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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks reign supreme

By Brad Weiss

October 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Sam Mustipher (53) and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (56) and offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Sam Mustipher (53) and offensive lineman Quenton Nelson (56) and offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey (68) during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Quenton Nelson

OG, Notre Dame

If there was one position on the offensive side of the ball that the Atlanta Falcons needed to draft in 2017, it was offensive guard. Heading into the first round, some felt that the Falcons would select Forrest Lamp or Dan Feeney, two guards with first round grades. Instead, the team selected defensive end Takkarist McKinley from UCLA, giving them another high-motor guy to go play on the other side of Vic Beasley.

Atlanta is going to be solid once again in 2017, though they will have to shake off the hangover from blowing a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl in February. With their first round pick in 2018, we like they to grab an offensive guard, and Quenton Nelson is better than any player available this past draft season. He and Mike McGlinchey have given the Fighting Irish a strong offensive line during their time on campus, and they both should be gone by the end of the first round in 2018.

Like McGlinchey, Nelson had the chance to be a high draft pick in 2017, but both decided to return to campus for their senior seasons. NFL teams are going to love that, and they both should come into the league ready to start from day one. The Falcons need to continue to bring in assets to protect Matt Ryan, who is just coming into his prime, and is fresh off his first NFL Most Valuable Player Award.

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