With the NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview mirror, we take a look at what the first round might look like in the 2018 NFL Draft in April.
The NFL Scouting Combine was a complete success for a ton of prospects this past weekend, including some of the star quarterbacks in this draft class. Guys like Josh Rosen and Josh Allen really showed off their arm in the quarterback drills, while running back Saquon Barkley proved to be superhuman during his workout.
However, the talk of the draft was Shaquem Griffin, who not only ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and put up 225 pounds on the bench 20 times, but he also did it with only one hand. Griffin put an exclamation point on an incredible year for him, and should hear his name called within the first three rounds in April.
Here is our latest 2018 NFL Mock Draft.
The debate over which quarterback is going to be taken first overall will rage on up until draft night, as there are a handful of signal-callers it could be. Players like Josh Rosen and Josh Allen had some big moments during the Combine, though some did not even throw. Sam Darnold from USC made the decision to run, but not throw during the Combine, but it should not hurt his draft status.
With the first overall pick in April, the Browns are expected to take a quarterback, although Penn State running back Saquon Barkley did his best to put a wrench in that thought process this past weekend. Still, Darnold should be the first overall pick for Cleveland, and he should get the chance to start immediately. New general manager John Dorsey has to get this pick right, as the Browns have been wrong far too often with this position.
Cleveland will also pick in the No. 4 spot, thanks to a trade they made with the Houston Texans during the 2017 NFL Draft. With that pick, they could wind up getting Barkley, though building up their defense makes more sense. There is a ton of pressure on the Browns front office to finally turn this thing around, and it all begins with their top two picks in the first round in a little under two months.