Two years ago, I wrote this piece about shocking picks in the NFL Draft, and it became one of our most-read pieces in site history. To this day, it remains just inside our top 10, and I absolutely hate that fact. Why? I just hate the headline – it seems so clickbaity. And, it looks like most of our hits on that piece were from junk bots on StumbleUpon, which no real humans use any more. I looked at the analytics, and saw that people were spending an average of two seconds on the article. So, it had all these inflated stats, and that’s not who we are, folks. We want real quality – not to entertain robots.
But, on a more basic level, it’s just not fun like our “most Southern names in the NFL Draft” feature. And, it worked in 2016 because there were several actual shocking picks in that draft. That’s not going to be the case every single year. But, fuck it – for some reason, I put it on my content plan for this year, so I have to do it or else said plan won’t be complete.
The 10 Most Shocking Picks from the 2018 NFL Draft
10. Mike Hughes to the Vikings – The only real hole on the Vikings roster was along the offensive line. Will Hernandez was sitting there staring ’em in the face in the first round and the Vikes go with Hughes. Now, don’t get me wrong – Hughes is a talented prospect. But, it was surprising to see them go with a position they were already pretty stacked at. Especially considering who was available.
9. Marcus Davenport to the Saints – I was incredibly high on Davenport going into the draft. Ton of production, ton of physical ability – what’s not to love out of a pass rusher? But, the Saints went a little too hard in acquiring Davenport. Trading up to get him meant giving up two first rounders, one this year and one next year.
8. Ito Smith to the Falcons – Love Smith as an all-around type of running back. But, the Falcons already have Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman in the background. Not to mention, they had just spent a first round pick on Calvin Ridley. This was a total luxury pick and it’s hard to see the vision behind i.
7. Terrell Edmunds to the Steelers – The Steelers needed a safety, but I couldn’t believe that they passed on Ronnie Harrison -AND- Justin Reid for Edmunds. This guy was graded as a 3rd-4th rounder based on inconsistency, so what was so appealing for the Steelers to grab him in the 1st?
6. Kolton Miller to the Raiders – He must have just been their guy…but Miller has a long way to go before he can be considered a surefire pick considering where the Raiders took him. There was a lot of elite talent still on the board when they picked, and I don’t think any of us saw a tackle worth taking that high not named Mike McGlinchey.
5. Mark Andrews to the Ravens – I know the Ravens need weapons and plenty of them, but I don’t understand the value of spending a high pick on Andrews when you just used your first-rounder on Hayden Hurst from South Carolina. Seems redundant.
4. Denzel Ward to the Browns – I shouldn’t put him here because I actually mocked him to the Browns for the better part of the six weeks I did mock drafts. Just thought it was a great fit – Ohio State kid, best pure corner in the draft, etc. etc. Eventually, I caved in to the peer pressure of the rest of the world saying there’d be no way they’d pass on Minkah Fitzpatrick, Saquon Barkley, or Bradley Chubb….still….somewhat surprised it actually happened. It stunned the rest of the draft universe.
3. Maurice Hurst to the Raiders – It’s not that the Raiders picked him, but that they got him in the fifth round that’s the most surprising. A lot of people had this kid creeping into the first round…so grabbing him in the third would’ve been a shock…much less the fifth round.
2. Harold Landry to the Titans – A lot of people thought Landry would be gone by the time the Titans picked in the first round. So, imagining the Titans grabbing him in the second would’ve been straight up laughable prior to the draft. Nonetheless, they trade up to get the best pure 3-4 OLB in the draft…seems crazy.
1. Rashaad Penny to the Seahawks – The only reason I can see for this pick is that the Seahawks tried to trade down, couldn’t, and knew that Penny (obviously their guy) wouldn’t be available when they picked again. I like Penny a lot with some time to develop and adjust to the NFL game. But, to come in with the pressure and expectations of a first rounder on him, I’m not so sure. The Seahawks needed some pieces on defense.
Well, what did I miss? Hit up the comments.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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