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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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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks on during the second half of a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Rosen #3 of the UCLA Bruins looks on during the second half of a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

5. Buffalo Bills (via Broncos): Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

TRADE: Buffalo trades No. 12 and 22 to Denver for No. 5

We finally have a trade on our hands. It’s no secret that the Buffalo Bills are trying to trade up again after moving Cordy Glenn to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 21 pick. They find a team willing to do that in the Denver Broncos. In my opinion, the Broncos need to stay here and take a quarterback. Also in my opinion though, John Elway isn’t going to give up on Paxton Lynch just yet and he just signed Case Keenum. Thus, they trade down to acquire more roster depth.

As such, the Bills get one of the top three quarterbacks as they nab Josh Rosen. Personality concerns about the UCLA product have him slipping in a lot of recent mock drafts, but I don’t see that being an issue — or at least as big of one as it’s being made out to be. Yes, Rosen is a different dude in terms of his mental make-up, but he’s a talented player with pro-ready traits that can come in and play behind a solid stopgap option in AJ McCarron early on in Buffalo.

6. Oakland Raiders (via Colts): Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

TRADE: Oakland trades No. 10 and 75 and a 2019 fifth-round pick to Indianapolis for No. 6

I’m ready to embrace the hate for this, but I don’t care. The Oakland Raiders have long been in the need for a game-changer at linebacker, but have yet to find one. Thus, it’s not surprising that they’ve been enamored with Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith throughout this process. However, it’s highly likely that he’s not there with their original pick at No. 10. What’s more, Jon Gruden just seems tailor-made for making a big splash in his first draft after his return to Oakland.

And with the Indianapolis Colts having basically a top-to-bottom needs on their roster outside of quarterback, trading down would be in their best interest. Thus, the Colts acquire what will be their sixth selection in the first 75 picks and the Raiders move up to get their guy.

Smith has superstar potential with some of the best football instincts in the entire class and the athleticism to make good on his diagnosis ability. His horizontal speed is absolutely incredible and he can help the Raiders defense become a fortress in the middle of the field.

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