NFL Draft 2018: 1st-Round Order Entering Week 17 and Predictions for Prospects

While half the league is focusing on reaching the playoffs and contending for the Super Bowl, the rest of the teams have already turned their focus on the NFL draft.

Players aren't going to tank intentionally, but fans might root for their own teams to lose to end up higher on the draft order. Although the Cleveland Browns have already secured the No. 1 overall pick, the rest of the first round can see plenty of shifting based on the Week 17 results.

With several high-upside talents available at the top of the first round, it's alright to start dreaming.

Here is a look at the first-round draft order after Week 16 as well as predictions for where some of those top prospects will end up in April.

2018 NFL Draft Order

1. Cleveland Browns (0-15)

2. New York Giants (2-13)

3. Indianapolis Colts (3-12)

4. Cleveland Browns via Texans (4-11)

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11)

6. Denver Broncos (5-10)

7. New York Jets (5-10)

8. San Francisco 49ers (5-10)

9. Chicago Bears (5-10)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9)

11. Oakland Raiders (6-9)

12. Miami Dolphins (6-9)

13. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

14. Green Bay Packers (7-8)

15. Washington Redskins (7-8)

16. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7)

17. Dallas Cowboys (8-7)

18. Buffalo Bills (8-7)

19. Detroit Lions (8-7)

20. Seattle Seahawks (9-6)

21. Tennessee Titans (8-7)

22. Atlanta Falcons (9-6)

23. Baltimore Ravens (9-6)

24. Carolina Panthers (11-4)

25. Buffalo Bills via Chiefs (9-6)

26. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5)

27. New Orleans Saints (11-4)

28. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

29. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3)

30. Minnesota Vikings (12-3)

31. New England Patriots (12-3)

32. Philadelphia Eagles (13-2)

Top Prospects to Watch

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Running backs went through a phase of being undervalued, but the last two drafts have seen players go in the top five, and Saquon Barkley appears set to be next in line.

The Penn State star saw his numbers decline this year, but he still came through with 1,728 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns while finishing fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He also added two kick returns for scores.

"He's a five-tool guy," former Nittany Lions offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead told Bleacher Report's Matt Miller. "He can do it all. He has speed, power, can run through you or hurdle over you. You can put him in the slot. He can return kicks. And he's worked hard to become a great pass protector."

Miller referred to the running back as "a unicorn" and called him the top player in the class.

There is no question he would represent a significant upgrade for several teams selecting in the top 10, but the best option might be the New York Giants. When healthy, the squad has elite receivers and a reliable quarterback in Eli Manning, but Barkley could create a truly dynamic offense that has been limited for the past few years.

Prediction: New York Giants

Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

While offensive players are fun to watch, an elite pass-rusher can make an even bigger difference for a football team.

Greg Gabriel of Pro Football Weekly noted why Bradley Chubb is worth more than the quarterbacks in this class:

"

Just finished doing Bradley Chubb. If I had a choice between him or any of the QB’s, it’s Chubb hands down. Future Pro Bowler & scheme versatile

— Greg Gabriel (@greggabe) December 21, 2017"

Chubb has 10 sacks this year for the second season in a row, adding 23 tackles for loss and 72 total tackles. He can make an impact against the run and is even better chasing quarterbacks, whether he gets a sack or not.

The Indianapolis Colts need help on both sides of the ball, even if Andrew Luck returns to full strength in 2018, but the pass defense that ranks 30th in the NFL is a good place to start. The pass rush is the major part of the problem, with the 23 sacks being the second fewest in the league.

Adding Chubb could provide immediate help while improving the entire unit. 

Prediction: Indianapolis Colts

Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

There is risk for every draft prospect, but arguably the safest pick in this class is Quenton Nelson.

The offensive lineman has the size (6'5", 330 pounds), strength and technique necessary to be an impact player on both run and pass plays. He was a consensus All-American this season for the Fighting Irish and his play along with offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey was a major reason was so successful offensively.

The only question is where will Nelson be drafted considering interior linemen are rarely taken too early. None were selected in the first round last season, and it took until No. 18 for center Ryan Kelly to come off the board in 2016.

Enough teams need help on the offensive line to make Nelson a top-five pick, but a likely scenario is him falling to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 10. The squad ranks dead last in offensive yards, and after spending high picks on skill players last year, it's time to upgrade the offensive line.

Considering Brandon Scherff has earned two straight Pro Bowls at guard after being a No. 5 overall pick in 2015, there should be no hesitation to draft Nelson as early as possible. 

Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals

Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images

There are at least five quarterbacks battling to be the top player taken at the position, including Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson. However, Josh Rosen could be the best of the group.

His second concussion of the year prevented him from competing in the Cactus Bowl, but he finished the year with 3,717 passing yards and 26 touchdowns despite question marks elsewhere on the roster.

He not only has the arm strength and accuracy necessary to make every throw, but he also has great poise in the pocket to complete passes even when facing a blitz. This ability often separates quarterbacks at the NFL level.

However, a big issue might be his unwillingness to go to Cleveland. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Rosen would be hesitant to declare for the draft if he thought the Browns would take him.

"I'd rather be a lower pick at the right team than a higher at the wrong team," the quarterback said Tuesday, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.

While Myles Garrett also pleaded for another team to draft him before ultimately going to the Browns, there are more alternatives to Rosen. Cleveland could go in a different direction at quarterback, leaving the UCLA star to end up at a better location in Denver. 

Prediction: Denver Broncos