DRAFT TRACKER 2018

Etling has decent size and an NFL arm, but his mechanical inconsistencies -- often brought on by impending pressure, are big concerns moving forward. Etling will have to prove he can improve his poise in the pocket as well as his ability to win with his progressions and decision-making after the snap. Etling may find an invite into camp, but will face long odds in making a roster.

There was zero surprise the Seahawks traded down, as they expected their guys to be available later. Penny is a good back but picked too early. This is the modus operandi for the Seahawks in recent years, picking someone in the first round much earlier than most people project. And, in most cases, the picks haven't worked out. Seattle lost its second-round pick in a trade for Sheldon Richardson, which only turned out to be an unsuccessful one-year deal. Selecting Green in the third round was good value, and could be a steal like Michael Bennett was years ago. He should be a better pro player than he was in college. (Overall Grade: C) -- Chad Reuter

GM Chris Ballard hauled in three second-round picks from the Jets to move down just three slots. They still got Quenton Nelson, one of the top three players in the draft. He'll be a difference maker up front for an organization that needs to protect its franchise player. Ballard converted three second-round picks (two from their aforementioned pre-draft trade-down) into good players. I thought there were better players on the board when they picked Leonard and Smith early in the second round, however. Lewis didn't have great production last year, but he had a great junior season. (Overall Grade: A-) -- Chad Reuter

If the Texans had the fourth pick in this draft, instead of trading up to pick Deshaun Watson last April, would they be better off? It seems unlikely, so I'll stick with the \"A\" grade I gave them last year. But we'll know more when Watson is healthy again. When Houston finally made a pick early in the third round, they found a great value in Reid. He's a bit tight in the hips, but he's also a smart, downhill player who will start for many years. They also got great value in Rankin, a tackle from Mississippi State who could play multiple spots. The dude just doesn't get beat, and will be a solid starter. Picking Akins over other tight ends like Ian Thomas and Troy Fumagalli is a move that's worth questioning. (Overall Grade: A) -- Chad Reuter

Despite just one season as a full-time player, Taylor's combination of tape and his pro day workout has put him on the radar of teams looking for camp competition at defensive tackle. Taylor's durability could obviously be a hindrance for teams considering him, but he plays with good hands and balance at the point of attack and this season's play could be a sign of what he's capable of if he stays healthy.

Improving prospect with good size and great ball skills, but a lack of suddenness and long speed. He created a highlight reel full of impressive catches in 2017, but he will have to prove he can free himself from press corners looking to jam his release and squat on underneath routes. Wims has the size and tools to work with, but he'll need to play to his size and continue to improve as a route runner. He has the potential to earn a spot at WR4 or WR5 as a pro.

Terence Newman is no longer with the team, and Mackensie Alexander needed competition in the slot, so the Vikings ignored the offensive line need to pick Hughes. He's a great athlete with some off-field concerns and only average size. He should excel inside for the Vikings. O'Neill needs to get stronger in the lower body to prevent losing leverage, but could end up a good investment in time. GM Rick Spielman moved out of the third round, but only down eight spots, and gained a sixth-round pick in the process. (Overall Grade: A-) -- Chad Reuter

Chubb was the best value on the board for this team. Putting him and Von Miller on the same defense makes them dangerous again, like when DeMarcus Ware and Miller were doing their thing. Case Keenum's two-year deal took QB out of the equation here, and Paxton Lynch still has an opportunity to grow into a starter. Sutton's going to be a playmaker at the next level because of his quick feet and size. The Broncos also needed a running back after letting C.J. Anderson go, and found one in Freeman, who looked more explosive later in the 2017 season. He might be getting back to his former self after struggling through injury; if he returns to form, the team got a steal. Trading Aqib Talib meant the Broncos were in need of a corner with length. Yiadom is a good fit. (Overall Grade: A) -- Chad Reuter

Poling's production, athletic testing and ability to potentially handle some coverage duties could make him a late Day 3 selection. He unleashes his true speed when he's chasing down tackles from behind, but needs to play to that same speed when he's attacking near the line of scrimmage. Poling has some holes in his game, but he has the ability to become a special teams player with backup linebacker potential.

Long target with good size and functional speed. Ateman played in a vertical offense that took advantage of subpar secondaries in his conference and should fit into a West Coast offense as a pro. His frame and ball skills give him instant credibility as a jump ball threat in the red-zone while he continues to hone his skill set. Ateman should be an early backup with a chance to climb the ladder on the depth chart.

The Dolphins didn't go get a top-notch quarterback, instead waiting to see if Ryan Tannehill returns healthy and productive. We'll see if they pick a QB later as a backup plan. I can't blame them for taking Fitzpatrick, though, as he will push Miami's defense -- not just secondary -- to another level. With Julius Thomas no longer on the team, the Dolphins needed to find a tight end. Gesicki is a phenomenal athlete, like Thomas, but scouts were concerned about his long strides preventing him from winning against veteran defenders. He'll be tough to defend against on jump balls, though. Miami needed a linebacker, and Baker can move. They met their top defensive need with this pick. However, they still haven't picked a quarterback. (Overall grade: A-) -- Chad Reuter

Traits-based edge prospect who possesses strength, speed and power, but is more of a project at this point than a game-ready talent. Jacobs looks the part and should test well, but he needs to improve his technique as both a pass rusher and as an edge-setter. Jacobs got lost for awhile behind the depth at his position at Wisconsin, but he has the explosiveness and the potential to become a much more impactful pro player than he was in college.

Les Snead pulled the trigger on a trade with the Patriots to land receiver Brandin Cooks, giving up the team's first-round pick and swapping a sixth-rounder for a fourth-round selection. Jared Goff is already thriving under coach Sean McVay, and now he has a very reliable pass-catcher in Cooks. This is a \"win-now\" move, which makes more sense than relying on a rookie receiver to help the offense. Snead gave up his second-round pick for Sammy Watkins, who played well for a year and then moved on. I'm sure that's not what the team had in mind when trading for him. Finally able to pick in the middle of the third round, the Rams get a swing tackle in Noteboom, who showed impressive movement last season. This was a good pick for a team needing depth at the position. (Overall Grade: A-) -- Chad Reuter

Former Australian Rugby player who is starting from scratch in his attempt to transition from rugby to football. Mailata has never played a down of American football so attempting to learn the tackle position and perform it at the highest level makes this an extremely daunting challenge. What Mailata does have is rare size and physical gifts with the movement skills that give him a chance at a very challenging position. His pro day numbers were outstanding (40: 5.12 seconds; VJ: 28 inches; BJ: 8-10; short shuttle: 4.67 seconds; 3-cone: 8.03 seconds; bench: 22 lifts). Mailata has a good chance of being drafted as a long-shot ticket that an NFL team hopes they will be able to cash in a few years down the line.

Two-down inside linebacker with a severe case of thumps who looks to impose his will against ball carriers as often as possible. Smith's lack of speed, athleticism and cover skills could hurt his draft stock, but his history as a consistent tackler and willing banger gives him a good chance to make a team no matter where he is drafted.

GM Chris Ballard hauled in three second-round picks from the Jets to move down just three slots. They still got Quenton Nelson, one of the top three players in the draft. He'll be a difference maker up front for an organization that needs to protect its franchise player. Ballard converted three second-round picks (two from their aforementioned pre-draft trade-down) into good players. I thought there were better players on the board when they picked Leonard and Smith early in the second round, however. Lewis didn't have great production last year, but he had a great junior season. (Overall Grade: A-) -- Chad Reuter

Scarbrough can be a runaway locomotive, but he needs a long track to get rolling or his effectiveness will drop sharply. Scarbrough won't make tacklers miss, but he is a brute force who can add yardage to the end of runs. Scarbrough is a one-cut runner who is best in an under-center rushing attack where he can get carries in bunches. He has the talent to be an effective NFL running back, but durability concerns and a lack of pass catching ability could cap where teams are willing to consider drafting him. His explosive testing at the Combine could intrigue teams who had written him off previously.

Quarterback turned fullback who has bought into the physicality of the fullback position and has the mangled nose to prove it. Bawden has good size and is a competent pass-catcher. The market for old-school fullbacks has shrunk, but he has the ability to find a roster home as a contributing lead blocker and pass catcher on play-action.

When teams scout prospects from small schools, they are looking for plus physical and athletic traits and they are looking for them to dominate their level of competition. Sieler whipped the competition in front of him on a regular basis and his traits are right in line with the NFL average for his position. Sieler played 4-3 defensive end and would bump inside as a rusher, but his playing style and size scream old-school, 3-4 defensive end. Sieler needs to prove that his production can translate at a reasonable level as a pro, but he has the size and ability to become a legitimate player in the league.

Even with talented safety Derwin James on the board, the Saints gave the Packers a deal too rich to give up. Getting a 2019 first-round pick was a steal. Alexander was the second-best corner in the draft on most team boards, despite being a shade over 5-foot-10. They did give up a third-round pick to move up but the net effect of the two trades is still a positive, and they met their biggest position need with a player who can be an above-average starter. The team continued to bolster its secondary with Jackson in the second round. The question is, should they have picked two corners right away, ignoring other needs? With aging free agent veteran Tramon Williams planned as a starter this year, it was probably a good move. Moving up for Burks cost them a fourth-rounder, but he adds athleticism, strength, versatility and intelligence. He'll be a good starter for them at a spot they desperately needed to upgrade. (Overall Grade: A) -- Chad Reuter

Undersized slot option with good foot quickness and consistent play speed, but lacking in polish and strength. While James is more reliant upon his athleticism than his route acumen, he does have the suddenness to gain instant separation in tight quarters. James plays with good toughness but has to prove his 2017 injuries were a fluke. James lacks size and his focus as a pass-catcher is very average, but he does have talent that could be developed with more time.

Payne wasn't overly productive in college, but his ability to stop the run was desperately needed for the league's worst run defense. If he continues to improve, he and former Tide teammate Jonathan Allen could be a great one-two punch. The Redskins took a chance on running back Derrius Guice, who was tough to tackle at the college level. They needed a true bellcow back in Washington, and now they have one who runs angry and will no doubt carry a large chip on his shoulder for dropping in the draft. Christian played both sides of the line in Bobby Petrino's offense at Louisville, and his athleticism made fans of scouts across the league. He'll have to up his game to handle the strength of pro defensive ends. (Overall Grade: B+) -- Chad Reuter

Norton is a run-plugging nose tackle with the potential to fit in either odd or even fronts. He has the size and strength to beat single blocks and hang in against double teams, but won't offer much help as a pocket-pusher against the pass. He doesn't offer special physical traits so it is unlikely he will get over-drafted, but he has a specific value and should continue to improve as a run defender with more coaching and improved technique.

There's not many sub-6-foot-3 tackles in the NFL. But Wynn's length and athleticism allowed him to excel at the position with the Bulldogs, and there's no reason to think he can't be a solid player there in the NFL. He also plays with a nasty streak. Just another four-year, high-character player for Bill Belichick. His college teammate, running back Michel, will join him in Foxboro. Michel has the versatility to be a star in the Patriots' system, working as a receiver and slashing through defenses as a runner. On Day 2, the Patriots made only one pick, but moved down a couple of times to get fourth-round picks and Chicago's 2019 second-round pick. They also swapped third- and fifth-round picks for 49ers right tackle Trenton Brown. They did select Dawson, a slot corner and trouble-maker for receivers, trading away a fourth-round pick to Tampa Bay to select him. He'll contribute right away. (Overall grade: A) -- Chad Reuter

Highly productive three-year starter who has used his strength and motor to whip inferior competition across from him in the American Conference. Lawler doesn't have enough size to fit into an odd front and he lacks athletic rush traits teams want from 4-3 defensive ends. Lawler's football character and production will get him a look, but he may lack the physical talent and athletic ability to last in the league.

Steady, durable and reliable, Clapp has appealing size, but he's more likely to man his position than to help make a noticeable improvement to an offensive line. His guard/center flexibility gives him an advantage over some other center prospects, but he might be more of an eventual starter than early starter if he goes to a decent team.

With Frazier's size and strength, he likely would have found much more playing time in had he gone to Arkansas, but it's unlikely that his pro prospects would have been much different. Frazier has the mass and anchor to appeal to teams looking for competition as a run-clogger, but his lack of initial quickness, tackle range and upper body twitch makes him a longshot to become a factor in the NFL.

The Jaguars selected Bryan, even though they already have a load of talent on defensive line. But Philadelphia did win a Super Bowl with a strong rotation, and Bryan has some real potential that the Jags' coaches could tap into. They have a need for an inside linebacker, but the players of value at the position in the first round were already gone. Jacksonville got a good vertical threat in Chark late in the second round, and they hope he's as good a value as Allen Robinson was a few years ago. If he can be physical as well as win downfield, Blake Bortles could have something special. Landing Harrison in the late third round was a no-brainer in terms of value. He will punish ball carriers with impunity. (Overall Grade: A-) -- Chad Reuter

Donnerson's tape is nowhere near draftable in terms of his skill set, but from an athletic standpoint, his testing numbers are beyond rare for his size. Donnerson is a project that teams might not be willing to draft, but will be more than happy to stash on the practice squad as a PFA while they try and improve his technique and skill, hoping to unlock his athletic gifts. At this point, Donnerson is no more than a lottery scratch-off with the potential for a tremendous pay-off, but with the odds against it.

Woodside is an undersized quarterback with a very average arm who overcomes his deficiencies with good football intelligence and above average accuracy. His lack of size will be an immediate turn-off for most teams, but his competitive nature and ability to throw it where he wants to could give him an outside shot of finding work for a West Coast offense that values his accuracy and decision-making.

If you are looking for a flashy pass-catching tight end who can create matchup issues for the defense then keep on looking. If you want an in-line tight end who has good size and very good toughness and has experience as an active member of the run blocking unit, then Izzo should be on your board. Izzo has athletic limitations, but he has the willingness and talent to become a plus blocker at the point of attack and he's able to work the middle of the field. He should become a starter early in his career.

Jackson is a productive, durable runner with the foot quickness and agility to make defenders miss on all levels of the field, but has a thin frame that could turn some teams off. While Jackson carried a heavy workload in college, he's unlikely to find that opportunity in the pros. Jackson's elusiveness gives him a shot at a backup role, but he will need to improve as a third-down option.

Despite playing the last two seasons at tackle, Taylor lacks the size and length to continue on the outside. He has experience at guard which helps, but he'll need to play with quicker, more efficient hands as well as better leverage at the point of attack to play to an NFL level. If teams view Taylor as an emergency option at tackle, it should improve his chances of making a roster or a practice squad.

Tate's speed and quickness limitations could make finding an NFL role for him challenging if he's unable to create enough separation for quarterbacks to target him. What he does have going for him is that he can catch through contact and has very good ball skills -- especially near the endzone. Tate's toughness and willingness to play through a shoulder injury this year will stand out to teams. Tate will be targeted by teams looking for a matchup weapon with value as a zone beater and red zone target.

Athletic tackle prospect with good foot quickness but a bevy of physical concerns. Cunningham's issues with body control and balance are due, in part, to a lack of functional core strength and additional weight work may not correct it to an acceptable level. Cunningham will need to become stronger and a much more proficient technician in order to hold an NFL roster spot.

Tackle Cordy Glenn was shipped to Cincinnati in a swap of picks, setting Buffalo into a position to move up again to pick Allen. Giving up two second-round picks without trading the No. 22 pick this year or next year's first-round pick is fine. Allen's inaccuracy as a thrower against marginal competition makes him a risk that many teams wouldn't want to take. He showed improvement through the draft process, though, so it's possible this will turn out. The Bills also moved down in last year's draft to get a second first-rounder this year via Kansas City, and then moved back up when the exceptional Edmunds was available at 16. Trading to land Allen made Friday night quiet for the Bills, and we'll have to see if he was worth it. But picking up Phillips late in the third round was a great deal, as he could be a perfect replacement for nose tackle Kyle Williams whenever he retires. The guy led Stanford in tackles last year as a nose tackle. (Overall grade: B+) -- Chad Reuter

Quinn's strengths and weaknesses are cliched for the position, but there is definitely talent behind the lack of explosive traits. Quinn has experience playing outside and from the slot, but will need to move inside where his strengths can be best utilized. Quinn has good ball skills and can create small catch windows for himself through route savvy and positioning, but he has athletic limitations that make team fit and quarterback fit a necessity.