2018 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting the entire 1st round

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley

As the NFL season chugs along we get closer to the draft and the heat of the 2018 NFL Draft Mock Draft season.

This updated version of my 2018 NFL Mock Draft features some major changes. The predicted draft order has been adjusted which always creates a shift. However, several prospects have seen their draft stock change in the past few weeks.

1. Cleveland Browns- Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Sam Darnold is going through a rough patch, but this is still a very talented kid. He would finally give the Cleveland Browns some direction at the position.

2. San Francisco 49ers- Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

More from With the First Pick

It still seems very possible that Kirk Cousins will land with the 49ers. This would solve their quarterback problem and allow them to grab a transcendent talent like Saquon Barkley. Carlos Hyde is a talented runner, but Barkley has a lot more upside.

3. Indianapolis Colts- Arden Key, Edge, LSU

Arden Key’s combination of length and quickness give him the ability to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback. We often see these type of prospects rise up draft boards as the process develops. The Colts could use a difference maker working off the edge.

4. New York Giants- Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

If the New York Giants are in position to draft Eli Manning’s eventual replacement they would be crazy to go in a different direction. This is a franchise that doesn’t intend on going through a long rebuild process which could be avoided by grabbing someone like Josh Rosen.

5. Arizona Cardinals- Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

I’m still a believer in Josh Allen’s talent despite his struggles. This is a kid who has an elite arm, good size and overall athleticism. His skill set would be something Bruce Arians would be able to hone.

6. New York Jets- Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

The Jets will be in the market for a quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft, but if they keep winning games it might be tough to land one of the top prospects. They might find themselves in a position where they go with best player available. Minkah Fitzpatrick would fit that bill at this point in the draft.

7. Cincinnati Bengals- Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Oklahoma

It will be interesting to see what happens to the Cincinnati Bengals in the offseason. There’s a good chance that they tear things down. If that’s the case they can’t go wrong by targeting a franchise left tackle like Orlando Brown Jr.

8. Baltimore Ravens- Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Calvin Ridley doesn’t have the eye popping numbers like other college receivers. However, that’s because of Alabama’s run-first attack. He doesn’t get a ton of targets, but knows how to make plays when he does. Ridley would give the Ravens that No. 1 receiver they have been searching for the past several years.