2018 NFL Mock Draft: Part 1 of 3

This is the first part of a three part 2018 NFL Mock Draft which breaks down the entire 1st Round.

With NFL Free Agency and the Scouting Combine right around the corner it’s a great time to get in another 2018 NFL Mock Draft. This time I expanded my projections into a three round mock. Each round will be released separately throughout the day.

1. Cleveland Browns- Sam Darnold, QB, USC

The Browns need to come out of this draft with a young building block at quarterback. At this point it’s anyone’s guess who they favor.

2. New York Giants- Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Allen would be a great option to sit behind Eli Manning and learn the ropes. He has the best physical tools of any quarterback in this draft.

3. Indianapolis Colts- Bradley Chubb, Edge, NC State

Chubb is an elite prospect and someone who will make an immediate impact. He has a chance to be a special player.

4. Cleveland Browns (via Hou)- Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Barkley will add an explosive element to the Browns offensive attack. His presence will also help whoever earns the starting quarterback job.

5. Denver Broncos- Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Rosen has some question marks, but they don’t surround his talent as a passer.

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6. New York Jets- Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

I’m still a little hesitant to label Mayfield a franchise caliber prospect, but he does have a ton of support in the draft community.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Fitzpatrick is my No. 2 ranked prospect and would fill a major need here for the Buccaneers.

8. Chicago Bears- Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

The Bears need difference makers and Edmunds has the upside to be an All-Pro linebacker.

9. Oakland Raiders- Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

McGlinchey is a steady presence who can be plugged in at either right or left tackle.

10. San Francisco 49ers- Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Ridley is a smooth athlete capable of produce big plays down the field.

11. Miami Dolphins- Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Nelson would give the Dolphins a physical presence along the interior of their offensive line.

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

Brown Jr. would represent an immediate upgrade at either tackle spot for the Bengals.

13. Washington Redskins- Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

The Redskins need help in the secondary and Ward has as much upside as any corner in this draft.

14. Green Bay Packers- Vita Vea, DT, Green Bay

Vea is beast in the trenches and also offers some upside as a pass rusher. He’ll remind some Packers fans of B.J. Raji when he was at the top of his game.

15. Arizona Cardinals- Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan

I’m extremely high on Okorafor and feel he has the makings of a franchise left tackle.

16. Baltimore Ravens- Connor Williams, OT, Texas

Williams has all the athletic ability in the world, but falls to this point because of some inconsistency in his game.

17. Los Angeles Chargers- Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Smith is an aggressive defender who makes plays from sideline to sideline. He’d be someone who can set the tone for the Chargers defense.

18. Seattle Seahawks- Derwin James, S, Florida State

The Seahawks have plenty of other needs to fill, but James is just to valuable to pass up here.

19. Dallas Cowboys- Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Evans is one of the more versatile prospects in this draft. He’ll provide the Cowboys with a run-stuffer, pass rusher and someone capable of holding up in coverage.

20. Detroit Lions- Marcus Davenport, Edge, UTSA

The Lions head into the offseason needing to make a decision about Ziggy Ansah‘s future. However, they still have a need for a pass rusher even if they bring him back in the mix.

21. Buffalo Bills- Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Payne excels at stuffing the run and making plays at the line of scrimmage. The Bills desperately need to beef up their run defense.

22. Buffalo Bills (via KC)- James Daniels, C, Iowa

Daniels is a plug-and-play prospect who will help the Bills immediately replace the retired Eric Woods.

23. Los Angeles Rams- Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

Hughes is an aggressive defender who will fill what could be three holes in the Rams secondary.

24. Carolina Panthers- Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

Miller is a great athlete who is still developing as a player. However, he would be an immediate upgrade over the Panthers current offensive tackles.

25. Tennessee Titans- Arden Key, Edge, LSU

Key is one of the harder prospects to figure out. He has top-10 talent, but has been plagued by inconsistencies and off-field concerns.

26. Atlanta Falcons- Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Kirk would be a great complement to Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu.

27. New Orleans Saints- Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

Harrison is a sideline to sideline playmaker who can support the run and protect the deep middle. He’d be a nice replacement for Kenny Vaccaro.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Darius Phillips, CB, Western Michigan

Phillips is highly athletic cornerback who also contributes as a return man.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars- James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

Jacksonville’s defense is set, but they can stand to add some more offensive playmakers. They may also be facing the loss of Allen Robinson and/or Marqise Lee.

30. Minnesota Vikings- Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn

Trae Waynes and Terrence Newman both struggled mightily in the playoffs which creates some problems for the Vikings moving forward. Carlton Davis is a big-bodied cornerback who would pair nicely with Xavier Rhodes.

31. New England Patriots- Sam Hubbard, Edge, Ohio State

Hubbard is an underrated player who would fit in nicely with the Patriots. New England needs help in the pass rushing department and Hubbard will help.

32. Philadelphia Eagles- Donte Jackson, CB, LSU

The Eagles have excellent roster depth and don’t have many glaring needs. This gives them a chance to add an exceptional athlete and strong cover corner in Jackson.