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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen top first round

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) passes the ball during an NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins on November 19, 2016, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. USC defeated UCLA 36-14. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) passes the ball during an NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins on November 19, 2016, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. USC defeated UCLA 36-14. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 29: Jaire Alexander #10 of the Louisville Cardinals runs the ball during Louisville’s game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – OCTOBER 29: Jaire Alexander #10 of the Louisville Cardinals runs the ball during Louisville’s game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images) /
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Jaire Alexander

Cornerback, Louisville

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be one of the more exciting teams to watch in the NFL  this season,a as they could be headed to the playoffs for the first time in a long time. Quarterback Jameis Winston has looked every bit the part of a player who was selected No. 1 overall, and continues to get better every season. He has become a leader on the field, and off of it, and is still very young.

The offense got better this offseason, as the team brought in DeSean Jackson to go along with Mike Evans in the passing game. Giving Winston another target could prove to be just what the team needs to take the next step in 2017. The offense is loaded with talent, but questions still exist about the defense heading into this season.

In the defensive backfield, the Buccaneers are starting to get older, and it may be time to replace cornerback Brent Grimes. He turned 34 this Summer, and while he is still a solid player, the Bucs should spend their first round pick next April on a cornerback. Jaire Alexander is one of the best corners in this draft class, and would be a perfect fit in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay is going to be good for a long time, and with one of the better young quarterbacks in the NFC, it could be their turn to win the NFC South. They have a tough slate of games ahead of them, and playing in the NFC South, they know how important it is to protect against the pass. Alexander would be a solid addition to a secondary that is going to be tested every week playing against some of the best quarterbacks the conference has to offer.

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