NFL Draft 2018: Latest Order and Mock Draft Predictions Before Super Bowl Game
It's the final mock draft before Super Bowl LII sets the order outside a coin-flip between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders at Nos. 9 and 10.
Before the official NFL calendar turns to 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins agreed in principle to a trade that will change draft-day decisions for multiple clubs. How will the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Denver Broncos adjust their needs?
Typically, quarterbacks garner most of the attention through the draft process, but a few teams picking in the top 10 will likely address roster voids on defense. Should the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select a pass-rusher or a defensive back to help a unit that surrendered the most yards in 2017?
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Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll's coaching staff went through sweeping changes at the end of the season. Will we finally see improvement across the offensive line? Is that particular position group in need of a first-round talent?
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: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans): Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
5. Denver Broncos: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
6. New York Jets: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
8. Chicago Bears: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
*9. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
*10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
11. Miami Dolphins: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
12. Cincinnati Bengals: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
13. Washington Redskins: Derwin James, S, Florida State
14. Green Bay Packers: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
15. Arizona Cardinals: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
16. Baltimore Ravens: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
18. Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia
19. Dallas Cowboys: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
20. Detroit Lions: Arden Key, OLB, LSU
21. Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
22. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs): Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
23. Los Angeles Rams: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
24. Carolina Panthers: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
25. Tennessee Titans: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
26. Atlanta Falcons: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
27. New Orleans Saints: Christian Sam, LB, Arizona State
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
30. Minnesota Vikings: Billy Price, OG, Ohio State
*31. Philadelphia Eagles: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
*32. New England Patriots: Marcus Davenport, EDGE, UTSA
*A coin-flip will confirm the draft order for Nos. 9 and 10. The Super Bowl outcome will decide who has pick Nos. 31 and 32
New York Jets Address Quarterback Position, Select Baker Mayfield at No. 6
The Chiefs recently agreed to send quarterback Alex Smith to the Redskins in a blockbuster deal that will have a ripple effect throughout the league leading up to the draft.
Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins goes into free agency knowing he will suit up elsewhere in next campaign. According to Yahoo Sports reporter Charles Robinson, the Denver Broncos lead the suitors for the 29-year-old signal-caller.
Though it's still a fluid situation, the New York Jets should have a chance at drafting one of the top four quarterbacks in the 2018 class. General manager Mike Maccagnan could choose between Louisville's Lamar Jackson and Oklahoma product Baker Mayfield.
Despite questions about his height (a touch under 6'1"), the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner comes into the league with a strong resume and a passion for the game. In each of the past two years at Oklahoma, Mayfield completed 70 percent of his passes. He doesn't have the archetypal stature, but his mobility and accuracy compensate for questions about physical traits.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Patch Up Secondary, Select Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 7
Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves hasn't played up to first-round expectations since the team drafted him No. 11 overall in 2016. There's still potential for growth coming off an injury-shortened season, but the Buccaneers could add a versatile defensive back to a subpar pass defense.
Minkah Fitzpatrick won the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2017, but his sophomore numbers at Alabama showcase his playmaking skills. He snagged six interceptions and broke up seven passes as a standout defender in 2016.
The Buccaneers finished last in passing yards allowed, which suggests it will take more than an impressive third year for Hargreaves to patch up issues in the secondary.
The front office may opt to land a veteran to play opposite its top-15 pick from two years ago, but fielding Fitzpatrick at safety could become an ideal option in Tampa Bay.
Seattle Seahawks Take Guard Isaiah Wynn at No. 18
The Seahawks fired offensive line coach Tom Cable and replaced him with former New York Giants assistant Mike Solari in January. Along with a new teacher for the guys up front, team brass must continue to bring in fresh talent.
Notre Dame product Quenton Nelson may hear his name called within the top 15 selections. Georgia's Isaiah Wynn could have an early impact on the interior in run- and pass-protection schemes.
Nonetheless, the Seahawks would have a quality consolation prize in Wynn, who paved running lanes for a ground attack that averaged 258.4 rushing yards in 2017.
Furthermore, as Seattle relies more on quarterback Russell Wilson's arm, it helps to bolster the offensive line in the hopes of increasing his comfort in a solid pocket.
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