2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold goes to Browns

By Brad Weiss | Apr 25, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Defensive Back Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates after a play during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 23, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. NC State defeated Florida State 27 to 21. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

7. player. 48. . Defensive Back. Florida State. Derwin James

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were supposed to be a playoff team last season, as many predicted they would win the NFC South. Instead, the team was the only in their division to not make the playoffs, finishing the year in the cellar. Heading into next season, they have made some nice additions to their defense in Beau Allen and Jason Pierre-Paul, and should no focus on fixing the back end of their defense.

Enter Derwin James, who is the best defensive back this draft class has to offer. During the 2015 college football season, James might have been the best defensive player in the country, and that was as a freshman for the Florida State Seminoles. He was injured in 2016, and was getting back to full strength last season, but he should not fall any later than the seventh overall pick on Thursday.

The Buccaneers need help in the secondary, and James showed during his time at Florida State that he can do a little bit of everything. He has the talent to be an incredible safety at the next level, and also showed great coverage skills when asked to play corner. In addition, he finished his college career as the all-time leader in return yards for the school, making him arguably the most versatile player in this draft class.

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