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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen top first round

By Brad Weiss

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) passes the ball during an NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins on November 19, 2016, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. USC defeated UCLA 36-14. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: USC (14) Sam Darnold (QB) passes the ball during an NCAA football game between the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins on November 19, 2016, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. USC defeated UCLA 36-14. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown as Brandon Powell #4 of the Florida Gators defends in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 03: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide returns an interception for a touchdown as Brandon Powell #4 of the Florida Gators defends in the first quarter during the SEC Championship game at the Georgia Dome on December 3, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Minkah Fitzpatrick

Cornerback, Alabama

The Cleveland Browns are stockpiling draft picks, and after a solid 2017 NFL Draft, the rebuild is definitely on. The Browns have been a joke in the AFC North for so long that the starting quarterback position has been a revolving door. In the second round in April, the Browns drafted DeShone Kizer out of Notre Dame, and he will be the latest person to get under center for the team in Week 1.

During the preseason, the Browns made a surprising move by releasing star cornerback Joe Haden. A two-time Pro Bowler, Haden was the leader of their secondary, so losing him should hurt, especially since he stayed in the division and joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Browns are building with youth, and at such a high price, Haden appeared to be expendable.

Nobody expects this Browns team to win many games in 2017, which means they will once again be drafting towards the top of the first round. With their first round pick, they should look to bring in another shutdown cornerback to replace Haden, and Minkah Fitzpatrick is the best this draft class has to offer. He would slide right in as the top corner on this roster, while joining 2017 first round pick Jabrill Peppers in a young secondary.

Cleveland is going to get better as long as they capitalize on their treasure chest of draft picks. They did bring in some talent on the offensive line, and Kizer looked good during the preseason. They are a couple years away, but the talent is starting to take shape on the roster, and good times have to be on the horizon for those poor Browns fans.

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