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With the 2018 NFL Draft in the books, it is only fair to dish out some awards for a job well done by a number of teams across the NFL. It also doesn’t hurt to look at which teams may have made regrettable picks.
Pass along your thoughts on these awards and the 2018 NFL Draft. I may put together a mail bag that answers questions/comments sent via email [email protected] or on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Top Draft Newcomer:
Washington Redskins: Doug Williams First to be clear, this award is more about who made a splash in their first draft as a general manager. I’m not saying that they did a great job. Many don’t realize that it is a really tough job for a new general manager to take over a team’s front office in January, make a decision on the coaching staff while typically hiring new coaches, then work the final three months of a draft process with an entire new set of scouts and a new roster to get familiar with. Thus, many general managers have better drafts in their second and third year than their first season.
Last year, I wrote this about John Lynch and the 49ers, “Overall though, I don’t think that Lynch had a great draft in terms of talent acquisition in his debut for San Francisco. [Solomon] Thomas was overhyped and overdrafted. [C.J.] Beathard was graded as a late-rounder by a lot of teams while [Reuben] Foster has serious medical and off-the-field concerns. We’ll see who is right or wrong on the players, but there is no doubt that Lynch certainly made a splash in his first draft as an NFL general manager.” That proved to be prophetic as Solomon Thomas and C.J. Beathard struggled, while Reuben Foster is in serious legal issues with his NFL career in jeopardy.
After last year’s draft, Redskins President Bruce Allen promoted Doug Williams to Senior Vice President of Player Personnel, so the 2018 NFL Draft was the first one in which Williams was directing Washington’s draft in that role. I think Williams did a phenomenal job of putting together a talented class. First-round nose tackle Da’Ron Payne was an excellent pick, and fifth-round nose tackle Tim Settle was a giant steal. Adding those two big heavyweights to the middle of the Redskins’ defense should quickly help to resolve their issues in run defense. Payne reunited with Jonathan Allen could be a tremendous tandem on Washington’s offensive line.
Obviously, I loved the Derrius Guice pick in the second round – see Best Value Pick Day 2. In the third round, Williams continued his big-upside selections with Louisville offensive tackle Geron Christian. Christian is an excellent athlete who has quick feet, speed and agility. However, he is a raw player who needs a lot of development in his technique. Fortunately for Washington fans, the team have one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL with Bill Callahan. The Redskins have a hole at guard, and Christian could compete there quickly once Callahan starts working with him. With his natural skill set, Christian could develop into a Pro Bowl guard and might be the eventual replacement for Trent Williams at left tackle.
On the third day of the 2018 NFL Draft Williams got good depth players who also should be tremendous special teams players in Penn State safety Troy Apke, Alabama linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton and Virginia Tech cornerback Greg Stroman. Williams also hit a home run with the final pick of the draft by selecting SMU slot receiver Trey Quinn. Quinn should have gone a few rounds earlier and could end up being a solid contributor as a slot receiver. Quinn might be the rare Mr. Irrelevant who sticks with a solid NFL career.
Just like in 2017, the Redskins had an excellent draft, but they don’t get a lot of credit for it because their staff doesn’t lobby the national media to give them praise like other teams and general mangers. Williams is building the Redskins into a hard-nosed and talented football team with a strong office, including astute director of college scouting Kyle Smith. This was a phenomenal debut for Williams’ directing of Washington’s draft.
2017 Winner: John Lynch, 49ers
2016 Winner: Jon Robinson, Titans
2015 Winner: Mike Maccagnan, Jets
2014 Winner: Ray Farmer, Browns
2013 Winner: John Idzik, Jets
2012 Winner: Ryan Grigson, Colts
Once again, pass along your thoughts on these awards and the 2018 NFL Draft. I may together a mail bag that answers questions/comments sent via email [email protected] or on Twitter @draftcampbell.
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