The 2018 NFL Draft is over and eight former UCLA football players got the call that will bridge their football careers from the college ranks to the pros. But there are also a few that are still looking to get into the NFL. Go Joe Bruin takes a look at all of them.
Once again, the UCLA football team sent a handful of players to the pros. This year, the 2018 NFL Draft opened the door for eight Bruins to start the next chapter of their lives.
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Josh Rosen | Kolton Miller | Kenny Young | Scott Quessenberry | Jordan Lasley
With that in mind, Go Joe Bruin takes a look at who got the call, who signed after the draft was over and those Bruins that did not sign and are still looking to make it into the NFL…
The Drafted
Josh Rosen, QB, 1st Round (10th), Arizona Cardinals
Rosen “fell” to the 10th spot and he made it known that the teams that did not draft him with the 1-9 selections made a “mistake”. As the player many analysts dubbed the “most NFL ready”, it seems as though the negative feedback about his attitude and being apparently injury prone scared a few teams.
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Still, Rosen made it as a top 10 pick as the Cardinals traded up with the Oakland Raiders to get the best passer in the draft. The “Chosen One” was excited to join his new club and should be in the running for the starting role as there does not seem to be a legitimate #1 guy on the Cardinal’s roster. Interestingly enough, Rosen could step in and take over after two former USC Trojans (Matt Barkley and Carson Palmer) failed to direct the team to a winning record.
Though it will be a transition, Rosen should be able to help the Cardinals rise above their 8-8 finish from last season. But keep in mind, Arizona is in the same division as the franchise on fire, the Los Angeles Rams.
Kolton Miller, OT, 1st Round (15th), Oakland Raiders
A bit of a surprise at 15, but then again, Miller surprised everyone at the NFL combine as he broke records for an offensive lineman. Miller has a big frame and is relatively quick for a player in his position. He has the ability to use his length to protect the weak side, but also has experience on the right and can be used on the other end if necessary.
Though he reunites with fellow Bruin DL Eddie Vanderdoes, he will have to prove is worth if he wants to secure a spot on the line as a starter or a backup. If he puts on some more weight, he could easily land a starting role, but he also needs to shore up his tendencies to let defenders slip by him. Still, a solid pick for Oakland.