Louisville Football: 2018 NFL Draft Recap

The 2018 NFL Draft is complete and four Cardinals were drafted over the course of three days, while a handful more have signed as undrafted free agents.

What a weekend it was for the Louisville football program!

Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft there was a lot of hype around the two potential first rounders, Lamar Jackson and Jaire Alexander, While many believed that junior offensive tackle Geron Christian and senior defensive end Trevon Young would likely hear their names called on the second of third day.

All of those things came to fruition as the Louisville football program had a total of four players drafted across the three day draft. The Cardinals also had plenty of former players sign with teams after the draft completed as priority undrafted free agents, all of which could potentially lead to a training camp invite and a chance to make the 2018-19 opening day roster.

How do we feel about the fit of each player? Could their be a potential free agent make a roster?

Let’s examine.

Jaire Alexander

Drafted 18th overall (1st Round) by the Green Bay Packers 

In the few days prior to the NFL Draft there weren’t a lot of names hotter than that of former Louisville football defensive back Jaire Alexander.

After a strong combine and pro day performance, Alexander was called in for several one-on-one private visits, before ultimately being selected by a team that never even met with him, the Green Bay Packers.

There wasn’t a team more in need of cornerback depth in the middle of the draft than the Packers, which showed when they selected Jaire Alexander with their 18th selection and Iowa CB Josh Jackson with their second round pick.

Many believed Alexander could be the first corner selected, and while that didn’t happen (Denzel Ward of Ohio State was drafted 4th overall), Alexander goes to a team where he will have an opportunity to contribute in a big way from day one.

A lot of praise was given to Packers new General Manager Brian Gutekunst, who made Alexander his first selection in the new job, even trading out and additional acquiring picks in the process. NFL Network Draft Analyst Mike Mayock said just moments after the selection,

"“I like this pick. Alexander has some swag about him. He’s the No. 1 corner on my board. In addition to being competitive, tough, he tackles, he finds the football in the air and he also adds value in the punt return game. Historically, Green Bay only takes corners who can find the ball in the air, and this kid does it.”"

The Packers made some nice moves this offseason with their defense, and we already know what their offense can do behind future hall-of-famer Aaron Rodgers. If Alexander plays well in training camp and in the preseason, it wouldn’t come as a shock to me to see him be the team’s number one corner by the end of the season. But in order to do that, he’ll need to stay on the field, something us Louisville fans are extremely familiar with.

Lamar Jackson 

Drafted 32nd overall (1st round) by the Baltimore Ravens

Coming into the first round on Thursday night, many draft experts believed that Lamar Jackson had a chance to sneak into the top 15, with several teams being in need of a quarterback.

Unfortunately that did not happen, and Lamar Jackson became the next elite QB prospect to slide on draft day. A few teams with need at the quarterback position made trades (Arizona, New Orleans) but ultimately decided on taking other prospects. Teams that were linked to Jackson in throughout the draft process came and went (New England, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh) and the hopes of Jackson being the second Card selected in the first round became dimmer and dimmer as each pick progressed.

After New England elected to take George running back Sony Michel with the 31st pick, the Philadelphia Eagles were on the clock and it seemed the night was over for Cards fan. But at the 23rd hour, the Baltimore Ravens (a team who had significant interest in Jackson) made the move back into the first round, and selected Jackson with the last pick in the first round.

Now Jackson goes to an organization who has been successful in the past, but has struggled over the last several years as they’ve done a poor job building a strong offense. #8 will get the chance to sit behind veteran Superbowl winning QB Joe Flacco for at least one year, learning how to play in the NFL and gaining necessary muscle to sustain blows he’s likely to take over the years.

Jackson will learn from a coach in John Harbaugh, who has had a significant role in the development of Flacco, who at one time as considered to be an elite NFL QB. There likely isn’t much of a chance that Jackson will see the field this season, but selecting the former Heisman Trophy winner has already helped to energize a struggling organization, who needed a shot to the arm.

Many labeled the selection of Lamar Jackson with the 32nd pick as the “steal of the draft” including NFL Network’s Clinton Portis. There is no doubt that Jackson will be motivated (as you could see during his post selection interview) and a new era for the Ravens should soon be on the horizon.

Geron Christian – OT

Drafted 74th overall (3rd round) by the Washington Redskins

The junior offensive tackle was expected to be the third Louisville football player selected in this year’s draft, but the window of where that may happen was all over the place.

Depending on who you listened to, some experts thought Christian could climb as high as the end of the first round, while others graded Christian out to be a fourth or fifth rounder.

The Redskins ended up taking Christian in the middle of the third round, and I think it’s a great spot for him to develop. Veteran and former first rounder Trent Williams holds down the starting left tackle spot, but the right tackle position has been a revolving door for the last few seasons for the Redskins. Morgan Moses is the favorite to be named the starter, but with him expected to miss all of offseason workouts and maybe even training camp, Christian has the opportunity to take that spot away.

Christian has a lot of potential in the NFL due to his freakish athleticism, size, and necessary tools to thrive (long arms especially), but there is still a lot of development that needs to happen in order for Christian to develop into a starter at the next level.

Playing both RT and LT in the Bobby Petrino offensive gives Christian a huge advantage over other potential starters (including Ty Nsehke), but a lot of work will need to be done through the offseason.

Trevon Young – DE

Drafted 205th overall (6th round) by the Los Angeles Rams

One of the best comeback stories of the 2018 NFL Draft belonged to former Louisville football defensive end Trevon Young.

After a promising junior season ended in a broken hip that kept him out of football for a full season and lead many people to believe he may never play again, Trevon Young came back this season and played at an extremely high level. That ultimately led to him being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round.

There’s no guarantee that a sixth round pick will make the roster, Young will certainly have a chance to compete throughout training camp and into the preseason. Young will compete with DE’s Morgan Fox, Ethan Westbrook, and Michael Brockers, along with OLB’s Ejuan Price, Matt Longacre, Samson Ebukam, and Carlos Thompson.

The Rams are projected to have one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2018-19, especially after bringing in Ndamukong Suh to join All-Pro Aaron Donald on the front four.

Undrafted Free Agents

Drew Bailey – DE – Cleveland Browns

Reggie Bonnafon – ATH – Carolina Panthers

James Hearns – DE – Dallas Cowboys

Charles Standberry – TE – Cleveland Browns

Stacy Thomas – LB – Indianapolis Colts

Chucky Williams – S – Los Angeles Rams

Malik Williams – RB – Atlanta Falcons

Most Likely to make a roster: James Hearns, Dallas Cowboys

I know many fans say this every year, but I think there’s a chance that several of these guys end up making opening day rosters. But for the sake of this post, I believe that James Hearns is the most likely of them all to play a role next season.

Hearns was projected to be a fifth or sixth round selection after the conclusion of his senior season, but a terrible combine in which he ran one of the slowest times for a rush linebacker, not to mention the off the field concerns that teams had, ultimately ended up leading to him going undrafted.

His performance on the field through his two years as a starting linebacker/defensive lineman at Louisville show that his numbers at the combine might not mean much, but clearly it was a huge reason no one drafted him.

The Cowboys are the perfect spot for Hearns, as they have been desperate for lineman/linebackers the last several years. Hearns will need a strong showing at rookie camp, in order to receive a invitation to training camp, but if that happens I really do think he can make a team.

Next: Lamar Jackson Ready to Prove Doubters Wrong

NFL rookie mini camps are slated to kick off on May 4th and will run through the 7th. Stay tuned this offseason for updates!