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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold replaces Eli Manning

By Brad Weiss

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) points to the sidelines during a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats and the USC Trojans on November 4, 2017, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 04: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) points to the sidelines during a college football game between the Arizona Wildcats and the USC Trojans on November 4, 2017, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BATON ROUGE, LA – SEPTEMBER 23: Arden Key #49 of the LSU Tigers rushes during a game against the Syracuse Orange at Tiger Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA – SEPTEMBER 23: Arden Key #49 of the LSU Tigers rushes during a game against the Syracuse Orange at Tiger Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Arden Key

Edge, LSU

The Indianapolis Colts knew this was going to be a long year if Andrew Luck was not going to get healthy, and their worst nightmare was realized when he was placed on injured reserve. Backup Jacoby Brissett has played well in his absence, but you just cannot replace a talent like Luck, who is one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. The Colts are destined to finish last in the AFC South this season, and will likely be picking within the first five picks.

With that pick, the Colts should look to bolster their defense line. The 2018 NFL Draft class is loaded with talented edge rushers, but none of them are as complete a player as Arden Key from LSU. Key is an absolute freak of nature on the outside, and with his size and speed, he could be placed at defensive end, or outside linebacker at the next level.

Key has had to deal with some injuries this season, though that should not affect his draft status. He is a difference maker from his edge rusher position, and that has become such a premium position at the NFL level. The Colts need to face guys like Marcus Mariota and Deshaun Watson twice a year, so being able to keep contain on the outside has to be priority one for any defense in the AFC South.

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