2018 NFL Mock Draft: The Combine will shake everything up

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PASADENA, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates his touchdown pass for a 7-3 lead over the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at Rose Bowl on November 24, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Sitting with the first-overall pick, the Browns waste little time in addressing the need at quarterback. It wasn’t all bad for DeShone Kizer last season, but it was mostly bad. Josh Rosen has the most talent in the vaunted 2018 quarterback class. He can add real promise to what’s going to be a sneakily exciting roster in Cleveland.

2. New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Another quarterback comes off of the board as the Giants nab Sam Darnold. Darnold, in my opinion, is probably a safer option than Rosen simply because the floor is higher, even if the ceiling isn’t quite as high. Picking up some tutelage from Eli Manning should serve the former Trojan well — even if he’s not throwing at the Combine.

3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State

Best player available. That should be the mantra of the Indianapolis Colts in this draft, and that leaves them with Bradley Chubb. While you have to admire the work that general manager Chris Ballard has been able to do, there’s still plenty more to be done with this roster. Adding a player with the presence of the North Carolina State edge rusher will certainly help move this defense towards the future.

4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

With the pick that they picked up last year in the draft from the Texans as they traded up to get Deshaun Watson, the Browns now turn to the defense. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a leader and an absolute stud in the secondary. Slotting him at free safety alongside Jabrill Peppers at the strong should make for a formidable back end.

5. Denver Broncos: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

For my money, Baker Mayfield is the most pro-ready prospect among the 2018 NFL Draft’s quarterbacks. If I had to start someone from Day 1, Mayfield would be the guy. That makes him a perfect fit in Denver, who have weapons and a great defense to bolster them.

6. New York Jets: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

On the far opposite end of the spectrum of Mayfield sits Josh Allen. If you put him in now, it’s going to go poorly. Luckily, the Jets have a long way to build before they’re ready to compete and could likely afford to let Allen be groomed a bit.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

With Saquon Barkley on the board — the man who many consider the top talent in this draft class — and after the Bucs cut Doug Martin, this selection is all-too sensible.

8. Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

There are a lot of different directions that the Bears could go here. However, after cutting Josh Sitton, they need to protect their big investment in Mitchell Trubisky and help grade the road for Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen. Quenton Nelson is a monster on the interior and should help to do just that.

9. San Francisco 49ers: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Reuben Foster’s legal troubles put the 49ers behind the 8-ball at linebacker. They need stability and playmaking at that level of their defense. Roquan Smith will give them that as an uber-athletic and talented linebacker that could start right away.

10. Oakland Raiders: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

The search for a linebacker in Oakland has been going on for some time now. They need a future at the position and Tremaine Edmunds is the type of talent that can provide that for the Raiders and Jon Gruden.

11. Miami Dolphins: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Miami’s situation at cornerback is not particularly promising. Their defense needs reinforcements in a bad way at numerous levels, and adding Denzel Ward to the secondary would be a wonderful start.

12. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

After losing Kevin Zeitler and Andrew Whitworth last offseason in free agency, the Bengals offensive line was abysmal for most of the year. Now it needs to be addressed and the best tackle in the draft, Mike McGlinchey, falls in their laps.

13. Washington Redskins: Derwin James, SS, Florida State

Derwin James has the potential to be a top-five talent from this draft class. He’s a monster that just makes plays at every level. The Redskins could indubitably use that type of player to help shore up the back end of the secondary.

14. Green Bay Packers: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa

Even after they took Kevin King in the draft last season, the Packers are still lacking a great deal of talent in the secondary. Joshua Jackson is one heck of a player, and the former Hawkeye should really help Green Bay’s defense to take a step forward.

15. Arizona Cardinals: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

In all likelihood, the Cardinals are going to end up trading up to try and get a quarterback. However, if they have good information that Lamar Jackson is going to fall to No. 15, they might not need to do that. Jackson is being criminally underrated and could be a new breath of life for an Arizona team that needs just that at quarterback.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

The Baltimore Ravens’ group of offensive weapons is borderline depressing. They needs someone to come in and be a viable No. 1 target for Joe Flacco to give him some kind of help. Calvin Ridley has the complete skill set to be just that.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

As much talent as there is on the Chargers defense with the likes of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, they are lacking at linebacker. Rashaan Evans is being slept on a bit in my opinion and is closer to the conversation with Smith and Edmunds than not. He could truly help LA take a big step forward on that side of the ball.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

It feels as if this isn’t going to happen because the Seahawks never seem to address their offensive line issues with premium draft capital. They should, though, and adding the massive Orlando Brown to help keep Russell Wilson from getting killed sounds like a prudent strategy.

19. Dallas Cowboys: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan

The Cowboys have been missing a playmaker like Maurice Hurst in the middle of their defensive line. Hurst may be slightly undersized, but that’s the same thing they said about Aaron Donald. While he may not be the most dominant defensive player in the league, he has the film to suggest that he will prove his doubters extremely wrong.

20. Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Time and again, the Lions have had little to no running game to aid Matthew Stafford in the offense. Adding Derrius Guice would undoubtedly help their cause, however. The LSU product is a bull with the ball and can break open big plays at any point.

21. Buffalo Bills: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

With the first of back-to-back picks in the first round, the Bills first look to shore up their defensive interior. They blew up the defense in a big way this past year, but adding a monstrous force like Vita Vea at tackle will help them to start rebuilding properly.

22. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City): Connor Williams, OT, Texas

On the clock once again, the Bills now turn to the line on the other side of the ball. Tyrod Taylor might not be their future at quarterback, but whoever is back there needs to be better protected. Connor Williams will surely help them to do just that.

23. Los Angeles Rams: Arden Key, EDGE, LSU

At his best, Arden Key looks like a top-10 prospect. However, he has been wildly inconsistent and has bust potential because of his attitude. With that said, putting him in an exciting environment like with the up-and-coming Rams under Wade Phillips on defense could make him thrive.

24. Carolina Panthers: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

After trading Kelvin Benjamin, the Panthers need to give Cam Newton someone to throw to besides Greg Olsen. Courtland Sutton is the big-bodied receiver with the physical gifts that make you believe he can be what Carolina had hoped the aforementioned Benjamin could be.

25. Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

Brian Orakpo isn’t getting any younger and the Titans have a talented overall roster. They could use depth and a potential upgrade on the edge. The speedy Harold Landry should be able to provide just that, despite deceivingly disappointing stats from last season.

26. Atlanta Falcons: Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia

It’s not so secret that the Falcons have a hole at offensive guard that needs to be filled if their offense has any hope of reaching the 2016-17 heights they saw under Kyle Shanahan. Isaiah Wynn is easily the second-best guard in this class and should stay in Georgia to help out Atlanta.

27. New Orleans Saints: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

After pretty much fixing the defense, the Saints need to get Drew Brees — assuming they do indeed keep him — some more weaponry. James Washington is a divisive figure, but he seems the perfect player to put on the opposite side of Michael Thomas in the New Orleans offense.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Tegray Scales, LB, Indiana

Tegray Scales may seem out of place here, but I see no reason on tape that he can’t be a first-round talent. Given that and the Steelers need at linebacker following Ryan Shazier’s injury, this seems like a perfect fit for Pittsburgh to make a bit shocking but smart pick.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma

Marcedes Lewis may be returning, but the Jaguars still need to upgrade for the future when it comes to tight end. Mark Andrews was a vacuum when the ball was thrown his way this season for the Sooners and could be the consistent pass-catcher that Jacksonville needs to add.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

While quarterback would certainly be a need for the Vikings, I’m of the mind that they will solve that with Kirk Cousins, or some other way in free agency. Having said that, they need a future at cornerback. Jaire Alexander could come in and play in the slot, while also giving their special teams a boost as a lethal return-man.

Next: NFL Free Agency: Top 50 players, signing predictions

31. New England Patriots: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

All the signs point to Malcolm Butler being gone from Foxborough this offseason, which means they need to come up with depth at cornerback. Mike Hughes is a beast on the edge with a ton of upside that seems like the perfect guy to thrive in New England.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan

It’s hard to pinpoint critical needs for the Super Bowl champions, though linebacker comes to mind. No one is here to address that need without reaching, though, so they instead look for offensive line depth. They have some old heads on the line and the massive Chukwuma Okorafor should come in and provide a boost in that area.

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