Mock Draft 1.0
By: Cody Queen
1 – Cleveland Browns – RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State
The Browns are in a spot to become a good team by building in this year’s draft. Cleveland needs an explosive offensive weapon and RB Saquon Barkley is that weapon. Choosing a QB in this draft would not be advised for Cleveland.
2 – New York Giants – DE Bradley Chubb, NC State
DE Bradley Chubb is ready for NFL and will wreak havoc on the rest of NFC east. The Giants do not have that dynamic defensive line player and Chubb is that and more.
3 – New York Jets (Trade with Colts) – QB Sam Darnold, USC
The Jets need help in many places and they traded up from the 6th pick to the 3rd to try and get the best QB in the draft before anyone else gets him. Sam Darnold seems like the best choice for a QB in this draft and the Jets should pull the trigger.
4 – Cleveland Browns – CB Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Cleveland has a 2nd top 4 pick and should continue to build up that already good defense by grabbing CB Minkah Fitzpatrick who will hopefully help this unit take the next step.
5 – Denver Broncos – G Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
Denver did not get Cousins but they did land Keenum and they need to protect him. OG Quenton Nelson gives the Broncos the help they desperately need. No QB can have success without at least having a manageable O-line. They drafted OT Bolles last year, the 2nd most penalized player in the league last season.
6 – Indianapolis Colts – WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Assuming that Andrew Luck is healthy in 2018 they need help for T.Y. Hilton and another target for Luck. WR Calvin Ridley should prove to be a nuisance for defenses and a boost the Colts need.
7 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Josh Jackson, Iowa
Brent Grimes was just re-signed and that means they could move Vernon Hargreaves III to the nickel position since it suits him best. The Bucs need a little more help on the outside and CB Josh Jackson could be that help.
8 – Chicago Bears – DE Marcus Davenport, UTSA
Chicago did a good job in the last draft by getting QB Mitch Trubisky who threw for 2,193 yards and 7 TDs in 12 games. RB Tarik Cohen wasn’t stellar but he did get over 700 totals yards which made him a nice addition for a 4th round pick. The Bears need help on the D-Line and DE Marcus Davenport showed at UTSA that he can make a positive impact on any defense.
9 – San Francisco 49ers – LB Roquan Smith, UGA
The 49ers are building a super team. The one weakness they need to repair is their linebacker problem. LB Roquan Smith would be a scary combo with the best CB in the league Richard Sherman. Not only will they have a good offense under Jimmy G, but the defense has the potential to be lethal.
10 – Oakland Raiders – DT Vita Vea, Washington
The Raiders added RB Doug Martin to help take some of the load off of Marshawn Lynch. This offense should be fine with QB Derek Carr passing to Jordy Nelson as well. Now it’s time to start bulking up the defense and DT Vita Vea could be that bulk (Literally). Vita Vea is the best DT in this year’s draft and could help free up Khalil Mack tremendously.
11 – Miami Dolphins – QB Josh Allen, Wyoming
12 – Cincinnati Bengals – G Will Hernandez, UTEP
13 – Washington Redskins – S Derwin James, FSU
14 – Green Bay Packers – LB Tremaine Edmunds, VT
15 – Arizona Cardinals – QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville
16 – Baltimore Ravens – WR Courtland Sutton, SMU
17 – L..A. Chargers – OT Orlando Brown, Oaklahoma
18 – Seattle Seahawks – TE Mike Gesicki, Penn State
19 – Dallas Cowboys – DT Da’Ron Payne, Alabama
20 – Detroit Lions – LB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
21 – Buffalo Bills – G Billy Price, Ohio State
22 – Buffalo Bills – CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville
23 – L.A. Rams – LB Arden Key, LSU
24 – Carolina Panthers – DL Harold Landry, Boston College
25 – Tennessee Titans – DT Taevn Bryan, Florida
26 – Atlanta Falcons – CB Denzel Ward, Ohio State
27 – New Orleans Saints – QB Josh Rosen, UCLA
28 – Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Carlton Davis, Auburn
29 – Jacksonville Jaguars – WR Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
30 – Minnesota Vikings – OT Connor Williams, Texas
31 – New England Patriots – DE Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
32 – Philadelphia Eagles – CB Mike Hughes, UCF