Rather than do another mock draft for 2018, I’ve decided to review my picks from the mock draft I did last year.
I did some wheeling and dealing in last year’s mock, trading picks 20, 51 and 127 to Philadelphia for 14 and 77 in a vain attempt to land Christian McCaffrey. In a separate deal, I sent 101 to the 49ers for 109 and 161.
Here we go.
1/14 Christian McCaffrey RB Stanford: Too optimistic as he went 8th overall as we all know. He had an up and down season, but probably would have been decent value as the 14th pick.
89.98% of offensive snaps. 10.93% of special teams snaps.
3/77 Taylor Moton OT Western Michigan: Too late again as he went 64th to the Panthers. In the mix to replace Andrew Norwell @ LG next season. Lost out to Daryl Williams in the battle for the RT job last summer.
5.91% of offensive snaps. 17.08% of special teams snaps.
3/82 Cooper Kupp WR Eastern Washington: Common theme here as I’m a bit tardy on Kupp who went 69th to the Rams. Looked like a veteran from day one and had a great rookie season.
71.25% of offensive snaps. 1.21% of special teams snaps.
4/109 Shaquill Griffin CB Central Florida: Late again. Griffin went 90th to Seattle and he started 11 games @ cornerback.
79.69% of defensive snaps. 10.27% of special teams snaps.
5/161 Michael Roberts TE Toledo: 127th overall to the Lions. Started three games, but didn’t move the needle much with just four receptions. He will have a shot at the starting job with Ebron gone, but he needs to to work on his approach to the game. Suspended week 17 for disciplinary reasons.
21.13% of offensive snaps. 31.42% of special teams snaps.
5/177 Deatrich Wise, Jr DE Arkansas: 131st overall to the Patriots. Got on the field right away and started three games. Recorded 5 sacks and two more in the post-season, but was a liability against the run in his rookie season. Patriots believe he can become a complete player.
51.23% of defensive snaps. 7.32% of special teams snaps.
6/203 Jayon Brown LB UCLA: 155th overall to the Titans. My favorite player from last year’s draft. Played in every game and contributed on special teams as well. Slated to replace Avery Williamson @ ILB this season.
44.76% of defensive snaps. 44.73% of special teams snaps.
7/238 DJ Jones NT Mississippi: 198th overall to the 49ers. Worked his way into the Niners interior line rotation and will get more opportunities this year.
13.07% of defensive snaps. 9.27% of special teams snaps.
7/252 Jerry Ugokwe OT William & Mary: Washington UDFA. Super raw kid who was cut in camp and off the Washington, Indy and NO practice squads.
DNP.
7/253 Dylan Cole LB Missouri State: Houston UDFA. Played 12 games and started one. Got onto field in nickle and dime sub packages right away and collected 2 interceptions, a sack and 25 tackles.
20.02% of defensive snaps. 46.14% of special teams snaps.
I think I did pretty well, if you give me some leeway for actual draft positions. Even then, projecting Brown 48 picks too late was my biggest margin and most fell within a round of their actual draft position.
I feel good that nine of ten picks got onto the field for their teams and seven started at least one game. Seven or eight of these guys will compete for starting jobs in 2018. Five of them already have jobs pretty much sewn up going into next season.