2018 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Well the NFL seasons almost coming to a close and that only means one things… its mock draft season! Personally one of my favorite times of the year, where experts and amateurs alike prove that they can’t ever predict what truly happens at the NFL draft.

With that being said, NFL mock drafts are one of my favorites things to do and you guys are going to be seeing a lot of them here on Casual Sports Talk.

With so many questions in the air about NFL teams, no mock draft made right now will be able to predict what accurately will happen on April 26. We’re going to call this Casual Sports Talk’s Mock Draft 1.0, subject to a lot of changes, taking into account the CURRENT rosters and needs of all NFL teams (no hypothetical free agent signings).

1. Cleveland Browns

Pick: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California

Probably the quarterback with the highest upside out of this class, Sam Darnold has looked (at times) like a future NFL MVP. Coming off a great freshman season, Darnold seemed to struggle (at times) this year, just like a consistent Cleveland Browns QB, but his high ceiling and great intangibles should be an obvious choice for #1 overall.

2. New York Giants

Pick: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

This pick would be Darnold if Rosen went #1, but if the Giants had the choice between the two I think they would prefer Rosen anyways. I think Rosen is going to be a good fit in New York, and a year of tutelage under Eli Manning definitely won’t harm him. He's coming off his best year, throwing for a collegiate career high in completion percentage, yards, TDs and QBR. He could be the QB of the future for the Giants (and he also would rather play there).

3. Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

The Colts need help just about everywhere but quarterback. Last season their defense was absolutely abysmal, starting on the defensive line. 2^nd least sacks, 3^rd most yards allowed per game, 3^rd most points allowed per game, should I go on? Bradley Chubb has been dominant at the collegiate level and can easily be the centerpiece Chris Ballard rebuilds this defense around.

4. Cleveland Browns (via Houston Texans)

Pick: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB/S, Alabama

An argument can be made here for the Browns to go best player available and take Saquon Barkley here, but both Duke Johnson Jr. and Isaiah Crowell have been a productive enough backfield to survive another season (assuming they retain Crowell for next season). Minkah Fitzpatrick seems to be a stud and can really revamp & rejuvenate that secondary.

5. Denver Broncos

Pick: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Josh Allen has future Denver Broncos quarterback written all over him. He’s 6’5” and has a very strong arm, both things John Elway dreams about at night. If you look at his college stats, he did fairly well, especially considering the terrible cast that surrounded him. Bring him into an offense with weapons like Emmanuel Sanders & Demaryius Thomas and on paper it’s a recipe for success.

6. New York Jets

Pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

The Jets have a ton of work to do improving a lot of positions on their roster, but the best player available falling to #6 overall? You gotta take him! Last 2 times they’ve had the #6 overall pick, arguable the best defensive prospect in that class fell to them and they took that player (Leonard Williams in 2015 and Jamal Adams in 2017). It seem the #6 pick is always nice to Jets nation. Saquon Barkley completely dominated the college level and seems more than ready to handle (and dominate) NFL-caliber defenders. He’s very versatile and has the ability to turn any play into a highlight reel touchdown. Once again, best player available falls to the Jets at 6 overall and he’s a real difference maker.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Derwin James, S, Florida State

Very good storyline pick here, keeping the Florida State man in state. Regardless of how close Tampa is from Tallahassee, Derwin is a very solid pick here for a Tampa D that really hindered them last season. They gave up the most passing yards per game last season and opposing QBs has the 4^th highest completion percentage in the league against them, horrible stats. Their front 7 is decent, could use some work in free agency and the later rounds of the draft, but James is a great safety that will improve this defense.

8. Chicago Bears

Pick: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

At last years draft, the Bears got their quarterback of the future. This years draft, they have to give him weapons to work with. Their receivers were dead last in receiving yards per game with their best receiver being Kendall Wright (no not 2013 Kendall Wright). Mitchell Trubisky seemed like a game manager out there and if they want to continue his development, they have to go receiver at this pick. Ridley can stretch the field and give the Bears a receiving threat for opposing DBs to be concerned about.

9. San Francisco 49ers

Pick: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

After possibly securing your future franchise quarterback, the 49ers now have to start building a great team around him. John Lynch has already started the process, and their roster does look very nice and appealing on paper, except one position. The offensive line has to be a priority for Lynch and his staff, and Quenton Nelson seems the most NFL-ready guards out there. Truthfully, Nelson at 9 would be a steal and it could really work out that way. Last season, the 49ers QBs were sacked 10^th most in the NFL and C.J Beathard (their starter for most of the season) had an average of 2.6 seconds to throw the ball (NFL low was 2.42). The good news here, Jimmy Garoppolo extended plays and had an average of 2.75 seconds (11^th highest among NFL qualified QBs) and adding a versatile O-linemen like Nelson is bound to increase that next season.

10. Oakland Raiders

Pick: Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia

Throw it back to 2002 when Jon Gruden won a Super Bowl with Derrick Brooks as the anchor of that defense. Athletic Roquan Smith was the man behind the Bulldogs fantastic 2017 defense and his leadership and talents should translate well to the NFL. He can potentially be the defensive play caller and leader behind a rebound season-candidate Oakland Raiders roster.  

11. Miami Dolphins

Pick: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU

Injuries limited Key in his junior season, but he has proven to be a different maker on that LSU defense in season’s prior. He’s a very versatile pass rusher that Miami’s defense needs. Their front 7 was rather unproductive last season and getting older. Key can be the guy they throw in many different positions (defensive end or linebacker) and make plays in either position. The future of Miami’s front 7 can be built around Charles Harris (if he fulfills his potential) and Arden Key.

12. Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

This man was a big factor behind Baker Mayfield Heisman-winning season. He can easily translate to a difference maker in the NFL, especially on a Bengals team desperate for a tackler (or 2). He’s started every game in his collegiate career, since his 2015 season as a redshirt freshman, finished this season as a unanimous first team All-American, named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and is a finalist for the Outland Trophy. He has NFL in his blood, and should be a solid NFL tackle for years to come.

13. Washington Redskins

Pick: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

If Kirk Cousins stays a Redskin after free agency, Washington has some needs to address surrounding him. Receiver could be an area they look, but that will probably be addressed in the middle-later rounds. D-Line and guard/center are other areas as well, but the real area I think they address is running back. Fat Rob wasn’t the answer and the Skins now need another RB to combine with Chris Thompson to form a lethal 1-2 punch in the backfield. They we’re 3^rd least average yards per carry in the NFL last season, so Guice is going be extremely welcome to bring his talents to FedEx Field next season.

14. Green Bay Packers

Pick: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

A finalist for the Thorpe Award last season, Denzel Ward shined in that Ohio State defense. While there are other corners that may be just as good if not better still available, I feel the “Ohio State” factor will push Ward to be chosen before Josh Jackson and other fringe 1^st/2^nd rounder cornerbacks (especially if he has a good combine). The Packers do need pass rushers but those needs can be addressed in later rounds. Last season, they were bottom 10 in the league in interceptions, pass deflections and passing yards allowed per game, 3rd worst in completion percentage per game and 2nd most passing TDs allowed all season. Safe to say, Ward would be a welcome face to new defensive coordinators Mike Pettine locker room.

15. Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

This years Heisman trophy winner is the 4^th QB taken at 15 overall. Depending on the coach, I may not be a fan of this pick, but surrounding Baker with talents like David Johnson and Larry Fitz can’t harm his development. I believe he’ll be able to step into the starter role right away (not only cause their other option is Drew Stanton), and Arizona needs him to capitalize on their window of potential playoff success before they need to rebuild.

16. Baltimore Ravens

Pick: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

There are actually 4 receivers that Baltimore can take here; James Washington, Anthony Miller, Courtland Sutton and Christian Kirk. Personally, I feel like Anthony Miller is the best of the 4, but James Washington’s college production was absolutely insane and speaks to how consistently dominant he’s been. He’s a consensus All-American and a Bilentnikoff award winner. With both Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace getting up there in age (and Breshad Perriman proving to be more and more of a bust), the Ravens are desperate to surround Joe ‘not elite’ Flacco with playmakers and that’s exactly what James Washington has been. Whoever they take here, I have confidence will either be a good or great receiver at the NFL level, but Washington having played longer, with the better quarterback and in the 2^nd best conference (among those 4 players) lifts him to the #16 overall pick.

17. Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

Two Cowboys going one after the other and its very plausible. The Chargers defense was great last year, they have the running back and a good core of receivers; all they’re missing are some o-linemen and the heir to Philip Rivers throne. There have been some first round talent tackles not taken yet (Connor Williams, Mike McGlinchey), so it’s very possible for them to get a startable tackle in the 2^nd/3^rd round, but a quarterback like Mason Rudolph or Lamar Jackson will not be available then. I chose Rudolph over Jackson here because he’s basically a Phillip Rivers clone. 6’5”, 230 lbs, with a strong arm and not really mobile; seems the Chargers could have found their next Philip Rivers

18. Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Connor Williams, OT, Texas

The Seahawks have a lot of needs to address, but nothing more pressing then the offensive line. The ‘LOB’ days are all but over in Seattle, but the LOB was built with a ton of success with late-round picks. The Seahawks had no running game last year. Russell Wilson was their leading rusher last season, no running back eclipsed 250 rushing yards. The promising start of Chris Carson gives Seattle a reason not to draft a running back, but instead to draft a tackle to protect Russell Wilson and improve the running game. They were tied for least rushing touchdowns (with 4) and Connor Williams would be welcome to an Offensive Line unit that is weak to say the least.

19. Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan

The Cowboys get a steal here in a position of need. Michigan’s defense was absolutely dominant last season and Hurst was a main reason why. The Taco Charlton experiment hasn’t panned out yet but this 1^st round Michigan defensive lineman is set for bigger and better. Dallas’ defense was great against the run last season, but that was coming up against the terrible NFC East running backs 6/16 games. Hurst would instantly have an impact on the Cowboys pass rush game as well, their 10^th worst 32 total team sacks could use his presence.

20. Detroit Lions

Pick: Tremaine Edmunds, ILB/OLB, Virginia Tech

Matt Patricia, the supposed new head coach of the Detroit Lions, is a defense guy; Tremaine Edmunds is a great defensive player. Already strong on the D-line, the Lions could use another linebacker to pair with Jarrad Davis and Tahir Whitehead. Edmunds would be a fantastic fit in a hybrid role. He’s had 213 career tackles in his 3 years at Virginia Tech and could really dominate at the NFL level. The addition of Edmunds would bring Detroit’s defense closer to being one of the top defenses in the league, something they really need to push towards making the postseason.

21. Buffalo Bills

Pick: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

With 2 consecutive picks, the Bills are going to address a couple positions of need here. The main need they have, get younger. They currently have 18 players on their roster aged 30+ in 2018 so they need to start getting younger. They have a choice here of Vita Vea, Da’Ron Payne and a couple of other 1^st/2^nd round interior D-Line talents. Vea is a massive force that will cause offensive linemen a lot of trouble with his versatility.

22. Buffalo Bills (via Kansas City Chiefs)

Pick: Billy Price, OG/C, Ohio State

Staying with the ‘going younger’ mentality, Price is a great all-around skillful guard/center hybrid who can afford to take a year to learn the ropes from their experiences offensive line. The entire interior of their O-Line (Richie Incognito, Eric Wood and Vladimir Ducasse) are all over the age of 30 and its time the Bills start finding their long-term replacements, starting with someone who’s blocked for great collegiate talents like JT Barrett, JK Dobbins, Mike Weber, Curtis Samuel, etc.

23. Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

The Rams can maybe go receiver here, depending what they do with Sammy Watkins (even though he hasn’t even been productive), but with the contracts of Trumaine Johnson, LaMarcus Joyner and Nickell Robey-Coleman all up this offseason, its very likely they’re going to need a defensive back. The junior defensive back out of Iowa came alive this year, ball hawking 8 interceptions (including 3 in their massive upset win against Ohio State) and being a forced to be reckoned with in the Big Ten.

24. Carolina Panthers

Pick: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

I can easily see the Panthers going in a couple directions here on defense, but any defensive player they pick would be a project player who will sit for a year or two before getting their shot. Instead, I continued the Panthers trend from last year, drafting offensive difference makers early. After drafting Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel in the first two rounds last year, its clear the Panthers primary objective is to surround Cam Newton with as many weapons as possible. Well, Courtland Sutton is another weapon here to compliment Devin Funchess and Curtis Samuel and replace the departed Kelvin Benjamin.

25. Tennessee Titans

Pick: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

Here’s a player I will admit I don’t know much on, but he’s been gaining a lot of traction as a true athletic defensive end. He probably has the most to gain from the Senior Bowl; hopefully a strong showing will raise his draft stock and make him a first rounder. Its always good to have as many pass rushers rotating as possible without losing in quality of player, so adding Davenport to Dick Lebeau’s classic 3-4 defense would only improve that roster.

26. Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP

Here’s another player with a lot to prove in the Senior Bowl and a real chance of going in the first round. With a lot of their skill positions filled with talent, Atlanta should look towards depth on both the O-line and D-line, the guard position being the priority. Will Hernandez is a big physical linemen (330lbs) who can challenge and potentially win the job from either Andy Levitre or Wes Schweitzer.

27. New Orleans Saints

Pick: Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

I could see the Saints going a lot of different ways here, but it all depends on what happens with Drew Brees. If he leaves this offseason, they desperately need a quarterback; If he stays this offseason, they need a quarterback still but its not their priority. The priority here should be giving him one more weapon to work with in the passing game. Miller, in my opinion, is the 2^nd best receiver in this class and could compliment Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr. extremely well. The classic stereotype is the Saints have no defense, but this season they debunked that stereotype as there defense played extremely well and kept them in (even won them) several games. They have depth at a lot of their positions and that’s why I went receiver with this pick.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama

The trend is going to continue for Pittsburgh this offseason, draft defense first. While improving drastically this season, the Steelers defense still has some holes that need to be addressed. The defensive back core is probably the weakest part, but the unfortunate injury to Ryan Shazier creates a potential new need at middle linebacker. Rashaan Evans has all the tools to be able to captain that defense if Ryan Shazier tragically can never step on the field again. If Shazier does come back, adding Evans to that Steelers linebacking core is absolutely scary.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma

The Jags defense is going to need some rejuvenation eventually, but Tom Coughlin should focus on drafting those project players in later rounds and developing them. For now, Jacksonville desperately needs a tight end. Mark Andrews is highly regarded as the best tight end in this years class and will bring an instant impact to this Jaguars offense.

30. Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

Terrence Newman won’t last forever, so here’s another team in need of a bit of youth at the corner back position. Alexander’s injury took away from his value a bit, making him a fringe 1^st/2^nd rounder, but his stellar 2016 season should be enough to tempt Minnesota into taking a chance with him. Pairing him with All-Pro Xavier Rhodes will also only improve and quicken Jaire’s development and that should work out well.

31. New England Patriots

Pick: Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn

Davis was a key piece to Auburn’s lock down defense this season and looks ready to take his game to the next step. New England needs pass defense desperately, especially if they lose to Malcolm Butler to free agency. They gave up the 3^rd most passing yards and 3^rd most passing yards per game in the league, not a fantastic state for a consistent playoff team. They’re might win the Super Bowl this year, but fixing that secondary is another way to ensure they get back there next season.

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan

Jason Peters is getting up there in age and the Eagles could use another tackle to keep Carson Wentz safe. Okorafor is 6’6” & 330lbs and he brings youth and size to this offensive line that performed very well this year. The defense does not need imminent improvements so the Eagles can look elsewhere to hope to make another Super Bowl run next season.

Hope you guys enjoyed this version 1.0 of Casual Sports Talk’s NFL mock draft, many more to come of course! Keep following us on Twitter @CasualSportsPod for the latest and greatest sports coverage! More on the way soon!