It's finally here, the 2018 NFL Draft. After 9 mock drafts over the past few months, I can safely say that I have no idea what is going to happen. Yep, I got nothing. All I can say with absolute confidence is that the number 1 pick will be a quarterback, but I cannot say for sure who. For now, I am going with Josh Allen, but it could easily be Sam Darnold. Despite the frustration I faced during this lead up to the draft, as I attempted to predict the picks, this has been one of the most fun draft seasons I have ever covered. So many top quarterbacks, so many intriguing prospects, so many teams that could trade up or could trade down, but haven't yet. So, here's my final mock of the year. If I get even 3 picks right, I will be happy. Happy Drafting everyone!

I decided it was time to change up the way I do mock drafts. In the past, I’ve always based my picks based on what I think will happen, and who I think will be drafted at each spot, not who I think should be taken. Sometimes those picks sync up, but often they don’t. So, for my 9th mock of the season, I collaborated with my roommate, fantasy football expert Andrew Erickson @AndrewErickson_ follow him there, to play GM and mock the 2018 Draft based on what we would do as the GM’s. 2 rounds, anything goes. Check it out and let us know how we did.

Be sure to check out the end of the article as I discuss the Patriots 1st and 2nd round selections as well. 

​April is here folks, and that means 3 things, spring weather, meaningful baseball, and most importantly, the NFL Draft! With less than 3 weeks until the big event, here’s a look at how I believe the draft will play out. There’s still a million rumors flying around, prospects stock sliding up and down, and plenty of fake news to be put out about players and teams. 

Just about a year ago at this time, New England Patriots fans were ready and excited for Brandin Cooks to join Tom Brady and the Super Bowl winning offense. Cooks was coming off back to back 1,000 yard seasons in New Orleans and many expected his production to get even bigger playing with Tom Brady, despite the fact that in New Orleans he was playing with perhaps the best deep ball thrower in the NFL in Drew Brees.

It’s raining. Almost nine in the morning on the west coast and the University of San Diego players are preparing for their pro day. However, the player everyone is there to see never went to USD. The only connection he has with San Diego is that he was drafted by the San Diego Padres, whom he never ended up playing for. That player is of course, Johnny Manziel. Manziel had been working out with NFL hopeful USD wide receivers and they asked him if he would throw to them on their pro day to help impress NFL scouts. A nice gesture, but one that may have cost them some attention, as all eyes would be focused on Manziel.

The Patriots have filled a lot of their holes already in free agency signing Jeremy Hill and Adrian Clayborn and trading for Danny Shelton and Jason McCourty, but there’s still plenty more work to be done. Here are 5 names that the Patriots could still be targeting as free agency begins to wind down.​

When free agency began, the #1 priority for the Patriots around Boston was made clear: re-sign Nate Solder. With Tom Brady turning 41 before next season, the idea of letting their starting left tackle walk with no clear replacement in sight seemed too risky of a proposition for most. Solder, after all, was the top tackle on the market and the drop off from him to the next best available tackle, Chris Hubbard, was a steep one. Hubbard, who got a 5-year, $36 million dollar deal from the Browns, graded out as a below average tackle last season according to Pro Football Focus.

The New England Patriots, and mainly Bill Belichick, have been under fire lately.  Individuals in the media, fans in the area, and many others are claiming this is the downfall of the team.  To some degree that is true.  Tom Brady is not getting younger, Rob Gronkowski is clearly considering retirement, and players are leaving and signing elsewhere (like Danny Amendola). That said, there is no reason to think they won't be dominant for at least a couple more seasons. The 'downfall' won't be immediate.