2018 Mock Draft 1.0
This year’s draft may be considered one of the deepest drafts since the star-studded 2011 one (Cam Newton, Von Miller, A.J. Green, etc.) which produced eight Pro Bowlers in the top-10 picks alone. While the value of this years 2018 class is very uncertain, we know that the ceiling is quite high for these NFL hopefuls.
In this mock draft, I took a first round look at who I think will be picked first overall all the way to 32nd. I looked at hours of film study, other top expert pics and decide who I thought should be taken by every team based off of needs and rumors.
So, with that being said – The Cleveland Browns are on the clock…
1. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley (RB, Penn State)
I know, I know. Reading this as a Browns fan wanting a QB may be a bit disappointing, but hear me out. The FA market for quarterbacks is actually pretty good this year; with names like Kirk Cousins, Tyrod Taylor and every Vikings QB, the Browns could live with waiting for that franchise guy for a few years (or another first round pick). John Dorsey is a smart guy and has a TON of picks in the draft and money to spend. Even if we did draft a guy number one overall, he would most likely not see the field until our “bridge” QB leaves after year two or three (that is, if he succeeds).
2. New York Giants: Josh Rosen (QB, UCLA)
3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb (DE, NC State)
4. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold (QB, USC)
While many people have Sam Darnold being picked first (which he quite possibly could be), he will probably drop a few picks because of his struggles for his final year. Yes, I know he turns the ball over a lot and yes, I know he may not be the best QB in the draft either, but the Browns need a big guy with a strong arm. Sam Darnold is the best QB option in this draft to be someone who can wait behind a veteran for a few years and grow. Nobody wants to see this guy start day one, but with some growth and learning, he could be the answer for the Browns for years to come.
5. Denver Broncos: Quenton Nelson (OG, Notre Dame)
6. New York Jets: Josh Allen (QB, Wyoming)
7. Tampa Bay Bucs: Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB, Alabama)
8. Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley (WR, Alabama)
9. San Fransisco 49ers: Joshua Jackson (CB, Iowa)
10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith (LB, Georgia)
11. Miami Dolphins: Tremaine Edmunds (LB, Virginia Tech)
12. Cinncinati Bengals: Connor Williams (OT, Texas)
13. Washington Redskins: Derwin James (S, Florida State)
14. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Ward (CB, The Ohio State)
15. Arizona Cardinals: Baker Mayfield (QB, Oklahoma)
16. Baltimore Ravens: Christian Kirk (WR, Texas A&M)
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Orlando Brown (OT, Oklahoma)
18. Seattle Seahawks: Mike McGlinchey (OT, Notre Dame)
19. Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea (DT, Washington)
20. Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport (DE, UTSA)
21. Buffalo Bills: Lamar Jackson (QB, Louisville)
22. Buffalo Bills: Billy Price (C, The Ohio State University)
23. Los Angelas Rams: Carlton Davis (CB, Auburn)
24. Carolina Panthers: James Washington (WR, Oklahoma State)
25. Tenessee Titans: Sam Hubbard (DE, The Ohio State University)
26. Atlanta Falcons: Arden Key (DE, LSU)
27. New Orleans Saints: Dallas Godert (TE, South Dakota State)
28. Pittsburg Steelers: Derrius Guice (RB, LSU)
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Courtland Sutton (WR, SMU)
30. Minnesota Vikings: Will Hernandez (OG, UTEP)
31. Philidelphia Eagles: Kolton Miller (OT, UCLA)
32. New England Patriots: Mason Rudolph (QB, Oklahoma State)
