With the 2018 NFL Draft just one month away and the first wave of NFL Free Agency officially having concluded, it’s time for my first official FPC Mock Draft of 2018. Before we go any further, there are a few things to know: First, this mock draft is based off team needs and the transactions each franchise made in free agency. Also, trades made were made using the NFL’s Draft Value Chart.
The first round this year will be very intriguing. It’s no longer a secret that there is a strong quarterback class and with all the speculation, there’s a chance that quarterbacks could fly off the board early, with as many as five being selected within the first twenty picks. What this will do is allow for other top players such as Bradley Chubb and Minkah Fitzpatrick to drop down, later into the first round, giving non-quarterback needy teams the chance to fill big holes that may exist.
Even though teams like the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos all signed or traded for a veteran quarterback earlier this offseason, guys like Sam Bradford, Tyrod Taylor, and Case Keenum are merely meant to be bridge quarterbacks, while rookies like Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold are meant to be the future of the teams that draft them.
Aside from quarterbacks flying off the board, another position that is being overlooked in this year’s draft class is the Linebacker Class. As many as four linebackers could be selected in the first round. Prospects like Tremaine Edmunds, Roquan Smith, and Leighton Vander Esch all have the chance to have solid NFL careers.
Enough of the chit-chat, let the mock drafting begin.
- Cleveland Browns: QB Sam Darnold, USC
Most will argue that Saquon Barkley is a no-brainer with the first pick, but the moves the Browns have made this offseason indicate that they’re actually trying to build something. Just look at the situation Darnold could walk into with established wide receivers such as Josh Gordon and Jarvis Landry. The Browns can snag a quality running back in the later rounds, but not a quarterback, the one thing needed to win a Superbowl.
2. New York Giants: RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Imagine an offense featuring Odell Beckham Jr and Saquon Barkley. Selecting Barkley allows for the Giants to get someone who takes the pressure off Eli Manning by carrying the ball twenty times a game.
3. New York Jets (From Indianapolis Colts): Josh Rosen, UCLA
The Jets moved up three spots to get ahead of their division rivals the Buffalo Bills for a quarterback. Rosen is ready to start immediately and is the perfect fit for this Jets team.
4. Buffalo Bills (From Cleveland via Houston): QB Josh Allen, Wyoming
Buffalo Gets: #4 overall pick
Cleveland Gets: #12 overall pick, 2018 3rd round picks (#65 and #96), and 2019 5th round pick
Allen needs to sit for a year before taking over as the long-term starter and his skillset is the perfect fit for Buffalo’s wintery elements. His biggest asset is his strong arm.
5. Denver Broncos: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
John Elway has been high on two quarterbacks thus far: Josh Rosen and Baker Mayfield. With Rosen off the board, he goes with Mayfield who’ll challenge free agent signee Case Keenum for the starting job.
6. Indianapolis Colts (From New York Jets): DB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Amidst all the talk about various teams wanting to trade up for a quarterback, Minkah Fitzpatrick isn’t being talked about enough. The versatile defensive back can line up at safety, nickel, or on the outside for a Colts team that is beginning to rebuild its secondary. I know most will say that picking a guy like Bradley Chubb or Quenton Nelson makes more sense here, but having a duo of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Malik Hooker in the secondary is enough to give quarterbacks nightmares for days.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: OG Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
Nelson is being labeled as one of the safest prospects in this class and by selecting him, the Buccaneers a player with All-Pro potential for the next decade.
8. Chicago Bears: DE Bradley Chubb, N.C. State
With the moves the Bears have made in free agency, finding an edge rusher opposite Leonard Floyd still ranks atop the Bears list of needs. Chubb has experience playing at both defensive end and outside linebacker, which will allow for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to play him wherever he’d like.
9. San Francisco 49ers: LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
With the Reuben Foster situation looking like it’s going to take a while to calm down, Edmunds makes sense for this 49ers team. Edmunds will turn twenty in May and he’s got tons of room to grow as a player. Select him and you’ve got a starter on defense for years to come.
10. Oakland Raiders: CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State
Ward is just 5 foot 11 inches but plays much bigger than his size. He’s a great tackler and excels when it comes to man coverage. After moving on from David Amerson and Sean Smith this past offseason, the Raiders secondary is in need of new fresh blood at the position. And what better way to address that need than take a player from Ohio State, who had three defensive backs selected in the first-round of the 2017 draft (Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, and Gareon Conley).
11. Miami Dolphins: LB Roquan Smith, Georgia
Smith can play in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense and is an excellent run defender. He also has the speed to fly from sideline-to-sideline. After the way the Dolphins are shaking things up, Smith would provide a much-needed spark to this team.
12. Cleveland Browns (From Buffalo via Cincinnati): DB Derwin James, Florida State
Cleveland Gets: #12 overall pick, 2018 3rd round picks (#65 and #96), and 2019 5th round pick
Buffalo Gets: #4 overall pick
The Browns continue their rapid rebuild by adding Derwin James. He’s physical, has great size, speed, and range.
13. Washington Redskins: CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville
Bashaud Breeland is still a free agent and it doesn’t appear that he’ll be coming back to Washington. That’s where Jaire Alexander comes into the picture. He’s got ball-hawking abilities and is the best man cover corner in this draft.
14. Green Bay Packers, DE Marcus Davenport, UTSA
Green Bay desperately needs to add more pass rusher, even after signing Muhammad Wilkerson. Davenport is still raw and could end up serving as the team’s long-term option.
15. Arizona Cardinals: DT Vita Vea, Washington
After signing Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon, quarterback won’t be an option for Steve Keim and the rest of the Cardinals front office, but drafting another defensive lineman is. Vea is an excellent run stuffer who is also very difficult to move off the line of scrimmage.
16. Baltimore Ravens: WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome goes Alabama one last time in his final NFL Draft by selecting Ridley who would give Joe Flacco a wide receiver he so desperately needs.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Phillip Rivers will eventually need to be replaced and Jackson who is one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the draft could benefit from sitting behind Rivers for a full season before taking over in 2019.
18. Seattle Seahawks: DE Harold Landry, Boston College
Michael Bennett’s replacement. Landry has a nasty bend off the edge and learning from one of the games best coaches Pete Carroll could ensure that he goes on to have a long NFL Career.
19. Dallas Cowboys: CB Joshua Jackson, Iowa
The Cowboys released Orlando Scandrick in the offseason and now need to find his replacement. Jackson fits everything that Jerry Jones looks for in a defensive back.
20. Detroit Lions: WR D.J. Moore, Maryland
Wide Receiver isn’t the biggest need for Detroit, but passing up on a big-play potential guy like Moore isn’t worth it.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (From Buffalo Bills): DT Da’Ron Payne, Alabama
The Bengals add to their defensive line. Payne won’t be a starter from day one, but will at least serve a valuable rotational player for the time being.
22. Buffalo Bills (From Kansas City Chiefs): C/OG Billy Price, Ohio State
The Bills defense looks nearly complete. Now it’s time to begin reshaping the offense. Price can play a number of positions on the offensive line.
23. Los Angeles Rams: WR Courtland Sutton, Southern Methodist
Losing Sammy Watkins was tough, so drafting Sutton makes sense. Sutton may not have elite speed, but he’s got the makings of being a consistent target in the redzone.
24. Carolina Panthers: RB Derrius Guice, LSU
The Panthers need to find a way to take the pressure off Cam Newton. Adding a powerful runner like Guice will do just that. The skillset that Guice brings to the table is a perfect complement for versatile running back Christian McCaffery.
25. Tennessee Titans: LB Rashaan Evans
The moves the Titans have made this offseason shows they’re clearly in win-now mode for 2018. Adding a high-energy guy like Rashaan Evans to the mix would be beneficial as Evans is physical at the point of the attack and also has the ability to play on the edge if ever needed.
26. Atlanta Falcons: DT Taven Bryan, Florida
The Falcons moved on from Dontari Poe this offseason and need to find his replacement. Taven Bryan won’t be a three-down starter from day one but has the potential to grow into that role. He’s a great run defender with a great first step and also features the ability to close in on quarterbacks in a hurry.
27. New Orleans Saints: OT Connor Williams, Texas
Zach Streif retired meaning the Saints will likely need to look at the Tackle position this offseason. Williams is an excellent run defender, however, he also shows the ability to be an even better pass protector.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: LB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
As soon as Ryan Shazier went down, it became clear that the defense was lost without him. With Shazier’s condition unknown for the 2018 season, drafting a guy like Leighton Vander Esch who does a lot of little things really well, makes sense.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR James Washington, Oklahoma State
The Jaguars lost Allen Robinson to free agency and then cut Allen Hurns. As a result, adding an aggressive, explosive wide receiver like Washington makes sense.
30. Minnesota Vikings: OG Isaiah Wynn, Georgia
Wynn can play either inside or outside on the offensive line. With Joe Berger having just retired, selecting an offensive lineman just became a priority.
31. New England Patriots: OT Kolton Miller, UCLA
The Patriots lost Nate Solder to the Giants in free agency. NFL teams will covet Miller’s athleticism and length, but in the long run, could be even better if he can add some upper body strength.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
Jason Peters is now thirty-six years old and the Eagles will have to make a decision on him soon. At this point, the Eagles decide to go with the best player available. McGlinchey has excellent awareness, great technique, and is a good run blocker.
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