Is It A Bit Drafty In Here? SUPERFLEX EDITION

1.1 Saquon Barkley - Keegan
New York Giants

The easiest of all picks that could probably be made now to save us the 4 seconds it will take Keegan to type it into Mazey. I don’t know what else you want me to put here… move along.

1.2  Derrius Guice - AJ
Washington Redskins

There is a need on this roster for a running back that can come in and put up points starting week one. We aren’t drafting for maturity so, I think Derrius Guice gives AJ’s squad the best option to be a consistent scorer. What sets Guice apart is that he has zero competition for the early down bruiser role. Fat Rob and Perine have health issues and fumblitis that have put them in Jay Gruden’s dog house. Chris Thompson is a concern on 3^rd down but there’s no guarantee that he stays healthy even with an exclusive scat-back role. The Redskins will be good enough offensively and Guice should expect to flirt for double digit TDs.  

1.3  Rashaad Penny - Josiah
Seattle Seahawks

The previous pick was made on Guice simply because he has less competition. Rashaad Penny has been anointed the starter in Seattle, but this is a team that for some ungodly reason, failed to push a running back across the goaline while inside the redzone… in fact there was only one score made by someone other than Russell Wilson. Bonus Points if you knew it was JD McKissic. Pete Carroll says he envisions Penny as a 3 down back, but I believe he will be pushed by a healthy Chris Carson. Carroll’s mantra is “Always Compete” so the bulk carries will go to the one who earns it. The Seahawks have only used their first selection on two other RBs, first in 1983 and then in 2000. I think it worked out pretty well before and will work out again.  

1.4  Sony Michel - Spencer
New England Patriots

Because it’s the Patrios here, this pick is a lot riskier than it should be. We all saw what Sony could do the last couple of years at Georgia against elite competition. Yet it’s hard to be confident that a player will get enough snaps when there are multiple capable backs on the roster and a head coach that could care less about your fantasy squad. Like the Seahawks, I think it’s telling that this team selected a running back in the first round. No way they do that if they don’t plan to employ them as a game changing weapon. The optimistic me sees Michel as an upgraded Dion Lewis who will be the bellcow and stay on the field for all three downs. The pessimistic me sees Rex Burkhead vulturing TDs or Tom Brady going no huddle with James White catching 6 passes on a 73 yard drive. I know it’s specific but it’s what we all see happening. In conclusion: If I’m here, this is the pick I make and I’m very happy with it.

1.5  Ronald Jones II - Ole
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ole is in the same boat as AJ, he needs a player to step in and contribute on day one. The biggest need is probably RB, so Ronald Jones II makes the most sense here. Jones II lands in a great spot competition wise, but his draft stock is incredibly high given his second round selection. I have no idea why Dirk Koetter is praised as an offensive genius. He’s the football version of Mike Scioscia who’s been the manager of the Angels for 18 years, has a near .500 record, won a world series in 2002, but has done NOTHING for 16 years. Ok rant over. Basically what I’m getting at is, Todd Monken is taking over as OC in TB so there’s hope that the new ball carrier could actually find some success with a new man at the helm. Trust me, Barber and Sims are nothing special. Just like Fetch, stop trying to make Sims happen, Joe!   

1.6  Baker Mayfield - Brett
Cleveland Browns

Two Eagles and a busted Bronco are all that Brett has for field generals on his squad. This would be a perfect fit for the future of his franchise, especially if Mayfield is able to pull a Wilson and seize the job on day 1 or even a Wentz and takeover the starting gig early in the season. Mayfield has the tools to come in and light up the stat line like Deshaun Watson did last season before injury. Like Watson, Mayfield has a wealth of weapons and an above average offensive line to protect him. The only question is: when will he start? Unless Tyrod Taylor leads this team to a Super Bowl victory this season, he’s only a stop-gap. This is and always will be Mayfield’s team. His rushing ability will also mean a higher floor than the other QB options in this draft.  

1.7  Royce Freeman - Keegan
Denver Broncos

Barkley was a no-brainer pick. Freeman carries a little more risk but could help buoy a roster that is bereft of talented runners. CJ Anderson was able to scrape up 1000 yards rushing last year… somehow. Freeman is a more talented back but comes with a lot of tread of the tires from his tenure at Oregon. He has more wiggle and pass catching ability than Booker and should find fewer stacked boxes with Keenum slinging the ball around. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Keegan chooses to use this pick on a QB and squeeze future draft capital out of QB needy owners.

1.8  Sam Darnold - Matt
New York Jets

    Like I just mentioned, Matt has multiple picks in the 2^nd round and could use them to move up and secure his franchise QB. Because I’m not forecasting trades, Darnold is the pick here. Sam has to beat out veterans Josh McCown and the kneeless Theodore Bridgewater, but let’s face it, if this coaching staff wants to survive the inevitable purge that will come with another losing season, they’ll start their new toy on day one. Darnold does not have the weapons the other rookie gunslingers do but he has the talent to be a true franchise QB. Matt just has to hope the Jets front office will do what the Bears did for Trubisky in his sophomore campaign.   

1.9  DJ Moore - Brett
Carolina Panthers

    Because of the run on RBs, Brett sits in prime position to take the top WR in this draft. DJ Moore slide in as one of the top options for Cam Newton in 2018. Yes there are mouths to feed ahead of him (Olsen, McCaffrey, and Bad Checkers) but in forecasting future success, Moore should be in line for substantial targets. He isn’t just a burner down field like Ted Ginn Jr was or what Torrey Smith projects as, plus he has more wiggle and agility than Funchess brings to the table. In a weak draft class, Moore is the top option. 

1.10  Josh Rosen - Jake
Arizona Cardinals

You could make the argument that the wide receiving corps is aging quickly and the RB depth is very shallow, but this is a premiere QB draft and makes the most sense to fill the cupboard and prepare for life without Wilson or Big Ben. Rosen will probably be handled with care, much like Aaron Rodgers was in Green Bay (I am NOT comparing Rosen to Rodgers) but when he’s ready to take the reins he could find himself with a great supporting cast. He should establish a rapport with fellow rookie Christian Kirk and having David Johnson behind him is an added relief. What stood out to me was his reasoning for wanting to be the first QB selected, he said it was about the money (but not in the way you’re thinking). He has reached out to top athletes to understand their daily routines and the cost it takes to maintain that. He said he wants to hire the best nutritionists, the best personal trainers, the best life coaches, and surround himself with the best team of people in order to make himself the best possible version of himself. All that costs a LOT and he wants the financial stability to make that happen on day one. That’s probably way more than you wanted to know, but now you know something you didn’t before (and that’s the real reason you’re still reading this)  
     

1.11  Nick Chubb - Joe
Cleveland Browns

If it weren’t for Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, Chubb would be a much higher selection. This guy was a beast at Georgia before his gruesome leg injury as a sophomore and then he lost work due to the emergence of Sony Michel. I think Chubb will have a decent amount of weekly touches in Cleveland and should fall into the endzone at least a half dozen times, but it’s Cleveland. The Land could very well be on the verge of a renaissance BUT they did just witness the second perfect season in reverse. There’s also a lot of new faces that need to prove that they can form a cohesive unit, but color me optimistic and Chubb could be a steal here if the Browns find a way to right the ship.    

1.12   Calvin Ridley - Brady
Atlanta Falcons

This pick could go a variety of ways because Brady also holds the first pick of the second round. I’m going with Calvin Ridley because of the proven QB who will be tossing him the ball. Ridley could be the heir apparent to Quintorris Lopez Jones (who turned 29 in February) and provide Matt Ryan with one of the best #2 options at wideout in the league. The knock on Ridley was his numbers at the combine, but game tape speaks louder to me than the underwear Olympics. Ridley is a cerebral receiver who can be lethal after the catch. Alabama QBs didn’t allow him to truly shine or pepper him with targets but when he got an opportunity, he made the most of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he scores more TDs than Julio this season and pushes toward a 800+ yard receiving campaign.