As the 2018 NFL draft nears, I'm identifying three prospects who make sense for each team to pick on Days 1, 2 and 3. This is not a mock draft. I'm not predicting where players will land. Rather, I'm identifying prospects who fill a need and/or fit what each team likes to do schematically, using the Scouts Inc. overall and position rankings to note where each is likely to be picked.
For teams without a first-round pick, I've added an extra prospect for Day 2 or Day 3. Let's run through all 32 teams, starting in the AFC East.
AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Day 1: Virginia Tech LB Tremaine Edmunds
Day 2: San Diego State RB Rashaad Penny
Day 3: Southern CB Danny Johnson
Let's assume that Buffalo doesn't move up for a quarterback and they stand pat in this scenario. Preston Brown led the league in tackles last year and linebacker is one of Buffalo's most pressing needs now that he's a Cincinnati Bengal. Edmunds is a Week 1 starter with rare upside. If the Bills don't trade up, it makes sense to use one of their six picks in the first three rounds on a running back. Free-agent signing Chris Ivory adds depth but he just turned 30 and he averaged 3.4 yards per carry last year. There's a chance Penny slides to 65, and he would provide an excellent insurance policy behind LeSean McCoy. Oregon RB Royce Freeman is another option. The hope is free-agent signing Vontae Davis regains his form and locks downs the starting cornerback spot opposite Tre'Davious White. Johnson would be an excellent addition as the No. 3. The undersized corner has above-average short-area cover and ball skills.