AP mock draft: First 7 picks are in

With the 6th pick in the 2018 AP NFL Mock draft, Indianapolis Colts GM Skot1 selects...

Virginia Tech LB Tremaine Edmunds

With QB’s Josh Rosen and Baker Mayfield on the board, I would look for a big trade from the Colts and Chris Ballard in this situation. They could stock valuable picks and take BPA a bit later in the first round. Without trades, however, the Colts will likely look to add talent on defense. With Luck reportedly on the mend and one of the best young talents at QB, I think they steer away from the position; although, Rosen would be tempting at this juncture. With Nelson, Chubb, and Barkley off the board, one of the top LB’s seems like a good fit. Edmunds gets the edge here as Mayock’s top ranked LB despite recent chirping around Roquan Smith as a “leader of defenses”. Edmunds (6’5, 253 lbs) is a big LB with team high stats on defense last year. He is a fantastic player who earned All-ACC nods as well as third team All-American honors. He will look to use his size and tackling skills in the NFL as a disruptive and potentially elite player at his position.

With the 7th pick in the AP mock draft, Tampa Bay Buccaneers GM Nicoloco selects…

LSU RB Derrius Guice

Exit Doug Martin, enter Guice who really has no weaknesses in his game.

With coveted QBs still on the board, the Bucs are most likely to trade down and still potentially acquire Guice later.

The Bucs’ top needs are actually OT and CB in that order but those positions are deeper in this draft than RB so I think they grab Guice who is undervalued in most mocks because he is a RB. Guice is a bell-cow that will take pressure off the inconsistent QB Jameis Winston.

Many mocks have the Bucs drafting SS Derwin James here but after watching his tape, I’m not that impressed. He’s easily blocked and rendered a non-factor on tape, even against inferior competition.

If the Bucs can get Guice and a stud CB (say Isaiah Oliver whom I hope the Chiefs can get miraculously) or stud OT by trading down, I’m pretty sure they will pull the trigger.

They could also consider edge in their 4-3, but they did sign Jason Pierre-Paul to a monster contract so that need has likely been alleviated in the first round at least.

2018 AP mock draft results

1. Browns - QB Sam Darnold (69 percent)
2. Giants - DE Bradley Chubb (44 percent)
3. Jets - QB Josh Allen (46 percent)
4. Browns - RB Saquon Barkley (82 percent)
5. Broncos - G Quenton Nelson (50 percent)
6. Colts - LB Tremaine Edmunds
7. Bucs - RB Derrius Guice