NFL Draft 2018- X-Factors to Watch in First Round
MARCUS DAVENPORT | EDGE | UTSA
When you look at Marcus Davenport, you can’t help but notice his combination size and athleticism along with the notion that he plays as a standup edge rusher. The UTSA standout has been one of the interesting storylines throughout the draft process and after a good showing at the Senior Bowl and the Combine, Davenport has cemented himself as a first round pick. But considering the lack of star power in the pass rusher group along with the growing importance of the position, it’s not impossible to think of him as a potential top 10 pick. Back in 2013, both Ziggy Ansah and Barkevious Mingo went 5th and 6th in the draft and neither were considered star talent so just keep that in mind come draft night.
MIKE MCGLINCHEY | OT | NOTRE DAME
During the early stages of the college football season, Texas OL Connor Williams was getting attention as the potential top OT in the draft class but that hype has since quieted down and the hype train is now back on Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey. Sure, McGlinchey may have been overshadowed by fellow Notre Dame lineman Quenton Nelson but he still plays with good technique and has shown the ability to play either tackle position. Look to hear McGlinchey come off the board as the top OT drafted.
ARDEN KEY | EDGE | LSU
No NFL Draft prospect has seen his draft stock fall more this season than LSU’s Arden Key. Entering the season, there was some legitimate conversation about Key being a top 5 pick but a less than productive season riddled with injury questions among other things; he saw his stock fall by the week. While this sounds like I’m writing him off entirely as even a first or second round pick but that’s not the case; in fact, I still believe he has the upside of a first round pick. If a team picking in the 25-32 range thinks they can bring him into their system and build him back up into a sack machine like he was back in 2016, then that may in fact happen during draft night. Either way, Key is one of the more polarizing prospects this year and it would not be surprising to see him go in the first round as well as the second or third.
TAVEN BRYAN | DL | FLORIDA
Out of everyone on this list, Taven Bryan may be the least notable of the group. The Florida defensive lineman had his best season this year (37 tackles, 6 sacks) and when he plays at his best, he has the look of a potential top 10 pick. Now there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of talk about Bryan but it certainly seems like his potential has first round written all over it. The biggest question about Bryan’s game is consistency. Some plays he looks like a legit top 10 talent and other during other plays, he looks like a project at best. While Bryan does have some good upside as a big interior lineman, if he goes in the first round, it will certainly be to a team looking for a prospect with his kind of potential at the next level.
VITA VEA | DL | WASHINGTON
Sticking with defensive lineman let’s talk about the second coming of Danny Shelton in Vita Vea. The Washington lineman is a monster of a man (6’4, 345 lbs.) yet can play with quickness and athleticism that sound not be possible with a player like Vea. The reason I brought up Danny Shelton was because not only did both lineman attend the same college but they play the same position and play with similar styles except Vea is just bigger. Shelton was drafted 12th overall in 2015 and while that may be a little higher than Vea is projected to go, it wouldn’t be shocking if he hears his name called in the 15-18 range.
COURTLAND SUTTON | WR | SMU
Rounding out this list is SMU WR Courtland Sutton, whom I have been comparing to Eagles WR Alshon Jeffery since last year. The small school WR has been on many individuals radar and even though he doesn’t possess the same speed and quickness as other WRs in the group like Maryland’s DJ Moore or LSU’s DJ Chark, he makes up for it with his size and jump-ball potential as a red zone threat. Considering three WRs went in the top 15 last year (Corey Davis, Mike Williams, John Ross) it wouldn’t be shocking to see Sutton come off the board anywhere from 18-32.