2018 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Pro Bowl Projections for 1st-Round Prospects
There's still one more important football game left to play this season in Minneapolis, Super Bowl 52 featuring the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots. The other 30 teams have already spent hours in the film room scouting the 2018 draft class.
The Cleveland Browns have franchise-altering decisions with the No. 1 and No. 4 overall selections. How will their front office stack the roster for the future?
The New York Giants have a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Eli Manning headed into his 15th season with the organization. Nonetheless, after a disappointing 3-13 campaign that ended with firings at head coach and in the front office, will we see the intent for a permanent change under center? At No. 2, Big Blue can acquire one of the top two coveted signal-callers in the draft.
Check out early first-round predictions for the 2018 class with extended commentary on notable top-five selections.
2018 NFL Mock Draft 1st-Round Projections
1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
2. New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
5. Denver Broncos: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
6. New York Jets: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
8. Chicago Bears: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
*9. San Francisco 49ers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
*10. Oakland Raiders: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
11. Miami Dolphins: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
12. Cincinnati Bengals: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
13. Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
14. Green Bay Packers: Arden Key, OLB, LSU
15. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
16. Baltimore Ravens: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
18. Seattle Seahawks: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
19. Dallas Cowboys: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
20. Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
21. Buffalo Bills: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
22. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs): Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
23. Los Angeles Rams: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
24. Carolina Panthers: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
25. Tennessee Titans: Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
26. Atlanta Falcons: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
27. New Orleans Saints: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Christian Sam, LB, Arizona State
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Billy Price, OG, Ohio State
30. Minnesota Vikings: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
*31. Philadelphia Eagles: Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
*32. New England Patriots: Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
*A coin flip will confirm draft order for Nos. 9 and 10. The Super Bowl outcome will decide teams picking Nos. 31 and 32
Cleveland Browns Select Josh Rosen at No. 1
The Browns need a culture change, and what better way to accomplish that than to bring in a confident quarterback to lead the franchise toward greener pastures.
Wyoming signal-caller Josh Allen said, he'd like to turn this much-maligned organization around in an interview with Bull and Fox on 92.3 The Fan. However, Rosen comes into the league with a better resume. The UCLA product boasted a palatable 62 percent completion rate compared to the Mountain West signal-caller's 56 percent.
UCLA finished with a sub-.500 record in each of the last two seasons. Losing games shouldn't faze Rosen in his professional career, assuming the Browns continue to go through some growing pains before seeing positive results.
Cleveland would acquire a prospect with a talented arm, moxie and proven production at the collegiate level. General manager John Dorsey's first draft pick could go down as the selection that changes this franchise's trajectory.
New York Giants Draft Future Starting Quarterback Sam Darnold at No. 2
The Browns pick makes the New York Giants' No. 2 selection easier with the other top passer falling into their lap.
Sam Darnold's touchdown numbers dipped and interceptions rose a bit between his sophomore and junior campaigns. However, when critiquing the film, it's easy to see his potential to develop into an NFL starter. He'd also land in an ideal situation behind Manning who's still under contract with Big Blue for two more seasons, per Spotrac.
As a result, there's no rush to put Darnold on the field to save the franchise. The USC product could learn from a true professional on and off the field in Manning then replace him in a couple of years.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, sources viewed Pat Shurmur and quarterback Case Keenum as a package deal, but after a poor showing in the NFC Championship Game, the Giants head coach will likely say his goodbyes to the 29-year-old signal-caller in favor of a Manning-Darnold combination, which is nothing to frown upon.
Cleveland Browns Follow Up with Saquon Barkley at No. 4
The Browns draft a solid one-two punch in Rosen and running back Saquon Barkley. Armed with two picks within the first five selections, Cleveland must acquire prospects who can impact the game in Week 1. The Penn State product checks that box.
Cleveland will follow the trend of choosing a running back in the No. 4 slot. Thus far, it's worked well for the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars, who selected Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Barkley put the total package on display as a ball-carrier, receiver and blocker at Penn State. He elevated the Nittany Lions offense for three years and finished his collegiate career with 5,038 yards and 51 touchdowns from scrimmage.
Running back Isaiah Crowell's contract will expire once the offseason begins. Tailback Duke Johnson can still contribute as a receiving option out of the backfield with Barkley in the featured role.
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