2018 NFL Mock Draft: Two complete rounds including massive trades

Denzel Ward is probably the most surprising player to slip in this 2018 NFL mock draft. There are many teams on the clock prior to this pick who will consider Ward, but I just never found an ideal situation for him until the Green Bay Packers went on the clock with the 14th overall pick. Ward slipping to 14 is the ideal scenario for the Packers who find a big-time cornerback prospect to kick off their draft.

Ward is a fantastic athlete at the cornerback position. He shows ridiculous natural speed and quickness on the outside that allows him to be creative and aggressive in coverage. His ability as a man-to-man defender is awfully impressive, as Ward showcases a strong skill set in press and off-man coverage.

Make no mistake about it, Denzel Ward is for real and will immediately be a high-level cornerback at the next level. At 5-foot-10, 191 pounds, there will be some concerns about Ward’s size, but he plays much bigger than he is listed. His raw athleticism allows him to battle for the ball in the air against even the biggest receivers, and he is also a strong player for his size.

Ward is a natural outside cornerback who also shows the natural skill set to kick inside if needed. Simply put, this guy has it all. Cornerback is a major need for the Green Bay Packers going forward, and they fill it with a big-time prospect in this 2018 NFL mock draft.