Now that the dust has settled on the 2018 NFL draft, let's run through my 10 favorite draft classes. A lot of this analysis centers on how each team managed the draft (trading up and down) and the value they were able to get overall.
If you missed my post-draft analysis on the best picks for every team, check out this link.
Chicago Bears
I loved the Bears' first three picks -- I think they nailed it. Roquan Smith is an elite starter at linebacker (and perfect for today's NFL) and James Daniels should start somewhere on the interior of the offensive line with Cody Whitehair and Kyle Long. Last season, Mitchell Trubisky was sacked on 8.1 percent of his dropbacks (worst in the NFL), so more protection was needed. Chicago gave up a lot (next year's second-rounder) to move up for WR Anthony Miller, but I love his potential. And seventh-rounder Javon Wims could make the team as the No. 4 wideout. At the end of the day, the Bears got at least three quality starters and some potential contributors. A good haul.
Denver Broncos
When Denver won Super Bowl 50, it was on the back of a terrific defense led by an elite pass rush. The Broncos picked up the most complete defensive player in the draft -- Bradley Chubb, my second-ranked player overall -- at No. 5 to play opposite Von Miller. And WR Courtland Sutton was a good value in the second round where they got him. He needs to be more physical and improve his route running, but he has a lot of potential. Third-round CB Isaac Yiadom fits what Denver wants in terms of a long corner, and RB Royce Freeman was a solid value in the third at a need area, with C.J. Anderson cut. I like the picks of WR DaeSean Hamilton and TE Troy Fumagalli as well. The Broncos got better on defense and surrounded a new QB (Case Keenum) with playmakers.
Houston Texans
I don't know that many more teams did more with less than Houston. The Texans didn't pick until No. 68 -- because of the Deshaun Watson and Brock Osweiler deals -- but I loved the value they got. Justin Reid could be a starting safety (especially after Houston lost Marcus Gilchrist) and I had a late first- or early second-round grade on him. Martinas Rankin is raw but will compete for a spot on the offensive line and I'd expect him to win a starting guard spot. Jordan Akins isn't going to be a starter, but he can be a No. 2 pass-catching tight end. Keke Coutee seemed to be in the end zone every time I turned on the tape and held a coveted spot on my All-Satellite team. And Jordan Thomas has football character questions, but good traits. A great draft, especially considering their first-round pick was basically Watson.
Indianapolis Colts
This draft was all about quantity (11 picks, with six on the offensive side and five on defense) for Indianapolis, which realized it had a lot of holes to fill. And it was about protecting Andrew Luck and building the defense, as two of the top three picks were guards. Quenton Nelson is a rock-solid prospect and will start immediately, and Braden Smith should contribute as well. Running back Nyheim Hines in the fourth round should be an extension of the passing game, as he's good in space. This is the draft Indianapolis needed for its continued rebuild.
Los Angeles Chargers
I thought Derwin James could go as high as No. 7 to Tampa Bay, so getting my seventh-ranked player at 17 is tremendous value. Gus Bradley's defense needs a long, playmaking safety -- a guy who can come up and fill one side in run support and essentially is another linebacker. As one of the most versatile prospects I've ever evaluated, James fits that bill. Second-round OLB Uchenna Nwosu adds pass-rushing help and third-round DT Justin Jones is another big body to help out on the D-line. Kyzir White fits what they want in terms of a physical hitter at safety and can be used as a sub-package linebacker. All seven draftees could make the roster and contribute.
Minnesota Vikings
This team didn't have a lot of holes to fill but did a nice job adding some in key need areas. To me, Minnesota's biggest need was offensive line (tackle or guard) -- and it addressed that with Brian O'Neill at No. 62 (and doubled down with Colby Gossett in the sixth). He needs some technique refinement but is one of the most athletic tackles in the draft. I thought Mike Hughes (No. 30 overall) was the second-best cover corner in the draft, so getting him at 30 was a good value. He's insurance if Minnesota doesn't want to pay Trae Waynes after this year. Jalyn Holmes (No. 102) has a lot of potential to contribute to the D-line rotation and I loved the move to trade up for kicker Daniel Carlson in the fifth round. He's a clutch kicker with a big leg, something Minnesota has lacked since Blair Walsh's rookie year.
Undrafted signings Holton Hill and Hercules Mata'afa could make the roster as well. Minnesota probably got three starters, a couple of contributors and at least a couple of guys with upside in this draft. Nice work by general manager Rick Spielman.
New York Giants
New GM Dave Gettleman had a clear vision to get back to a power running game in this draft -- and he did just that. You can question the potential value of drafting Saquon Barkley at No. 2, but he was top overall prospect and the second-highest-rated RB since Adrian Peterson. And I liked the second-round pick of guard Will Hernandez -- a mauling run-blocker at 6-foot-2, 327 pounds -- to pave the way for Barkley. The Giants had to address their offensive line this offseason, and between the Nate Solder signing and drafting Hernandez, they've done that. Third-rounder Lorenzo Carter is a good fit for James Bettcher's 3-4 defense at outside linebacker and DT B.J. Hill (third) and LB R.J. McIntosh (fifth) were good values.
Plus, the Giants got my guy, QB Kyle Lauletta from Richmond, in the fourth as a potential replacement down the road for Eli Manning. The Giants hit their top four needs with their top five picks. A solid draft.
New York Jets
This is all about QB Sam Darnold. When the Jets traded up from No. 6 to No. 3, they were hoping Darnold would be there -- but probably were expecting Baker Mayfield or Josh Allen, at best. Instead, Darnold fell into their lap, and Jets fans have hope for the future. He's the youngest quarterback in the first round and was my favorite QB throughout the process. Darnold has the even-keeled demeanor to succeed in New York, a good mentor in Josh McCown and a great offensive coordinator in Jeremy Bates. Yes, the Jets still have needs on offense, but this franchise is headed in the right direction if it has finally found its franchise QB.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles didn't have a lot of holes to fill, but I loved how they maneuvered in the draft. First, they moved back from 32 to 52 and picked up Baltimore's 2019 second-round pick in the process. Then, they moved up from 52 to 49 to jump ahead of the Cowboys -- a team in desperate need of a tight end -- to take Dallas Goedert. Goedert should be an immediate contributor and help fill the void created at backup tight end when Trey Burton left. Josh Sweat was a good value in the fourth round as well. He's a first-round talent who had a top-10 workout but fell because of a knee issue. The Eagles should be able to prolong his career by using him in a rotation.
New England Patriots
As usual, New England did a great job of maneuvering in the draft and turning picks into more picks, including landing a 2019 third-rounder from Detroit and 2019 second-rounder from Chicago. Sony Michel is the type of versatile running back New England covets and should be kept fresh in a rotational role. Isaiah Wynn should help along the offensive line -- even if he doesn't take Solder's spot at left tackle. And Braxton Berrios should fit well as another potential slot receiver. I think New England still needs pass-rushing help and a cover linebacker, but I didn't mind not drafting a QB -- it shows Tom Brady this team is still committed to winning right now.