By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

The 2018 NFL Draft is in the books and we have an idea of what teams addressed their biggest needs. I’m going to take a look around the NFL at a couple of the biggest winners and losers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs ranked dead last in total defense in 2017, giving up 378 yards per game. They selected Washington DT Vita Vea (No. 12) to strengthen the interior defensive line.

UNC DB M.J. Stewart was the second-round selection and Auburn CB Carlton Davis was picked in the third round. They will probably compete for the nickel corner since Tampa Bay already has Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves.

Doug Martin has moved on to Oakland so they also had a void to fill at running back. USC RB Ronald Jones (No. 38) should be able to step in and contribute from day one.

Humboldt State OG Alex Cappa (No. 94) has the potential to help open holes for Jones. Grade: A

Cleveland Browns: This team needs a complete overhaul after going winless last season. The year before that they were a miserable 1-15. With the first pick they got Heisman Trophy winning QB Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma. He has some off the field red flags you probably already heard of. He also doesn’t have the ‘prototypical’ height for a quarterback but this is a high risk/high reward pick.

Then they selected Ohio State CB Denzel Ward with the fourth pick. Even though they passed stud defensive end Bradley Chubb, I like this pick. I have the most faith in Ward to pan out and be a perennial Pro Bowler. The second-round picks were Nevada OG Austin Corbett (No. 33) and Georgia RB Nick Chubb (No. 35).

I think pairing Chubb with Carlos Hyde could be a potent 1-2 punch. The lone third rounder was Miami DE Chad Thomas. The Browns are trying to get some help for last year’s No. 1 pick Myles Garrett. Grade: B+

Dallas Cowboys: One of the biggest needs was wide receiver, even before Dez Bryant was released. They addressed the need by drafting Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (No. 19). It’s odd because he does not fill any immediate need.

Texas OG Connor Williams was picked in the second round. The Cowboys have perhaps the best offensive line in the NFL so they just added to that strength. They finally selected Colorado State WR Michael Gallup in the third round. Dallas is so thin at receiver that Gallup could start instantly. Grade: C-

Seattle Seahawks: Many of the players that led Seattle to the 2013 Super Bowl are gone. The formula that made them elite was a power running game and great defense led by the secondary.

They selected San Diego St RB Rashaad Penny (No.27) and that was a reach. He might become a decent player but he’s not a game changer.

Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham left in free agency and they picked his replacement in the fourth round (Will Dissly). USC DE Rasheem Green (No. 79) is a pretty good pick and he will help rush the passer. UCF LB Shaquem Griffin (No. 141) is a great feel good story and he will likely contribute on special teams.

In one of the more head scratching moves of the draft the Seahawks drafted Texas punter Michael Dickson three picks later. Yes, you read that right, they drafted a punter.

The last pick also seemed like a waste, FIU QB Alex McGough. Grade: D