2018 NFL mock draft: Saquon Barkley heads to Giants

By Brad Weiss | Feb 14, 2018

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs the football 92 yards to score a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

31 of 32

07 November 2015: UTSA Roadrunners defensive end Marcus Davenport (93) takes down Old Dominion Monarchs wide receiver Zach Pascal (6) during an NCAA football game between the Old Dominion Monarchs and the UTSA Roadrunners at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Marcus Davenport. 31. player. 47. . Edge. UTSA

In a bit of a stunner, the New England Patriots were beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. Quarterback Tom Brady was looking to win his sixth title, but he got very little help from his defense in the biggest game of the season. In fact, the Patriots defense struggled a lot in 2017, and the unit will have to deal with the loss of defensive coordinator Matt Patricia in 2018, as he became the head coach of the Detroit Lions this offseason.

With their first pick in round one, if they decide to keep it, the Patriots should look to get better on that defensive side of the ball. One area where they need help is getting after the quarterback, as they had to sign veteran James Harrison just to get some kind of edge rush last season. Marcus Davenport could very well be gone early in round one, but if he is available this late, he would be perfect for what the Patriots like to do on defense.

Davenport is a rare blend of size and speed, and although he played his college ball at UTSA, he has been getting a lot of draft buzz. His blend of talent is what scouts look for in an NFL where edge rushers have become so valuable in recent years. New England looked very bad on the defensive side of the ball in the Super Bowl, and you can be sure that head coach Bill Belichick will make that priority No. 1 heading into this offseason.

Home/NFL Mock Draft