2018 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Where 1st-Round Prospects Will End Up

The 2018 NFL draft has a chance to be one that goes down in history.

This is a quarterback-heavy draft, and there is a strong feeling six quarterbacks could be selected during Thursday's first round.

If that's the case, it will be in the same category as the famous 1983 draft, which also saw six quarterbacks selected in the first round, including three Hall of Famers in John Elway, Dan Marino and Jim Kelly.

This year, the names are Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Lamar Jackson and Mason Rudolph.

While teams are willing to risk high draft picks on quarterbacks, it doesn't mean they will all be successful. If three of the quarterbacks turn out to be productive over multiple seasons, that would be somewhat surprising.

However, in order to win consistently in the NFL, productive quarterback play is a requirement. Below is our mock draft, and we also take a look at how three of the prospects will fit in with their new teams.

2018 NFL Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

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

3. New York Jets (from Colts): Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

4. Cleveland Browns (from Texans): Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

5. Denver Broncos: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

6. Indianapolis Colts (from Jets): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

8. Chicago Bears: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

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

10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

11. Miami Dolphins: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

12. Buffalo Bills (from Bengals): Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

13. Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

14. Green Bay Packers: Harold Landry, DE, Boston College

15. Arizona Cardinals: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

16. Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

18. Seattle Seahawks: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

19. Dallas Cowboys: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

20. Detroit Lions: Derwin James, S, Florida State

21. Cincinnati Bengals (from Bills): James Daniels, C/G, Iowa

22. Buffalo Bills (from Chiefs): Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

23. New England Patriots (from Rams): Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

24. Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland

25. Tennessee Titans: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

26. Atlanta Falcons: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

27. New Orleans Saints: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

30. Minnesota Vikings: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP

31. New England Patriots: Harrison Phillips, DL, Stanford

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

QB Sam Darnold, Cleveland Browns

Darnold has the most talent of any of the quarterbacks in this year's draft, but that does not mean he is the most ready to jump in and start contributing from Week 1. Josh Rosen fits that bill, but once Darnold understands the Cleveland Browns offense and gets familiar with his teammates, he appears to be the quarterback with the greatest chance for long-term success.

Tyrod Taylor should be able to hold on to Cleveland's starting job for at least half the season. That will allow Darnold the time he needs to familiarize himself with head coach Hue Jackson's system. By the time Darnold starts playing, he should be ready to be a positive factor for the Browns.

Don't expect him to set the world on fire during his rookie season, but by the time the year ends, it will be clear the Browns made a productive choice at the most important position on the field.

Darnold has the ability to make plays come alive when he appears to be in trouble. He can take the small steps to get away from the pass rush and then deliver the ball in a perfect place for his receiver.

RB Saquon Barkley, Indianapolis Colts

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

The Indianapolis Colts may not go into the draft thinking about having a realistic chance to draft Saquon Barkley, but they will be thoroughly surprised when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell calls their name with the sixth pick in the first round.

Barkley is not just the best running back in the draft, but he is the best all-around player in the class. He has a chance to have a similar impact to the one Ezekiel Elliott had after he was selected early in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL draft. Barkley is a brilliant runner and receiver, and he has the skill, toughness and ability to become an impact player for the Colts.

If quarterback Andrew Luck can come back from his shoulder problems and play effectively, he will benefit more than any other player by having Barkley on the field. Barkley will be able to take pressure off of his quarterback and turn him into an All-Pro once again.

"He should be the No. 1 pick," Penn State head coach James Franklin told Bob Wischusen and Fran Fraschilla on ESPN during that network's NIT coverage (h/t Land of 10). "To me, not only are you looking for the rare athleticism that he has, but he's a better character guy."

Barkley has excellent leadership skills, and he will be a sensational fit in the Indianapolis locker room.

DE Bradley Chubb, Chicago Bears

If the Colts were surprised to get Barkley, the Chicago Bears will be in a state of shock to get Bradley Chubb.

The Bears drafted their quarterback a year ago in Mitchell Trubisky, and now they have a chance to get an anchor for their defensive line. Chubb could be worthy of the No. 2 pick, but if the Browns, New York Giants and New York Jets go on quarterback runs, it could lead Chubb to fall on draft day.

He won't get past Chicago, a team looking for impact players on both sides of the ball. Chubb is a brilliant pass-rusher who also excels against the run. He will be a three-down player from his first game, and the only time he will have to come off the field is when he is feeling fatigued.

Chubb believes he has done more than any player in the draft. "My confidence level's gonna say I'm the best player," Chubb said, per Nate Davis of USA Today. "I feel like I put it on tape four years."