NFL Mock Draft 2018: Updated Predictions for Top College Prospects

There's been more than two weeks since Super Bowl LII, so you know what that means, right?

The NFL Scouting Combine is nearly upon us.

Set to kickoff on Feb. 27, the top college athletes from around the country will look to showcase their talents in front of, well, everyone at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, to show they have what it takes to make it in the NFL.

The one thing all of these players have in common is that they all want to be first-round draft choices in the NFL.

Below, we have a first-round mock draft. 

Which 32 lucky guys made the cut?

NFL Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

2. New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

3. Indianapolis Colts: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans): Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

5. Denver Broncos: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

6. New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State

8. Chicago Bears: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

9. Oakland Raiders (pending coin flip): Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa

10. San Francisco 49ers (pending coin flip): Connor Williams, OT, Texas

11. Miami Dolphins: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

12. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

13. Washington Redskins: Derwin James, S, Florida State

14. Green Bay Packers: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

15. Arizona Cardinals: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

16. Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

18. Seattle Seahawks: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

19. Dallas Cowboys: Billy Price, G/C, Ohio State

20. Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

21. Buffalo Bills: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

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

23. Los Angeles Rams: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

24. Carolina Panthers: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State

25. Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

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

27. New Orleans Saints: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina 

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama 

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

30. Minnesota Vikings: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida

31. New England Patriots: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

As time goes on, we all just need to accept the fact that Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is going early in this draft.

Here, he's going No. 1.

While this is a risky selection for general manager John Dorsey in his first season, Mayfield has the playmaking ability to help turn the Cleveland Browns around and reignite a fanbase that has been starving for victories in recent seasons.

Mayfield also has the luxury of being in a quarterback class where they all have flaws and there is no surefire No. 1 prospect.

The main thing that could derail a Mayfield No. 1 choice is if the Browns were to bring in A.J. McCarron or Kirk Cousins to take over the team.

But, as it stands right now, Mayfield has an excellent chance of flying off the board first.

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

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With the Browns taking a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick and the Giants also taking their guy, Barkley has fallen right into the Colts' lap.

Congratulations, Indy—you just got yourself a bonafide future Hall of Famer.

Yeah, Barkley is that good.

Not only that, he will also add instant gratification to the Colts offense that needs some kind of pulse with quarterback Andrew Luck's 2018 season and beyond in doubt.

Of course, the Browns could go Barkley at No. 1 and get their quarterback with pick four, but in this mock, the Colts were in the right place at the right time and took an offensive stud.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Can you imagine this scenario?

Let me stress that, in the real world, this is highly unlikely, but in this mock, it makes sense.

Quarterback Tom Brady is aging. And while he may not be showing any signs of slowing down, the Patriots still need a successor behind him that isn't Brian Hoyer.

Jackson, behind Brady, would be able to continue the winning culture the Patriots organization seeks and demands year-in, year-out.

With offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels staying in New England, the chances are that he will one day take over for Bill Belichick as head coach.

At pick No. 31, with Jackson still on the board, McDaniels may have some say in this and take his future guy.

A McDaniels and Jackson pairing could be like nothing we've ever seen before in the NFL.