1. Bradley Chubb, DE, Broncos:This fit is perfect. For awhile it seemed like Chubb was going to a bad spot with the Cleveland Browns at 4 but when they surprisingly passed on the talented rusher the Broncos pounced on him at 5. Already a top 5 defense in the league, adding Chubb will be unfair. Chubb in the future will become the best player on the Broncos defense but for now he will have to just get started. Expect a double digit sack season year 1 and Chubb to be in the drivers seat for DROY.
2. Roquan Smith, LB, Bears:
Getting Roquan Smith was probably the best possible move the Bears could have made at pick 8. Smith was an amazing LB at Georgia and was maybe the best defender in the nation in some peoples opinions. Smith will start right away and he could be a force from week 1. The Bears have a defense that will surprise people with how good it will actually be. Smith seems to already be top 3 if not the best defensive player on this team. Smith with a good start to the season could bump Chubb for the top spot on this list.
3. Leighton Vander-Esch, LB, Cowboys:Leading up to the draft, Vander-Esch's draft stock was rising heavily and the Cowboys got him in the mid/late first round which is a major steal. Esch should start right out of the gate and in the Cowboys defense where linebackers are more major than other defenses Vander Esch should be a star. He is a very unique player who I think can play the position at a super high level for years. This was a nice pick by the Cowboys who now that I think about it actually had a great draft.
4. Denzel Ward, CB, Browns:
It was a super surprising moment when the Browns passed on Bradley Chubb to take a player who is considered very small for his position and not even the best defensive player on the board at that time. Ward was the best CB in this draft but the one problem is that he is undersized for his position. If he is a good player it won't matter but if size becomes an issue and he can't play his position at the elite level, many will be disappointed. I think he has a great shot at being good as he could be the CB1 on the Browns by the end of the season. If he racks up a lot of interceptions like last years DROY Marshon Lattimore, Ward could become a top candidate in this race. We will have to see how his size affects his game in the NFL.
5. Vita Vea, DT, Buccaneers:I was sad that my Seahawks were out of the running to draft Vea when he was drafted earlier on in the first round by the Bucs but what a heck of a pick by them. Vea was a monster prospect with huge size but amazing speed for that size. Vea has the physical skill set to be a top 5 defensive player in this league and while I think he may not be AMAZING in year 1, there is a good chance he could breakout and have an insane season. If Vea plays to his full potential in year 1 he will be the DROY. I will say that bold of a statement because of how talented Vea is.
6. Rasheem Green, DE, Seahawks:
When the Seahawks picked Green I loved it. This pick can be a huge steal. With injury concerns dropping his draft stock, the Seahawks got him in the 3rd round to help replace Michael Bennett. Green could start on the D-line week 1. Green has great talent and potential but with the injury concerns at times scared some teams away. In his preseason debut, Green had 2 sacks. Thats an amazing first game that left me super confident about Green's season. Watch out for a sleeper pick at DROY.
7. Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Bills:The Bills got Edmunds in the mid first round which was later than he should have picked. He was a top 10 player in the draft talent wise. Edmunds is ultra athletic and he is a very physical player. He will start for the Bills who have only a few good defensive players. Edmunds could become the face of the Bills defense and eventually the face of the TEAM. Edmunds has the physical skills to be the DROY, it will be fun to see how good of stats he can rack up in year 1.
8. Maurice Hurst, DT, Raiders:
The Raiders possibly got the biggest steal of the draft. Some scouts say he is the best d-lineman they have ever seen coming out of college and others barely ever talk about him. The reason he wasn't a first or second round pick was because of a MAJOR injury concern. Hurst has a heart condition and so some teams didn't want to play him and put him at risk for a life threatening injury. The Raiders have taken the chance and are probably going to play him a lot. If the heart isn't an issue, Hurst will be the steal of the draft and could EASILY win DROY. We will have to see what happens with Hurst this season.
9. Derwin James, DB, Chargers:
James is considered by some the best pick of the first round. I don't agree but I do think the Chargers made a GOOD pick by taking him. James can play all over the place in the defensive backfield. They could line him up anywhere from RB to WR to TE and he could play well. Inserted into a defense with many elite players, James will have great talent around him to help him learn and he could become the next Earl Thomas in the league.
10. Shaquem Griffin, LB, Seahawks:
I had to get him on the list. AGAIN, Griffin is NOT a feel good story. The man with one hand was ultra productive in college and was insane in his preseason debut with 5+ tackles. Griffin showed he can have a more significant role than some thought and could become a starter by the time the season is over. I think it will be tough for him to win DROY because he will have to put up great stats but if preseason week 1 could tell you anything, he could be capable of putting up those needed stats.
Just Missed: Raashan Evanss/LB/Titans, Minkah Fitzpatrick/DB/Dolphins, Mike Hughes/CB/Vikings, Marcus Davenport/DE/Saints
Thanks for reading!
Photo Cred: voice.hupu.com, 247sports.com, ClutchPoints, sportsnet.ca, OregonLive.com
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