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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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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Baker Mayfield, quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners, poses for the media after the 2017 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis December 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 09: Baker Mayfield, quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners, poses for the media after the 2017 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis December 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) /

3. New York Jets: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Broadway Baker just has a ring to it, doesn’t it? As stated previously, Baker Mayfield is my No. 1 quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft class. You can say what you want about his height, hand size and whatever else, but that’s not important to me when you look at the former Sooner. He’s the most accurate passer in this draft and has the skill-set that allows him to overcome those perceived shortcomings as a quarterback prospect.

The New York Jets desperately need a player of this ilk at quarterback. Mayfield may come off as arrogant, but it’s really just a chip on his shoulder that has been there since he had to walk on at Texas Tech and then again at Oklahoma. He’s out to prove everyone wrong, and the Jets need that kind of mentality in their locker room. And having the likes of Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater to come in behind early on certainly doesn’t hurt either.

4. Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

There has been a multitude of chatter throughout the entire draft process about the Browns potentially trading the No. 4 overall pick. That idea hasn’t lost steam and, for a franchise that has invested so heavily in acquiring draft capital in recent years, that would make sense. However, I’m of the belief that new general manager John Dorsey doesn’t see it quite the same way. And with an opportunity to get the top-rated player in this class, he takes it instead of trading out.

Saquon Barkley is, put simply, a freak of nature. He’s an athletic marvel with the ability to do it all out of the backfield. He can run between the tackles with great power, has the speed to kick runs outside and break open big plays, and has the best pass-catching ability of any back in this class. Pairing him with a Tyrod Taylor early and then Sam Darnold down the line makes this offense explosive and dangerous, especially behind an offensive line that should be quite formidable if they can adequately fill the hole left by Joe Thomas’ retirement.

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