NFL Mock Draft 2018: Predictions for Teams That Need Impact 1st-Round Prospects

Matt Miller of Bleacher Report lists Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, North Carolina edge rusher Bradley Chubb and Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick as first, second and fifth overall on his latest 2018 NFL draft big board.

All three figure to be drafted near the top of the first round, and it's just a matter of where they land. We'll take a look at those three players below and where they can make a great impact in their first years in the league. You can also take a look at a first-round mock draft below. 

2018 NFL Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns: Wyoming QB Josh Allen

2. New York Giants: USC QB Sam Darnold

3. New York Jets: Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield

4. Cleveland Browns: North Carolina State DE Bradley Chubb

5. Buffalo Bills (proposed trade with Denver Broncos): UCLA QB Josh Rosen

6. Indianapolis Colts: Penn State RB Saquon Barkley

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick

8. Chicago Bears: Notre Dame OG Quenton Nelson

9. San Francisco 49ers: Virginia Tech LB Tremaine Edmunds

10. Oakland Raiders: Georgia LB Roquan Smith

11. Miami Dolphins: Florida State S Derwin James

12. Denver Broncos (proposed trade with Buffalo Bills): Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey

13. Washington Redskins: Washington DT Vita Vea

14. Green Bay Packers: Ohio State CB Denzel Ward

15. Arizona Cardinals: Louisville QB Lamar Jackson

16. Baltimore Ravens: Alabama WR Calvin Ridley

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Alabama DT Da'Ron Payne

18. Seattle Seahawks: Texas OT Connor Williams

19. Dallas Cowboys: SMU WR Courtland Sutton

20. Detroit Lions: UTSA EDGE Marcus Davenport

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Alabama LB Rashaan Evans

22. Denver Broncos (proposed trade with Buffalo Bills): Ohio State OG/C Billy Price

23. New England Patriots: Boston College EDGE Harold Landry

24. Carolina Panthers: Alabama S Ronnie Harrison

25. Tennessee Titans: Michigan DT Maurice Hurst

26. Atlanta Falcons: Florida DT Taven Bryan

27. New Orleans Saints: Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst

30. Minnesota Vikings: UTEP OG Will Hernandez

31. New England Patriots: Louisville CB Jaire Alexander

32. Philadelphia Eagles: LSU RB Derrius Guice

Cleveland Browns: North Carolina State DE Bradley Chubb

No team allowed a higher quarterback rating than the Cleveland Browns last year, as opposing signal-callers registered a 102.2 mark against them. Cleveland also ranked just 21st in the league in sacks (34).

Defensive end Myles Garrett, the 2017 No. 1 overall draft pick, looks like the real deal after accruing seven sacks and 31 tackles in just 11 games last year, but the Browns still need more defensive playmakers in order to improve a defense that gave up 25.6 points per game, which was the second-highest total in the NFL (behind only the Houston Texans).

With the Browns almost certainly going quarterback at No. 1 and the New York Jets likely doing the same at No. 3 after a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, the only team that might consider Chubb is the New York Giants, who could use another edge-rusher after trading Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason.

However, if Big Blue looks elsewhere, then Chubb, who amassed 25 sacks and 194 tackles in his final three seasons for the Wolfpack, could be a great fit in Cleveland.

Indianapolis Colts: Penn State RB Saquon Barkley

The Indianapolis Colts lost Frank Gore to the Miami Dolphins in the offseason, leaving 2017 backup Marlon Mack as the current starter. Mack fared well in limited action (583 yards from scrimmage, four touchdowns), but the team needs more offensive playmakers.

TY Hilton and Jack Doyle fit that bill on the pass-catching side, but many question marks exist on the Colts offense otherwise. It's possible that some of the young talent there emerges and has breakout years, but Barkley would go a long way toward rejuvenating an offense that struggled without injured starting quarterback Andrew Luck last year.

Indianapolis was 30th in the NFL in points per game last year, amassing 16.4 points per contest. Fortunately, new head coach Frank Reich told Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star that Luck, who is rehabilitating an injury to his right shoulder, has resumed throwing this offseason, which is a good sign for a healthy 2018 return.

A Luck-Barkley tandem could be one of the most dangerous quarterback-running back duos in the league. Barkley dominated in three years at Penn State, scoring 53 touchdowns (and even throwing for one) while rushing for at least 5.5 yards per carry in each of his three seasons. If Luck comes back healthy and Barkley dominates the NFL like he did the collegiate ranks, then the Colts offense should be just fine.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers struggled defending the pass last year, ranking 31st in pass defense efficiency, per Football Outsiders. They also allowed the most passing yards per game (261).

Cornerback Brent Grimes fought through injuries and missed three games, and if he's back healthy and plays a full season, that should help the Bucs' secondary improve. However, the team needs another playmaker in the secondary to help spark a defense that allowed 23.9 points per game.

Fitzpatrick could arrive in Tampa Bay and immediately start. He enjoyed three fantastic seasons in Alabama, making the national championship each year and winning it twice. Individually, he amassed 171 tackles and five sacks in addition to picking off nine passes.

Last season, the Bucs ranked last in sacks (22) and middle of the pack in interceptions (13). Simply put, they need to make more plays. Fitzpatrick could spark the defense alongside the additions of Pierre-Paul and defensive linemen Beau Allen and Vinny Curry.

With Fitzpatrick, and if other key Buccaneers enjoy full and relatively healthy seasons after suffering injuries last year (e.g. defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and linebackers Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander), this could be a top-10 defense.