NFL Draft 2018: Notable Predictions from Top Experts Around the Web
Mock draft season is here.
As the NFL draft itself has blossomed into a year-round juggernaut of an industry, the mock draft has exploded in popularity beside it.
No longer just a way to kill time thinking about football, mock drafts serve as a well-informed resource and guide to all things draft. They not only dish out the official order but provide a snapshot of the current prospect stock market and team needs.
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These mocks wouldn't be nearly as useful without experts at the wheel, though, so let's take a look at some of the top latest mocks making the rounds and some of their most notable picks.
4. Cleveland Browns: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
The Cleveland Browns are one of the biggest talking points surrounding the draft because of their NBA-esque ability to pick up draft picks.
In an offering from CBSSports.com's Jared Dubin, the Browns roll with USC quarterback Sam Darnold at No. 1. It's No. 4, though, where the mock pulls off a bit of a surprise by having the Browns select Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick.
This isn't to suggest Fitzpatrick is a bad pick by any means. Dubin's description says it all: "The Browns take their quarterback at No. 1, and here solidify the back end of their defense with the best DB in the draft. Fitzpatrick has the ability to play inside, outside, and up high, allowing the Browns to get creative with all kinds of coverages."
Versatile defensive backs aren't easy to find. What's interesting, though, is Cleveland's willingness to skip on Penn State running back Saquon Barkley twice, who in this scenario falls to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 9.
It's a bold direction in a league where most successful teams do whatever it takes to make sure a quarterback succeeds, which means surrounding the offensive unit with as much talent as possible. Barkley happens to be one of the most talented running backs to enter the draft in a long time.
Then again, the Browns are clearly in it for the long haul, and in this scenario, Darnold doesn't necessarily start right away anyway. Fitzpatrick is sure to keep boosting his draft stock as the process continues, so the Browns emerge winners either way.
11. Miami Dolphins: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Given the on- and off-field oddities surrounding the Miami Dolphins over the years, it's only fitting the team ends up with the polarizing Baker Mayfield in at least one mock draft.
So it goes for NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, who writes the following: "Adam Gase has worked with a variety of quarterbacks and understands how to finesse his offense to fit the strengths of his QB."
Who can forget Mayfield's joking hashtag in January, captured by BBC Radio 5 Live Sport deputy editor Simon Clancy:
Joking hashtags aside, it's going to be hard for a team like the Dolphins to avoid falling in love with Mayfield. Production isn't a major factor in draft decisions, yet it's still notable in 2017 he completed 70.5 percent of his passes for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns against six interceptions, with another 311 yards and five touchdowns as a rusher.
Production aside, it's the talent that led to it that has NFL teams noticing Mayfield. The Dolphins are an especially good fit because leaning on Ryan Tannehill alone isn't a great idea. He's coming off a serious knee injury and even in 2016 posted only 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Though a bit raw as a prospect, Mayfield would arrive in Miami and provide instant competition as well as versatility to an offense in desperate need of some innovation.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
One of the great things about mock drafts is the ability for fans to see their fans get a massive steal, then hope for it on draft day.
Such is the case here from Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, who has Florida State safety Derwin James slipping to the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 17: "James is...the kind of versatile safety teams are starting to fall in love with. He's similar in many ways to Keanu Neal but faster and more explosive attacking the ball."
Prospects like James who have experience all over the field don't come around often nor are they proven talents from major programs. In Miller's mock, a serious expected run on quarterbacks pushes James down the board, which creates a rich-get-richer scenario for the Chargers.
The Chargers aren't necessarily contenders just yet, but the defense continues to flirt with best-in-league status. We're talking about a unit that tallied 43 sacks last year with Joey Bosa (12.5) and Melvin Ingram (10.5) up front and an elite cornerback in Casey Hayward.
Add James to the mix, who can start as a rookie, and things look even better for a team quietly ready to make some noise, especially if the AFC remains the lesser conference. The Chargers have plenty of needs, but having already secured quarterbacks and edge-rushers, landing a blue-chip defensive back is a huge win.
Stats courtesy of NFL.com.
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