There’s been a flurry of player movement ahead of league’s new year beginning March 14, 2018. With the combine over, it’s time to focus in on the 2018 NFL Draft.
Here’s what each team should do in round 1 in my 2018 NFL Mock Draft:
1 – Cleveland Browns
The Browns have two picks in the top 4 and it couldn’t come at a better time since they’re 1-31 in the past two seasons. They need to draft someone who can come in and help them win now. If I’m the Browns, I take the best player available.
The Browns should pick Bradley Chubb (DE – NC State). Imagine Chubb on one side and Myles Garrett on the other.
2 – New York Giants
The Giants are bringing Eli Manning back so taking a QB at #2 doesn’t make much sense. They should get him help in the backfield.
The Giants should draft Saquon Barkley (RB- Penn State)
3 – Indianapolis Colts
The Colts should have Andrew Luck back at the start of the season. He needs help. There aren’t any playmakers worth of the third pick so if I’m Indy, I trade down to a team wanting to jump up and snag a QB.
If Indy keeps the pick, they should pick Quenton Nelson (OG – Notre Dame).
4 – Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans)
With the Browns having traded for Tyrod Taylor, QB is not an immediate need. This would be a great spot for them to pull off a trade to add more assets. Perhaps another trade with the Bills? If not, they could bolster the O-line.
If they keep the pick, the Browns should pick Mike McGlinchy (OT – Notre Dame)
5 – Denver Broncos
It’s hard to predict this pick. I’ve got to think John Elway would rather have a more proven QB to start the season than drafting someone here but if he strikes out on the free agent market, QB is a must here.
The Broncos should draft Josh Allen (QB – Wyoming)
6 – New York Jets
If Kirk Cousins signs with the Jets, this opens this pick up to a few different possibilities. If he doesn’t, the Jets will go QB. Let’s say for this mock draft Cousins signs with the Vikings instead of the Jets.
The Jets should take Josh Rosen (QB – UCLA)
7 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are a team that needs a playmaker. They’re in a tough division and have to hit on this pick to be in the playoff chase in 2018. I think they go with a defensive playmaker to counter the stellar QB’s in the NFC South.
The Bucs should draft Minkah Fitzpatrick (FS – Alabama)
8 – Chicago Bears
Another potential trade spot. With top QB prospects still available here, I expect the Bears to get at least a few offers. I think they look to strengthen the defense considering they have six games a year against Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and whichever QB the Vikings decide on.
The Bears should pick Derwin James (SS – Florida State)
9 – San Francisco 49ers
Rumors have the Niners have been trying to acquire DB’s via trade this offseason. There will be potential for them to draft one at 9.
The 49ers should draft Denzel Ward (CB – Ohio State)
10 – Oakland Raiders
Jon Gruden is back at the helm for the Raiders. Being an offensive guy, will he look at that side of the ball? The Raiders are a player away from being a playoff team.
The Raiders should pick Da’Ron Payne (DT – Alabama)
11 – Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins seem ready to move on from Ryan Tannehill. QB is a need for a team in rebuild mode. One player stands out as a guy who can instantly become a leader as a rookie.
The Dolphins should draft Baker Mayfield (QB – Oklahoma)
12 – Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals need to bolster their line. It used to be one of the league’s best but fell off last season after they lost a couple of starters.
The Bengals should pick Connor Williams (OT – Texas)
13 – Washington Redskins
The Redskins let Kirk Cousins go and traded for Alex Smith so QB is settled. The ‘Skins could use help on defense.
The Redskins should draft Roquan Smith (LB – Georgia)
14 – Green Bay Packers
After seeing Aaron Rodgers injured last season, I think the Packers should focus on the offensive line. One guy stood out at the combine.
The Packers should draft Will Hernandez (OG – UTEP)
15 – Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals will be giddy if the draft works out the way I’ve predicted. They’d have a top QB prospect fall in their lap. They rush the card to the commissioner.
The Cardinals should pick Sam Darnold (QB – USC)
16 – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens fell out of a playoff spot the last week of the season so they’re right on the brink of being contenders. I think they look for the best player on the board here in the middle of the first round.
The Ravens should draft Calvin Ridley (WR – Alabama)
17 – Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have a formidable pass rush and know the window for Phillip Rivers is closing. I think they’ll look to collapse the pocket in the QB’s face so they’ll look for someone in the middle of the defense.
The Chargers should pick Vita Vea (DT –Washington)
18 – Seattle Seahawks
Big changes in Seattle. Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett and Jimmy Graham are all gone. Will they look to go with a d-lineman or secondary help? I think they’ll look to replenish the pass rush.
The Seahawks should draft Sam Hubbard (DE – Ohio State)
19 – Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys should look to get the best player available.
The Cowboys should pick Tremaine Edmunds (LB – Virginia Tech)
20 – Detroit Lions
The Lions’ new HC is defensive minded Matt Patricia. I think he’ll look to find a pass rusher.
The Lions should draft Marcus Davenport (DE – UTSA)
21 – Buffalo Bills
With back-to-back picks, the Bills could look to move up and grab the QB at the top of their board. If they stick around here, there still could be a QB they want, offensive line or pass rush.
The Bills should draft James Daniels (OC – Iowa)
22 – Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs)
Having gone to the offensive side with the previous pick, the Bills look at the other side of the ball.
The Bills should draft Rashaan Evans (LB – Alabama)
23 – Los Angeles Rams
The Rams seem to be going all in on the 2018 season as they’ve been one of the most active teams this offseason. They’ve bolstered the secondary by acquiring Marcus Peters from the Chiefs and Aqib Talib from the Broncos. They traded Robert Quinn away so looking for a pass rusher makes sense here.
The Rams should pick Harold Landry (LB – Boston College)
24 – Carolina Panthers
The Panthers need another target for Cam Newton. Some great WR’s are available here.
The Panthers should draft Courtland Sutton (WR – SMU)
25 – Tennessee Titans
Mike Vrabel is the new HC in Tennessee. He takes over a team that won a playoff game last season. The team could use an offensive playmaker.
The Titans should draft Christian Kirk (WR – Texas A&M)
26 – Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are still contenders in the NFC. They won on the road in the playoffs and took the eventual Super Bowl Champion Eagles to the wire. The defensive line could use a boost.
The Falcons should pick Maurice Hurst (DT – Michigan)
27 – New Orleans Saints
The Saints are amongst the NFC elite. They know one player could put them over the top. They look to be going after Jimmy Graham in free agency so defense could be the focus of their first pick.
The Saints should pick Josh Jackson (CB – Iowa)
28 – Pittsburgh Steelers
The Ryan Shazier injury means they need to find a new playmaker at linebacker.
The Steelers should draft Leighton Vander Esch (LB – Boise State)
29 – Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars were the surprise of 2017 as they were a quarter away from the Super Bowl. The defense is set but the offense could use a playmaker. I think they should look at trading up for Christian Kirk. His ability to make plays in the passing game as well as return kicks would be a huge get for them. I don’t see him available at 29 though.
The Jaguars should draft Lamar Jackson (QB – Louisville)
30 – Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are still debating who will be their QB in 2018 but the draft isn’t in consideration. They’ll look to restock the d-line.
The Vikings should pick Taven Bryan (DT – Florida)
31 – New England Patriots
The Pats got lit up by Nick Foles in the Super Bowl. With Malcom Butler apparently on his way out, the Patriots need to address the secondary.
The Patriots should pick Jaire Alexander (CB – Louisville)
32 – Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are Super Bowl Champs. They bring the core back so they’ll look to add depth at key positions. I think Doug Pederson will look at the defensive side of the ball.
The Eagles should pick Donte Jackson (CB – LSU)
Check back for updated NFL Mock Drafts up until the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018.