NFL Draft 2018: Known Order and Top Prospects Before Week 17

Like the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cleveland Browns have clinched a No. 1 designation before Week 17.

The 13-2 Eagles, who swapped picks with Cleveland to draft Carson Wentz in 2016, locked down NFC home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The 0-15 Browns, on the other hand, will pick first in a 2018 draft headlined by promising quarterbacks.

That may change if those prospects stay in school to avoid an organization with 38 wins over the past decade.

The Browns also missed an opportunity to snag a franchise quarterback when moving down in 2017's draft, allowing the Houston Texans to take Deshaun Watson instead. Since the Clemson alumnus tore his ACL in early November, Cleveland brandishes another top-five pick.

Beside Cleveland's stronghold on the No. 1 spot, 2018's draft order can change following Week 17 and the postseason. The following projected first-round order, taken from NFL.com, has the home team winning every playoff matchup, with the Eagles claiming pick No. 32—and the Lombardi Trophy—on account of their superior record.

2018 NFL Draft Order (Before Week 17)

1. Cleveland Browns (0-15)

2. New York Giants (2-13)

3. Indianapolis Colts (3-12)

4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston 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 (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 (8-6)

21. Tennessee Titans (8-7)

22. Atlanta Falcons (9-6)

23. Baltimore Ravens (9-6)

24. Carolina Panthers (11-4)

25. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs, 9-6)

26. New Orleans Saints (11-4)

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5)

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

Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

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Josh Rosen has a strong chance of hearing his name called first on April 26. Whether he wants that distinction is another matter.

ESPN's Adam Schefter recently reported Rosen would prefer to play for the New York Giants rather than the Browns. Per Schefter, the fact Cleveland holds the top pick could deter the junior from leaving UCLA.

As a result, onlookers construed the quarterback's recent comments to validate his unwillingness to be a part of Cleveland, courtesy of ESPN's Josh Weinfuss:

In November, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote that "Rosen's confidence and personality could make him the Troy Aikman of the Browns." He said the top prospect possesses the pocket vision teams "generally die for."

Before sitting out the Cactus Bowl because of a concussion, the Californian tossed 26 touchdowns and averaged 8.2 yards per pass attempt for the Bruins. Draft Wire's Luke Easterling called him the "most pro-ready passer in this year’s class."

His polished skills, however, could go to waste on a franchise with a remarkably poor track record of developing quarterbacks. Rosen has a far better chance to save Cleveland from more infamy than DeShone Kizer, but it's easy to see why he would prefer to work with Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram as Eli Manning's heir apparent.

Sam Darnold, QB, USC

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In November, similar rumors materialized about Sam Darnold, who was supposedly basing his decision to go pro on which team picks first. He denied those murmurs in a press conference Wednesday before USC lost to Ohio State in Friday's Cotton Bowl Classic.

"Whenever I come out to go to the NFL, I think I'd be honored to play for any team," Darnold said. "It's been a dream of mine for such a long time to play in the NFL. Any team that would want to give me that opportunity to be a part of their organization, it would mean the world to me."

Yet the redshirt sophomore must decide whether he will go pro. ESPN Cleveland's Jordan Zirm believes Darnold will take the leap:

Regardless of his feelings about Cleveland, the Trojans star may benefit from another year in college. After tossing 31 touchdowns and nine picks in a 2016 campaign he started on the bench, the 20-year-old surrendered nine interceptions in this season's opening six games.

Tossing a pick-six in an erratic Cotton Bowl performance won't have helped his stock. He would also have less competition by declaring a year after Rosen, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.

The 6'4", 220-pound passer looks the part. His size, accuracy, arm strength and poise will prompt grand visions of stardom. Nobody wields a higher ceiling, but an inconsistent sophomore year also elevates his risk factor as a top selection.

If Darnold enters the draft, he should still start his NFL career with the Browns or Giants.

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

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For all the hype surrounding the potential quarterback crop, Miller ranks Saquon Barkley atop his draft board. He said the Penn State running back compares favorably to Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette, all of whom were taken inside the top 10.

Miller found another Barkley fan in Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead, who watched the all-purpose back score 22 touchdowns while serving as Penn State's offensive coordinator in 2016.

"He's a five-tool guy," Moorhead told 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." 

It's a testament to Barkley's talent that registering 1,903 scrimmage yards and 23 touchdowns, two on kick returns, felt like a letdown. The junior compiled 163 yards in consecutive losses to Ohio State and Michigan State, taking Penn State out of the title hunt and hindering his Heisman bid.

If he leaves school, Barkley will still become the latest running back to demand a premium first-round investment. That's not a certainty. He said Thursday he will make a decision "whenever it hits me," per ESPN.com's Dan Murphy.

"It's hard because it's right in front of you," Barkley said before Penn State's Fiesta Bowl win over Washington. "I'm human. I have taken time to think about it. I talked to [head coach James] Franklin about it before the season even started. I talked to my family about it. The best way I try to deal with it is to live in the moment and appreciate the time I have here." 

Already armed with a franchise quarterback, the Indianapolis Colts or Tampa Bay Buccaneers could each bolster a lackluster backfield by grabbing Barkley. Rookie running backs Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt once again proved it's possible to unearth a gem after the first day, but such a well-rounded prospect is hard to find at any position.