NY Jets — Sam Darnold (Best)
There were a lot of happy teams walking out of the 2018 NFL Draft, but you have to believe the New York Jets were among the happiest. They paid a steep price — three second-round picks — to move up to the #3 overall pick, and walk out of the draft with a top quarterback prospect.
But after Cleveland shocked the world and took Baker Mayfield at #1, the Jets ended up walking out of the draft with the quarterback whom many thought was the best prospect in the whole class in Sam Darnold. After almost a decade of a revolving door at quarterback, the Jets have a long-term answer as the guy under center.
Chicago Bears — Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
If there’s a guy who has the talent and mental makeup to follow in a tradition of linebackers that includes Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, and Brian Urlacher, it’s Roquan Smith from the University of Georgia. The Chicago Bears have to be absolutely thrilled to add this guy, as he might’ve been the best defensive player in all of college football last year.
In defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme, Smith will likely be a “search and destroy” type of linebacker, whom Fangio might use in a similar manner as he did with former San Francisco 49ers’ great Patrick Willis, when Fangio ran the 49ers defense.
LA Chargers — Derwin James, Safety, Florida State
Kudos to the Los Angeles Chargers for not making the same mistake that the 15 teams picking ahead of them in the 2018 NFL Draft did, by over-analyzing bogus information and passing on safety Derwin James, who was one of the best prospects in the entire draft, at any position. The Chargers already had what looked like one of the best emerging defenses in the NFL, and they added a bona fide stud in James.
James is a physical freak who was considered to be one of the most singularly impactful defenders in college football, and his off-the-chart intangibles made him beloved by his coaches. A lot of teams will be kicking themselves for passing on James in the near future, and rightfully so.