Mock Draft season is upon us so I hope you enjoy the mock along with highlights of most of the players. My approach was mainly best fit and value. If you agree, disagree, or super dooper disagree-let me know. Hit me up on twitter (@nateburchill)!
1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California
It will be interesting to follow the Darnold vs. Rosen debate throughout the draft process, but I think Darnold will win out. He’s got all the tools and only lacked production this past year. All in all, you roll the dice on him and see what you have over time. Also, he can make this throw so who knows what Darnold is capable of…
2. New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Ultimately the direction of what the Giants want to do with the second pick will come down to new GM Dave Gettleman. If he is true to Eli Manning, which supposedly has been his direction as of recently, then the Giants should go with the best overall prospect. Barkley is an unreal play-maker who could keep the franchise relevant even without a decent quarterback. This would be a win-win selection in my opinion.
3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
Chubb is the best NC State prospect since Mario Williams and a lock to go in the top 5. The Colts are miserable on defense so adding a talented pass rusher/run stuffer is a huge step in the right direction.
4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans): Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Regarded as one of the few “locks” in this draft, Nelson is a monster left guard that is a plug and play guy. The Browns could use a seemingly sure selection given their all too common woeful draft history. They could definitely go a different direction depending on who is available, but the Browns offensive line has a couple key contributors now that will be looking for new contracts in the coming years. It would be a great sign for the Browns to show some foresight and go with Nelson.
5. Denver Broncos: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Denver fans would weep with joy if this was the outcome of their 2018 draft. Chosen Rosen could potentially fall to the Broncos if the Giants pass and no team trades ahead of them to select him. The Broncos would get a polished passer to be their new franchise quarterback. Denver would be way too fortunate for this to actually happen, but you never know.
6. New York Jets: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Jets are my winners in the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes which means they will have to get some talent around him. Ridley is the highest rated skill position guy after Barkley and has the potential to be a “go-to” guy in the receiving corps. If the Jets don’t sign Cousins, this pick could end up differently.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Fitzpatrick would be a great value pick for the Bucs here. There is some debate with Fitzpatrick, but his raw talent is not in question. He is in some teams top 5 and could see a slight drop based on premium quarterbacks.
8. Chicago Bears: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
With wide receiver and offensive line being the priority, the Bears will continue to look to add solid pieces to help build around Mitchell Trubisky. Brown can help sure up a decent offensive line and help protect their franchise quarterback. I should also mention Brown is 6'8" /360 lbs…talk about monstrous.
9. Oakland Raiders: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Not only does Vea have one of the coolest names in the 2018 NFL draft, but he’s got the skills to make it more well known. This guy is a combo of Haloti Ngnata and Dontari Poe that I’m sure scouts love. Expect some freaky, strange athleticism and combine numbers to bump his stock higher throughout the draft process.
10. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Ward is one of those prospects that doesn’t necessarily jump out, but is all around very solid. The 49ers look to add more young talent to their defense and Ward would give them a first round selection at each level of their defense.
11. Miami Dolphins: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Dolphins don’t seem sold on riding into the future with Ryan Tannehill. Allen has been a top prospect all year so it wouldn’t surprise me if someone trades up to nab him. He’s got the best arm in the draft but decision making and accuracy have been his biggest question marks. I think if Allen is available here, they would pull the cord and end the Tannehill experience.
12. Cincinnati Bengals: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
Roquan Smith is not only the best prospect for the Bengals with the 12th pick, but he is arguably the best linebacker in the draft. After winning the Butkus award for best college linebacker, Smith should help bulster a Bengals defense desperately looking for leaders.
13. Washington: Marcus Davenport, EDGE, UTSA
Washington could end up with “the next small school star” if Davenport is selected. There have been many other “small school”, physically gifted players that have found success at the next level. Davenport has the tools to become something really special, but the right defensive scheme could really help make him shine.
14. Green Bay Packers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
Continuing to improve their defense, the Packers would love to get their hands on a play-maker in the defensive secondary like James. He was considered to be a top 5 talent before the season but showed some inconsistency throughout the year. That being said, James still has a lot of talent and can be a true game changer if he meets his potential.
15. Arizona Cardinals: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
It’s time for the Cardinals to find their new franchise quarterback. If they don’t trade up to get a different QB they like, they would be more than happy to select Mayfield as their quarterback of the future. Although Mayfield does have off-field issues, I don’t find them to be major. He seem’s more like Russell Wilson than Johnny Manziel to me.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Courtland Sutton could be a nice change of pace for Baltimore. Although the franchise hasn’t had the best of luck drafting recievers, its hard to go wrong with a 6'4" target. Sutton is regarded in some circles as the best receiver in this draft class. While others see him as more of a mid round pick. Either way, the Ravens need to find play-makers on offense and Sutton seems worth the gamble.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech
Tremaine Edmunds is a 6'5" outside back that could wreak havoc for opposing offensive lines. He’s disruptive in all phases and would have a great opportunity to develop in a Chargers defense looking to add talent. Edmunds could be one of the biggest steals in the draft if he falls into the teens.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Seattle needs help on their offensive line badly. Williams can provide a solid upgrade to one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL in 2017. Nothing flashy about this selection, but would be a huge piece to the new puzzle.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
Payne is a beast in the middle of what was, yet again, a very good Alabama defense. The Cowboys need to upgrade their defensive line in order to get pressure on the quarterbacks in the NFC East. Payne would be a great value selection here.
20. Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Guice could easily come off the board much earlier than this, but the Lions would be licking their chops if he fell this far. The Lions running backs have been plauged by injuries and split time in recent years. Guice would be the perfect back that can do it all for the Lions post-Megatron offense. This guy has Kamara potential to him depending on where he is selected.
21. Buffalo Bills: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
Hurst would be a great replacement for Darius who left Buffalo during the 2017 season. He would immediately fill that void as the Bills look to hit on back to back selections in the first round. They should grab Hurst here and cash in on value with this first pick and see what the market is for the 22nd pick.
22. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs): Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The Bills would be an interesting destination for someone like Nick Foles or Kirk Cousins but in the even that they don’t find a quarterback, Lamar Jackson wouldn’t be a bad decision. Once considered the most electric player in college football, Jackson could be a supercharged Tyrod Taylor. It also isn’t the worst idea to take a shot on a potential game changing QB while still cashing in a previous first round selection.
23. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Josh Jackson is one of the purest corners in this years class. There isn’t anything he particularly excels at because he’s very good in all facets. The only knock is that he could be a one year wonder, but still had more than enough balls thrown his way to see what he’s made of. The Rams can throw him in single coverage and feel pretty good about it.
24. Carolina Panthers: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma St.
The Panthers could look to add more receivers after trading away Kelvin Benjamin during the season. Washington would be a great addition. He has a big frame for only being 6' and has the speed to stretch the field. Oh, almost forgot to mention he won the Biletnikoff Trophy for best college receiver in 2017. Washington gives me Anquan Boldin type vibes which would be a great addition with the 24th pick.
25. Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
Landry is a solid pass rusher with a great initial burst, but that’s just about it at this point. He has the physical tools to develop into a beast but will need to add some nuances to his tool set.
26. Atlanta Falcons: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georiga
Wynn is an impressive guard prospect who held his own when Georgia moved him to left tackle last season. His versatility along with him being a “home grown” prospect will make him a fan favorite pretty quickly. Not to mention you still have to protect Matt Ryan while he’s in his peak.
27. New Orleans Saints: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The Saints absolutely crushed the 2017 draft and look to add more pieces this year. Evans would be a key contributor right away on the defensive side. His play-making makes him look like he was shot out of a canon. He has great instincts in coverage and blows. up. opposing running backs. The Saints would love if he fell to them with the 27th pick.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
The Steelers haven’t had a true play-making safety since Troy Polamalu. Harrison can fill that void. Although its not an immediate need, the Steelers need to improve their defense in several spots. I would look for them to draft defensive players in not only the first round, but in subsequent rounds as well.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
Depending on what happens with Blake Bortles and potentially bringing in a different quarterback in free agency, the offensive line should still be a priority. Hernandez is a better run blocker than pass blocker which would help Fournette tremendously.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Offensive line is a problem for the Vikings. Both tackle and guard spots are shaky at best and could definitely use a boost. McGlinchey is one of the more fundamental blockers, but will need reps at the next level to fully develop. This could be another step in the right direction for the Vikings as they look to contend again in 2018.
31. New England Patriots: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
No one is exactly sure what happened with Malcolm Butler in the Super Bowl, but its safe to say he probably won’t be with the team next year. The Patriots will look to fill the hole with Hughes who is a legit first round talent. Expect Hughes to be the first player to be drafted from college footballs only undefeated team in 2017.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Okorafor Chukwuma, OT, Western Michigan
The Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles (that looks weird typed out) should key in on the offensive line and select probably the hardest name to pronounce in this years draft class. Chukwuma can help keep Wentz stay upright- a slight problem Philly had difficulty with in 2017.
