2018 NFL mock draft: Baker Mayfield heads to Jets

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Ward (12) lines up on the outside during the Big 10 Championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

player. 51. . Defensive Back. Ohio State. Denzel Ward. 23

One of the biggest surprises of the 2017 NFL season was the play of the Los Angeles Rams, who came out of nowhere to win the NFC West. First-year head coach Sean McVay proved age is nothing but a number when it comes to being a head coach in the NFL, as he led this team out of the cellar in the division. The Rams also got a stunning season from second-year quarterback Jared Goff, who went from a possible bust, to a Pro Bowl player in year two.

When the Rams head into 2018, they need to get better on the defensive side of the ball. Aaron Donald is definitely one of the best defensive lineman in all of football, but they could use some help in the defensive backfield. At the cornerback position, they need some added help, and bringing in a player like Denzel Ward could go a long way in this team continuing to trend in the right direction.

Ohio State has become a cornerback factory in recent years, as we saw with New Orleans Saints rookie Marshon Lattimore in 2017. Ward has the same skill set as Lattimore, and should have a similar impact at the next level, even in year one. Los Angeles is going to be a team to reckon with in the NFC for years to come, as they now have a solid quarterback to go along with one of the best running backs in the game.

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