Mel Kiper Jr 2018 Mock Draft: Notable Picks from ESPN Guru's Final Predictions

Prior to the start of the first round of the NFL draft, ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has released his own final first round mock draft.

With that, we'll take a look at it and dissect three picks that appear to be interesting or even controversial and start our case as to why.

Without further ado, you'll find the final mock draft from the draft guru himself below.

Let's check it out.

Mel Kiper Jr.'s Final First Round Mock Draft

1. Cleveland Browns: 

2. New York Giants: 

3. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts): 

4. Cleveland Browns: 

5. Denver Broncos: 

6. Indianapolis Colts (via New York Jets): 

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 

8. Chicago Bears: 

9. San Francisco 49ers: 

10. Oakland Raiders: 

11. Miami Dolphins: 

12. Buffalo Bills (via Cincinnati Bengals): 

13. Washington Redskins: 

14. Green Bay Packers: 

15. Arizona Cardinals: 

16. Baltimore Ravens: 

17. Los Angeles Chargers: 

18. Seattle Seahawks: 

19. Dallas Cowboys: 

20. Detroit Lions: 

21. Cincinnati Bengals (via Buffalo Bills): 

22. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs: 

23. New England Patriots (via Los Angeles Rams): 

24. Carolina Panthers: 

25. Tennessee Titans: 

26. Atlanta Falcons: 

27. New Orleans Saints: 

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: 

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: 

30. Minnesota Vikings: 

31. New England Patriots: 

32. Philadelphia Eagles: 

THE FOLLOWING EXCERPTS WERE DERIVED OFF OF KIPER'S MOCK DRAFT FROM LATE MARCH. THESE ARE NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF HIS FINAL MOCK DRAFT SELECTIONS. PLEASE TWEAK AS NEEDED! THANK YOU!

Notable Selections

Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Throughout the entire draft process, it seems as though Kiper has been pounding the table for the Cleveland Browns to take Josh Allen at No. 1 overall.

In his final mock draft, he's stuck with that.

Recently, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the Browns have "cooled" on Sam Darnold, leaving it down to Allen and Baker Mayfield.

Kiper has been a long-time supporter of the well-built kid from Wyoming and his rocket arm.

In fact, he's had him going No. 1 overall to Cleveland since his very first mock draft.

He's cited Allen as a potential superstar with an unlimited ceiling.

Kiper also uses the word "projection" a lot when talking about Allen, stating that's why teams will take the gamble with him.

Allen had some rough statistics during his final year in Wyoming with a horrendous completion percentage and it appeared he struggled against blitzes at times.

But again, it was Wyoming, so it's not like he had the most insane crop of talent imaginable.

Kiper has stuck with Allen at No. 1 all along. That hasn't wavered.

Behind Tyrod Taylor for what could be the entire 2018 season, this will give the quarterback prototype more time to develop and tinker with his mechanics.

A fine pick by the Browns at No. 1, though I would have chosen Rosen personally.

And if it truly came down to Mayfield and Allen, I'd go Mayfield.

I'm not sure I trust the Browns coaching staff to develop Allen the right way and that could lead to an early exit from his NFL career.

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

While Allen has been Kiper's favorite quarterback prospect, Saquon Barkley has been his top prospect throughout the draft process.

With that said, Kiper has been a believer in the New York Giants taking their future quarterback, so it's no surprise they passed on Barkley here.

As a result, Barkley slipped to the _____.

Any time you can add a player of Barkley's caliber to your roster, it's going to mightily improve.

There might be some negatives surrounding him outside of his control such as him being a running back and a potentially reduced lifespan in the NFL.

But while he's on the field, Barkley is going to do so much to improve this football team.

Not only will he provide a solid and stable run game, but he'll allow for the passing game to improve, too, as there will be more eight or even nine-man boxes with Barkley behind the line of scrimmage.

This will do nothing but help the _____ as they continue to overhaul their roster to compete in the _____.

It may not have been No. 2 overall, but Barkley has found a home with the _____ who will rely on him for the foreseeable future if Kiper's mock comes to fruition.

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Falling to No. 5 overall, the Denver Broncos got quite the pick in Mayfield, according to Kiper's mock.

Although the Broncos have Case Keenum for at least 2018, Mayfield should be able to push the envelope and try to get on the field from Week 1 on—he's just that good.

For me, I'd go with Quenton Nelson and draft someone like Mason Rudolph atop the second round and let him develop behind Keenum, but Mayfield is an immediate impact on the Broncos roster.

There have been some whispers of teams try to trade up with the Broncos, but they stood pat here and took their guy in Mayfield who should mesh well with John Elway's personality and his beliefs.

What does this mean for Keenum?

Well, hopefully, it pushes him to replicate his 2017 success with the Minnesota Vikings.

Sometimes in the NFL, it seems that these veteran quarterbacks get a little too comfortable.

Nothing says competition like a former Heisman Trophy quarterback being drafted at No. 5 overall, now does it?

This could be a fun quarterback competition to watch as we move into training camp.

Again, Nelson would be my pick, but Kiper believes—looking at his mock—that the Broncos should just cut to the chase and get Mayfield who has fallen to No. 5 overall.