2018 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Top Prospects as Pro Days Conclude
April is finally here, which means the 2018 NFL draft is right around the corner.
During these finals weeks, NFL general managers and coaches are finishing up their final trips around the country to check out pros days and visit with prospects, before finally sitting down to finalize their draft boards.
A lot of decisions are still yet to be made in NFL front offices, but with free agency mostly in the rear-view mirror and with some information gathered by tracking team visits with prospects, the draft picture is coming into focus.
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Here's a rundown of how the first round could play out later this month:
1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
2. New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
3. New York Jets (from IND): Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
4. Cleveland Browns (from HOU): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
5. Denver Broncos: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
6. Indianapolis Colts (from NYJ): Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
8. Chicago Bears: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
9. San Francisco 49ers: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
11. Miami Dolphins: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
12. Buffalo Bills (from CIN): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
13. Washington Redskins: Derwin James, S, Florida State
14. Green Bay Packers: Harold Landry, Edge, Boston College
15. Arizona Cardinals: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
16. Baltimore Ravens: Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
18. Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
19. Dallas Cowboys: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
20. Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport, Edge, UTSA
21. Cincinnati Bengals (from BUF): Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
22. Buffalo Bills (from KC): James Daniels, C, Iowa
23. New England Patriots (from LAR): Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
24. Carolina Panthers: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
25. Tennessee Titans: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
26. Atlanta Falcons: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
27. New Orleans Saints: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Reid, S, Stanford
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
30. Minnesota Vikings: Connor Williams, OL, Texas
31. New England Patriots: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
32. Philadelphia Eagles: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
2. New York Giants: Josh Rosen
The Giants' decision at No. 2 will be one of the most important decisions in franchise history. Opportunities to draft a potential franchise quarterback don't come around every year. However, if they believe Eli Manning has something left in the tank, this could be an opportunity to build around him one last time.
General manager Dave Gettleman hasn't said much on the topic, but the Giants apparent willingness to listen to offers for Odell Beckham Jr., per Pat Leonard of New York Daily News, may have been an indicator.
If the Giants want to make one last push with Manning, keeping Beckham is the obvious decision. The organization might not love all of his antics, but they won't be able to replace him on the field.
The Giants can't expect to compete by trading Beckham for a haul of draft picks. So the fact that the team is even considering moving their most explosive playmaker may indicate they're about to enter a rebuilding process.
Assuming this is the logic Gettleman is using to approach this offseason, taking a quarterback such as UCLA's Josh Rosen would be the obvious choice at No. 2.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Leighton Vander Esch
The Cowboys will have a number of options with this selection, including offensive line and wide receiver. The position they end up targeting, however, could be to address a more long-term need for the franchise.
Sean Lee has been a critical part of the Cowboys success in recent years, but the 31-year-old linebacker has struggled to stay healthy and has just two years remaining on his deal.
With Lee's long-term future in doubt, Dallas seems to be entertaining the idea of bringing in a young linebacker in this draft.
According to NFL Network's James Palmer, Dallas has scheduled a visit with Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. And ESPN's Adam Schefter recently reported that Dallas also had a visit with Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans.
It's tough to draw conclusions from any individual predraft visit, but when a team spends time with multiple players at the same position, it's usually a good indication that it's a position they're hoping to address on draft day.
By bringing in a prospect like Vander Esch now, the Cowboys could give him time to learn from Lee before he needs to take over a full-time role starting in the middle of the Cowboys defense.
31. New England Patriots: Christian Kirk
Bill Belichick is usually trading away his first-round picks this time of year, but on Tuesday he acquired one. Schefter broke down the details of the move which sent Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams:
It's hard not to wonder if Belichick may have a bigger plan in mind following this move. With multiple first-round picks and relatively few holes to fill, does he plan to package them to move up for a specific target?
If the Patriots do stay put and use both selections, finding a replacement for Cooks would be a wise move.
The top of the Patriots depth chart at wide receiver consists of Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson. It's not a terrible group, but it lacks the depth the Patriots carried at the position in recent seasons.
Texas A&M's Christian Kirk could be a potential target with one of the Patriots first-round picks.
Like the departed Cooks, Kirk is undersized but has the speed to stretch the field and be a dangerous weapon anytime the ball is in his hands. He also has the versatility to play in the slot and on the outside, which could be a valuable trait for a young receiver trying to fit in on a Super Bowl caliber roster.
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