The first round of the 2018 NFL Draft has officially come to a close and 32 players now have a new home. But what about all the players who remain? What about those who unexpectedly fell? And just how far will those with question-mark players continue to fall?
Each of those are legitimate questions that will be debated over the next 24 hours, so we figured we’d get an immediate jump-start on it.
Here’s a look at the 10 best players remaining in the draft going into Friday.
10. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Sutton put up some big numbers at SMU, catching 31 touchdowns over the last three seasons and going over the 1,000-yard mark each of the last two seasons. Sutton ran fine at the combine with a 4.54 time in the 40 and did not show great leaping abilities, but what stands out is his size: he’s 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds. He’s a big-bodied receiver, which will bode well for him at the next level. He may not be a game-changer, but he should be an impact player.
9. Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
Mike Gesicki is not going to come in and help a team in the running game, but if someone out there is looking for a receiving threat specifically, he might be their guy. Gesicki combines good size, speed and hands that should translate to the next level. There’s a lot to be worked out in terms of blocking, but that could be overlooked in the right situations. He’s an ideal Day 2 target.
8. Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
At 6-foot-1 and around 290 pounds, Hurst is small for a defensive tackle. But he has an excellent first step and the speed and athleticism to be disruptive in a backfield. The son of a former NFL cornerback, Hurst was sent home from the combine due to heart issues found in a medical check. That likely has scared off some teams from taking him. But Hurst proved last season that when he’s on the field, he produces. He had sacks in eight consecutive games and finished with 13 overall. Teams that run a 4-3 defense should have interest in him.
7. Will Hernandez, G, Texas-El Paso
Will Hernandez had first-round potential, but guards simply don’t get a lot of love. He can excel in a zone-heavy scheme, is athletic enough to pass protect and run block, and has shown a propensity to reach the second level and seal off key blocks. His shorter arms may be a concern, but he’s put together solid film and has Pro Bowl potential in the NFL. A team like the New York Giants could be eyeing him in Round 2.
6. Connor Williams, G, Texas
Connon Williams is an excellent pass blocking guard who specifically excels against the blitz. His pre-snap awareness has been raved about and deservedly so, but he still needs to improve his run blocking. Despite that, Williams projects as a rapid starter in the NFL, and should come in and compete for whatever team calls his name. He has solid technique and high upside. His detractors feel that he has declined since his freshman All-American season.
5. Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College
In need of much more experience, Harold Landry presents a potential challenge for coaches. The God-given athletic skill is there, but the pass-rushing skills and strength are lacking. Landry ran a 4.64 40 and had a 6.88 3-cone drill time at the combine — both of which stood out. He has the ability to play in both a 4-3 and 3-4 system. He may be a bit of a project, but the pieces to the puzzle are all there.
4. Justin Reid, S, Stanford
Reid comes from an athletic family and certainly has good blood lines, considering his brother Eric has been a successful safety in the NFL. Reid played three seasons at Stanford, racking up 170 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, and six interceptions. He ran a blazing 4.40 40 at the combine and had a strong broad jump, showing his athleticism. At 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds, he has good size for someone that fast. His skills should translate at the next level.
3. James Daniels, C, Iowa
Daniels played for Iowa as a true freshman and then was moved to center as a sophomore. A leader and line-caller at Iowa, Daniels has high football IQ and the brain necessary to succeed at center in the NFL. He’s athletic, quick and a good fit for zone-heavy schemes. Though he’s slightly undersized at 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds, Daniels has a high upside, especially if drafted by a team that fits his particular skill set.
2. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Guice got his chance to shine last year as a sophomore as he became LSU’s leading rusher while Leonard Fournette missed time due to injury. He rushed for 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Tigers — impressive numbers for a sophomore. His yards per carry dropped from 7.6 to 5.3 last season, but he still piled up 1,251 rushing yards while battling knee injuries. Though he did not catch many passes in LSU’s offense, there is belief that he could be a 3-down back at the next level. As long as he gets back to the form he displayed as a sophomore, he should be an impact back in the NFL.
1. Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
A former wide receiver turned cornerback, Jackson sports above-average instincts and athleticism and led the nation in interceptions last season, including two returned for a score. His 4.56 40 time at the combine left something to be desired, but he has a 38-inch vertical and instincts that can make up for the lack of pure speed. Jackson also has an impressive work ethic that should allow him to maximize his potential if put in the right position with the right coaches. The one knock on Jackson is that he’s a one-year starter with limited experience. Despite that, he’ll come in and compete for a starting job immediately.
