The Class of 2018 is a fun group. There are several players who fill immediate needs and are already on top of their new teams' depth charts. But as we saw with Myles Garrett, Corey Davis and Mike Williams last year, injuries and team situations can get in the way of instant success.
I ran through my draft grades Saturday night, and now it's time to go through each day of the draft and evaluate the prospects I think will make an early impact. It's more about having a clear role, not coming in and dominating. Not every rookie can be as good as Marshon Lattimore from the start.
You'll notice no quarterbacks are here. That's because none of the five first-round QBs should be starters in Week 1, although things can change quickly. Just ask Carson Wentz.
Here are 20 rookies from Rounds 1-7 who will make an immediate impact, along with several notes on other players.
Quick links: Kiper's draft grades | Todd McShay's best picks for all 32 teams
Rounds 4-7: Offense
Braxton Berrios, WR, New England Patriots
Pick: No. 210 (Round 6)
So long, Danny Amendola. Hello, Berrios? Yes, he's two inches shorter than Amendola, but the 5-foot-9 Berrios is a true slot receiver, and the Patriots have proved they can find effective roles for those guys, beginning with Wes Welker in 2007. Berrios really only got playing time in one season at Miami, catching 55 passes for 679 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He also returned punts and had a touchdown return in 2016. If he can survive a crowded depth chart in New England -- remember that Malcolm Mitchell is coming back after missing all of 2017 -- Berrios can fill a role, and quickly.
Nyheim Hines & Jordan Wilkins, RBs, Indianapolis Colts
Pick: Nos. 104 and 169 (Rounds 4 and 5)
Marlon Mack is the only returning Colts running back who's a lock to make the 53-man roster, and I expect him to get starter-type touches. But both Hines and Wilkins should get snaps. Hines, who's only 5-foot-8, 198 pounds, ran a 4.38 40 at the combine and is one the entire class' fastest prospects. My comp for him has been Darren Sproles, as Hines is a good receiver and good in space. He had 88 career catches at NC State. Wilkins, who missed the entire 2016 season because of an academic suspension, returned last season and averaged 6.5 yards per carry for the Rebels. He's a bigger back (6-foot-1, 216) with some quickness. With no Frank Gore in Indianapolis, expect all three running backs to get a chance to impress.
Jaylen Samuels, RB/FB/WR/TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: No. 165 (Round 5)
Yes, I know the Steelers have a ton of offensive weapons. I just like Samuels, who's a Swiss Army knife of a player and someone new Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner should get on the field. He's only 5-foot-11, 225, but he can be a running back on third down. He could play some snaps at fullback. Put him in the slot a few times a game. He could line up as a tight end. Samuels had 201 career catches for 1,851 yards and 19 touchdowns for NC State. Samuels will pitch in on special teams, too.
Who's next up
If the Lions are trying to become a run-first team, getting Rashaad Penny's lead blocker in the seventh round could be a good pick. Nick Bawden (No. 237) is a 6-foot-1, 245-pound battering ram.
Wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (No. 113) had a second-round grade from me, and the Broncos are getting a good player. The depth chart is crowded -- they also took Courtland Sutton on Day 2 -- so Hamilton might not see the field much as a rookie.
Trey Quinn is probably the best Mr. Irrelevant I've ever scouted. I thought he'd be picked in the fifth round. The slot receiver could make the Redskins' roster.
Ito Smith (No. 126) could fill a role in the Falcons' backfield, particularly if the team moves on from Tevin Coleman after the season. Smith had 128 catches over the past three seasons.
Only two kickers got drafted. Daniel Carlson, my top-ranked kicker, is the likely starter in Minnesota, which used the 167th pick on him. The Dolphins didn't have a kicker on their roster before taking Jason Sanders (No. 229) late, but they will likely bring in competition for the rookie.
Rounds 4-7: Defense
Maurice Hurst, DT, Oakland Raiders
Pick: No. 140 (Round 5)
Hurst is a first-round talent who dropped because of a heart condition. He was cleared to play in March, but I know a few teams had taken him off their boards. If he's right, he could step in a play the 3-technique spot immediately. Oakland got 446 snaps out of 2017 third-round pick Eddie Vanderdoes last season, but he tore his ACL in the regular-season finale and might not return at 100 percent.
Josh Sweat, DE/OLB, Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: No. 130 (Round 4)
The 6-foot-5, 251-pound Sweat started 31 games at Florida State, but his production never matched his talent. He had only 14.5 sacks. But the athleticism is there -- his 39.5-inch vertical was the highest of any edge rusher at the combine, while his broad jump (10-foot-4) ranked second and his 4.53 40 time third. If he's in a situational role, he could be a good player. And we know the Eagles and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz like to rotate their front seven. There will be snaps for Sweat there.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, OLB, Los Angeles Rams
Pick: No. 160 (Round 5)
Trust Wade Phillips. The Rams defensive coordinator is going to develop pass-rushers and find roles for them. And Okoronkwo is a true pass-rusher. He's undersized (6-foot-2, 253 pounds), but he's relentless off the edge, and he already has a few pass-rushing moves. So put Okoronkwo in on third downs and let him pin his ears back and get in the backfield. I like this fit.
Who's next up
Expect Jalyn Holmes (No. 102) to be involved in the Vikings' defensive line rotation.
The speedy Anthony Averett (No. 118) could develop into a starting corner for the Ravens, who have veterans there now.
Four punters were drafted: Michael Dickson (Seahawks, No. 149); JK Scott (Packers, No. 172); Johnny Townsend (Raiders, No. 173); and Logan Cooke (Jaguars, No. 247).
With the Giants transitioning to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator James Bettcher, RJ McIntosh (No. 139) could play defensive end. He's a good athlete who has a high motor.
Darius Phillips (No. 170) had five kick-return touchdowns at Western Michigan, but he could get some cornerback snaps in Cincinnati.
Rounds 2 & 3: Offense
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: No. 49 (Round 2)
Former No. 2 Eagles tight end Trey Burton just got a four-year, $32 million deal in free agency, which means the spot behind Zach Ertz is wide open. Goedert can fill that in Year 1. He was my top-ranked tight end in this class. Philadelphia played with at least two tight ends on 350 snaps last season, so there's plenty of ways to get Ertz and Goedert on the field together. (And, as I noted in my grades, the Eagles led the league with 110 receptions by tight ends.) That will stretch opposing defenses because Goedert is such a good pass-catcher, and he's an underrated route runner. Goedert isn't a great blocker, but he should improve there, and free-agent signing Richard Rodgers could get some of those snaps lined up next to offensive tackles. Goedert could also be a weapon from the slot.
Ronald Jones II, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: No. 38 (Round 2)
I thought about the Browns' Nick Chubb, but Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson Jr. will eat into Chubb's touches. Jones, though, has a more direct path to carries and receptions, as he's only competing with Jacquizz Rodgers, Peyton Barber and the recently retained Charles Sims, who's no lock to make the roster. I like the fit here because the Bucs' offense has used running backs in the receiving game -- just look at Sims' 2015 season, which was Dirk Koetter's first in charge of the Tampa Bay offense, when Sims had 51 catches and four touchdowns. If Jameis Winston can hit those easy throws, the offense will be better. Jones wasn't used a ton that way at USC, but I think he has decent hands, and his open-field running ability is perfect for the quick passing game. On an offense that already has several weapons, Jones should get at least 10 carries a game, too.
Orlando Brown, OT, Baltimore Ravens
Pick: No. 83 (Round 3)
Brown has an excellent chance to start at right tackle in Baltimore. Alex Lewis is better inside as a guard, so Brown is going to get every opportunity to win that job. And after a horrible performance at the combine, Brown is going to be motivated. You have to go back to the tape on Brown, and it's really fantastic for the past two seasons. Baker Mayfield didn't have to worry about his blind side at Oklahoma because Brown was just burying edge rushers. Now, he's not going to be a left tackle -- Ronnie Stanley has that covered -- but he can be a good player, especially with an offseason in an NFL strength and conditioning program.
Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Pick: No. 44 (Round 2)
The 49ers are an ascending team, but they're not deep at receiver. Pierre Garcon will be 32 when the season begins. Speedster Marquise Goodwin has caught more than 50 passes only once in five NFL seasons (you can thank Jimmy Garoppolo for making Goodwin his favorite target down the stretch in 2017). Trent Taylor caught 43 passes out of the slot as a rookie last season. So I expect Pettis to get a shot as a deep threat. Where Pettis will make an immediate impact, though, is as a punt returner -- he had nine punt return touchdowns at Washington, which set the FBS record. He's dynamic threat to score any time he touches the ball.
Who's next up
Christian Kirk could be the second-most targeted pass-catcher on the Cardinals. The No. 47 pick is the best true slot receiver in this class.
The Lions traded up to grab running back Kerryon Johnson in Round 2, but he's heading into a crowded backfield, especially with Theo Riddick there to gobble up targets. Johnson (No. 43) could be the primary ball carrier soon, though.
Anthony Miller (No. 51) will be an effective No. 3 wide receiver in Chicago, and he can play outside or in the slot.
I ranked former second-round pick Cody Whitehair as my top-ranked guard in 2016, and he ended up at center in Chicago, where he has started 32 straight games. This year, James Daniels (No. 39) was my No. 2-ranked guard, and he's probably going to plug in at guard next to Whitehair on the Bears' line.
Rounds 2 & 3: Defense
Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, Los Angeles Chargers
Pick: No. 48 (Round 2)
Yes, the Chargers have Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on the edge. But those two combined for 23 sacks last season, and the rest of the team had only 20. So Nwosu should spell each as a situational pass-rusher, and all three could play together, particularly if Bosa kicks inside on some third downs. Nwosu is going to struggle against the run early -- he's undersized at 6-foot-2, 251 pounds -- but he can get after quarterbacks. Just let him run loose.
Justin Reid, S, Houston Texans
Pick: No. 68 (Round 3)
I really thought Reid could go at the end of Round 1. Pittsburgh at No. 28 made a ton of sense. This is a versatile safety who can do it all -- he even played cornerback (in the slot and outside) at Stanford. We know Tyrann Mathieu is going to take some safety snaps in Houston, but he'll be in the slot often, so Mathieu, Reid and Andre Hal, who played almost 900 snaps for Houston last season, can be on the field together. I predicted earlier this month that Reid would be on my All-Rookie team at the end of the 2018 season, and I'm sticking to it.
Jerome Baker, LB, Miami Dolphins
Pick: No. 73 (Round 3)
The Miami linebackers haven't been good in coverage in recent years. Look at what Gronk has done against the Dolphins. Baker is a true cover linebacker with the speed to get sideline to sideline and the range to drop back in coverage with tight ends or run to the flats with backs. He's not much of a pass-rusher, but he can play in the nickel and in passing situations. And he's going to be a core special-teamer.
Who's next up
The Bucs added cornerbacks M.J. Stewart (No. 53) and Carlton Davis (No. 63) in Round 2 to try to boost their league-worst passing defense. They could battle for the starting spot opposite Brent Grimes.
Duke Dawson (No. 56) is a great fit in New England as a slot corner who can hold his own against tight ends.
The Packers' cornerback group went from a position of weakness to strength after they took corners with their first two picks. Josh Jackson (No. 45) will be in the rotation as new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine tries to find his best players.
The Bills got their Kyle Williams replacement in Harrison Phillips (No. 96), who could contribute in 2018.
Round 1: Offense
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Pick: No. 2
Leonard Fournette averaged 23.4 touches per game. Ezekiel Elliott averaged 23.6 touches per game. Todd Gurley averaged 19.2 touches per game. Big, every-down backs drafted in the top 10 are going to get the ball as rookies. Expect new Giants coach Pat Shurmur to give the ball to Barkley, who is the early favorite to be the offensive rookie of the year. And remember: Barkley is a weapon in the passing game -- he had 1,000 receiving yards at Penn State. Despite everything I've said about the value of taking a running back so high in the draft, there's no question the Giants' running game was poor last season. Barkley is an immediate upgrade. And barring injury, he had better be great immediately in order to justify general manager Dave Gettleman's decision to take him over a quarterback at No. 2.
Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts
Pick: No. 6
My best comp for Nelson? Steve Hutchinson, who should be a Pro Football Hall of Famer in the next couple of years. Nelson can be that good. He's a plug-and-play starter and punishing run-blocker who causes destruction. And he has great feet -- he can get out in space and take on linebackers at the second level. Indianapolis drafted guards with two of its first three picks (Braden Smith was the other at No. 37), and both should be starters. That's all about protecting quarterback Andrew Luck, who missed the 2017 season. The Colts allowed 56 sacks last season, the most in the league. Nelson is an upgrade.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Pick: No. 27
Remember when the Seahawks took three running backs in the 2016 draft? Wasn't that long ago! And Seattle's leading rusher last season was Russell Wilson. Now GM John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll take the opposite approach, using a premium pick on a back at the end of the first round. I had a few backs rated higher than Penny, who was No. 6 on my board, but he's a solid player and home run threat, and he doesn't have a ton of miles on his legs because he backed up Donnel Pumphrey for three seasons. And Penny is going to get the ball in Seattle, which has had offensive line problems for the past few seasons. Penny's issues are in pass protection -- he needs to make a big jump there to prove he can be reliable on third downs. Seattle's offense has to be much better in order to get back into the playoffs.
Who's next up
Look at Calvin Ridley's situation in Atlanta. With Julio Jones there, Ridley (No. 26) will never have to face a No. 2 cornerback.
Is Frank Ragnow (No. 20) the Lions' new center or left guard? That's another team that desperately needed a boost to its running game.
The 49ers traded right tackle Trent Brown as soon as they landed Mike McGlinchey with the ninth pick. That means they're expecting McGlinchey to step in as a rookie.
What will Josh McDaniels devise for Sony Michel (No. 31)? There has to be a plan if the Patriots are taking a running back in the first round. I can't wait to see him in the open field in the NFL.
Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, Dan Graziano and Tedy Bruschi break down the teams they believe won the 2018 NFL draft.
Round 1: Defense
Marcus Davenport, DE, New Orleans Saints
Pick: No. 14
Davenport is my pick to be defensive rookie of the year. Why? Because New Orleans traded way up from No. 27 to 14 -- and gave up a 2019 first-round pick -- to get him. The Saints have to play him in order to justify that move. This wasn't a great class for pass-rushers. It was Bradley Chubb, then Davenport, then a big drop-off after them. If, as a rookie, Davenport is used as a pass-rusher only, he could make an impact. Let him pin his ears back and create havoc by disrupting passing lanes, batting down passes and getting pressures. He's still raw and developing. This is an extremely talented defender in a 6-foot-6, 264-pound frame. And credit GM Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton for identifying their biggest need, moving up to fill it, and making a push for a Super Bowl run. Cameron Jordan had 13 sacks last season, and the next-best New Orleans defender had 4.5 (Alex Okafor and Vonn Bell tied). Davenport should help.
Roquan Smith, ILB, Chicago Bears
Pick: No. 8
Smith could be a contender to lead the NFL in tackles as a rookie. Just look at the NFL's leading tacklers from 2017. They're all three-down middle linebackers who never have to leave the field. That's Smith, who will slot in next to Danny Trevathan to form a speedy and physical duo. Smith isn't a 6-foot-4, 260-pound monster like Brian Urlacher, but he's built for today's NFL. At 6-foot, 237 pounds, he can beat blockers into the backfield in a hurry, and he can stick to tight ends and running backs in coverage. Smith has superstar potential, and the Bears' defense is ascending.
Derwin James, S, Los Angeles Chargers
Pick: No. 17
This might be the steal of the draft. Chargers defensive coordinator Gus Bradley coached Kam Chancellor in Seattle, and James has the same kind of traits. He's fast. He's physical. He can play multiple positions. I expect James to step in at strong safety on a defense already loaded, with pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Los Angeles did allow 4.9 yards per carry last season, which ranked last in the league, but James should help in run support.
Who's next up
The Packers got one of my favorite cornerbacks in Jaire Alexander at No. 18. He plays with a Deion Sanders-type swagger, and he's a playmaker.
Argue all you want about the Browns passing up pass-rusher Bradley Chubb to take cornerback Denzel Ward at No. 4, but Ward is a good player and the top corner in this class. Cleveland had a need there, too.
I gave the Bills' class an A, and Tremaine Edmunds (No. 16) should step in as the middle linebacker early. He's still raw, but he has elite athleticism, and coach Sean McDermott once coached Luke Kuechly, another middle linebacker with elite physical traits.
Da'Ron Payne (No. 13) fills a major need as a nose tackle for the Redskins, and he's the perfect player to clog up running lanes for a defense that struggled to stop the run last season.