2018 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Top Prospects on the Rise

Not much is left to do between now and Thursday evening, when the NFL draft kicks off from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, at 8 p.m. ET. At this point, players are anxiously awaiting their names being called, while teams have likely finalized their big boards and plans for the three-day, seven-round event.

Here's a look at a mock draft in advance of Thursday, as well as three prospects who have enjoyed an upward draft-stock trajectory in recent months.

2018 NFL Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns: Wyoming QB Josh Allen

2. New York Giants: Penn State RB Saquon Barkley

3. New York Jets: USC QB Sam Darnold

4. Cleveland Browns: North Carolina State DE Bradley Chubb

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

6. Arizona Cardinals (proposed trade with Indianapolis Colts): Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield

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): Ohio State CB Denzel Ward

13. Washington Redskins: Washington DT Vita Vea

14. Green Bay Packers: Iowa CB Josh Jackson

15. Indianapolis Colts (proposed trade with Arizona Cardinals): UTSA EDGE Marcus Davenport

16. Baltimore Ravens: Alabama WR Calvin Ridley

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

18. Seattle Seahawks: Michigan DT Maurice Hurst

19. Dallas Cowboys: Boise State LB Leighton Vander Esch

20. Detroit Lions: Boston College EDGE Harold Landry

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Notre Dame OT Mike McGlinchey

22. Denver Broncos (proposed trade with Buffalo Bills): Georgia OG Isaiah Wynn

23. New England Patriots: Louisville QB Lamar Jackson

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

25. Tennessee Titans: Ohio State EDGE Sam Hubbard

26. Atlanta Falcons: Florida DT Taven Bryan

27. New Orleans Saints: South Dakota State TE Dallas Goedert

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alabama OLB Rashaan Evans

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

Top Prospects on the Rise

RB Saquon Barkley

Former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley's placement in this category may look peculiar, but recent chatter connecting him to the New York Giants makes it seem as though the No. 2 slot is his draft floor.

It's possible that the Giants will go quarterback, especially considering current starter Eli Manning is 37 years old. But even Mark Wogenrich of The Morning Call noted that Barkley to the Giants appears to be a "fait accompli," citing six mock drafts that connect team and player.

Ralph Vacchiano of SNY also wrote this on Friday: "There seems to be no doubt he'll be the No. 1 player on [the Giants'] board, and they think building around an offensive core of Barkley, tight end Evan Engram, and Odell Beckham, Jr. could make them an offensive juggernaut for years to come."

Barkley is also a sportsbook leader in the clubhouse to be the second overall pick in the draft, per OddsShark. He also has 11-2 odds (behind only USC quarterback Sam Darnold and Wyoming signal-caller Josh Allen) to go first overall.

At this point, it's easy to connect the dots: Barkley likely won't be waiting more than a half an hour to hear his name called.

EDGE Marcus Davenport

Many fans may have not even heard of former University of Texas at San Antonio edge-rusher Marcus Davenport prior to the draft season, but he may be the second player at his position off the board in this draft following Bradley Chubb.

Davenport has shined during the predraft process, most notably clocking a scorching 4.58-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report ranks him second at edge-rusher and noted that he will "likely be drafted in the top 15."

Furthermore, numerous teams need significant pass-rushing help in the top half of the draft. Per Football Outsiders, eight teams who finished in the bottom 10 in adjusted sack rate last year are picking in the top 15 of this year's first round. That likely isn't a coincidence: In a pass-happy league, teams need to be able to rush the passer in order to have defensive success.

Therefore, Davenport could be one of those teams' answers to an improved defense.

OG Will Hernandez

No player made a more dramatic rise up the big board of the NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah than former UTEP offensive guard Will Hernandez, who didn't make the top 50 in Jeremiah's first version but ended up 21st overall in his last iteration.

Hernandez bench-pressed 225 pounds 37 times at the NFL Scouting Combine, which ranked third among all participants. He's being mocked in the first round by numerous sources, including Peter King of The MMQB, Charles Davis of NFL Network and Joe Marino of NDT Scouting.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote that Hernandez "possesses a rare combination of power, balance and athletic ability. He is a plus run-blocker with the anchor and footwork to handle himself in pass protection as well."

Guards aren't typically hot first-round commodities, especially at the top of the draft, but it's hard seeing Hernandez fall out of the first round, especially when he looks like a great fit for a few teams at the back end.

Keep an eye on the Minnesota Vikings at No. 30, as the idea of seeing promising young running back Dalvin Cook run behind a giant Hernandez-created gap may be too enticing for the team to pass up.