April 25 , 2018 (NFL Mock Draft)
By Mike Costanza
2018 NFL Mock Draft – Yes… We have One!
We have created most interesting 2018 NFL Mock Draft in history! At least day 1 should be anyway with three teams having multiple picks in the first round (Browns, Bills, and Patriots), 4, 5, or maybe even 6 Quarterbacks could hear their name called, and the trade rumors and possibilities are endless. One thing is for sure….no one has a clue what is going to happen as teams are keeping their plans close to their vest.
The AFC East could potentially have 3 brand new franchise QBs by the end of the day. The Jets, Bills and Dolphins could all draft the guy they feel could lead them into their respective future. Imagine the Patriots in a year or two being the team looking for Brady’s replacement. Imagine the Patriots being the basement dweller in the AFC East without a franchise QB. I know, I know, your’re blinded and you can’t see it, but once you look away from all the Bling on Belichick’s and Brady’s fingers, your vision will come back. Eventually Belichick and Brady will be replaced by McDaniels and ???
Cleveland is also very intriguing as they have 4 of the top 35 picks in this year’s draft. They should be able to stockpile talent at key positions, including quarterback. The real question here is…will they finally get it right? With these picks alone and the players they have brought in via free agency and trades, they should be very competitive in the upcoming season.
With all of that said and plenty left unsaid, LETS DO THIS MOCK DRAFT (WITH TRADES)!!
2018 NFL Mock Draft – Predictions
1.CLEVELAND BROWNS
SAM DARNOLD – QB, USC
The Browns take their franchise QB. The question is have they gotten it right this time? His turnovers are a huge concern, but he has the talent, arm strength, and mechanics to succeed at the next level. We will see if Hue Jackson truly is the QB whisperer.
2. N.Y. GIANTS
SAQUON BARKLEY – RB, PENN STATE
Gettleman had many flavors to choose from, but liked this one best. Possibly the best player in this entire draft fills a huge need for the G-Men. A trade down may have been the better option to a QB needy team, but he sticks to his guns and gives the Giants the backfield weapon they haven’t had since the Tiki Barber days.
3. N.Y. JETS
BAKER MAYFIELD – QB, OKLAHOMA
Jets get the guy they wanted all along. They made the trade with the Colts very early for this pick knowing, or at least hoping, Baker would be here. Don’t care about his height, talent is talent. Just ask Brees and Wilson.
4. CLEVELAND BROWNS
BRADLEY CHUBB – D.E., NC STATE
Pairing him with Myles Garrett is a no brainer here if they don’t trade out of this pick. Only potential future concern here is they may have 3 players seeking $100 million plus contracts. They’ll be happy to worry about that in a few years after watching Chubb wreak havoc on opposing QBs.
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DENVER BRONCOS
JOSH ROSEN – QB, UCLA
Could take Barkley here if he falls or Talib’s replacement, instead Elway decides to grab the most pro ready QB in this draft. He should compete with Keenum right away in Denver. 2018 NFL Mock Draft
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BUFFALO BILLS (TRADE WITH COLTS)
JOSH ALLEN – QB, WYOMING
Allen has ideal size and arm strength. Buffalo gets their franchise QB and didn’t have to give up the #22 pick to get him. Their patience pays off.
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TAMPA BAY BUCS
DERWIN JAMES – S, FLORIDA STATE
Tampa gets the secondary help they need. He instantly improves a defense that has already been upgraded on the defensive line. There will be plenty of good RBs to choose from later in the draft.
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CHICAGO BEARS
QUENTON NELSON – OG, NOTRE DAME
Bears get the best lineman in the draft and give Trubisky an early Christmas present. Nelson will anchor this line for years to come for an offense on the rise. Easy decision here as the Bears wasted no time getting this pick in.
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ARIZONA CARDINALS (TRADE WITH 49ERS)
LAMAR JACKSON – QB, LOUISVILLE
The Cardinals grab the QB they wanted as they jump ahead of Miami at 11 to make sure they get him. This just seems like a perfect fit and he just might be the best QB in this class. Jackson and David Johnson will be a scary duo for years to come.
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OAKLAND RAIDERS
TREMAINE EDMUNDS – LB, VIRGINIA TECH
Raiders could go Roquan Smith here, but I have them taking Edmunds. At 19 years old, skys the limit. Tremendous player here to help Mack up front. Yet another monster pairing up front. They could also take the fastest WR here over talent because after all, they are the Raiders. Just saying
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MIAMI DOLPHINS
ROQUAN SMITH – LB, GEORGIA
Miami gets a steal here. They’ve already traded for Robert Quinn and add Smith to the front 7. Great sideline to sideline player with excellent speed. Might be my favorite pick in this draft and he might be the best player in this draft.
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (TRADE WITH BILLS)
DENZEL WARD – CB, OHIO STATE
Colts trade down here and stockpile more draft picks and the player they may have taken at 6. They lost Vontae Davis in the offseason and replace him with the best corner in the draft. A little undersized but he PLAYS BIG.
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WASHINGTON REDSKINS
DERRIUS GUICE – RB, LSU
Plenty of options on the defensive side of the ball here, but ultimately, they grab mini – Marshawn Makes a great combo here with Chris Thompson and gives newly acquired Alex Smith some help in the backfield.
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GREEN BAY PACKERS
MINKAH FITZPATRICK – DB, ALABAMA
Green Bay gets a versatile playmaker in the outfield. They can move him around and let him make plays. This defense is trending in the right direction.
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SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (TRADE WITH ARIZONA)
MIKE MCGLINCHEY – OT, NOTRE DAME
The 49ers trade back and take the 1st tackle in the draft. They need to protect their new $100 million dollar QB and McGlinchey should do that very well for the next decade.
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BALTIMORE RAVENS
CALVIN RIDLEY – WR, ALABAMA
This pick just makes too much sense. Flacco needs help at the WR position and gets it here. Not a great WR draft class, but Baltimore gets the best one.
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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (TRADE WITH CHARGERS)
KOLTON MILLER – OT, UCLA
The Patriots jump a few offensive line needy teams to ensure they get their guy. Kolton slides right in to Solder’s old spot to protect Brady.
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SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
JOSH JACKSON – CB IOWA
Great ball skills with ideal size to replace Sherman. They immediately start the retooling of the defense with a great pick in the first round.
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DALLAS COWBOYS
LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH – LB, BOISE STATE
They could go WR here, but they are better suited for the later rounds. Vander Esch is a beast and fills a need as Dallas no longer has Hitchens and Sean Lee is constantly hurt. Some Urlacher comparisons with him. Not a bad player to be compared to.
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DETROIT LIONS
MARCUS DAVENPORT – DE, UTSA
Pair him with Ziggy Ansah and look out. He’s a little raw but the athleticism is there. This is Matt Patricia’s first draft so would you expect anything other than a defensive player? Good player with high upside.
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CINCINATTI BENGALS
WILL HERNANDEZ – OG, UTEP
Offensive line was a disaster last year, so what do you do? You trade for Cordy Glenn and draft Hernandez. Now that’s how you start to rebuild your O-line in just a few months. Left side of line should help Dalton tremendously.
22. BUFFALO BILLS
ISAIAH WYNN – OT/OG, GEORGIA
When you draft your franchise QB, you need to make sure he is protected. Wynn will help keep Josh Allen upright for years to come. Very polished player that can play guard or tackle.
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LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
VITA VEA – DT, WASHINGTON
They trade down with the Patriots and still land the player they want. With a defense giving up an average of over 130 yds per game to opposing RBs, this is an easy pick and a steal. This might be one of the quickest picks of the night.
24. CAROLINA PANTHERS
RASHAAN EVANS – LB, ALABAMA
With Thomas Davis retiring at season’s end, Evans is given a golden ticket. He can come in and learn from two of the best in Davis and Kuechly. Talent is there, so he should excel at the next level.
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TENNESSEE TITANS
HAROLD LANDRY – DE, BOSTON COLLEGE
Tennessee is happy to grab an explosive pass rusher here. New head coach Mike Vrabel is drooling over this pick.
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ATLANTA FALCONS
DA’RON PAYNE – DT, ALABAMA
The Falcons need help up the middle with the departure of Dontari Poe. Payne comes in with all the tangibles you want in a DT. Combine his speed and strength with his pass rushing skills and you get a great player at a much needed postion for the Falcons.
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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
MAURICE HURST – DT, MICHIGAN
The Saints had one of the quickest turnarounds ever on defense last year. They add to their defensive line this year and make it even stronger.
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS
MIKE HUGHES – CB, UCF
This is a great fit for Hughes and improves a Steelers secondary right out of the gate. They could also go LB here with the hole left by the unfortunate Shazier injury, but the top LBs are gone.
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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
JAIRE ALEXANDER – CB, LOUISVILLE
Jacksonville doesn’t have many holes, especially on defense. So they take the best player available which works out great since Aaron Colvin left via free agency.
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CLEVELAND BROWNS( TRADE WITH VIKINGS)
CONNOR WILLIAMS – OT, TEXAS
Cleveland jumps back into 1st round to snatch up Joe Thomas’ replacement. He could’ve been the first tackle taken in the draft. Great value and a great move to get Darnolds blindside protector.
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NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
JUSTIN REID – S, STANFORD
With Malcolm Butler gone, Belichick drafts his replacement. Reid can play safety or the nickel corner spot. Belichick loves that.
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INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (TRADE WITH EAGLES)
SONY MICHEL – RB, GEORGIA
The Eagles next pick isn’t until #130 in the draft. Easy decision for them to trade back as Colts stockpiled picks and trade a few of them to move up to get the last pick in the first round. The Colts get an explosive RB who can come in and take some pressure off of Luck.
Well that’s it. Hopefully you enjoyed the 2018 NFL Mock Draft picks and the trades. Let me know what you think.
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