

Round 4, Pick 23: Josey Jewell.A good, midwest linebacker that can provide quality depth, special teams contributor, and a starter down the road. NFL scouts compare him to Sean Lee.

Round 5, Pick 1: Troy Fumagalli. A big tight end that offers a different skill set than David Njoku. A good run blocking tight end that offers something in the passing game. A good run blocking tight end would be vital to Barkley's success.

Round 5, Pick 22: Kevin Tolliver.LSU is DB U, so he has to be good, right? You guys have so many picks and he sounds familiar so that's why I drafted him.

 

[Andy in Sactown]

TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS!!!

TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS!!!

So, by going with the 5 rounds most have been utilizing, Oakland only has four picks this draft. I went with immediate needs on defense; hoping to address a few offensive vacancies (most notably WR depth) through free agency:

10: R1P10 LB ROQUAN SMITH GEORGIA

Instant help at the much needed LB position. Plug in replacement for Aldon Smith after his release. Can't rush the passer nearly as effectively, but can chase down backfield shenanigans sideline to sideline. Would represent a paradigm shift from free rushing off the edge from that OLB spot to more interior pressure freeing up Mack and Smith to come off both defensive end positions.

41: R2P9 LB MALIK JEFFERSON TEXAS

Again, much needed talent to the center of the Raider defense. Positional flexibility would allow him to train all over the back of the front seven and his size would allow him to backup the surprisingly productive NaVorro Bowman at MIKE and stay in the middle for nickel/dime/obvious passing downs.

75: R3P11 DL DA'SHAWN HAND ALABAMA

Although mostly projected as a 3-4 end in the league, I think this is a best value on the board in Round 3 pick that hopefully serves as an understudy to Mario Edwards Jr. sliding inside for some pass rush inside on passing downs. See: First Round Pick explanation.

110: R4P10 S JUSTIN REID STANFORD

Absolutely shocked Justin Reid was available at Round 4 Pick 10. While corner is a concern, this was just a no brainer to pick up a potential Pro-Bowl safety here. Provides the coaching staff options to try different defensive back combinations. Might even play early in other capacities.

EDIT: ESPN: Oakland Raiders agree to 3-year deal with DT Justin Ellis

The Raiders still need to find a pass-rushing threat inside. Ellis has only a half-sack in his career and has 3.5 quarterback pressures in 327 pass-rush snaps the past two seasons, according to SportRadar.

So you can see where General Manager Reggie Mackenzie and I appear to be on the same page...

Just win baby!

 

[Crazy Balki]

Round 1 (Pick 8): Bradley Chubb - DE - NC State (How he ended up falling to 8? I'll never know)

Round 2 (Pick 7): Christian Kirk - WR - Texas A&M

Round 4 (Pick 5): Donte Jackson - CB - LSU

Round 4 (Pick 15): Frank Ragnow - C - Arkansas

Round 5 (Pick 8): Allen Lazard - WR - Iowa State

Round 6 (Pick 7): Tre Flowers - CB - Oklahoma State

Round 7 (Pick 6): Shaun Dion-Hamilton - LB - Alabama

 

[Legacy]

Buffalo Bills Draft -- Using Draftplex (updated with R31 obtained in trade with Browns) for Big Board and NFL Mock for Needs:

21: R1P21 -- QB JOSH ALLEN, WYOMING
22: R1P22 --DT DA'RON PAYNE, ALABAMA
53: R2P21 -- C JAMES DANIELS, IOWA
56: R2P24 -- LB LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, BOISE STATE
65: R3P1 -- WR D.J. CHARK, LSU
96: R3P32 -- OT TYRELL CROSBY, OREGON
121: R4P21 -- TE HAYDEN HURST, SOUTH CAROLINA
158: R5P21 -- CB ANTHONY AVERETT, ALABAMA
166: R5P29 -- LB/Edge KEMOKO TURAY, RUTGERS

With updated Salary Cap of $35 million, sign DT/DE (Sheldon Richardson) and WR (Sammy Watkins)

 

[Legacy]

A Browns non-QB draft.

1: R1P1 -- EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB, NC STATE
4: R1P4 -- CB DENZEL WARD, OHIO STATE
33: R2P1 -- RB DERRIUS GUICE, LSU
35: R2P3 -- LB RASHAAN EVANS, ALABAMA
64: R2P32 -- OT TYRELL CROSBY, OREGON
114: R4P14 -- WR DEON CAIN, CLEMSON
150: R5P13 -- S TERRELL EDMUNDS, VIRGINIA TECH
175: R6P1 -- LB SHAQUEM GRIFFIN, UCF
219: R7P1-- WR EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN, NOTRE DAME

With $77 million in cap space, sign free agent DT, backup QB, K.

 

[Legacy]

Colts Draft, 5 rounds

Colts Draft, 5 rounds

Using Draftplex for Big Board and Needs, after draft trade with Jets.

6: R1P6 - EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB, NORTH CAROLINA STATE (from Jets)
36: R2P4 - LB LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, BOISE STATE (Top 2 OTs and top 3 OGs had been chosen)
37: R2P5 - CB JOSH JACKSON, IOWA (from Jets. Many mocks have him going in first round.)
49: R2P17 - OT TYRELL CROSBY, OREGON (from Jets)
67: R3P3 - G BRADEN SMITH, AUBURN (Impressed at Combine. Good value here)
104: R4P4 - WR DEON CAIN, CLEMSON
140: R5P3 - CB DUKE DAWSON, FLORIDA

Chubb fell to Indy in this simulation because:
1: R1P1 - QB JOSH ROSEN, CLEVELAND BROWNS
2: R1P2 - QB BAKER MAYFIELD, NEW YORK GIANTS
3: R1P3 - RB SAQUON BARKLEY, NEW YORK JETS
4: R1P4 - S DERWIN JAMES, CLEVELAND BROWNS
5: R1P5 - G QUENTON NELSON, DENVER BRONCOS

Jets at 3 would take QB though, resulting in only two non-QBs out of Chubb, Nelson, Barkley, Fitzpatrick taken before their sixth pick

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Drafting for the Colts:

6: R1P6
EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
36: R2P4
DL MAURICE HURST
MICHIGAN
37: R2P5
G WILL HERNANDEZ
UTEP
49: R2P17
WR CALVIN RIDLEY
ALABAMA
67: R3P3
RB SONY MICHEL
GEORGIA
104: R4P4
DL RASHEEM GREEN
USC
140: R5P3
CB TARVARUS MCFADDEN
FLORIDA STATE
178: R6P4
TE DURHAM SMYTHE
NOTRE DAME
221: R7P3
CB ARRION SPRINGS
OREGON

If I were a Colts fan, I would view this as incredibly successful. At least given what the various sites say about needs

 

[Legacy]

Drafting for New England:

23: R1P23 -- LB RASHAAN EVANS, ALABAMA
31: R1P31 -- OT KOLTON MILLER, UCLA
43: R2P11 -- CB JOSH JACKSON, IOWA
63: R2P31 -- WR JAMES WASHINGTON, OKLAHOMA STATE

 

[Legacy]

Cleveland Browns, 2 round draft:
1: R1P1 - QB SAM DARNOLD, USC (or QB of choice)
4: R1P4 -EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB, NORTH CAROLINA STATE
33: R2P1 - OT KOLTON MILLER, UCLA
35: R2P3 - LB LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, BOISE STATE
64: R2P32 - RB NICK CHUBB, GEORGIA (or CB? - Carlton Davis, Anthony Averett, Donte Jackson are available; WR available here are St. Brown, Pettis, Washington, Gallup)

 

[ACamp1900]

Re-did one post free agency:

My dope draft brings all the boys to the yard and they're like, it's better than yours:

: R1P1
QB SAM DARNOLD
USC
2: R1P4
EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
3: R2P1
CB JOSH JACKSON
IOWA
4: R2P3
OT KOLTON MILLER
UCLA
5: R2P32
RB RASHAAD PENNY
SAN DIEGO STATE
6: R4P14
WR EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN
NOTRE DAME

 

[ACamp1900]

Cleveland Browns, 2 round draft:
1: R1P1 - QB SAM DARNOLD, USC (or QB of choice)
4: R1P4 -EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB, NORTH CAROLINA STATE
33: R2P1 - OT KOLTON MILLER, UCLA
35: R2P3 - LB LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, BOISE STATE
64: R2P32 - RB NICK CHUBB, GEORGIA (or CB? - Carlton Davis, Anthony Averett, Donte Jackson are available)

I almost took Vander Esch too... ours are eerily similar really... great minds. I'm a bit weary of Chubb, lot of miles already.

 

[Legacy]

I almost took Vander Esch too... ours are eerily similar really... great minds. I'm a bit weary of Chubb, lot of miles already.

I like yours better. Penny is a three down back. I defer to you for how soon you would take a CB and your confidence in your LBs.

 

[arrowryan]

Cleveland Browns, 2 round draft:
1: R1P1 - QB SAM DARNOLD, USC (or QB of choice)
4: R1P4 -EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB, NORTH CAROLINA STATE
33: R2P1 - OT KOLTON MILLER, UCLA
35: R2P3 - LB LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, BOISE STATE
64: R2P32 - RB NICK CHUBB, GEORGIA (or CB? - Carlton Davis, Anthony Averett, Donte Jackson are available; WR available here are St. Brown, Pettis, Washington, Gallup)

LVE would be tremendous value in round 2, but I think he has a snow ball's chance in hell reaching the 2nd round. He'll probably be taken in the top 25 picks; if he lasts longer than that then I don't think Pittsburgh will pass on him at 28.

 

[arrowryan]

This is my last one before the draft on Thursday:

Round 1; Pick 28: Marcus Davenport, DE from UTSA

Safety and ILB are the biggest needs for Pittsburgh in the draft. They went out and got Morgan Burnett and Jon Bostic in free agency; those two signings will allow the Steelers to draft BPA if someone like Davenport falls. A good pass rush is critical in today's NFL. Davenport will definitely has that pass rushing skill. Kick Tuitt to the interior on passing downs and let Watt and Davenport play at d-end.

Round 2; Pick 60: James Washington, WR from Oklahoma State

I really wanted to go safety or linebacker with this pick; someone screwed me and took Jesse Bates before me and I didn't want to reach for a linebacker. So, like a good front office does, I went BPA and didn't reach. James Washington reminds me a little bit of Antonio Brown. He was a very productive receiver at OSU and I think he would do very well in the Pittsburgh offense. Having JuJu Smith and James Washington would give Ben's replacement some good weapons to rely on. Also, there is a 99% chance that Martinis Bryant is gone after this season, so they need to replace him.

Round 3; Pick 92: Darius Leonard, LB from South Carolina State

Pittsburgh finally gets their linebacker here. Its deja vu all over again as they took Javon Hargrave from the exact same school in the exact same round a few years ago. Leonard is a small school kid, but he plays fast and is a sound tackler. He might not start right away, but I can see him getting meaningful snaps this season and being a starter in the future. Ryan Shazier's potential replacement and Vince Williams is in a contract year.

Round 5; Pick 148: Jordan Whitehead, S from Pitt

He played his college career at Heinz Field. I thought he was pretty impressive when I watched him in college. Could potentially be the third safety in sub packages.

Round 5; Pick 165: Josh Adams, ya boi from ND

Pittsburgh seems to be pretty interested in him. All of you already know about him. I don't need to say any more.