2018 NFL Mock Draft II

Since my first edition mock draft on January 22nd, a couple of signings and trades have happened that have impacted which position players teams will draft. Here is my second edition based off that and other speculations with free agency fast approaching. Changes from the first edition are in parentheses.

 

1)  Cleveland Browns: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA– They still need a franchise quarterback and Rosen is the best thrower among them. (no change)

 

2) New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC– It’s time to secure Eli Manning’s successor. His personality fits New York well. (no change)

 

3) Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State-Indy’s defense needs help in the worst way. Say hello to the best pass rusher in the draft. (no change)

 

4) Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State– Many feel Barkley is a generational running back. The Browns need all the help they can get. (no change)

 

5) Denver Broncos: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame– The offensive line has been a mess. Getting Nelson instantly upgrades that unit. (no change)

 

6) New York Jets: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville– The Jets need a quarterback and some excitement to inject into this franchise. Enter Jackson, an ever improving passer with electrifying talent. (no change)

 

7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama- Pass rush is a position of need but it’s hard to pass on a rare talent like Fitzpatrick. A do everything, multi-position player does not come along very often. He fills a need as well. (change-Arden Key, DE, LSU)

 

8) Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama- The Bears haven’t had much success with drafting wide receivers. Ridley has the ability to be a number one option. Trubisky needs a weapon to grow with. (no change)

 

9) San Francisco 49ers: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa– Cornerback is a major position of need and they get a good one in Jackson. The knock on him is his lack of elite speed but he is a terrific cover corner and ball hawk. He’ll pair well with last year’s pick in Ahkello Witherspoon. (change-Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama)

 

10) Oakland Raiders: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State- Oakland is another team needing cornerback help. Ward has great speed to help cover up technique issues. That should improve with NFL coaching and practice. He has the potential to be a top flight defensive back. (change-Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa)

 

11) Miami Dolphins: Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia- Miami needs a quarterback on defense. Smith checks both boxes and is a terrific tackler who can cover. This is a great fit for a team in need of direction and leadership. (no change)

 

12) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame- The Bengals need to shore up the offensive line. McGlinchey is the best tackle in the draft and will immediately upgrade the line. (no change)

 

13) Washington Redskins: Derwin James, S, Florida State- After trading for Alex Smith, quarterback is no longer necessary. The secondary needs help. Janes can play both corner and safety, making him very valuable. He’s big, physical and is a hard hitter. (change-Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma)

 

14) Green Bay Packers: Connor Williams, OT, Texas– They have to address the offensive line after suffering so many injuries. They get a good one in Williams, a physical specimen who mauls defenders. Plug him in for the next 10 years. (change-Derwin James, S, Florida State)

 

15) Arizona Cardinals: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming- No question Arizona needs a signal caller after the retirement of Carson Palmer. Allen has been compared to Ben Roethlisberger, a big guy with a big arm to match. The Cardinals can only hope he accomplishes half of what Big Ben has. (no change)

 

16) Baltimore Ravens: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU- They need a number one option and Sutton has all the attributes to be that guy. He’s big, strong and can surprisingly run away from defenders. He’ll also help in the red zone. (no change)

 

17) Los Angeles Chargers: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma– The Chargers need to protect their quarterback if they want to improve on last season. Brown has a nasty streak and can be Philip Rivers blindside protection. Rivers should feel better after this pick. (no change)

 

18) Seattle Seahawks: Billy Price, OG, Ohio State- There’s recurring theme going on here with multiple lineman being drafted so early. Quarterback Russell Wilson was running for his life last season. Price is a grinder who’ll help solidify the interior of the line. (no change)

 

19)  Dallas Cowboys: Da’Ron Payne, DT/DE, Alabama- It’s very tempting to go offense but cooler heads prevail. Payne’s versatility makes him too good to pass up. He can create pressure from the outside or stuff the run on the inside. Just plug and play. (no change)

 

20) Detroit Lions: Arden Key, DE, LSU- Key falls right into their lap. He can pair with the recently franchise tagged Ziggy Ansah. He has elite speed off the edge but possesses strength to get to the inside. (change-Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State)

 

21) Buffalo Bills: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma- The Bills finally move on from Tyrod Taylor. Mayfield has the intangibles and moxie to be a successful starting NFL quarterback. Antics aside, Baker is a gamer who makes plays. (change-Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State)

 

22) Buffalo Bills: Vita Vea, DT, Washington- The interior of the defensive line got weaker once Marcel Dareus moved on. Vea is an absolutely disruptive inside who can pressure the quarterback too. A huge guy with quick feet is rare. (change-Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State)

 

23) Los Angeles Rams: Rahsaan Evans, ILB, Alabama- With the trade for Marcus Peters, cornerback is no longer the priority. Evans is a prototype inside linebacker. He is a punishing tackler who can cover sideline to sideline. (change-Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn)

 

24) Carolina Panthers: Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-Davenport has shot up the draft board with impressive showing in Senior Bowl and his Pro Day. Superior speed and explosive first step will give him ian egde. He’ll need to get stronger to develop counter moves but the skills are there. (change-Dorance Armstrong Jr, DE, Kansas)

 

25) Tennessee Titans: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State– It was obvious from the playoff loss they need to get more pressure on the quarterback. Hubbard has great technique and a high motor. He’ll help generate some sorely needed pressure up front. (change-Braden Smith, OG, Auburn)

 

26) Atlanta Falcons: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama– The Falcons need help on the back end of their defense. Harrison is a highly intelligent player who is always in the right position and he’ll make sure others are in position too. He’s also a sure tackler who hits like a linebacker. (change-Tavarus McFadden, S, Florida State)

 

27) New Orleans Saints: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech-Edmunds is rising up the draft boards because of his freakish size and athletic ability. Still only 19 and room for improvement makes him a tantalizing player too good to pass up. (change-Harold Landry, DE, Boston College)

 

28) Pittsburgh Steelers: Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn- The Steelers need to shore up their secondary. Davis has great size and good cover skills. He depends more on positioning than speed and breaks well on passes. Tackles well in open space. (change-Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama)

 

29) Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma– They need a consistent threat in the middle of the field. Andrews is sure handed and is a deep threat as well as a precise route runner and above average blocker. He’ll open up coverage on the sidelines for receivers, too. (no change)

 

30) Minnesota Vikings: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA– No matter who’s at quarterback, he’ll need better protection. Miller is a tough kid with kid with long arms to keep defensive ends at bay. Solid footwork keeps him in good position against quicker ends. (change-Connor Williams, OT, Texas)

 

31) New England Patriots: Tavarus McFadden, S, Florida State- The Patriots need help in the secondary. They get a good one in McFadden. A very quick and tall safety with ball hawking skills. Great hands for breaking up passes as well. (change-Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado)

 

32) Philadelphia Eagles: Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State– With no real glaring weaknesses, go to the trenches. They go to the offensive line to shore up. Rankin is a good tackle with strong hands and solid base. He’ll add talent and depth, which is never a bad thing. (no change)