Baltimore Beatdown readers draft the first round of the 2018 NFL draft: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While some picks have been close, this one was not. Garnering 75% of the vote, Quenton Nelson will head to Indianapolis! A great decision here, as Andrew Luck needs protection. You can’t win football games with a backup quarterback. . . Except for Philadelphia, apparently.

Previous voting links:

1. Cleveland Browns — QB Sam Darnold
2. New York Giants — RB Saquon Barkley
3. New York Jets — QB Josh Rosen
4. Cleveland Browns — DE Bradley Chubb
5. Denver Broncos — QB Baker Mayfield
6. Indianapolis Colts — OG Quenton Nelson

Now, for a trip down to Florida! Tampa Bay Buccaneers, you’re on the clock!

Possible picks:

1. DB Minkah Fitzpatrick — The Buccaneers’ needs include defensive back, and the best on the board is the Alabama product himself. While they are needing cornerback more than safety, Fitzpatrick is the ‘best player available’ and versatile. No doubt needed against three MVP-winning quarterbacks in their division.
2. DB Derwin James — “I know what type of player I am, I know I am the best player in this draft.” — Derwin James, after Florida State’s pro day. He’s a violent safety, with some of the best tape in the draft. NFL.com compares James to Eric Berry, a three-time, First-team All-Pro. Yes, Minkah is versatile, but James can play the positions also. Put him down low and he’ll bully receivers and some NFL tight ends with his 6-foot-3, 213 pound frame. Place him up top and he can cover the field with his range.
3. CB Josh Jackson — He’s the top cornerback in the draft, and if the Bucs strictly want a corner, rather than a defensive back, Josh is a prime pick. Jackson posted eight interceptions with the Hawkeyes, three against Ohio State and two against Wisconsin, which both were taken back for a touchdown. He also picked off Josh Allen, the expected first round pick from Wyoming.
4. CB Denzel Ward — While many have focused on Josh Jackson, Denzel Ward is another cornerback linked to the top ten. Ward tied for first in the 40-yard dash in the 2018 combine, with a speed of 4.32 seconds. He is mildly undersized, but NFL.com compares Denzel to Chris Harris Jr., a top cornerback in the league year after year.
5. DT Vita Vea — Baltimore Ravens fans know more than anybody, what a dominant defensive tackle helps to accomplish. From Tony Siragusa, to Haloti Ngata, to Brandon Williams, fans know the power a trenchwork technician allows. Vita Vea is a bully in down low. The issue is, one series he looks like Haloti, but the next he falls flat. Consistency is his biggest downfall, but surely, his tape and 41 reps of 225 pounds at the combine are enticing.