2018 NFL Draft Recap, pick-by-pick: NFC North
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NFC North
| Green Bay Packers |
 Notable picks: Alexander and Jackson could eventually develop into the two outside starting cornerbacks. Alexander’s ability to return kicks, play outside or in the slot makes him one of the more versatile players in the 2018 NFL Draft. The potential combination of Alexander, Jackson and Kevin King could be game-changing for the Packers secondary. |
|||
| Round,
Selection,
|
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (18) | Jaire
Alexander CB-5’10 196 |
Louisville | 40 (2nd Round) | Teams relied heavily on his outstanding 2016 film. Believes in his recipe. Will he play the nickel with Jackson and King on the outside. |
| 2 (45) | Josh
Jackson CB-6’0 196 |
Iowa | 55 (2nd Round) | Jackson is used to this part of the country and the elements won’t be a factor. His ball skills will aid a defense which finished 23rd in pass defense. |
| 3 (88) Trade from Carolina | Oren
Burks LB-6’3 233 |
Vanderbilt | 71 (3rd Round) | Burks adds another coverage linebacker to a group that needs more on-field speed. The former safety has all of the tools to develop into at least a nickel contributor in Year 1. |
| 4 (133) | J’Mon | Missouri | 160 (3rd Round) | Moore was the rare SEC wide receiver to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. |
| 5 (138) | Cole
Madison OL-6’5 307 |
Washington St. | 127 (3rd Round) | Former TE with good feet, durability and tackle experience. While he played RT in school, he could battle former UCF star Justin McCray (8 starts in 2017) for playing time at OG. |
| 5 (172) | JK
Scott P-6’6 208 |
Alabama | 411 (5th Round) | Four-year starter who punted and kicked off the ‘Tide. Can be dominant kicking in Domes. Catch-and-kick times average between 1.15 and 1.25 seconds. Reminiscent of former Clemson punter Bradley Pinion. |
| 5 (174) | Marquez
Valdes-Scantling WR-6’4 207 |
USF | 281 (4th Round) | Valdes-Scantling built on a good junior campaign with a breakout senior campaign. |
| 6 (207) | Equanimeous
St. Brown WR-6’5 214 |
Notre Dame | 80 (3rd Round) | St. Brown probably may have more to give than even the team’s fifth-round pick. Regardless of the team’s QB play, he didn’t finish on the ball as well in 2017. |
| 7 (232) | James
Looney DL-6’3 287 |
California | 243 (4th Round) | NFL bloodlines are complemented by a steady diet of lateral quickness and strong hands. He is an inconsistent pass rusher and Tyson Alualu-type. 35 ½” VJ. |
| 7 (239) | Hunter
Bradley LS-6’3 241 |
Mississippi State | N/A (long snappers, page 388 of Corey Chavous’ 2018 Draft Guide) | Bradley, a long snapper, ran in the 4.7-range and was a big reason for P Logan Cooke’s success. |
| 7 (248) | Kendall
Donnerson DE-6’3 250 |
SE Missouri State | N/A | Donnerson turned heads in private workouts prior to the draft with a 40” VJ and 10’11” BJ. |
| Chicago Bears |
 Notable Pick: Smith could make life painful for opposing running backs as he combines with playmaker Danny Trevathan. He rejoins former Georgia Bulldog teammate Leonard Floyd. All of the linebackers will have to pay attention to fourth-round pick Joel Iyiebuniwe. He could challenge for playing time. |
|||
| Round,
Selection,
|
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (8) | Roquan
Smith 6’1 236 |
Georgia | 13 (1st Round) | Smith’s speed will increase a defensive unit that is going…all the way up. |
| 2 (39) | James
Daniels 6’4 295 |
Iowa | 41 (2nd Round) | Daniels has he mobility to challenge for a starting offensive guard spot right away. In addition, he is athletic enough to backup at a tackle position. |
| 2 (51) | Anthony | Memphis | 43 (2nd Round) | Miller’s quickness will open up options on the outside or in the slot. His play speed will make him a major option in the run-pass-option game with Trubisky. |
| 4 (115) | Joel
Iyiebuniwe LB-6’1 229 |
Western Kentucky | 112 (3rd Round) | The Bears continue to overhaul their LB corps with a ‘backer who can run and hit. |
| 5 (145) | Bilal
Nichols DT-6’3 306 |
Delaware | 97 (3rd Round) | Nichols very easily could have gone higher if not for questions regarding his pad level. He could provide a challenge for DE Jonathan Bullard. |
| 7 (224) | Javon
Wims WR-6’4 215 |
Georgia,
Belhaven |
223 (4th Round) | The Bears took a late-round flyer on a player who excelled adjusting to tough passes in 2017. He’s another tall, long wideout in the mold of current Bears Robinson and White. Can he play special teams? |
| Minnesota Vikings |
 Notable pick: Carlson’s ability to hit field goals near the midfield mark will extend the team’s offensive range. Jalen Holmes brings positional versatility to the table and could be a big factor on third downs rushing from an interior line position. Aruna could become a Day 3 find with his immense level of athleticism. |
|||
| Round,
Selection,
|
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (29) | Mike
Hughes CB-5’10 183 |
UCF | 16 (2nd Round) | Hughes not only offers sub-package immediate potential, he is one of the draft’s best returners. |
| 2 (62) | Brian
O’Neill OT-6’6 298 |
Pittsburgh | 66 (3rd Round) | O’Neill has starting potential as a left tackle if he can learn to sit down with more urgency. |
| 4 (102)
|
Jalen
Holmes DE-6’5 283 |
Ohio State | 156 (3rd Round) | Holmes can play up-and-down a defensive front. He is improving with his hand usage. |
| 5 (167) | Daniel
Carlson PK-6’5 223 |
Auburn | 267 (4th Round) | Despite six blocked kicks in school, he kicked 13 field goals of 50 yards or more. |
| 6 (213) | Colby
Gossett OL-6’5 311 |
Appalachian State | 105 (3rd Round) | Gossett started 37 games at RG, 8 games at RT and one game at OC in school. |
| 6 (218) | Ade
Aruna OLB-6’5 262 |
Tulane | 219 (3rd Round) | Former two-star recruit was much better in 2016 when he stood up as a two-point OLB much of the year. |
| 7 (225) | Devante
Downs LB-6’1 245 |
California | 515 (6th Round) | Downs finished his career with 211 tackles and five interceptions despite missing significant time as a senior. His eye speed makes up for ordinary explosion. |
| Detroit Lions |
 Notable picks: Detroit went into this draft with the desire to get more physical on both sides of the ball. They drafted Johnson to run behind Ragnow and then selected the draft’s best blocking fullback in Bawden. Johnson will make-or-break this crop. If he can provide a one-two punch with some of the current Lions backs, it will finally take pressure off of Matthew Stafford. |
|||
| Round,
Selection,
|
Player | School | DN Big Board
Rank/ Grade |
‘Nasty’ Take: |
| 1 (20) | Frank
Ragnow C-6’5 307 |
Arkansas | 121 (3rd Round) | Ragnow has always carried starter-traits, but leverage can be an issue for him vs. squatty nose guards. |
| 2 (43) Trade from New England | Kerryon
Johnson RB-5’11 213 |
Auburn | 101 (3rd Round) | Johnson’s power and stride length make him look like a 6’2 runner on the field. He contains underrated lower body explosiveness at 213 pounds. Easy mover. |
| 4 (114) from New England | Da’Shawn
Hand DL-6’4 297 |
Alabama | 137 (3rd Round) | Hand is a player with heavy hands and an ability to defend the run. He may never be a great pass rusher, but he fits the profile desired on an underrated defensive front. |
| 5 (153) | Tyrell
Crosby OT-6’5 319 |
Oregon | 14 (1st Round) | Crosby ranks as one of the best steals of the draft. He may not look the part, but his 11-inch hands and 35-inch arms will make a difference at the right tackle spot. |
| 7 (237) | Nick
Bawden FB-6’2 240 |
San Diego State | 210 (4th Round) | Bawden –a former college quarterback- reads through defenses with an ability to seek and destroy. A true passion player with huge upside as a blocker. He adds substance to the team’s desire to run effectively in December. |
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