NFL Mock Draft 2018: Post-CFP Championship Predictions for 1st-Round Prospects

Alabama has been producing first-round draft choices seemingly for decades, including 20 in the current decade (2010 through 2017). 

Georgia has not been in the same category, but head coach Kirby Smart is considered an ace recruiter and the Bulldogs' second-year head coach has already upgraded the talent level for his team. It seems likely that Georgia will be associated with quite a bit of first-round talent in the years to come.

Alabama pulled off a thrilling 26-23 overtime win over Georgia on Monday night, and for several players their next games will be played in the NFL.

Here's a look at four players in this year's championship game who should have an opportunity to get selected in the first round of the upcoming draft.

2018 NFL Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
2. New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
4. Cleveland Browns (via HOU): Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame 
5. Denver Broncos: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
6. New York Jets: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
8. Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
9#. Oakland Raiders: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
10#. San Francisco 49ers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
11. Miami Dolphins: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
12. Cincinnati Bengals: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
13#. Green Bay Packers: Arden Key, OLB-DE, LSU 
14#. Washington: Derwin James, S, Florida State
15. Arizona Cardinals: Billy Price, OL, Ohio State
16. Baltimore Ravens: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State 
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma 
18. Seattle Seahawks: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
19#. Dallas Cowboys: Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia 
20#. Detroit Lions: Harold Landry, OLB-DE, Boston College 
21. Buffalo Bills: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
22. Buffalo Bills (via KC): Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
23. Los Angeles Rams: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson 
24. Carolina Panthers: Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi 
*25. Tennessee Titans: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson  
*26. Atlanta Falcons: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
*27. Jacksonville Jaguars: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
*28. New Orleans Saints: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU  
*29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
*30. Philadelphia Eagles: Ben Banogu, DE-OLB, TCU
*31. Minnesota Vikings: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
*32. New England Patriots: Tremaine Edmunds, DE-OLB, Virginia Tech 

# -- Coin flip will break these ties
* -- Playoff results will determine final draft order

FS Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama

There is an excellent chance that Fitzpatrick could be the first safety selected in this year's draft, and he appears to be the kind of player who will make an immediate impact as a creative playmaker.

The 6'1", 202-pound Fitzpatrick is coming off a tremendous junior season in which he showed the ability to play cornerback and free safety. Fitzpatrick had 55 tackles, seven for loss, one interception and seven passes defensed going into Monday night's championship game.

He is a clear leader in the Alabama locker room, and he has the kind of emotional makeup that should allow him to take on a similar role with an NFL team. 

Fitzpatrick looks like a top-10 selection.

Butch Dill/Associated Press

WR Calvin Ridley, Alabama

One of the most polished receivers in the nation with the ability to perform on the biggest stages without feeling the pressure of the moment. In fact, Ridley is the type who excels in the most important games.

Ridley caught 89 passes as a freshman for 1,045 yards and seven touchdowns, and he followed that with 72 receptions for 769 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016. While his reception numbers were down a bit this year with 59 catches for 935 yards and four TDs, his 15.8 yards per catch were the best of his three years at Alabama in that category.

Ridley has good speed and excellent strength at 6'1" and 190 pounds, but his physical skills are not what separates him from the field. He is a brilliant route runner who can make his cuts at full speed and lose defenders with a single move and leave them standing with a double move. 

Ridley caught the tying touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against Georgia, and he has an excellent chance to be drafted within the top 10 as well.

Wade Payne/Associated Press

LB Roquan Smith, Georgia

There is little doubt that Smith loves the game, and the game appears to love him back. He is an outstanding athlete with a mean streak, and he loves to stop opposing ball-carriers with his big-time hitting ability.

The 6'1", 225-pound Smith roams sideline to sideline to make impressive tackles, and he gets to the edge in a heartbeat. Once Smith gets his hands on a running back or a receiver taking a short pass, they are not going to get away from him.

He has had a spectacular season with 124 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He had 13 tackles and 1.0 sack in the SEC title game victory over Auburn and 11 tackles in the Rose Bowl win over Oklahoma.

Smith appears to be a top-20 draft selection.

LB Rashaan Evans, Alabama

Evans is a hard-hitting and powerful man at 6'3" and 234 pounds who is one of Alabama's best playmakers.

He had 66 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one forced fumble going into the title game, and he has the ability to come off blocks and fire into the backfield. He has shown he can play either inside 'backer or outside, but he is probably better-suited to playing inside at the next level.

He has a chance to go in the first round, but it may be more likely that he goes near the top of the second.