The first round of the 2018 NFL Draft is here. As teams make their picks, SN AU has you covered with live analysis of the draft results. Each selection in Round 1 warrants such treatment.
What player did each team pick and, more important, what effect will that player have on his new team during the 2018 NFL season and beyond? Some teams will be counting on their first-round picks as make-or-break selections for the near future.
SN's Vinnie Iyer breaks it all down for the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Follow along for live analysis of all 32 picks.
NFL Draft picks 2018: Live results, analysis for Round 1
1. Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The Browns made everyone believe this pick would be Sam Darnold or Josh Allen for a while, but they go for the highest upside quarterback in this class with Mayfield's arm, athleticism, accuracy and, yes, swagger. Mayfield will have time to develop the nuances of his game under coach Hue Jackson and behind Tyrod Taylor. He has a chance to become the dynamic winner he was in college.
With the No. 1 pick in the #NFLDraft, the Cleveland Browns select QB Baker Mayfield: https://t.co/M0mMBCdLSS pic.twitter.com/VUo3RI5ZP8
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 27, 2018
2. New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
The Giants clean up their backfield mess with a three-down runner and receiver who does everything well. Barkley will be a good complement and boost to Eli Manning in a dangerous downfield passing game, and he will take advantage of an improved line with LT Nate Solder. It’s a great first pick for GM Dave Gettleman.
With the No. 2 pick in the #NFLDraft, the New York Giants select RB Saquon Barkley: https://t.co/M0mMBCdLSSpic.twitter.com/kR8FXaoGRh
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 27, 2018
3. New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
This is a great fit, because the Jets needed the most complete and ready starter from this year’s QB class. Darnold's arm, accuracy and athleticism form a near-polished product. He’ll have a good shot to start over Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater in Year 1. He also carries the "it" factor for the spotlight of New York. He can succeed where Mark Sanchez halfway failed.
With the No. 3 pick in the #NFLDraft, the New York Jets select QB Sam Darnold: https://t.co/M0mMBCdLSSpic.twitter.com/J72ocs9PBe
— Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 27, 2018
4. Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
The Browns got their future top passer at No. 1 and were bound to improve their pass defense here. Instead of adding to their edge rush, they go for the draft’s best cover corner to help make bigger plays on the back end. Ward complements Jamar Taylor and new nickel back T.J. Carrie.
5. Denver Broncos: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
The Broncos’ pick became easy after Mayfield, Barkley and Ward flew off the board and they didn't trade down. They needed more pass-rush pop, which had diminished behind Von Miller last season. Chubb will have a chance to put up immediate sack numbers against lesser protection. He also is strong against the run and is a complete, versatile defender who Joe Woods can move around and put ideal positions.
6. Indianapolis Colts: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Chris Ballard stays in state for his offense, giving the Colts the draft's most dominant offensive lineman. Indianapolis needs an athletic guard with some mauling ability to keep improving its run-blocking. Nelson also is a smooth pass protector who will make a big difference from Day 1.
7. Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Bills go for this Josh instead of Josh Rosen, and it’s a questionable move for a big-armed, raw talent with iffy accuracy. He’s a big-time project, and that’s not necessarily a good thing with AJ McCarron as a shaky stopgap getting backup money. He’ll need to do a lot in the NFL to prove worthy of a big trade-up.
8. Chicago Bears: Roquon Smith, LB, Georgia
The Bears appropriately go for the Butkus Award winner, both a classic position and a need for them. Smith is a rangy, read-and-react player who will be a force against the run immediately. He also has the speed and quickness to develop into a good cover man.
9. San Francisco 49ers: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The 49ers got another strong season from Joe Staley on the left side, and McGlinchey, a smooth right tackle who has similar overall blocking skills to former Irish teammate Quenton Nelson, adds some support for Jimmy Garoppolo and the running game. He’s an upgrade over Trent Brown, which San Francisco was likely to move.
10. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Rosen stays in Pac-12 country after his his mild slide and ends up in a good place with offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. He gives the Cardinals a big arm and an ability to throw on the move. He’s fearless both on and off the field, and he should have a chance to compete right away to start over oft-injured Sam Bradford and always-ineffective Mike Glennon. Rosen pushes Arizona forward from the Carson Palmer era and easily could be better than the three QBs who were selected before him.
11. Miami Dolphins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Fitzpatrick can do it all in the secondary. That made it hard to pinpoint his exact value, but it also made him more coveted for his versatility. He can help the Dolphins first as an upgrade at nickel corner before sliding into one of the safety spots soon with Reshad Jones aging and T.J. McDonald facing off-field issues.
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
The Bucs keep beefing up their defensive line after adding ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Vinny Curry and tackles Beau Allen and Mitch Unrein in free agency. Vea can help as a run-stuffer in the rotation at first before settling in to form a complementary punch beside Gerald McCoy.
13. Washington Redskins: Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
The Redskins were attached heavily to Vea, and by no means did they settle by taking Payne. He’s an explosive player who can rush the passer inside and disrupt plays in the backfield. He’s lightning fast for his size and will fit nicely with last year’s ‘Bama first-rounder, Jonathan Allen.
14. New Orleans Saints: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
The Saints made an aggressive trade up the board for the highest upside pure edge rusher in the draft. Their entire offseason has been focused on the now, and trading away a future first-round pick lines up with that strategy. They brought back Alex Okafor to support Cameron Jordan, too. Davenport can have a greater situational impact than Derek Barnett had for the Eagles last season.
15. Oakland Raiders: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
The Raiders have a mighty interior line, but new coach Jon Gruden knows left tackle is shaky with aging Donald Penn coming off a foot injury. Right tackle is iffy, too, with Vadal Alexander as the best option. Miller is the big, athletic pass protector Oakland needed to put in front of Derek Carr for the long term.
16. Buffalo Bills: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
The Bills made their QB choice earlier, so they slide up here to address a big need for their defense. They are weak at linebacker in their 4-3 other than Lorenzo Alexander, as they were missing a ferocious, rangy talent who can stay with backs and tight ends in coverage. Sean McDermott gets his new version of Thomas Davis.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Chargers should do backflips after watching James fall to them and round out what has become an elite defense on every level. James is a perfect addition to start alongside Jahleel Addae, and he adds to the team’s massive playmaking quotient with Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Casey Heyward. Gus Bradley gets a hybrid of Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.
18. Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Alexander is a cocky, feisty, physical competitor in coverage, which is the kind of make-up the Packers needed for the position in Mike Pettine's defense. He’s a bit of a gambler and a bit undersized, so he presents some high risk, high reward. He might give more big plays than he makes until he polishes his technique.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
The Cowboys had a massive void at linebacker, and with Anthony Hitchens having signed with the Chiefs in NFL free agency, Vander Esch will immediately start to flank Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith. They have three hard-nosed pursuit options who can play any of the three positions. For now, Vander Esch is tabbed for the strong side because of his untapped coverage skills.
20. Detroit Lions: Frank Ragnow, C/G, Arkansas
The Lions have Graham Glasgow at center and T.J. Lang at right guard, but their vow to improve their rushing attack required a mauling blocker to clear running room at left guard. Ragnow was a worthy late riser up the board and will start and help as advertised right away.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Billy Price, C, Ohio State
Cincinnati had a huge void at center, and it became the offensive line priority after the team traded for left tackle Cordy Glenn. The Bengals were smart to stay in state and stick with that plan even after Ragnow was selected one pick earlier. Price overcomes a Combine injury to be selected in a sport worthy of this talent.
22. Tennessee Titans: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The Titans trade into this pick to catch Evans ahead of the Patriots and Steelers. He’s the third member of the Crimson Tide’s championship defense to be selected, and he’ll deliver immediately as a high volume tackler. This was Tennessee’s weakness between Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo. Evans projects as a long-term fixture and leader inside.
23. New England Patriots: Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia
Wynn was projected as an interior line prospect, and although he’s athletic enough to fit what the Patriots do in their blocking scheme under Josh McDaniels, he’s more of a project to try to fill Nate Solder’s big cleats at left tackle. It’s a strange pick, given left tackle is the only current weak spot on their line as the Tom Brady window continues to shrink.
24. Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
The Panthers go after the biggest upside receiver in the draft. Moore has the potential to take every short catch to the house with his speed and quickness in the open field. Marty Hurney is hoping Moore can channel the best of Steve Smith, and Moore definitely has some of the same qualities, including the scrappy confidence and ability to take over games.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
The Ravens have had trouble solving their tight end problems, as injuries have plagued them and several young, promising options haven’t panned out. Hurst, their first Round 1 pick at the position since the venerable Todd Heap, is an older prospect at 24, but he’s a complete one. So it’s no surprise Ozzie Newsome went for his former position.
26. Atlanta Falcons: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Falcons needed more punch at receiver opposite Julio Jones, and this allows Mohamed Sanu to move back into a regular role in the slot. Ridley is more of a possession type, but that’s OK, as Jones still has plenty left as the gamebreaker. Ridley is a smooth route runner with good hands. Atlanta goes for its second 'Bama boom at the position in eight years.
27. Seattle Seahawks: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
The Seahawks shock everyone with their pick of a running back who wasn’t expected to go until the second day. But they could get the last laugh with a highly productive college player who has all kinds of big-game ability. Seattle's backfield has been ugly post-Beast Mode, and Penny has workhorse potential. Don’t be surprised if this pick becomes a lot shinier than it looks now.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech
The Steelers have Sean Davis strong safety and Morgan Burnett at free safety, so this is a bit of reach in the first round with the future of their defense in mind rather than their bigger need at inside linebacker. Edmunds in time can become the hard-hitting leader Troy Polamalu once was, but he’s not the same kind of freelancer against the pass.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
The Jaguars couldn’t help but bolster their mighty defensive line with a Michael Bennett-type who can slide inside and rush the passer. “Sacksonville” made its strength stronger, as Bryan at first will serve as a good situational backup behind Calais Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue, Malik Jackson and Marcell Dareus.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
The Vikings have Xavier Rhodes and suddenly up-and-coming Trae Waynes to keep their coverage outside strong, but they’ve been struggling in the nickel spot. Mike Zimmer goes for Hughes’ short-area coverage skills, which for now work better inside with his lack of ideal size.
31. New England Patriots: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
The Patriots lost Dion Lewis in free agency and needed an explosive, open-field cog to go with Rex Burkhead, James White and Jeremy Hill. Expect Michel to be used in creative ways by Josh McDaniels, especially in the passing game. Tom Brady will love dumping it off to his rookie running back.
32. Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The Ravens trade into the back of the first round, tapping into Johnny U’s alma mater for a quarterback who's a lot different. Jackson will be groomed well behind Joe Flacco thanks to offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who once helped turn Colin Kaepernick into a star and former Raven Tyrod Taylor into a solid starter. Jackson will push Baltimore toward a more dynamic, versatile offense with Hayden Hurst in tow.
