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APC Mock Draft 2018: Packers land a falling Derwin James at #14

The Packers find a Swiss Army knife for their secondary with the 14th pick in our 2018 mock.

NCAA Football: Florida at Florida State Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

As the Acme Packing Company mock draft for the 2018 selection meeting continues on, we finally have the Green Bay Packers on the clock. Of the eight participating writers, Peter Bukowski was assigned as the Packers’ GM for this exercise, and he is thrilled with the pick he was able to make in Brian Gutekunst’s place at 14.

Here are the next batch of first-round picks, covering selections 13 through 18.

1.13 — Washington (Owen)

Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

Running back Derrius Guice is intriguing here, but ultimately Bruce Allen goes with Josh Jackson, who will learn from Josh Norman and is an excellent fit in the Redskins’ zone heavy defense. Jackson isn’t an elite athlete, but his size and ability to play at the line of scrimmage will bode well for him making a difference early for a Redskins defense that has a bevy of pass rushers.

Jackson can learn from one of the more savvy defensive backs in the NFL in Norman, while continuing to soak up knowledge of the cornerback position (he’s only started for one season at Iowa). The former wide receiver’s instincts from the other side of the ball only expedite his learning curve on defense, and Washington is happy to add to their secondary.

1.14 — Green Bay Packers (Peter)

Derwin James, S, Florida State

This will bum out “the Packers have to take an edge rusher” Twitter, which is one of the worst factions of Cheesehead Nation. No, they have to take the player who improves their team the most.

How about a big, physical, playmaking defensive back who can play safety, linebacker, or corner, has incredible physical tools, and a nose for the ball? James would immediately make the Packers faster, stronger, more explosive, more dynamic and more versatile. I think James is one of the five best players in the draft and Mike Pettine loves to play three safeties. Play Josh Jones in the box, HaHa Clinton-Dix deep, and Derwin James everywhere. That would solve the issues with speed at linebacker and lack of depth at cornerback plus James is an elite blitzer for a safety. He’s not a panacea for this defense, but at 14, he’s the closest they’re going to get.

1.15 — Indianapolis Colts [From ARI] (Jordan)

Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

The Colts had the 15th overall pick in last year’s draft and they made a smart pick with safety, Malik Hooker. Before tearing his ACL in early November, Hooker was playing at a high level for a rookie in a Colts secondary that has lacked talent for years. Now, it’s time to continue to add building blocks for the defense with Landry.

Landry is a freak athlete and can help the Colts bolster their pass rush, as well as take on more traditional linebacker roles in the defense. At the combine, Landry tied for the top 3-cone (6.88) and 20-yard shuttle drill (4.19 sec) which shouldn’t be such a surprise because of the skillful bend ability he displays while rushing the passer. He’ll start for Indy on day one.

1.16 — Baltimore Ravens (Jordan)

Marcus Davenport, EDGE, UTSA

Marcus Davenport is a raw prospect, but he’s tested off the charts. While the offense could use some work, the Ravens are better off taking a player with large potential and letting him learn from one of the greats: Terrell Suggs. Davenport played against what’s considered “lower competition,” but the physical tools are there and the Ravens have enough at the position to allow Davenport to develop.

The Ravens may be thinking receiver at this position, but I think with the additions of Michael Crabtree and John Brown, Ozzie Newsome can wait to pluck someone from a later round. In order to contend in the AFC North, Baltimore needs to start retooling it’s defense with some more youth.

1.17 — Los Angeles Chargers (JBH)

Mike McGlinchey, OL, Notre Dame

One day, the Chargers will have a season not defined by mass injuries. Until that time, they have to prepare for absences across the roster. That applies especially for the offensive line, which endured unprecedented health issues over the past four years. Mike McGlinchey provides depth immediately and should compete for a starting job in short order. More importantly, he has the potential to lock down the blindside for a decade if he fully develops.

1.18 — Seattle Seahawks (Mike)

Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia

The Seahawks are in the midst of a full-blown rebuild effort and, to make matter worse, they don’t have many draft picks this year to help that effort. The offensive line was a huge disappointment for the Seahawks this year and they start there on the rebuild with interior offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn out of Georgia.

Wynn is extremely versatile and has played every offensive line position in college. Standing at 6’3” projects him to be a guard or center at the NFL level and that is just fine with the Seahawks. He is very powerful in his run blocking and should be able to hold his own on the interior pass rush. The Seahawks get a nice piece to start their rebuild in Isaiah Wynn.

APC Mock Draft 2018

Pick Team Author Player Position College
Pick Team Author Player Position College
1 CLE Shawn Josh Allen QB Wyoming
2 NYG Jason Josh Rosen QB UCLA
3 NYJ Tex Sam Darnold QB USC
4 CLE Shawn Saquon Barkley RB Penn State
5 DEN Peter Quenton Nelson G Notre Dame
6 ARI (Trade w/ IND) Jordan Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma
7 TB Jon B Bradley Chubb DE NC State
8 CHI Mike Tremaine Edmunds LB Va Tech
9 SF Owen Denzel Ward CB Ohio State
10 OAK Jon B Minkah Fitzpatrick DB Alabama
11 MIA Mike Vita Vea DT Washington
12 BUF Jon B Roquan Smith ILB UGA
13 WAS Owen Josh Jackson CB Iowa
14 GB Peter Derwin James S Florida State
15 IND (trade w/ARI) Jordan Harold Landry EDGE Boston College
16 BAL Jordan Marcus Davenport EDGE UTSA
17 LAC Jason Mike McGlinchey T Notre Dame
18 SEA Mike Isaiah Wynn OL Georgia
19 DAL Shawn Da'Ron Payne DL Alabama
20 DET Tex Maurice Hurst DT Michigan
21 CIN Jason Will Hernandez G UTEP
22 BUF Jon B Lamar Jackson QB Louisville
23 NE Peter Courtland Sutton WR SMU
24 CAR Peter Connor Williams OL Texas
25 TEN Owen Josh Sweat EDGE Florida State
26 ATL Tex Taven Bryan DT Florida
27 NO Jason Mike Gesicki TE Penn State
28 PIT Owen Leighton Vander Esch LB Boise State
29 JAX Mike Hayden Hurst TE South Carolina
30 MIN Jon B James Daniels C/G Iowa
31 NE Peter Kolton Miller OT UCLA
32 PHI Jordan Rashaan Evans ILB Alabama
33 CLE Shawn Jaire Alexander CB Louisville
34 NYG Jason D.J. Moore WR Maryland
35 CLE Shawn Martinas Rankin OT Mississippi State
36 IND Jordan Calvin Ridley WR Alabama
37 IND Jordan Isaiah Oliver CB Colorado
38 TB Jon B Holton Hill CB Texas
39 CHI Mike Billy Price OL Ohio State
40 DEN Peter Sony Michel RB Georgia
41 OAK Jon B Tim Settle DT VA Tech
42 MIA Mike Lorenzo Carter LB Georgia
43 NE Peter Mike Hughes CB UCF
44 WAS Owen Derrius Guice RB LSU
45 GB Peter Donte Jackson CB LSU
46 CIN Jason Malik Jefferson LB Texas
47 IND (trade w/ARI) Jordan Orlando Brown OT Oklahoma
48 LAC Jason Mason Rudolph QB Oklahoma State
49 IND Jordan Arden Key EDGE LSU
50 DAL Shawn D.J. Chark WR LSU
51 DET Tex Sam Hubbard DE Ohio State
52 BAL Jordan James Washington WR Oklahoma State
53 BUF Jon B Harrison Phillips DT Stanford
54 KC Tex Carlton Davis CB Auburn
55 CAR Peter Justin Reid S Stanford
56 BUF Jon B Braden Smith G Auburn
57 TEN Owen Nick Chubb RB Georgia
58 GB (via ATL) Peter Christian Kirk WR Texas A&M
59 SF Owen Austin Corbett OG Nevada
60 PIT Owen Jesse Bates III S Wake Forest
61 JAX Mike Darius Leonard LB South Carolina State
62 MIN Jon B Anthony Averett CB Alabama
63 NE Peter Dallas Goedert TE South Dakota State
64 CLE Shawn Rasheem Green DE USC