The NFL Draft is a time for rejuvenation and hope, as each team has a chance to revamp its roster with the best players coming out of college. In the past, teams like The Seattle Seahawks have built elite rosters by killing it in the draft. Whereas other teams, most infamously the Detroit Lions when run by Matt Millen, cemented their failure with year after year of poor selections. So how did things pan out this year?
Cleveland Browns fans have had little cause for excitement over the past few years, as they have been subjected to watching some of the worst teams ever assembled. As a result, they’ve accumulated a lot of draft capital and hope to spend it on finally building a winner. Surprisingly, they took Baker Mayfield first overall as the new face of the organization. Mayfield has great ability, a stellar work ethic, and strong leadership ability, with the only knock on him being he is a bit undersized. If he can sidestep that limitation, The Browns might look at this as the moment they turned things around. The Browns surprised again, taking Denzel Ward with the 4th pick, but the selection might be savvy as they got an excellent player at a lower paid position. They don’t want to develop too many expensive young stars, only to be unable to afford them in the future. With their aggressive free agency and solid draft, look for the Browns to ascend to mediocrity next year, and perhaps beyond that in the future.
Another moribund franchize in recent years, despite sneaking into the playoffs last season, has been the Buffalo Bills. They traded away a solid starting QB in the off season and traded up to draft Josh Allen. This could be a disastrous combination of decisions as Allen has every physical tool you want, but has yet to be an effective passer. In high school, junior college and in the NCAA, in an easy conference, he has never completed 60% of passes. Will he suddenly develop this ability against vastly superior competition? If not, The Bills are in for even more years of disappointing fans. They’re very likely to be worse next year as Allen will peak down the road, if it all.
The biggest blunder of draft day was almost certainly perpetrated by the New Orleans Saints. With an aging star at QB and a roster that is close to contention, they traded up for defensive lineman Marcus Davenport sacrificing both this year and next year’s top picks for a guy who might have fallen to them anyway. However, in the immediate term, this decision might actually help the team. Davenport is a talented player who could have a big impact so, don’t allow the foolishness of the overall strategy to shade your view of The Saints 2018 prospects.
Bet365 has The Saints to win the AFC South at 18/5
05/30/18, 02:05:31 PM
