NFL 2018 Mock Draft 2.0

NFL 2018 Mock Draft 2.0

 

Welcome to our second mock draft of the year. The NFL combine and free agency, plus multiple pre-draft trades really turned the draft outlook upside down. Both the Bills and the Jets packaged picks to move up to presumably draft a quarterback, the Seahawks seemingly gave up on having a top-tier defense, and surprisingly no Cowboy’s defensive lineman have been suspended as of this writing. So while there are still some quality players left on the free-agent market, here’s our current projections for the 2018 NFL draft. Reminder this is what we think will happen, not what we think the teams should do.

 

1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC

No changes here for the Browns. While Darnold’s game isn’t perfect, he has I think the biggest upside out of every quarterback available. If you’re picking at number one you’re picking for upside, not highest floor.

 

2. New York Giants: Josh Rosen, Quarterback, UCLA

Word is the Giant’s aren’t looking at a quarterback at the second pick, and are trying to either trade down or go with Saquon Barkley. I don’t buy it though. Even if the Giants don’t trade out of this pick the opportunity to draft a top quarterback prospect without giving up a ton of picks to trade up is too good to pass up. It’s not every year that there are this many QB prospects, and certainly not every year that the Giants are picking this high.

 

3. New York Jets: Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Oklahoma

The Jets gave up two second round picks this year, and another second round pick in 2019 to Indianapolis so they could move up from the 6^th overall pick to the 3^rd. You don’t give up that much to not draft a quarterback, and unless they’re in love with three guys they might have given all that up to draft someone they don’t even believe can be their franchise guy. But reports are that the Jets love Baker Mayfield, and since they re-signed Josh McCown and signed Teddy Bridgewater to a one year deal, Mayfield would have a year (hopefully) to adjust to the NFL game. Plus the name Broadway Baker just sounds dope.

 

4. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State

This is a dream scenario for the Browns, three quarterbacks in a row allow them to get the best player in the draft as well as their highest rated quarterback. The Browns have enough weapons on the outside, and a good enough offensive line (even without Joe Thomas) that adding Barkley can make them a competitive offense in 2018.

 

5. Denver Broncos: Josh Allen, Quarterback, Wyoming

Four quarterbacks in the top five picks would be unprecedented, but Denver is a spot where either they would draft Allen, or another team like Buffalo will move up to get him, allowing Denver to stockpile more draft picks.

 

6. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State

Another dream situation for Indianapolis, where they trade back and still get the player they were targeting at the 3^rd pick. The Colts have so many holes on their roster, but since QB isn’t one of them the next thing they need to address is their pass rush. Chubb is the best pass rusher in the draft, and can be an every down defensive end in the NFL.

 

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Defensive Back, Alabama

Fitzpatrick is the best defensive player in the draft, and if Barkley is the best overall player it isn’t by much. Tampa Bay’s secondary has been patched together for the last few years, and Fitzpatrick can walk in day one and play any position in the defensive backfield for them.

 

8. Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, Offensive Guard, Notre Dame

For a team that has used a lot of their draft capital on their offensive line recently, that’s still the biggest hole for Da Bears. Guards usually aren’t considered for top ten picks, but between Nelson being graded so highly and a weak offensive tackle class a guard is going to be the first offensive lineman taken in the draft in a long time. With NFL defenses continuing to put greater emphasis on pressure up the middle, Nelson becomes even more valuable in protecting Trubisky.

 

9. San Francisco 49ers: Tremaine Edmunds, Linebacker, Virginia Tech

Reuben Foster excelled last year for the 49ers, but with two arrests already this offseason and the signing of Richard Sherman linebacker becomes the biggest area of need. Edmunds is only nineteen years old, is 6’5” and runs a 4.54 40 yard dash. If the 49ers do draft Edmunds, the expectation is that he can contribute right away to a squad with playoff aspirations.

 

10. Oakland Raiders: Denzel Ward, Cornerback, Ohio State

Ward would be the second consecutive Ohio State cornerback taken in the first round by Oakland, but that’s where they’re at. Ward solidified himself at the combine as the best cornerback prospect in the draft, despite being slightly undersized. His recovery speed and ball skills allow him to compensate for his 5’10,” 190 lbs. frame.

 

11. Miami Dolphins: Roquan Smith, Linebacker, Georgia

Smith did everything for Georgia last year. He’s a little undersized, but reminds me of Thomas Davis in Carolina in the sense that Smith is a true sideline to sideline linebacker. Smith in the middle would allow Miami to cover some other holes that they have on defense, the most glaring besides linebacker being safety.

 

12. Buffalo Bills: Rashaan Evans, Linebacker, Alabama

We who is we? all think Buffalo is going to trade up to try and draft a quarterback. But since we don’t project trades and the top QB’s are all taken, the Bills address their next biggest need which is middle linebacker. Evans played all over Nick Saban’s defense in Tuscaloosa, and can be versatile in the NFL, but middle linebacker is where he was most of the time, and projects at the next level.

 

13. Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, Defensive Tackle, Washington

For someone Vea’s size to be as athletic as he is baffles my mind. He was an elite run defender in college, often the focal point of the other team’s game plan, but he can also generate pressure up the middle in pass rush, which is what makes him so valuable for a Washington team that desperately needs help on the defensive line.

 

14. Green Bay Packers: Jaire Alexander, Cornerback Louisville

Alexander was hurt for a lot of his final season at Louisville, but a great combine pushed him back into the first round. Alexander’s ball skills and play recognition allow him to be in position to make a play every snap.

 

15. Arizona Cardinals: Calvin Ridley, Wide Receiver, Alabama

The Cardinals current receiving corps is Larry Fitzgerald, and like 3 dudes named John. Ridley is the best receiver in a class that doesn’t feature any Julio level talent. He’s an excellent route runner who can make plays in space. He isn’t extremely physical, or even that big, which is why he isn’t projected as a prototypical number one receiver, but he can play both outside and from the slot.

 

16. Baltimore Ravens: Derrius Guice, Running Back, LSU

Baltimore needs some receiver help badly, even with Crabtree. But with Ridley gone this spot is too high for any other receiver including the tight ends. I actually like their running backs, especially Buck Allen, but Guice is a physical, shifty runner that has a quick cut and gets up field.

 

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James, Safety, Florida State

Safety isn’t the biggest need for the Chargers, but Derwin James this far in the draft is too good for the Chargers to pass on. He played all over the field for Florida State. In the NFL he will most likely be a strong safety or weak-side linebacker, but has the talent to play multiple positions in the NFL.

 

18. Seattle Seahawks: Will Hernandez, Offensive Guard, UTEP

The Seahawks called it quits on the legion of boom, but they shouldn’t give up on trying to protect Russell Wilson. Hernandez right now is a better run blocker than pass protector, but would be a great fit in Seattle. The Seahawk’s run first, rollout offensive scheme would allow Hernandez to be successful while still learning the NFL game.

 

19. Dallas Cowboys: Josh Jackson, Cornerback, Iowa

The only reason Jackson isn’t higher is because he ran a 4.56 40 yard dash, which is solid for a linebacker, but Jackson plays cornerback. Jackson does have the best ball skills in the class, (see his pick vs. Ohio State.) Even with the slow 40 time, if you just watch him play he’s one of the best, smartest players in the draft.

 

20. Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport, Defensive End, UTSA

Despite injuries last year, Ezekiel Ansah still had 12.5 sacks in 2017. But besides Ansah the Lions did not have anyone that could consistently generate pressure on the edge, or from anywhere really. Davenport is a raw prospect who still has a long way to go technique wise, but has the physical tools to be a really special player in the NFL. Matt Patricia will be hoping that he can max out Davenport’s ceiling.

 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: James Daniel, Center, Iowa

We’re only a year or two removed from the Bengals having one of the best top to bottom rosters in the NFL, but it’s been quite a fall. Looking to rebuild that roster depth the Bengals will go with Daniel, who is extremely quick out of his stance and has excellent technique, should be able to contribute right away for Cincinnati.

 

22. Buffalo Bills: Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Louisville

In this scenario Buffalo misses out on their quarterback with their first pick in the draft, so they get the highest rated quarterback available with their second pick in Jackson. This could be risky for Buffalo, ideally Jackson would have a year to sit and learn behind a veteran. But the veterans for Buffalo are AJ McCarron and Nate Peterman. If Jackson does go to Buffalo hopefully he doesn’t get rushed into playing. Even though he has a lot of mechanical issues to clean up he is a really special talent.

 

23. Los Angeles Rams: Lorenzo Carter, Linebacker, Georgia

The Rams clearly solved their cornerback issues by trading for Marcus Peters and Aquib Talib. Carter had an excellent combine that could push him ahead of some other linebacker prospects into the late first round. He played almost every position for Georgia. Literally, except for cornerback he played like every defensive position at some point . He’ll be an every down inside linebacker who can step down and rush from the outside on obvious passing downs.  

 

24: Carolina Panthers: Mike Hughes, Cornerback, UCF

Hughes is one of the best pure cover corners in the draft, which would allow him to play inside or outside once he gets to the next level. The Panthers have had cornerback struggles ever since Josh Norman left, and honestly even when he was there. They’ve used a lot of picks on cornerbacks, but it’s time that they use a first round pick on one.

 

25. Tennessee Titans: Da’Ron Payne, Defensive Tackle, Alabama

This is just a best player available situation for the Titans, who added to their cornerback depth in free agency. In the 2^nd or 3^rd rounds there are multiple running backs they could get that don’t warrant a 1^st round pick. Payne is a borderline top twenty player in the draft, so this would be a great pick up for Tennessee.

 

26. Atlanta Falcons: Mike McGlinchey, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame

The Falcons were about two inches away from beating the Eagles in the playoffs, and still have the roster to challenge for the NFC championship, despite finishing 3^rd in their division this year. The Falcons need more help at guard than tackle, but McGlinchey can give them some flexibility when setting their offensive line, and is the best o-line prospect left on the board.

 

27. New Orleans Saints: Christian Kirk, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M

Kirk would be a perfect complement to Michael Thomas in the Saints receiving corps. Kirk is projected to primarily play out of the slot, but can play on the outside as well. He was one of the most dangerous players in space in the country last year, and can also return kicks, which solidifies his value in the late first round.

 

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jessie Bates, Safety, Wake Forest

Bates is one of my favorite players in the class. Watching him on tape he is all over the field. He is physical in run support, flies to the ball, and is all over the field in pass defense. He’s best suited for that center fielder role where he has the freedom to key on the offense and make a play happen.

 

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: DJ Moore Wide Receiver, Maryland

With the departure of both Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson in the off-season, receiver quickly became one of the few roster holes that the Jaguars have. Moore played at Maryland so not a lot of people got to see him, and he didn’t exactly have the best quarterback play. But he plays big when the ball is in the air, is a physical blocker in the run game, and absolutely hates to be tackled. He is going to surprise some people when he gets to the NFL.

 

30. Minnesota Vikings: Isaiah Wynn, Offensive Guard, Georgia

Wynn played left tackle at Georgia, but was undersized there and will most likely move to guard in the NFL. He’s extremely aware in pass protection, and can roll people in run protection. The Vikings are in a similar position to the Jaguars, where they can take the best player available and can take the best player that falls to them you probably only need one of these best player phrases.

 

31. New England Patriots: Isaiah Oliver, Cornerback, Colorado

If you watch Oliver play, smooth isn’t the first word that comes to mind, but he’s almost always in a position to make a play. He’s a physical corner who will come up in the run game, and excels in press coverage. He’s a better fit on the outside than the slot corner position.  

 

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Ronnie Harrison, Safety, Alabama

The Eagles don’t need safety help, and could use a corner at this spot. But every corner with first round value is taken, and Harrison is the best player available. He’s a versatile safety who usually lined up in the middle of the field, but also dropped into the box for Nick Saban. Even with the safety spot covered for the Eagles, Malcolm Jenkins isn’t getting any younger and Harrison could still contribute his rookie year, and in the next few years really step into a prominent playing role for Philly.  

- By Jake Cowden