NFL Mock Draft 1.0

FOOTBALL IS BACK.

And with it comes expanded coverage (ESPN, NFL Network, & Fox), a new location (AT&T Stadium), and of course...increased drama. 

The 2018 NFL Draft has finally arrived. And fans are once again reigning with optimism of the possibility of unproven rookies becoming stars and turning their franchises around. 

(NFL.com)

In what has become one of the most anticipated (and impossible to predict) drafts in recent memory, here is my shot on how the first round will shake out come Thursday night:

1. Cleveland Browns – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

It’s no secret with the Browns. They desperately need a franchise signal caller (28 different QBs have started since they returned in ’99). Acquiring seven-year veteran Tyrod Taylor to mast the ship in the short term isn’t a bad scenario, but this is a franchise that needs to strike gold with this selection.

Dorsey begins the rebuild by taking the most accurate (and brass) passer in the field. 

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

This is a prime spot for a chance to select Eli’s successor, especially if Darnold is available (& if the rumors are true that they are enamored with him). But with the Giants in a situation to win now, they select the best player in the draft, giving the offense an impressive nucleus of skill players for years to come (Odell Beckham 25, Sterling Shepard 24, Evan Engram 23, and Barkley 21).  

3. New York Jets (from Colts) – Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Still searching for its franchise QB to compete in the Patriot-dominate AFC East, the Jets opt for the draft’s 'safest' and most complete passer.

4. Cleveland Browns – Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

Word is that the Browns are looking to shop this pick (not again!?). At some point, you've got to build a roster with elite talent. Here, the Land grabs the best defensive player in the draft to pair with Garrett -- forming one of the most formidable fronts for years to come.

5. Buffalo Bills (projected trade with Denver) – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

GM John Elway said he is open to shopping this pick, and with two of the top four QBs still available at this point, the Bills move up to grab the most athletic passer in the class – in hopes of grooming him into its next franchise QB.

6. Indianapolis Colts (from Jets) – Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

It wouldn’t be surprising to see another trade in this spot, especially if a QB is taken at #5. But the Colts need blue-chip talent in the middle of its D. Smith provides exactly that for new HC Frank Reich.  

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

In a division loaded with top QBs (Brees, Ryan, Newton), adding an explosive player like James gives the Bucs much needed depth in the secondary and in rush defense.  

8. Chicago Bears – Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

New Bears line coach Harry Hiestand (formerly Notre Dame’s line coach) reunites with his standout guard – a perfect fit for Matt Nagy’s offense. The windy city nabs a Hall of Fame capable mauler for the next decade.

9. Green Bay Packers (projected trade with San Fran) – Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

Green Bay needs help in the secondary (23^rd in pass defense). They make a move to snag the versatile Fitzpatrick who can play both corner and safety.

10. Arizona Cardinals (projected trade with Oakland) – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Just last year, the Cardinals surpassed on Deshaun Watson & Pat Mahomes, when they were unwilling to move up to snag either. This year, GM Steve Keim delivers, snagging their QB of the future in this draft’s most pro-ready passer.

11. Miami Dolphins – Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

With his stock rising by the day, it’d be shocking if Edmunds falls outside the top 10 (although possible with a run on quarterbacks). The Phins land an instant playmaker who fills an immediate need.

12. Denver Broncos (projected trade with Buffalo) – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

GM John Elway trades down and still adds an elite talent. Ward adds much-needed depth to a secondary that lost veteran Aqib Talib in the offseason.

13. Washington Redskins – Vita Vea, DT, Washington

The Skins need help across the board on the defensive side of the ball. Vea, the athletic 347-pounder fills a gap up front.

14. San Francisco 49ers (projected trade with Green Bay) – Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

The Niners desperately need some help with their pass rush (just 30 sacks a season ago, tied for 26^th). Davenport is raw, but with time his length and athleticism could give opposing QBs fits. Harold Landry could also be in play here.

15. Oakland Raiders (projected trade with Arizona) – Harold Landry, DE, BC

In his return as head man, Gruden inherits a woeful defense (23^rd in total defense, 24^th in sacks, & 32^nd in INTs). They snag Landry to bolster the pass rush alongside Mack.

16. Baltimore Ravens – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Baltimore was decimated with o-line injuries a season ago. In free agency, they lost their starting center and released their starting tackle. McGlinchey fills an immediate need on the ride side of the line.

17. Los Angeles Chargers – Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Constructing elite defensive lines is slowly becoming a norm to prominent contenders. Selecting Payne gives the Bolts some serious depth, adding to a front of Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram, Corey Liuget, and an aging Brandon Mebane (33).

18. New England Patriots (projected trade with Seattle) – Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Bill Belichick almost always goes defense, especially with Brady at the helm who can make any offense look good. Now, with Brady at the tail end of his career, he goes against the grain and selects Brady’s successor, paving the way to what will be seen as a new era of NFL QBs.

19. Dallas Cowboys – Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

Releasing Dez, it only makes sense to give Dak some weapons. Sutton instantly becomes a reliable target. 

20. Detroit Lions – Will Hernandez, G, UTEP

Physical at the point of attack, Hernandez is exactly what the new coaching staff in Detroit is looking for. He instantly improves a porous rushing attack – one that hasn’t seen a 100-yard rusher in a game since 2013. D-line also makes sense. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas

In the past, when Dalton and co. were at their best, they had an elite o-line headed by stalwart tackle Andrew Whitworth (now in LA). Adding the rock-solid Ragnow to the acquisition of Cordy Glenn, gives the Bengals a much-improved front.

22. Denver Broncos (projected trade with Buffalo) – James Daniels, OL, Iowa

The Broncos give Keenum some help up front, adding the versatile Daniels -- who can play center or guard at the next level.

23. Seattle Seahawks (projected trade with New England) – Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

The departure of Richard Sherman leaves a gap on the perimeter. Alexander isn’t as talented, but he can be groomed into a great starter.   

24. Carolina Panthers – D. J. Moore, WR, Maryland

The Panthers could go a number of ways with this selection (TE/WR/CB). They opt to give Cam Newton some much needed help in the passing game by giving him a #1 receiver.  

25. Tennessee Titans – Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

New HC Mike Vrabel gets a versatile man in the middle to lead the defense.  

26. Atlanta Falcons – Taven Bryan, DT, Florida

Dan Quinn continues to build an athletic defense as Bryan provides the size, strength, and quickness to make an impact from day one.

27. New Orleans Saints – Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Surrounding Brees with more playmakers is never a bad idea in the Big Easy. Ridley is the perfect fit for this offense and a steal at this point in the draft. 

28. Pittsburgh Steelers – Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

For the fifth time in six years, the Steelers select a LB in the first round. The Boise State standout 

29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

The perfect scenario for the Jags, who land a premiere talent at a position of need, giving Blake Bortles a huge (6-foot-5) red zone target.

30. Minnesota Vikings – Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia

The Vikes could use some help in protecting its newly acquired QB Kirk Cousins. Wynn adds some much needed help to the interior offensive line.

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

After losing Solder in free agency, they snag his replacement in Miller who may have the best movement skills in this class.

32.  Cleveland Browns (projected trade with Philly) – Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

Philadelphia needs to grab some extra picks (with no second or third rounder). The Browns need playmakers on offense. They swoop in to grab an instant weapon in the backfield.