I stole one of the best scouts in the business in J.R. and got his help collaborating a “way too early” 2018 mock draft. Follow along as we alternate picks and give you a sneak peek at what positions are looking deep and what players have a chance to be the number one pick.
1) Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC (JR)
The DeShone Kizer experiment seems to have hit a snag at the moment and the Browns once again are searching for a franchise quarterback. What better one than to get the consensus top QB on many draft boards?
2) San Francisco 49ers: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State (Inman)
Running backs are back in and starting the cool table at lunch. John Lynch pulls up a chair with the likely Heisman winner who will add fresh legs and a consistent attack for whichever quarterback falls into their lap in Round 2.
3) New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA (JR)
Off to an 0-5 start, the Giants seemed to be destined to hit the reset button. Eli Manning will probably be looking to go somewhere where he can win. This leaves a huge void at quarterback for the franchise. Rosen’s huge personality and confidence won’t shy away from the pressure of the New York media.
4) Chicago Bears: Connor Williams, Offensive Tackle, Texas (Inman)
The average fan can’t name either of the Bears starting tackles. He’s dealing with a leg injury, but a healthy Williams is a 10-year starter with equal parts run and pass in his repertoire. Ryan Pace will be able to find great receiving prospects on days two and three.
5) Los Angeles Chargers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama (JR)
Losing Jason Verrett the past two seasons to injury has been a huge hit to the Chargers secondary. It’s time they replenish the back end of their defense with a talent who can play all positions in the secondary. Fitzpatrick provides that.
6) Cleveland Browns: Derwin James, CB/S, FSU (Inman)
How did the Browns secondary get so bad? James can play wherever you want and will make plays all over the field. Whether you like Jabrill Peppers or not, you can’t argue the raw young talent that now oozes for some lucky defensive coach.
7) Oakland Raiders: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State (JR)
Bruce Irvin has been average at best during his tenure as a Raider. Even though they need help at linebacker and offensive tackle, there isn’t value at those positions this early. Chubb is a no-brainer selection and a potential dynamic duo alongside Khalil Mack off the edge.
8) Cincinnati Bengals: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson (JR)
This was a tough selection. Even though they have Geno Atkins, pairing him alongside Wilkins is just too good to pass up. Plugging Wilkins in gives the Bengals an absolute force in the middle of their defense.
9) Dallas Cowboys: Arden Key, DE, LSU (Inman)
Secondary makes sense, too; however, after adding young talent there last year — Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis and Xavier Woods — they can take the best player on the board instead. Key is a monster who adds to the legacy and tradition of all-star NFL defenders from LSU.
10) Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, DE, Boston College (Inman)
With two first-round picks last year, the Titans bolstered both passing games on offense and defense. They get a gift with Landry — a lock top-10 player — and will add a new element of playmaking ability to the trenches.
11) Arizona Cardinals: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming (JR)
Allen is a polarizing prospect, but Bruce Arians is the ultimate developer of quarterbacks. He requires his signal callers to be able to throw the ball deep down the field and Allen has a superb arm strength that enables him to eventually fulfill that.
12) Indianapolis Colts: Trey Adams, Offensive Tackle, Washington (Inman)
Adams has quietly been the best offensive lineman in the Pac-12 for the second season in a row. At a towering 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, Adams already possesses NFL size coaches drool over and will be an instant starter on day one. The Colts have tried to add young talent to the trenches however, Adams is a cornerstone who will prove to elevate the play of everyone around him. Dear Andrew Luck, you’re welcome.
13) Miami Dolphins: Tarvarus McFadden, CB, FSU (JR)
Byron Maxwell is still the same player that he has been since leaving Philadelphia and it is time to upgrade the cornerback position.
14) New Orleans Saints: Austin Bryant, EDGE, Clemson (Inman)
There might not be a bigger riser in the country when breaking down the defensive front-seven right now in college football. Bryant already has five sacks and 11 tackles for loss. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Bryant has a sharp burst off the edge and will help the Saints close out games after building their prototypical Drew Brees lead. While this may be a bit high for Bryant, it’s imperative to help people become aware of just how good this edge rusher for the Tigers could be.
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU (Inman)
The Buccaneers are so close on offense; however, a consistent running game is holding the progression of Jameis Winston and the passing game back. This kid is straight out of a video game with game-changing moves. Winston, Mike Evans, O.J. Howard, Desean Jackson and now Guice. Are you kidding me?
16) Washington Redskins: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville (JR)
Let’s be honest, Kirk Cousins will be a 49er at some point this offseason. In short, there will be a new quarterback in the nation’s capital. What better player to do that than one of the most electrifying players in the draft?
17) Buffalo Bills: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama (Inman)
Sometimes, in this economy, you just have to go get your guys.
18) Jacksonville Jaguars: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU (JR)
Allen Robinson is an impending free agent and he’s coming off a torn ACL. What better way to give yourself some security than to draft a similar player just in case management wants to part ways with Robinson and slide in Sutton as his replacement?
19) Minnesota Vikings: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame (Inman)
With shiny young toys and playmakers at skill positions still on the board, it’s imperative to stick to the original plan. The front office enters the second year of rebuilding their offensive line after adding two solid free agents in Riley Reiff and Mike Remmers. After cutting Alex Boone, Nick Easton’s play has not given hope of him as a long-term starter. Nelson is by far the most polished interior lineman of the draft. Because of this, it should not surprise anyone to see him plucked inside the top-15. The pair of Nelson and Pat Elflein will pave freeways for Dalvin Cook in 2018 and get the team one piece closer to a finished offensive line puzzle.
20) Seattle Seahawks: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame (JR)
Go.
Get.
Your.
Guys.
21) New York Jets: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama (Inman)
He plays defensive line for Alabama. What more do I need to say?
22) Detroit Lions: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan (JR)
Hurst has an unreal first step and motor. Haloti Ngata is ailing — and aging — and it’s time to revamp that Lions defensive front.
23) Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama (Inman)
The Steelers have been struggling to find and develop talent in their secondary for a while now — specifically at the safety position after losing future Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu. Harrison is the real deal, owning ideal NFL size and speed with a serious ability to fly and make plays all over the field.
24) Baltimore Ravens: Bryce Love, RB, Stanford (JR)
Shocker! The Ravens have the most surprising pick of the first round and grab one of the biggest rising stars in the country.
25) Los Angeles Rams: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M (Inman)
At just 5-foot-10, Kirk is loaded with speed and quickness. He’s already scored four touchdowns this year after an awesome junior campaign. He will immediately help the Rams in the return game; however, his real value lies in giving quarterback Jared Goff a consistent playmaker to lean on downfield and help further his progression.
26) Denver Broncos: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia (JR)
One of the biggest risers of the 2017 college football season so far has been Smith, flashing unreal instincts and having an uncanny nose for the ball.
27) Atlanta Falcons: Deon Cain, WR, Clemson (Inman)
The Falcons desperately need offensive line aid but there’s no one worthy of a spot here. Adding a legitimate No. 2 receiver next to Julio Jones like Cain would be an ideal selection with the lack of depth at the position more obvious than ever.
28) Philadelphia Eagles: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State (JR)
Torrey Smith and Alshon Jeffery are on one-year deals. Nelson Agholor has had a career resurgence, but it’s time to replenish the Eagles wideout corps with some youth. Washington provides the Eagles with a big-play threat for Carson Wentz.
29) Carolina Panthers: Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky (Inman)
He’s likely an outside linebacker with his massive size at 6-foot-5, but the Panthers could be in serious need of depth at the position as a whole with Luke Kuechly having major health issues — multiple concussions — and Thomas Davis close to hanging up the cleats.
30) New England Patriots: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville (JR)
Malcolm Butler is expected to leave via free agency. Alexander will be able to fill his void immediately at cornerback and as a return specialist.
31) Buffalo Bills (Via Chiefs): Kevin Tolliver, CB, LSU (Inman)
This is a 6-foot-2, 210-pound cover corner from “Defensive Back U.” Tolliver flashed during his freshman and sophomore seasons. Pairing him with his former teammate and current NFL rookie Tre White will give the Bills a young, fresh and ultra-talented 1-2 punch on the boundary of their defense.
32) Green Bay Packers: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson (JR)
Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels are stout up the middle. It is now time for the Packers to find some edge rushers. Ferrell is raw, but he provides supreme potential.
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