The 2018 NFL draft was six years ago. Several players from the 2018 class are still dominating the NFL today. The class was deep and has proven to be one of the best in recent years.
Although history wasn’t made on draft night, five quarterbacks were selected in the first round, only one away from matching the record for the most chosen in any draft’s opening round.
Of the five quarterbacks taken in the first round, four are still firmly established as starters. This season, those four have been leading the way, posting a combined 17-6 record and earning spots in early MVP discussions.
The Baltimore Ravens and their 2018 first-round quarterback are gearing up to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their own 2018 first-round signal-caller in a Week 7 showdown. With this matchup on deck, it’s the perfect time to revisit and re-draft the 2018 NFL quarterback class.
Re-drafting the 2018 quarterback class six years later
1. Lamar Jackson (Louisville)
Cleveland Browns select Jackson first overall
If we're going to do a 2018 quarterback class re-draft, it's fair to start with a two-time NFL MVP who happens to be the most electric player in football. As if winning his second MVP award last season wasn't enough, he's putting another MVP-level performance together this season.
Through six-plus seasons, Jackson already has the second-most rushing yards among QBs in league history. While he's known for his dual-threat abilities, he's continuing to prove he's so much more with each passing season. He's the obvious choice for the first quarterback off the board.
2. Josh Allen (Wyoming)
New York Giants select Allen second overall
Josh Allen is the second quarterback taken in this re-draft. For good reason, too. Allen is elite. Coming out of Wyoming, Allen was a raw prospect. He had a big arm, could run, and was tough to tackle. It took him a few seasons to fully break out, but since he has, he's been widely regarded as a top-five quarterback.
New York finds itself its quarterback of the future and replacement for franchise legend, Eli Manning. The Giants move on from Manning and appoint their heir successor in Allen, solidifying their status as Super Bowl contender for the foreseeable future.
3. Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma)
New York Jets select Baker Mayfield third overall
Baker Mayfield brings his bravado and aura to the Jets who needed it in 2018 more than ever. Baker's confidence and arm talent would have been a welcomed site in the Big Apple. His knack for extending plays and throwing the ball over the field surely would have improved an offense that was bottom-ten in points scored and bottom-five in offensive yards gained.
The Jets would have been much better if they had drafted Mayfield instead of Sam Darnold. Neither Mayfield or Darnold are with the team that drafted them with Baker now on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Darnold on the Minnesota Vikings.
4. Sam Darnold (University of Southern California)
Denver Broncos select Sam Darnold fifth overall
The Denver Broncos select Sam Darnold out of USC with the fifth pick in the re-draft to solidify their quarterback room. He's a better option than Case Keenum, Chad Kelley, and Paxton Lynch. Darnold gets a redo in a much better spot, with wide receivers Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and Courtland Sutton.
Darnold has the chance to start his career on a stronger note than his original start with the Jets. GM John Elway gets his guy and the Broncos officially find their future signal caller instead of relying on journeymen for the next few seasons.