2018 NFL Mock Draft: Final Version

It’s finally time to release my final 2018 NFL Mock Draft and let the chips fall where they may.

This is the last update of my 2018 NFL Mock Draft which features a handful of trades. As usual, a lot of the trades are centered around the quarterback prospects. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where a team like the Buffalo Bills doesn’t make a move up the draft.

Personally, I can not wait for this year’s draft to start. We should be in for a ton of excitement and plenty of action.

1. Cleveland Browns- Sam Darnold, QB, USC

It truly seems like this pick will be a mystery right up until the start of the draft. The only thing I feel fairly certain of is that it will be a quarterback. Darnold is the safest pick of this group and comes with just as much upside.

2. New York Giants- Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

The Giants appear to be in win-now mode and selecting Barkley at No. 2 goes with that strategy. He is a true difference maker and will help extend the career of quarterback Eli Manning. Bradley Chubb has to be in the mix as well, but I’m leaning towards Barkley.

3. New York Jets (Ind)- Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

The Jets are at the mercy of the 1st two picks and will need to wait to see who is available. There’s plenty of smoke surrounding Mayfield and the fit does make sense. While I’m not a huge fan of his, he has plenty of supporters.

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4. Cleveland Browns (Hou)- Bradley Chubb, Edge, NC State

Cleveland should count themselves lucky if they come out of this draft with Darnold and Chubb. These are two franchise building blocks who could help turn the tide in the AFC North. It will be a lot of fun watching Chubb and Myles Garrett work together.

5. *TRADE* Buffalo Bills (Den)- Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Buffalo collected a ton of draft capital and uses it hear to land their quarterback of the future. Allen has some question marks, but is the most physically gifted quarterback in this class.  He’s also a tough kid who will fits in Buffalo.

6. Indianapolis Colts (NYJ)- Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

The Colts could elect to trade down again, but that would put them at risk of missing out on a special talent like Smith. This is a team that needs difference makers and tone setters on the defensive side of the ball.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Derwin James, S, Florida State

James would provide the Buccaneers with an athletic freak on the back end of their defense. He’s a hard worker who is only scratching the surface of his upside.

8. *TRADE* Arizona Cardinals- Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Arizona’s quarterback situation is very grim– sorry Sam Bradford. They need to show some aggressiveness and find a quarterback capable of getting back into contention. Rosen has all necessary skills to be an elite NFL quarterback.

9. San Francisco 49ers- Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

The 49ers have other needs, but Nelson is too talented of a player to drop any further. San Francisco lands itself an immediate starter and future All-Pro.

10. Oakland Raiders- Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Oakland’s defense lacked big plays last year and Tremaine Edmunds can help solve that problem. He is someone who flies all over the field and is always in attack mode.

11. Miami Dolphins- Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Ward’s lack of ideal size pushes him down a little, but serve as an immediate upgrade in Miami’s cornerback room.

12. *TRADE* Denver Broncos (Buff/Cinn)- Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

This would be a major steal for the Denver Broncos who are looking for secondary help. Fitzpatrick can help immediately in the slot and lessen the sting from losing Aqib Talib.

13. Washington Redskins- Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Vea is a physical presence on the defensive line and would help boost the Redskins run defense. They also need help at cornerback so someone like Jaire Alexander is also an option.

14. Green Bay Packers- Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Evans is capable of stepping in and immediately contributing as an inside linebacker. The fact he holds up well in coverage and can rush the passer only adds to his value.

15. *TRADE* Chicago Bears (Arz)- Marcus Davenport, Edge, UTSA

Chicago moves down a handful of picks and lands a high upside pass rusher. Ryan Pace has shown in the past he isn’t afraid to target a small school prospect.

16. *TRADE* New England Patriots (Balt)- Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

All the buzz is that Lamar Jackson is going to be a 1st round pick. This seems like a good a match as any. Josh McDaniels is the type of offensive mind capable of getting the most Jackson’s skills.

17. Los Angeles Chargers- Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

The Chargers land an aggressive and playmaking cornerback here with this pick. Alexander is someone who can generate turnovers as well has limit separation.

18. *TRADE* Cleveland Browns (Sea)- Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

The Seahawks have a ton of holes and limited draft capital. They will be looking to move out of this spot and the Browns have more than enough picks to make a move. In this scenario, Cleveland brings in the potential replacement for Joe Thomas.

19. Dallas Cowboys- D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland

Dallas’ decision to part-ways with Dez Bryant has opened a huge hole at the wide receiver spot. D.J. Moore is an explosive playmaker who is still rounding out his skills.

20. Detroit Lions- James Daniels, C, Iowa

This isn’t an exciting selection, but fills a need for the Lions who are looking to keep Matthew Stafford healthy. Daniels is a day-1 starter who should solidify the interior of the offensive line.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (Buff)- Connor Williams, OL, Texas

Cincinnati still needs help along the offensive line and the versatile Williams would be a ton of sense. He has the potential to play either left tackle, right tackle or guard.

22. *TRADE* Denver Broncos (Buff/KC)- Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

I’m not sold on Vander Esch as a 1st round talent, but the rest of the draft community is signing his praises. The Broncos could use another athletic linebacker who can make plays from sideline to sideline.

23. *TRADE* Baltimore Ravens (NE/LAR)- Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

The Ravens find a way to move back, add extra picks and still land Calvin Ridley. This would be an ideal scenario for the wide-receiver needy Ravens.

24. Carolina Panthers- Isaiah Wynn, OL, Georgia

Wynn’s experience playing multiple spots on the offensive line should be very attractive for a time like the Panthers. Most project him as a guard in the NFL, but he has the chops to hold up in space if needed.

25. Tennessee Titans- Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College

Landry had a productive college career, but his final season was a disappointment. He has pass rushing ability thanks to his initial burst and overall athleticism. However, there are times where he tends to disappear.

26. Atlanta Falcons- Taven Bryan, DL, Florida

Bryan was one of the prospects that Atlanta put through a workout and fits a need. He’s an explosive interior defender who can make plays behind the line of scrimmage.

27. New Orleans Saints- Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State

This is a hunch call here as the Saints could use a dynamic pass catcher at the tight end spot. Gesicki needs a lot of work as a blocker, but he has a lot of the same skills that made Jimmy Graham so successful.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

The Steelers need to come out of this draft with a potential long-term replacement for Le’Veon Bell. They might as well be aggressive and get a hard-nosed runner like Guice. He has the potential to be an elite NFL running back.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Donte Jackson, CB, LSU

Jacksonville really doesn’t have any holes to fill on their roster. They could use some help at wide receiver, but could address that need in the middle rounds. This pick would give them a replacement for Aaron Colvin at slot corner.

30. Minnesota Vikings- Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP

Minnesota is another team with limited needs which gives them some options. However, they could use a road grader on the interior of the offensive line like Will Hernandez.

31. New England Patriots- Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

New England’s left tackle situation is something they need to address in the early part of this draft. Kolton Miller would be an ideal fit thanks to his athleticism and ability to work in space. He needs time to develop, but Tom Brady’s quick release will ease the transition.

32. *TRADE* Indianapolis Colts (Phi)- Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

The reports are the Eagles are looking to trade out of the 1st round. In this scenario, they move back a few spots and give the Colts a chance to add a sideline to sideline playmaker in Ronnie Harrison.