2018 NFL Mock Draft: Two complete rounds including massive trades

I strongly considered trade up scenarios for the New England Patriots in this 2018 NFL mock draft. If they feel that Lamar Jackson is their guy, I could see the Patriots using their draft capital to trade up for him. However, I just did not see an ideal situation to do so here. Instead, the Pats stay put and take an elite defensive playmaker.

Leighton Vander Esch is an extremely quick and athletic linebacker prospect who can defend from sideline-to-sideline. He is a fierce run defender who is not afraid to mix it up on the inside and has the range to make plays all over the field. He is also strong in pass coverage, showing the ability to dominate in zone underneath coverage and as a man-to-man defender. On top of all that Vander Esch is a true weapon in the blitz game both on the inside and outside.

Simply put, the Patriots need playmakers in their defensive front seven. Vander Esch is an extremely talented and versatile player who could come in and immediately make an impact for the Pats. Sure, finding a long-term quarterback would be nice, but the Pats have holes to fill around Tom Brady in order to continue to compete right now.

Isaiah Wynn was an extremely productive left tackle in college, but his size makes him primarily a guard prospect for the next level. After losing Andrew Norwell in free agency, the Panthers now have a giant hole at left guard which Wynn would fill admirably.

Wynn is an athletic offensive lineman who shows fantastic pass protection skills. He is quick off of the snap and mirrors opposing defensive linemen extremely well. When it comes to technique and responsibility, Wynn is nearly perfect. He understands leverage and angles extremely well, allowing him to consistently do his job.

Replacing an All-Pro like Norwell is never easy, but Wynn is a premier pass protector who can also be an impact run blocker at the next level. He is a viable replacement who would allow the Panthers to move on without missing a beat.