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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Final projection on draft day

By Cody Williams

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Roger Goodell announces a draft pick during the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theater on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: Roger Goodell announces a draft pick during the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theater on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

You can tell me that the Cleveland Browns are going to select Josh Allen all you want, but I’m not buying it. Could I see them taking Baker Mayfield with the first-overall pick? Absolutely I think that’s in play as he’s my top quarterback in this class and a guy that gives the team a personality it’s lacked forever in the huddle. However, I think the pick is Sam Darnold and everything we’ve seen to the contrary is a smokescreen.

With the addition of Tyrod Taylor this offseason, the Browns have a great position for Darnold to come into. The worst thing that could happen to Darnold is for him to be rushed into action and asked, as a 20-year old, to save Cleveland. He needs time to further mature and pick up the pro game and the Browns can afford him that luxury with Taylor in-tow. And by doing so, they’ll increase the chances of the former Trojan reaching his enormous potential.

2. New York Giants: Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State

While you could certainly see the New York Giants trading out of the second pick, I don’t think the market is quite as lucrative as some would have you believe. There are other teams that don’t need or won’t be taking a quarterback in the top 10 that emerge as better trade candidates. And because they are picking a bit later, it won’t require as much draft capital to trade up to those spots.

That’s fine for the Giants as they end up with Bradley Chubb here. Following the Jason Pierre-Pal trade, the G-Men need to make sure that they solidify their edge rush. Yes, they need a successor to Eli Manning and also need help on the offensive line. But new general manager Dave Gettleman has proven to be a defensive-minded man in the past, and that makes Chubb seem like the obvious pick if they stay at No. 2.

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