The 2018 NFL Draft: Day 1

Like most of you, I watched Day 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft. It was quite the whirlwind for Ravens fans. Initially, the Ravens had the 16th overall pick in the draft. I held out hope that somewhere along the line, they’d land D.J. Moore, wide receiver out of the University of Maryland.

Moore was a dynamic playmaker. He was tough, durable and possessed the ability to make things happen after the catch. I also thought that he could make an immediate impact in the Ravens return game.

As the picks were made, Moore tumbled down the board. Maybe his size was a deterrent to teams, but that never seemed to hurt Steve Smith, Sr. who I thought was a solid comparable for Moore. The Ravens were on the clock at No. 16. Moore was still available. And then there was a TRADE ALERT.

The Ravens traded out of the 16th-overall spot. Ozzie Newsome, his last draft as GM, sent No. 16 and the Ravens fifth-round selection (154 overall) to the Bills for the 22nd-overall pick and 65th-overall pick (third round). I crossed my fingers, hoping that Moore would be available at 22.

He was!

But then the Ravens traded No. 22 to Philadelphia in exchange for the 25th, 127th (fourth round) and 197th (sixth round) picks. Picks 22 and 23 were made. If Moore could get by the Panthers at No. 24, the Ravens could still make the former Terp a Raven.

“And with the 24th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select D.J. Moore, WR, University of Maryland.”

My hopes were dashed!

Making matters worse, the Ravens used pick No. 25 to select Hayden Hurst from the University of South Carolina – a 24-year-old rookie. I found myself wishing that the Ravens had traded back again. The selection of Hurst was about as exciting as scheduling a root canal.

Calvin Ridley then came off the board, a receiver that I viewed as a notch below Moore but still one that would dramatically help a deficient WR room in Baltimore. I continued to watch the draft, jumping back and forth between ESPN and NFL Network, looking for some positive assessment of Hurst to somehow lift my dampened spirits.

Nothing.

I stayed with NFL Network and in a somewhat surreal state, watched the last few picks of the first-round. The World Champion Philadelphia Eagles were on the clock at pick No. 32. How might they wrap up Day 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft, I wondered.

Another TRADE ALERT.

And then the Ravens logo popped up as my attention perked up.

To move into the 32nd slot (Baltimore also acquired the No. 132 overall pick which they used for WR Jaleel Scott), Ozzie game up pick No. 52, 2018 4th round, Pick No. 125, and a 2019 second-round pick.

The morning after, I had a text exchange with then assistant GM, Eric DeCosta. He asked me what I thought about Lamar Jackson as a Raven. My reply…

“Well, he’s certainly different than Joe [Flacco] and he’s an incredible athlete. I just don’t know how his game projects to the NFL. But you guys know better than me. I will say this, if I was in your offensive huddle, I don’t know that I’d be able to understand Lamar’s play calls.”

DeCosta’s response was a classic.

“Well Tony, fortunately for the Baltimore Ravens, you are not in our offensive huddle.”

Looking at that text, I LOL in a big way. Remembering it, I still do. Over the years, EDC has reminded me of that conversation.

Of course, since then, Lamar has developed into a generational talent, still looking to fulfill a promise he made immediately after the pick.

“[The Ravens] are going to get a Super Bowl out of me. Believe that, believe that!”

Time will tell.

Hope springs eternal.

[Related Article: 2025 Mock Draft]

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