The Cleveland Browns took Baker Mayfield first overall last night, and the NFL Draft only became more unpredictable from there, culminating with the Baltimore Ravens trading back into the first to take Louisville's Lamar Jackson. There were plenty of surprises, and that means that quite a few talented players were not taken. Here are the best players on the board at the start of day two.
7. Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
Almost no one predicted that Landry would fall out of the first round, with many mock drafts slotting him in the top ten. He is an explosive pass rusher in the mold of the Atlanta Falcons' Vic Beasley. Injuries limited him to eight games in 2017, but when he was healthy in 2016, he was straight up dominant, logging 22 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks.
His free fall can apparently be blamed on some previously unknown medical issues, namely his knee and back. Teams will be doing their homework on the situation, as it is rare to have the chance to draft someone like Landry on day two.
6. Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Saquon Barkley was widely expected to be the first running back taken, and that's exactly what happened, as the Giants grabbed him second overall. What was not expected was the selection of three RBs in the first. But, the most unusual occurrence was that Guice, regarded by many as the second-best back in the class, was not one of them. San Diego State's Rashad Penny went to Seattle and Georgia's Sony Michel is now a Patriot.
Guice will make his new team very happy, as he should be an instant starter wherever he goes.
5. James Daniels, C, Iowa
As the days before the Draft began to dwindle, Daniels began to get quite a bit of hype. He is a fluid athlete and a brilliant technician at center and is already a fantastic pass blocker. Two centers were taken in the first in Arkansas's Frank Ragnow and Ohio State's Billy Price, which left Daniels on the outside looking in.
There are plenty of teams near the top of the second round who could use an upgrade at center, so Daniels shouldn't last too long.
4. Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
The second Hawkeye on this list, Jackson was a victim of the numbers game at his position. Denzel Ward was taken fourth overall by Cleveland. Jaire Alexander and Mike Hughes followed later on.
Jackson's lack of speed is his biggest weakness, along with only one year of production in college, but he is a talented zone CB with elite ball skills (as evidenced by his eight interceptions in 2017) and the size to match up with today's elite WRs. He will be a great value pick this evening.
3. Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
Another cornerback, Oliver is lesser known than his counterparts who have already been selected, but Oliver has the potential to be the best of all of them. He has good size, good speed, and his range is exceptional. He has the ball skills that teams covet in a #1 CB and should be one of the better CBs in the league with a year or two of development.
2. Connor Williams, LT, Texas
In a supposedly weak offensive tackle class, Williams could be switching to guard in the NFL due to his lack of length. Regardless, it is surprising that he was not taken in the first. His 2016 tape is excellent, and while his 2017 performance was not nearly as good, he was dealing with an injury and still played fine. Williams could play either guard or tackle on the left or right side. His versatility will make him an attractive player to a team looking to build up its o-line.
1. Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Many draft “experts” aren't enamored with this WR class, and they may have a point. Maryland's DJ Moore was the first wideout taken and he lasted until the 24th pick. Calvin Ridley followed two picks later, and the third member of the triumvirate is Sutton, who, unlike the others, has elite physical traits.
At 6'3″ 218 lbs, he has ideal size for an outside receiver, and his production in college was top-tier. His ability to make plays after the catch will help him make an instant impact in his rookie season, and he has a better chance to develop into an elite #1 WR than Moore or Ridley.
The NFL Draft always has players fall further than they are expected to, but it seems like that is especially true this year. It will be very interesting to watch day two unfold.
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