(AP Photo / Michael Ainsworth)
The 2018 NFL Draft is here, as each team makes its first-round picks on Day 1. Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Josh Allen highlight the quarterbacks expected to be taken in the first round, while other studs like Saquon Barkley, Bradley Chubb and Roquan Smith are all expected to be taken in the top 10.
The Cleveland Browns will kick off the draft, and have two of the top four selections. The New England Patriots hold picks No. 23 and 31 overall, but could be in line to move up or down the board via trade.
The picks will begin coming in at 8 p.m. on ESPN and NFL Network. Here are live reactions and analysis to each pick.
(AP Photo / Jae C. Hong)
1. Cleveland Browns - Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Grade: A
Many considered Sam Darnold or Josh Allen the top quarterbacks in this year's draft class. I always ranked Baker Mayfield slightly ahead of them.
Cleveland needed a franchise quarterback, so their job was to pick the player they thought has the best NFL future. Mayfield was remarkably productive in college, is coming off a Heisman Trophy season and looks as if he has all the tools to be a dominant NFL quarterback. He has great deep ball accuracy and is well regarded as a leader on the field. So what if he's not tall? Drew Brees isn't tall. Russell Wilson isn't tall. That should not be a major issue.
There is a lot of pressure to not mess up the first overall pick. By taking Mayfield, the Browns have their quarterback of the future. Maybe this time that will work out for them.
(AP Photo / Rick Scuteri)
2. New York Giants - Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Grade: B-
I have no question that Barkley is the best player in the draft. He is a generational running back prospect -- perhaps even better than Ezekiel Elliott, who helped transformed the Dallas Cowboys' offense. He has incredible speed, explosiveness and quickness, and can catch passes well.
Still, a three-down running back does not represent the best value for a top-five pick. Running backs simply do not offer the best value that high in the draft, no matter how good they are. The Giants would have been better off taking a quarterback to replace Eli Manning, or trading out of the pick to collect more assets.
(AP Photo / Ralph Freso)
3. New York Jets - Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Grade: A
The Jets desperately needed a quarterback. That's why they traded significant assets to move up from No. 6 to No. 3. Well, they got their guy.
If Mayfield was the best quarterback in the class, Darnold was a very close second. He and Josh Rosen were considered the best quarterbacks in the class all season, even though Darnold did not have the season he hoped to have this year. Sure, there were some mistakes this season, but Darnold has all the tools to be a legitimate franchise quarterback.
The last New York Jets quarterback out of USC was Mark Sanchez. Darnold seems likely to be better than him.
(AP Photo / Jay LaPrete)
4. Cleveland Browns - Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Grade: B-
This might prove to be a smart pick, but right now, it's tough to believe the Browns passed on defensive end Bradley Chubb. Ward was typically mocked later on in the top 10, while Chubb was in line to be taken among the top-four all along.
Still, cornerbacks are becoming more and more valuable draft assets, and Ward can instantly improve Cleveland's pass defense. He is incredibly fast and great in man coverage, and should help fill the void left by Jason McCourty. This was a bit of a surprise pick, but maybe the Browns are smarter than all of the mock drafts.
(AP Photo / Andres Leighton)
5. Denver Broncos - Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Grade: A-
The Denver Broncos went to the Super Bowl twice in three years on the strength of their incredible pass rush. Without DeMarcus Ware on the other side of Von Miller, Denver's defense has not been quite as potent.
Now, the best defensive player in the draft fell to them at No. 5, and they have a new end to play across from Miller. Chubb is great against the run and pass, and will be a perfect fit in Denver's defense. The Broncos signed Case Keenum to be their quarterback this season, but they could keep an eye on other quarterbacks as the draft continues.
(AP Photo / Carlos Osorio)
6. Indianapolis Colts - Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Grade: A
The Indianapolis Colts have spent several years taking skill position players to help their offense, but with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans' defensive lines in their division, they needed to help their offensive line. Nelson addresses their biggest need.
Nelson was considered by some as one of the two or three best prospects in the draft. The only reason he did not go higher was because teams do not value interior offensive linemen as much as other positions. He should significantly help the rushing offense, as well as Andrew Luck's ability to stay healthy.
(AP Photo / Otto Kitsinger)
7. Buffalo Bills - Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Grade: C-
As much as I was a fan of Baker Mayfield, I was not a fan of Josh Allen. As great as his height, arm strength and hand size is, Allen struggled with completion percentage in college and did not dominate against weaker competition in college.
The Bills traded two second-round picks to go up and get Allen. The organization's fate weighs on his shoulders. Josh Rosen was still on the board. Buffalo could have done better.
(AP Photo / Michael Conroy)
8. Chicago Bears - Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
Grade: A-
To a fan base that loved Brian Urlacher for more than a decade, Roquan Smith is going to be a welcome sight. Chicago is going to love their new star linebacker, who proved he is an incredible tackler with great speed in the college football playoffs this season.
The Bears had a significant need at linebacker, and could have taken either Smith or Tremaine Edmunds. He was arguably the best player available too.
(AP Photo / Carlos Osorio)
9. San Francisco 49ers - Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Grade: B-
The 49ers are looking for ways to help Jimmy Garoppolo, and drafting a future starting left tackle is one way to do that. Mike McGlinchey was long considered the best offensive tackle in the draft, but further study of his tape showed a few more flaws than he showed in his initial impression.
McGlinchey could have perhaps went a little later in the first round, and the 49ers could have moved back further into the first round. Instead, they got their guy, and hope he can step in to make an immediate impact.
(AP Photo / Mark J. Terrill)
10. Arizona Cardinals - Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Grade: A
Josh Rosen very well could have been a top-three pick. Instead, the Arizona Cardinals moved up five spots from No. 15 to No. 10 to take a potential franchise quarterback. That's great value for a team that desperately needed a quarterback in this draft.
Rosen has great accuracy and arm strength despite his lack of mobility, and showed great pocket presence in college. He could be a future star at quarterback, and the Cardinals have to be thrilled they got him.
(AP Photo / Butch Dill)
11. Miami Dolphins - Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Grade: B
Fitzpatrick is an interesting pick considering it's not immediately clear what position he will play in the NFL. With the Dolphins, Fitzpatrick seems likely to play some safety and nickel cornerback.
Overall, Fitzpatrick is a very talented football player and should be a nice addition for the Dolphins. He would have been a better fit elsewhere, however, and there were other players who might have fit Miami's roster needs better.
(AP Photo / Timothy Gonzelez)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Vita Vea, DL, Washington
Grade: B-
The Buccaneers needed to upgrade their secondary, but Vea fills another need. Tampa Bay added Jason Pierre-Paul at defensive end, but needed another presence on the inside to help Gerald McCoy against the run. Vea should fit that need.
With Derwin James on the board, it's a bit surprising to see Tampa Bay not pick him. Still, Vea is a great presence, and was one of the best players available.
(AP Photo / David J. Phillip)
13. Washington Redskins - Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
Grade: C+
The Redskins needed to upgrade their defensive line. That much is obvious. But once Vita Vea was selected, it seemed like the Redskins panicked a little to take Payne.
Payne is a good athlete at defensive tackle who will help Washington's run defense. But Payne should have been a late first-round pick or early second-round pick. Washington could have addressed its secondary needs with plenty of good cornerbacks on the board instead.
(AP Photo / Butch Dill)
14. New Orleans Saints - Marcus Davenport, DE, UTEP
Grade: C
This would have been a better grade if it did not come at such a cost for the Saints. Instead, New Orleans had to give up two first-round picks to pick up a pass-rusher from a small school. That's a scary price to pay.
The Saints might be a few key defensive pieces away from being ready to compete for a championship, so perhaps this was a worthy risk. Davenport is a freak athlete, and drew some comparisons to Jason Pierre-Paul as a prospect. Still, this is a scary move for the Saints.
(AP Photo / Danny Moloshok)
15. Oakland Raiders - Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
Grade: B-
Apparently, offensive tackles are at a premium at this year's draft, with both Mike McGlinchey and Miller going earlier than they were projected. Miller rose up draft boards after the combine thanks to his impressive speed and athleticism numbers.
However, the Raiders had a major need at linebacker, and Tremaine Edmunds would have fit that well.
(AP Photo / Bob Leverone)
16. Buffalo Bills - Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Grade: A
After getting their quarterback at pick No. 7, the Bills cashed in on more of their draft assets by moving up for Tremaine Edmunds. The 19-year-old linebacker is a freak athlete, and entered the draft as arguably as good of a prospect as Roquan Smith.
Linebacker was a significant need for the Bills, and they filled it with an elite prospect. They'll have to be happy with their first round.
(AP Photo / Mark Wallheiser)
17. Los Angeles Chargers - Derwin James, S, Florida State
Grade: A-
The Chargers do not have many serious needs, but safety is one of them. At the No. 17 overall pick, they got arguably the best safety in the draft, and a true defensive playmaker.
James is a great athlete, an excellent tackler and someone who can make a real difference in the Chargers' defense. There is a lot to like about this pick.
(AP Photo / Timothy D. Easley)
18. Green Bay Packers - Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Grade: A
The Packers very easily could have taken Alexander at No. 14 overall. Instead, they pick up an extra first-round pick and take a potential star cornerback at No. 18 overall.
Alexander does not have tremendous size, but he is excellent in man coverage and runs like the wind. He has terrific technique, and was a significant late-riser in the draft process. The Packers needed secondary help, and Alexander will provide that.
(AP Photo / Otto Kitsinger)
19. Dallas Cowboys - Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
Grade: B+
The Dallas Cowboys perhaps could have used a wide receiver, but linebacker was up there on their list of needs. Vander Esch is athletic, big, strong and can bolster a linebacking core that needs consistency.
Vander Esch really only had one year of great production at Boise State, but he was tremendous in that one year. The Cowboys made a good pick.
(AP Photo / Michael Woods)
20. Detroit Lions - Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
Grade: C+
Frank Ragnow was a late riser, so he was not exactly a frequently projected first-round pick. Still, he is a very talented center, who will make a big difference on the Lions' offensive line.
The real concern here is whether or not a center was worth taking at No. 20 overall. Considering what the Bengals did at No. 21, this pick looks a little better.
(AP Photo / Jay LaPrete)
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Billy Price, C, Ohio State
Grade: D
Billy Price is not as good as Frank Ragnow. He might not be as good as Iowa center James Daniels. And yet, the Bengals reached big time to take a center in the first round. This might be the worst pick of the first round so far.
Perhaps Price pans out, and helps solidify a Bengals offensive line that needs help. But perhaps they regret not taking another impact defensive player there.
(AP Photo / David J. Phillip)
22. Tennessee Titans - Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Grade: B+
The Titans needed a linebacker, so they moved ahead of the Patriots to get their guy. Evans is athletic, strong and a great playmaker at the linebacker position.
This was right around the correct range for Evans, so it's hard to knock them trading up for him. A Titans team that does not appear to be too many pieces away from competing for the AFC Championship adds an important player to their defense.
(AP Photo / John Raoux)
23. New England Patriots - Isaiah Wynn, OT, Georgia
Grade: B-
This was a classic Patriots pick. With Lamar Jackson and Harold Landry still on the board, the Patriots took a versatile offensive lineman that many considered to be a guard at the NFL level due to his size (6-foot-3, 313 pounds).
It appears the Patriots will use Wynn as their left tackle replacement for Nate Solder. As a left tackle last season at Georgia, Wynn only gave up two sacks all season, and was considered one of the top offensive linemen in the country.
Wynn was considered a borderline first-round pick, so perhaps they took him a bit early. But with McGlinchey and Miller already off the board, the Patriots needed to address their biggest need at left tackle.
(AP Photo / Julio Cortez)
24. Carolina Panthers - D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Grade: B
After trading Kelvin Benjamin last season, the Panthers could use another wide receiver to help Cam Newton on offense. The Panthers are still shifting their offense to use more speed than power, so Moore adds to the speed they added in Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel last season.
Moore is extremely agile and talented, and should provide an instant spark to the Panthers' offense.
(AP Photo / Sean Rayford)
25. Baltimore Ravens - Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
Grade: B-
The Ravens' biggest need in this year's draft was a tight end, so this fits that need. Hurst is big, strong and has a big wingspan at tight end, where he should instantly give them a boost in both the passing and running game.
However, this year's tight ends class was not particularly strong, and Hurst might have been better suited as a second-round pick. He will be 25 by the time the season starts too.
(AP Photo / David Goldman)
26. Atlanta Falcons - Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Grade: B
Calvin Ridley was regularly considered the top wide receiver in the draft, using his sharp route-running and decent size to beat defensive backs regularly in college. Now, he'll join another former Alabama receiver in Atlanta -- Julio Jones.
The Falcons have some talent at wide receiver in Jones and Mohamed Sanu, but they needed another one on the outside. Ridley should help the Falcons' passing offense stay strong.
(AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez)
27. Seattle Seahawks - Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
Grade: D-
This is a reach. Penny can do a lot of things at running back, and is a strong kick returner, but he might not be one of the top four or five running backs in this year's class.
The Seahawks needed to upgrade their offensive line and help their secondary after Richard Sherman left. Instead, they used a first-round pick on a running back, and they might regret that.
(AP Photo / Bob Leverone)
28. Pittsburgh Steelers - Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech
Grade: D+
Tremaine Edmunds is a super stud at linebacker. Terrell Edmunds is not the same player. He played safety in college, though there is a chance the Steelers try to use him as a linebacker. It's certainly a risk for a player that might have been available in the third round.
The Steelers needed a linebacker with Ryan Shazier injured -- though Shazier did walk on stage at the draft. There were other players who would have been a better fit.
(AP Photo / Phelan M. Ebenhack)
29. Jacksonville Jaguars - Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
Grade: A-
Who will be able to stop the Jaguars' defensive line next season? Taven Bryan adds to Jacksonville's biggest strength, and will make its defense even better against the run. He was the best defensive tackle available, and will help the Jaguars keep their defensive line as a strength as other players leave in free agency in future years.
Drafting in the first round is about drafting the best player available. Bryan was a great fit for the Jaguars.
(AP Photo / John Raoux)
30. Minnesota Vikings - Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
Grade: B
The Minnesota Vikings do not have many needs, but they could certainly improve at cornerback. Hughes was the best player available -- an extremely talented and long cornerback who looks as if he will excel in the Vikings' scheme.
As Kirk Cousins enters the offense and expects to instantly improve the offense, the Vikings add to their strength on the defensive side of the ball. Minnesota should be competing for the Super Bowl next season, and Hughes should be able to make an instant impact.
(AP Photo / Doug Benc)
31. New England Patriots - Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
Grade: C+
The New England Patriots lost some serious playmaking when Dion Lewis left for the Tennessee Titans in free agency. Sony Michel should be able to replace some of that. Michel is an explosive, fast runner out of the backfield who has been billed as an Alvin Kamara type.
However, the Patriots had other needs to address besides running back. New England could have drafted a cornerback, linebacker or quarterback and filled more of a need with this spot. Drafting running backs in the first round is generally not a great value pick.
Michel could be great, but there were other routes the Patriots could have taken with this pick.
(AP Photo / Stephen B. Morton)
32. Baltimore Ravens - Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Grade: A-
The Ravens had to look toward the future at quarterback, with Joe Flacco struggling in recent seasons. They were an option to take Jackson with their pick at No. 16 overall, then again when they took Hayden Hurst at No. 25 overall. Finally, they got it right when they traded up to No. 32 overall.
Jackson possesses game-changing speed, and he is a better passer than people give him credit for. With a year or two to work behind Flacco in Baltimore, Jackson is in a great spot to develop into the game-changing quarterback he can be.
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