NFL Draft 2018: Latest Mock Draft Predictions for Top Prospects of Round 1

Many football fans now fully have the 2018 NFL draft on their minds after the College Football Playoff title game between Alabama and Georgia. 

The next big wave of NFL talent played one last game in Atlanta on Monday with everything on the line, a talent showcase unlike what most any other collegiate matchup can put on the field. 

Alabama's stunning 26-23 overtime victory after turning to backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was fun, yet those with an eye on the draft were watching elite prospects, ranging from premium spots like defensive backs to monsters in the middle like Alabama defensive tackle Da'Ron Payne.

Below, let's take a look at an updated mock draft after the title game, where six of the players involved are projected to come off the board in the first round. 

2018 NFL Mock Draft 

1. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

2. New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

3. Indianapolis Colts: Derwin James, S, Florida State

4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

5. Denver Broncos: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

6. New York Jets: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

8. Chicago Bears: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

*9. San Francisco 49ers: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

*10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

11. Miami Dolphins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

12. Cincinnati Bengals: Connor Williams, OT, Texas

13. Washington Redskins: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

14. Green Bay Packers: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU

15. Arizona Cardinals: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

16. Baltimore Ravens: Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

18. Seattle Seahawks: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

19. Dallas Cowboys: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

20. Detroit Lions: Bryce Love, RB, Stanford 

21. Buffalo Bills: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa

22. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs): Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

23. Los Angeles Rams: Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State

24. Carolina Panthers: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

25. Tennessee Titans: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

27. Atlanta Falcons: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

28. New Orleans Saints: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas

29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Davenport, DE/OLB, UTSA

30. Minnesota Vikings: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

32. New England Patriots: Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson

* Depicts tiebreakers to be decided by a coin flip. Picks Nos. 25-32 will be determined by playoff results.

*10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Georgia lost, but fans shouldn't sleep on Roquan Smith. 

Smith is one of the best linebacker prospects to enter the draft in years, a high-end player with strong sideline-to-sideline speed put to use by elite instincts.

Matt Brown of Sports on Earth was one of many to sing his praises during the title game: 

The hype for Smith started for many during the national title game, but he's been a surefire top NFL pick since high school, standing out at The Opening and dominating the SEC with ease. He can slide into any scheme and what should scare teams missing on him most is the fact he isn't close to a ceiling yet. 

For a team like the Oakland Raiders, Smith would be a steal at No. 10 and easily the best player available. He's also right in the same mold as a guy whom new head coach Jon Gruden would love, and schematically he'd slot right in alongside guys like Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack. 

Smith is a culture-changing player on the defensive side of the football, and the Raiders need not only the attitude but the talent that he would bring in an AFC West that looks like it's not going to fall off anytime soon. 

11. Miami Dolphins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Butch Dill/Associated Press

We mentioned premium positions above in large part thanks to Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

Fitzpatrick, listed at 6'1" and 202 pounds, is another physical Alabama corner who wins with his elite athletic ability and ball skills. He's yet the latest in a long line of solid pros from Nick Saban's recruiting pipelines, ranging from Dre Kirkpatrick and others. 

Let Bleacher Report's Matt Miller tell it, Fitzpatrick is the best outright defender in the class: 

One doesn't have to look far in order to find more of the same. One general manager told NFL.com's Lance  Zierlein that Fitzpatrick compares well to Jamal Adams, last year's No. 6 pick. Zierlein added some analysis of his own to the report: "Fitzpatrick plays with a tremendous motor. He has the ability to cover the slot, play deep safety, blitz or even help in run support near the line of scrimmage."

Barring a dramatic overhaul on the offensive side of the ball, a prospect like Fitzpatrick makes sense for the Dolphins. Not only would it adhere to the best-player-available approach, it'd give the unit another option alongside guys like Cordrea Tankersley and Xavien Howard. 

There's no such thing as too many good defensive backs on a roster these days, something especially the case in the AFC East thanks to a guy named Tom Brady. Even when he's gone, the three teams in the division will potentially have new franchise passers to deal with in the coming years, making another defensive back a necessity capable of creating a positive ripple effect on the entirety of Miami's defense. 

13. Washington Redskins: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

Saban certainly doesn't have any problems recruiting the skill positions, as junior wideout Calvin Ridley is arguably the top players at his position this year. 

Ridley, 6'1" and 190 pounds, has managed to shine despite Alabama's run-first approach and oft-shaky players under center, scoring five or more touchdowns with 63 or more catches in all three years with the program. 

The issue with Ridley is projecting his talent to the next level with a pro passer because he isn't exactly in the greatest position to succeed with Alabama, as odd as that sounds. But some of the alluring upside traits that translate to the next level are right there on film, as NFL.com's Chad Reuter pointed out: 

With a good frame, sure hands and traits such as the above, a team like the Washington Redskins will have a tough time passing Ridley up. 

Those Redskins, after all, made a gigantic misstep last offseason by losing key players at wideout and bringing on Terrelle Pryor Sr. to replace the production. He finished the season with 20 catches and Jamison Crowder was the only wideout among the team's top four reception leaders. 

Ridley changes the complexion of the offense in a hurry as a guy who can create separation and reliably move the chains, which in turn opens up the shorter passing game that Jay Gruden offenses love. 

Unlike Alabama, the Washington offense would be a superb fit for Ridley's skill set, allowing him to capture attention and production worthy of what he brings to the table. 

Stats courtesy of NFL.com.