2018 Annual NFL Mock Draft Database (Updated 4/19/18)

Most Mocked To Us As Of Now

Rashaan Evans / LB / Alabama / 6'3" / 235LBS.



Analysis:

Strengths: Build like new breed of NFL linebackers. Possesses good length and great speed. Premium athlete with plus agility, range and explosiveness. Quick to diagnose. Works around the trash when scraping. Able to pace to the perimeter with the jet sweepers and scat-backs. Patient against misdirection and isn't easily baited out of position. Deftly side-steps blocks without giving his gap responsibility. Has athletic ability to dance from gap to gap and look up shifty running backs. Learned from tough guys ahead of him and adapted their demeanor. Explosive, wrap-up striker who sees what he hits. Plays with pain. Sub-package rusher with upfield burst to threaten the edge. Can unleash impressive spin counter in either direction. Burst as delayed blitzer from inside linebacker spot is too much for most linemen to catch.

Weaknesses: Just a beat behind in diagnosing. Lacks instincts of players who have extended history at the position. Can improve leverage in his pursuit. Fast flow ahead of blockers can allow for cutbacks. Can get wired to climbing blockers. Needs to improve his punch-and-separate when taking on blockers. Benefitted from playing behind monsters along the defensive line. Will wait rather than trigger when downhill shots are available. Will need to trust his athletic ability to squeeze routes tighter. Nagging groin injury plagued him last season. Scouts have some concerns about durability.

NFL Comparison: Lawrence Timmons

Bottom Line: Ascending linebacker talent who has the speed to fly around from sideline to sideline and played with an improved feel for the position in 2017. Despite limited playing time over his first few seasons, Evans adapted a "work while you wait" mindset that prepared him to for impressive performances in three consecutive national championship games. Evans is an ideal inside linebacker fit for a blitz-happy 3-4 unit, but he could easily fit as a 4-3 WILL with rush potential on sub-packages. Evans is an early starter with high-end potential if he can stay healthy.



Harold Landry / DE / Boston College / 6'3" / 250LBS.



Analysis:

Strengths: Lacks height, but arm length makes up for it. Fluid athlete with good twitch. Flies out of the gates with no false steps. Long-strider who takes early leads on races to the edge. Uses loose hips and upper body turn to create an angular, leaning target that is hard to punch squarely. Limbo-stick edge-bender. Has flexibility to drop way under a tackle's hands and can corner with a tight turn and plus burst to the quarterback. Expected to show out at the Combine. Willing to attack the throwing arm and not just the quarterback. Creates strip sacks and batted balls with his long, active arms. Uses athletic ability to ramp up a secondary rush and scoop up scrambling quarterbacks. Rangy with plus pursuit speed against the run. Has experience standing and dropping into space. Plays with good change of direction and quick lateral movement to track down bootlegs.

Weaknesses: Burst-oriented rusher in need of a more diverse rush approach. Still learning to string moves together. Primary rush counter is a basic, inside move. Hasn't learned to tie edge burst with hand work to help soften the edge. Long tackles can be a deterrent. Upper body strength is below average. Hasn't shown consistent ability to convert his edge speed into power. Rides on blocks for too long. Lacking consistent grit at point of attack. Would rather chase and tackle than have running play come downhill at him. Can get to tackles but needs to do a better job of wrapping and finishing. Landry's effort level this year didn't seem to match his 2016 tape even before he suffered an ankle injury.

NFL Comparison:Bruce Irvin

Bottom Line: Landry lacks premium size, but his burst, stride length and ability to dip and rip around the edge give him special potential as an edge rusher. Landry lacks strength at the point of attack and may be a designated pass rusher early in his career. While he can play standing for 3-4 teams, he's at his best with his hand in the dirt as a rusher. Landry can get by as an NFL rusher with just speed and athleticism, but he has an opportunity to become a Pro Bowler if he can improve his hand usage and develop an inside counter.



Dallas Goedert / TE / South Dakota State / 6'5" / 260LBS.



Analysis:

StrengthsRuns with good bend up the field and into routes. Moveable chess piece. Capable three-level worker as pass catcher. Team looked to find creative ways to get football in his hands. Carries good strength in frame and plays through physical challenges in his routes. Gains adequate separation with short and intermediate routes. Maintains top play speed when working vertically. Able to work over top of linebackers. Former high school hooper with advanced ball skills and body control. Pass snatcher with huge paws and strong hands. His highlight reels are filled with acrobatic, one-hand catches. Uses frame to gain advantageous positioning and can make in-air adjustments. Has size and technique to work with as in-line blocker. Strikes with good pad level, knee bend and hand placement. Looked stronger at point of attack this season. Possesses balance to hang in against rugged ends if he plays tough.

Weaknesses: Moves with somewhat restricted stride length. Is not a route salesman. Gives route intention away with early directional leans into breaks. Rarely relies on leverage and head fakes to create his separation. Looked bigger on tape in 2017 and quickness appeared to suffer somewhat. Would benefit from varying route speeds. Too eager to try for one-handed spear attempts rather than two handed snares at times. Agility with ball in his hands is average by NFL standards. Effort level as blocker can be inconsistent. Needs to get better hip roll into initial contact. May need a fire lit under him in order to handle in-line blocking duties as a pro.

NFL Comparison: Zach Ertz

Bottom Line: Goedert is a very talented pass catching tight end with the ability to work all three levels of the field. His ball focus and ability to make the spectacular catch will make him the darling of fans and media throughout the draft process, but, he still has work to do. Goedert dominated a lower level of competition and will have to prove he can uncover and block against bigger, more explosive athletes as a pro. The size, speed and talent is there for him to succeed as a very good combo tight end if he works and plays with a little more urgency.

Our entire draft is worth 971 points

So much for Baker Mayfield

I've done the mock draft on Fanspeak several times and was shocked at some of the talent hauls I was able to compile... but I doubt it will work out that way in the real thing. Based upon a realistic assessment of who will be available in the various rounds when the Saints pick, my dream draft would be 1st round - Lorenzo Carter; 3rd round - Tim Settle; 4th round - Malik Jefferson; 5th round - Troy Fumagalli; Parry Nickerson; 6th round - Will Clapp; Jaleel Scott; 7th round - Siran Neal.