As we enter draft week, our final 2018 NFL Mock Draft shows Sam Darnold going to the Cleveland Browns with the first overall pick.
We are only a day away from the 2018 NFL Draft, where teams will look to add players that can help them become a Super Bowl champion. The 0-16 Cleveland Browns earned the first overall pick for the second straight season, as they have won only one game since the 2015 campaign.
While the Browns are certainly in the market for a quarterback, they are not the only team looking to add a signal-caller. There are plenty of solid arms in this draft class, and they should come off the board early, and often on Thursday night.
Here is our last 2018 NFL Mock Draft.
No big surprise here, as the Cleveland Browns use the first overall pick to bring in a quarterback. While there have been a bunch of names thrown around for the top selection, it appears that Sam Darnold from USC is the favorite to hear his name called first Thursday night. Darnold has proven to be the most NFL-ready quarterback in this draft class, and the Browns need to finally find someone to be their franchise quarterback.
During his time at USC, Darnold established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He brought the Trojan program back to the top of the college football landscape in his two years as a starter, though he was hampered by turnovers. He will have to cut down on the interceptions at the next level, but he certainly has the arm to make all the throws needed in the NFL.
Cleveland has two of the first four picks in the draft, and they will likely use the first one on a quarterback. If they do decide to go another route, it will really throw the top of the first round for a loop. They will make the right play, as new general manager John Dorsey grabs the quarterback who is going to turn this franchise around for once.
New general manager Dave Gettleman has said he wants to pick a future Hall of Fame player with the No. 2 overall pick, and there are a few prospects who look the part heading into draft night. One of those prospects is Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, who did a bit of everything for the Nittany Lions during his college days. In fact, Barkley was so good that Penn State was competitive for the first time in a long time, and he should be a top-5 pick on Thursday night.
As a running back, Barkley can make all the plays, and has tremendous hands out of the backfield. the New York Giants have not had a real running back in a long time, and Barkley has the kind of skill set that could land him in Canton. Not only is a beast on the offensive side of the ball, but he was also one of the best return men in the Big Ten during his time at Penn State, making him a lethal weapon.
The Giants are building to win now, as they know their window with Eli Manning is closing. If somehow the Browns do not select Sam Darnold in round one, the Giants could grab him, but that scenario will have to play itself out. Look for the Giants to pick Barkley at No. 2, making him the best running back New York has seen in a very long time.
The New York Jets want a quarterback, and they are trying to make sure they get the man they want this Thursday. In recent weeks, the team traded with the Indianapolis Colts for their No. 3 pick, as the Jets moved up from No. 6. You do not make that kind of move to draft anything other than a franchise quarterback, which they would secure if they draft Josh Rosen from UCLA.
An incredible football mind, Rosen is certain to be a top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Not only did he show during his time at UCLA that he can dissect a defense, but he also showed he has the arm strength to make every throw at the NFL level. Some have questioned his determination, and commitment to the sport, but the Jets would really hit a home run if they can grab him at No. 3.
The Jets played better than expected last season, and they have some good talent on this roster. If they can bring in a legitimate starting quarterback, they should be able to finally turn the page on their losing ways. Josh McCown is back in the saddle for 2018, and they did sign Teddy Bridgewater, but whoever is picked at No. 3 will get every opportunity to win the job this summer.
The Cleveland Browns will pick twice in the first four picks on Thursday, thanks to a draft day trade they swung with the Houston Texans during the 2017 NFL Draft. That pick was used on Deshaun Watson, who should have a solid sophomore campaign coming off an injury. The Browns should pick their new quarterback with their first overall pick, and shift focus to the defense at No. 4.
Last year, the Browns picked Myles Garrett with the first overall pick, and he had a pretty good rookie season. With the fourth overall pick in 2018, they should add a pass rusher to the other side of the line, and bring in Bradley Chubb from N.C. State. Some scouts feel he would have been picked before Garrett had he come out in 2017, which would have made him the top pick in the draft a year ago.
While that remains to be seen, Chubb is an explosive talent off the edge. If Saquon Barkley is available at No. 4, the Browns could go that route, but Chubb would be a very nice piece to add to this improving defense. The Browns actually played solid defense at times last season, and if they can add to the pass rush with Chubb, they could have a devastating front for the first time in forever next season.
The fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft will belong to the Denver Broncos, who made a nice move for a quarterback this offseason. The Broncos brought in Case Keenum from the Minnesota Vikings, who is fresh off leading the Vikings to the NFC title game last season. He is an instant upgrade at the quarterback position in Denver, but may not be the long term solution John Elway is looking for.
Enter Baker Mayfield, who has already told everybody he will not fall past pick No. 6 this Thursday. In Denver, he would be the quarterback of the future, and could play behind Keenum until his two-year contract runs out. That would give him the time he needs to adjust to the NFL game, as some believe he may be too small to be a successful quarterback at this level.
Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy last season, so there is no doubting his talent on the football field. He also wowed scouts with his arm strength during draft season, so he will land in the first round somewhere on Thursday night. In Denver, he makes a lot of sense, as he can learn behind Keenum, and have the ability to pick the brain of one of the best quarterbacks in history in Elway any time he sees fit.
The Indianapolis Colts had practice on Tuesday, and there was one player in his helmet that got a lot of attention. Starting quarterback Andrew Luck is back on the field with his team, which is huge news for not only the organization, but for the NFL as a league. Luck is still one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and having him back healthy changes everything for the Colts in the AFC South this season.
With Luck back on the field, the Colts can shift their attention to putting some bodies in front of him this offseason. With the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Colts should look to add the best offensive lineman this draft class has to offer. That player would be Quenton Nelson, who is an absolute monster from his offensive guard position.
Sure, it is rare for a guard to go before a tackle as the top lineman in the draft, but Nelson is a different kind of cat. He has the ability to be an All-Pro player at the next level, and is one of those draft prospects you can be safe in picking. It is about time the Colts made the investments in protecting Luck, as we all saw last year what this team is when he is not under center.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were supposed to be a playoff team last season, as many predicted they would win the NFC South. Instead, the team was the only in their division to not make the playoffs, finishing the year in the cellar. Heading into next season, they have made some nice additions to their defense in Beau Allen and Jason Pierre-Paul, and should no focus on fixing the back end of their defense.
Enter Derwin James, who is the best defensive back this draft class has to offer. During the 2015 college football season, James might have been the best defensive player in the country, and that was as a freshman for the Florida State Seminoles. He was injured in 2016, and was getting back to full strength last season, but he should not fall any later than the seventh overall pick on Thursday.
The Buccaneers need help in the secondary, and James showed during his time at Florida State that he can do a little bit of everything. He has the talent to be an incredible safety at the next level, and also showed great coverage skills when asked to play corner. In addition, he finished his college career as the all-time leader in return yards for the school, making him arguably the most versatile player in this draft class.
The Chicago Bears knew who they wanted during the 2017 NFL Draft, trading up one spot to take Mitchell Trubisky from North Carolina. While he was not supposed to be pressed into action as a rookie, Mike Glennon played terribly as the team’s starter, and they had to make the move to Trubisky. He showed why he is considered their franchise quarterback last season, and the team went out and got him some weapons this offseason.
With some solid players added to the offense, the Bears should use their top draft pick on the defense. One player who could be available at No. 8 is Tremaine Edmunds, who many consider the best linebacker in this draft class. Only 19-years old, Edmunds has that sideline-to-sideline ability you look for in a linebacker, and could be a player to lead this defense for the next ten years.
Edmunds was the best player on a very good Virginia Tech defense in 2017, and his game will definitely translate to the NFL level. He has elite speed for someone his size, and became one of the hardest hitters in college football last season. Chicago is building something nice when it comes to this roster this offseason, and do not be surprised if they shock some people next season and win eight or more games.
The San Francisco 49ers won the coin toss with the Oakland Raiders this offseason, and will get to pick at No. 9 this Thursday. This team is headed in the right direction, and it all began when they traded for Jimmy Garoppolo at the trade deadline last season. Once inserted into the starting lineup, Garoppolo won every game he started, taking the 1-10 49ers on a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season.
This offseason, the 49ers have continued to build up their roster, adding players like Richard Sherman and Jerick McKinnon. They are going to be a tough team to beat next season, and at No. 9, they should look to add another cornerback to the mix. That player should be Denzel Ward, who is the best player at his position in this draft class, and would be an instant starter at the next level.
Ward had to pay his dues during his time at Ohio State, as the school continues to churn out first round cornerbacks. He has the size and speed to be a shutdown guy at the next level, and has that rare ability to press cover, and close on the ball. He also has nice hands for a defensive back, and playing alongside a legend like Sherman will only make him better down the line.
The Oakland Raiders came into the 2017 season with a ton of expectations, as some experts predicted they would make it to the Super Bowl. Well, they finished the year with a 6-10 mark, cutting their win total in half from the year before. All areas of the team took a major step back, and head coach Jack Del Rio was fired immediately after the team’s embarrassing Week 17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Enter Jon Gruden, who is making his second tour as head coach of the Silver and Black. Gruden and the front office have spent the offseason re-shaping this roster, and will have 11 picks to choose from in the 2018 NFL Draft. Their first selection should be a defensive player, and Minkah Fitzpatrick should be available at No. 10 overall this Thursday.
Fitzpatrick would be a solid addition to this roster, as he can do so many things in a defensive backfield. He showed his versatility at Alabama by playing both cornerback, and safety, and was one of the hardest working players in the program. He is going to be a Pro Bowl player at the next level, and while Oakland has spent the offseason bringing in defensive backs, they should not hesitate to pull the trigger and draft Fitzpatrick at No. 10.
The Miami Dolphins have been changing their look this offseason, getting rid of some big name, and high priced talent. First, they traded away star wide receiver Jarvis Landry to Cleveland, where he inked a huge deal with the Browns. Then, they cut star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who had no shortage of suitors once he hit the open market.
Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dolphins have to make up for the lost talent on defense. While defensive tackle is definitely a need now, they have a serious hole at the linebacker position as well. The best middle linebacker in this draft class is Roquan Smith, whom the Dolphins need to grab quickly if he is still available at No. 11 overall this Thursday.
Smith showed incredible skills during his last season at Georgia, leading the team to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. He has the ability to play sideline-to-sideline, and his football IQ is off the charts. He is a guy who can come in and lead a defense as a rookie, and the Dolphins need that kind of leadership in this locker room as they try to change the culture.
The Buffalo Bills need a starting quarterback, even though they went out and signed A.J. McCarron this offseason. While McCarron has looked good in spurts, he is a career backup, and the Bills did not trade up nine spots to pick anything but a quarterback. In fact, they may package some picks to move up even further, but if they stay at No. 12, they may be able to grab a franchise guy anyway.
One player who is mocked to go all over the first round is Josh Allen from Wyoming. Those who do not care about the completion percentage issues have him going first overall, and some have him sliding as low at No. 15 to Arizona. We will take the middle ground, and have the Bills taking a shot on Allen, who did not put up great stats at Wyoming.
Allen’s physical gifts are unmatched in this draft class, and he is used to playing in cold weather, which is what he will encounter in Buffalo. He has the size you look for in a franchise guy, and the hope is his lack of production was caused by the lack of talent around him. He is going to be a solid player at the next level, and Buffalo may be the perfect landing spot for him on Thursday.
The Washington Redskins have been poor on defense for as long as I can remember, and they should spend their first round pick improving the unit. Up front, this team needs help, as they were run all over during the 2017 season. One player who can really help up front on defense is Vita Vea, who many believe is the best defensive tackle this draft class has to offer.
Vea can do pretty much anything from his defensive tackle position, as he is good against the run, and the pass. He is a big body, that is for sure, but he also has tremendous feet for a guy his size. In fact, during his time at Washington, he not only tracked down running backs, but also was very good at getting after the quarterback and applying pressure up front.
The NFC East is going to be tough next season, and the Redskins cannot afford to take a step backwards. They brought in Alex Smith to be the quarterback, and he has been one of the better regular season quarterbacks in football the last few years. They will be improved, but if they cannot stop the run, they are not going to be at the top of the division next season, that is for sure.
The Green Bay Packers are picking higher than expected coming into last season, but that has a lot to do with Aaron Rodgers breaking his collarbone. This offseason, the team has done a lot of things to anger their star quarterback, including firing his quarterback’s coach, and releasing his favorite weapon in Jordy Nelson. Still, the Packers will be solid with Rodgers back under center next season, but the defense needs work during the NFL Draft.
The secondary for Green Bay has been atrocious in recent seasons, and they should spend their top pick on the unit. One player who should be called in the first half of the first round is Josh Jackson, who is one of the better cornerbacks in this draft class. Jackson led the FBS in interceptions last season, and has the kind of cover skills you look for in a player who is going to be the top corner on your depth chart.
Two years ago, the Packers made a stellar run to the NFC title game, where they were shredded by Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons. They have not done much to fix the secondary since, and they even got rid of Demarious Randall this offseason. Jackson makes a lot of sense for Green Bay at No. 14, as they try to make this secondary at least serviceable next season in a very tough NFC North.
The Arizona Cardinals pick at No. 15 this Thursday, and they are another team who could use a long-term solution at the quarterback position. Carson Palmer retired after the 2017 season, and the team went out and signed Sam Bradford to a two-year deal this offseason. Bradford is always injured, so it is time for them to make the move to select a franchise quarterback in the first round.
One player who could be available at No. 15 is Lamar Jackson, who won a Heisman Trophy during his time at Louisville. Scouts are torn when it comes to Jackson, as some believe he will be a star quarterback, and some believe he is better suited as a wide receiver. I am of the thought that he is going to be a solid NFL quarterback, and the Cardinals should pick him with their first round pick on Thursday.
In recent mock drafts, some have the Cardinals trading up in round one, specifically to No. 10, where the Oakland Raiders do not need a quarterback. Still, players always slip in round one, and the Cardinals may be able to stay put and get their guy. They have David Johnson coming back next season, and with Larry Fitzgerald also returning, their offense should be in much better shape in 2018.
The Baltimore Ravens fell just short of the playoffs in 2017, as they needed only to win at home in Week 17 to get in. Well, the Cincinnati Bengals came into town and beat them pretty soundly, sending them to another January without a playoff game. They need to get better on offense if they hope to win the AFC North next season, and bolstering the offensive line can help them do just that.
This offensive line is pretty bad, and they need to make sure they take care of their holes during the 2018 NFL Draft. The best offensive tackle in this draft class is considered to be Mike McGlinchey, who is a terrific talent from Notre Dame. McGlinchey and Quenton Nelson helped the Fighting Irish have the best offensive line in college football last season, and both should hear their names called in the first round on Thursday.
Baltimore got a great season from Alex Collins in 2017, and the organization is hoping Joe Flacco finds the magic that helped him lead this team to a Super Bowl win in what seems like ages ago. They already have a very good defense, and the AFC North is going to be a winnable division next season. McGlinchey makes them so much better up front, and he has the skills needed to be a starting left tackle in this league for at least the next decade.
The Los Angeles Chargers are a team that many are excited about heading into next season, as they nearly pulled off the impossible in 2017. Starting the season out at 0-4, the Chargers nearly made the playoffs, winning their Week 17 game against the Oakland Raiders, but not getting the help they needed to secure a Wild Card. Still, they have tremendous talent on both sides of the ball, and should be a playoff contender in 2018.
One are of need for this team is inside the middle of the defense. The middle linebacker position is going to be a necessity during the 2018 NFL Draft, and they may want to take care of that in the first round. One of the better middle linebackers in this draft class is Rashaan Evans, who was a big reason why the Alabama Crimson Tide won the national title last season.
Evans is a punishing tackler, and he is not afraid to come up and wallop running backs. That was an area where the Chargers struggled last season, so adding a player with Evans’ skill set makes sense at No. 17. The Chargers head into 2018 as the favorite in the AFC West, and with a player like Evans in the middle of their defense, it should free up their elite pass rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram next season.
The Seattle Seahawks are going to be an interesting team to watch next season, as they are re-shaping their roster this offseason. They fired a bunch of their coaching staff, and then let Legion of Boom member Richard Sherman walk over to division rival San Francisco. If Pete Carroll is going to lead this team to the playoffs, it may be his best work yet, as the NFC West is going to be loaded next season.
On offense, the Seahawks still have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Russell Wilson. The problem is, they paid him too much money, and now the roster is being put together in a cash-crunch. The offensive line in front of him is an absolute joke, and not even the trade deadline acquisition of Duane Brown could help matters when it came to pass protection.
With their top pick on Thursday, the Seahawks should look to bring in offensive tackle Connor Williams from Texas. Williams would have been a first round pick had he been out last year, but the added year at Texas has helped his draft stock even more. He could play on the right side as a rookie in Seattle, giving this poor offensive line a major upgrade heading into next season.
The Dallas Cowboys made one of the biggest moves of the offseason two weeks ago, when they released star wide receiver Dez Bryant. Sure, Bryant was making too much money for his production, but that was a huge sign to the rest of the organization that they need to bring in their next star at wideout. Enter Calvin Ridley, who is the best wide receiver this draft class has to offer, and is an absolute playmaker.
Ridley played in a run-first offense during his days at Alabama, but still helped lead the team to two national titles. With Dallas, he would be entering another run-first offense, as running back Ezekiel Elliott is one of the best in football. Still, Dak Prescott loves to take shots downfield, and Ridley’s skill set was made for big plays.
The Cowboys brought in Allen Hurns this offseason, so adding Ridley would give Prescott two very good options in the passing game. Dallas took a step back last season, especially with Elliott out, but they should recover nicely in 2018. Their division won the Super Bowl, and if they want to get back to the mountaintop, they need to add players who can take the lid off a defense like Ridley can. Look for Dallas to be at least a Wild Card team in 2018.
The Detroit Lions nearly made the playoffs for a second straight season in 2017, though they fell just short of their ultimate goal. During the previous offseason, they made quarterback Matthew Stafford the richest player in football, and he rewarded them with another productive season. He is one of the best in the business at putting up big numbers, but he could use an elite weapon in the backfield heading into next season.
That player could be Derrius Guice, who has a first round grade on him heading into Thursday. Guice actually led the SEC in rushing as a backup to Leonard Fournette back in 2016, and his game should definitely translate to the NFL level. He can do a bit of everything out of the backfield, and has the kind of determination that is going to make him a tremendous player at the next level.
Detroit has a solid roster on both sides of the ball, and Stafford is definitely one of the best quarterback in football. If they can add Guice to this offseason, it would give them a dimension they have not had with Stafford under center. The NFC North is very winnable next season, and the Lions are going to be a team that is in the running for a playoff spot up until the end of the year.
The Cincinnati Bengals were expected to pick at No. 12 overall on Thursday, as they played poorly enough to get a pick in the first half of the first round. However, they swung a deal with the Buffalo Bills to trade back, and not only got the No. 21 pick, but also left tackle Cordy Glenn. That was a great move for both sides, and it enables the Bengals to use their first round pick on another offensive lineman.
With Glenn at left tackle, the Bengals should look to bring in someone to add depth to the guard position. One player who could come in and start right away is Isaiah Wynn, who played all over the line during his time at Georgia. Wynn was a dominant player at tackle, and guard, and would be a guy the Bengals could come in and plug anywhere they felt they needed a starter next season.
Andy Dalton is still a solid quarterback, and Joe Mixon showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season. In addition, A.J. Green is still one of the best wide receivers in football, so adding to the offensive line is going to make this offense so much better next season. They came on strong in 2017, and have the talent to make a serious run in the AFC North next season as well.
Thanks to the trade they made with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2017 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills will have two picks in the first round in 2018. At No. 12, they should bring in a quarterback, as the tandem of A.J. McCarron and Nathan Peterman is not going to win them many games. With pick No. 22, they should add to the offensive line, which took a big hit when Cordy Glenn was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for the twelfth overall pick.
Luckily for Buffalo, there are some good offensive tackle prospects in this draft class. One player who has been inching up the draft boards is Kolton Miller, who protected Josh Rosen’s blindside during his time at UCLA. Miller is a big body with good feet, and is a guy who could stay on the left side at the next level, given his physical attributes.
Buffalo made it back to the playoffs for the first time since 1999 last season, and they will be looking to take the next step forward in 2018. Their defense was a lot better than advertised last season, and LeSean McCoy is still one of the best running backs in the league. They have an opportunity to get a lot better with two first round picks, and they need to make sure they capitalize on this opportunity on Thursday night.
Brandin Cooks came over to the New England Patriots last offseason, as the team traded with the New Orleans Saints. In his first year with New England, Cooks helped the team make it back to the Super Bowl. However, his run with the team ended pretty fast, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for the No. 23 pick in the first round, which is where the Patriots will pick their first of two first round picks.
This offseason, the Patriots saw Malcolm Butler leave for Tennessee, as he was likely unhappy with his benching during the Super Bowl. While that statement is pretty obvious, it does leave New England with a bit of a hole at the cornerback position. With the No. 23 overall pick in round one, they should look to add a cornerback, and Mike Hughes from UCF is a player who should hear his name called in the first round.
Hughes is an explosive cornerback, possessing great hands and cover skills. He also is a very good return man, and could be used in a variety of ways in Bill Belichick’s defense next season. The Patriots were embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, especially through the air, so it makes a lot of sense that they would use their first of two first round picks on the secondary during the NFL Draft.
The Carolina Panthers made it back to the playoffs last season, as they bounced back from a horrible 2016 campaign. That 2016 season was so shocking due to the fact the Panthers went to the Super Bowl the year before, though they were destroyed by the Denver Broncos. Still, they have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Cam Newton, who finally appears to be healthy heading into the 2018 season.
With their first round pick on Thursday, the Panthers should look to add to their pass rush heading into next season. While Julius Peppers is defying Father Time, the team needs to start thinking about life after him. That player who could take his role going forward is Arden Key, who is an explosive edge rusher from LSU.
Key has had to battle injuries during his time with the Tigers, but he is a first round talent nonetheless. He has that quick first step that you cannot teach, and he would be able to learn under Peppers for the beginning of his career. 2017 first round pick Christian McCaffrey had a solid rookie season for the Panthers, and the hope is they can hit a home run with their top selection once again in 2018.
The Tennessee Titans are going to be another team to watch next season, as they could be a sleeper pick in the AFC. They have done a nice job building this roster in recent seasons, and made a nice splash by signing Malcolm Butler this offseason. Butler joins former New England Patriots teammate Logan Ryan in the Titans defensive backfield, giving them one of the better units in the AFC this upcoming season.
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, the Titans could use some more help in the pass rush. One player who could still be available this late in round one is Harold Landry, who is a terrorizing edge rusher from Boston College. Landry was slated to go in the first round last year, but went back to school for one more year, though it should not affect his draft status in 2018.
Landry would join a Titans team that is going to be the favorite in the AFC South heading into next season. That division is going to be loaded, as both Andrew Luck (Colts) and Deshaun Watson (Texans) are coming back from injury. Landry would help get after those guys in a big way next season, as they try to take the next step in their development as a team.
The Atlanta Falcons suffered one of the worst losses in Super Bowl history against the New England Patriots, and many expected they would have some kind of hangover last season. Well, the team did get off to a slow start, but by the time the playoffs came around, they were right back in the middle of things. While they did not make it back to the Super Bowl, they showed they are still one of the top teams in the NFC.
Heading into next season, the Falcons have some holes to fix on their defensive line. Dontari Poe has left, and they need to utilize their first round pick on a defensive tackle. Maurice Hurst from Michigan is a guy who should hear his name called in the first round, though it may be later than expected due to a heart issue that was found at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Hurst’s heart is fine, but you never know what these general managers are going to be thinking on draft night. If he is still there at No. 26, the Falcons need to pounce on him immediately. He is a guy who could make a serious impact in year one, and with the NFC looking like it is going to be a tight race again, Hurst is someone who can clamp down on a running game, and is quick enough to get after the quarterback.
Last offseason, the New Orleans Saints traded away Brandin Cooks, leaving them with Michael Thomas to captain the wide receiver group. While Thomas is an elite player in his own right, the Saints need to draft someone who can take some of the pressure off of him in the passing game. That player could be D.J. Moore, who has quietly slipped his way into the first round, and will certainly hear his name called on Thursday night.
Moore is an explosive player, and matching him up with Thomas would give the Saints one heck of a wide receiver tandem. The Saints recently locked Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees up for two more seasons, so it would make sense that they would spend a first round pick getting him another weapon. New Orleans took a big step forward last season, but will have to keep adding pieces to win an NFC South division that sent three teams to the playoffs in 2017.
These Saints are going to be fun to watch, as the running back tandem of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram is one of the best in the business. 2017 first round pick Marshon Lattimore was an absolute beast from his cornerback position in year one, and the Saints hope to get the same return from their 2018 pick. Moore is a pretty safe pick this late in round one, and he will certainly have a nice rookie season with Brees throwing him the ball.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were shocked by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs last season, as they lost to the Jags at home in the Divisional Round. Many were expecting a rematch between the Steelers and the New England Patriots for the AFC title, but those dreams ended on Heinz Field. However, the Steelers will be locked and loaded again in 2018, as all of their top weapons will be back for another shot at the title.
When it comes to this roster, one of the more exciting things about last season was the progression of their young defense. First rounder T.J. Watt played like a first rounder, and will be counted on to be even more of a leader in 2018. With their first round pick on Thursday, Pittsburgh should bring in an inside linebacker, and Leighton Vander Esch could be available this late in round one.
Vander Esch got a late start to his football career, but he is an absolute beast of a linebacker. He is one of the hardest hitters in this draft class, and has one of the better football IQs of any player in his position group, or the overall class. Some mocks have him going a lot earlier than No. 28 to the Steelers, but he would be a perfect fit on their defense, as it continues to get younger, and faster.
The Jacksonville Jaguars took a major step forward as a team last season, making it all the way to the AFC Championship Game. In fact, they had a ten point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but were done in by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Still, this roster is ready for another run at a title next season, and they have the advantage of having really all of their starters set heading into the 2018 NFL Draft.
One area where they could use some help is at tight end, and this draft class has a couple of good ones. One player who could hear his name called in the first round is Mike Gesicki, who proved to be quite the playmaker during his time at Penn State. Gesicki put on a show at the NFL Scouting Combine as well, and would be that pass-catching tight end that so many teams covet nowadays.
The Jaguars made a commitment to Blake Bortles to be their starting quarterback, and their season will really hinge on how he performs next season. 2017 first rounder Leonard Fournette will also be counted on to be a bit more consistent in year two, and he should be able to handle the load once again. This team is going to be exciting to watch, and Gesicki would give them quite the red zone weapon if they decide to snag him with pick No. 29.
The Minnesota Vikings had a terrific run in 2017, as they made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game. The most impressive part about that was the fact that they did it with Case Keenum as their starting quarterback. Keenum took over the position when Sam Bradford injured his knee, and was forced to lead the team with star running back Dalvin Cook also on the sideline with an injured knee as well.
Entering 2018, Keenum has moved on to Denver, and has been replaced with former Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins can certainly pit up big numbers, but he is going to need some more bodies on the offensive line. One area the Vikings should target is offensive guard, where they could swoop in and select Will Hernandez from UTEP with pick No. 30 in the first round on Thursday.
Hernandez is going to be a solid player at the next level, as he has the physical attributes you look for in an offensive guard. He has great feet, and his strength is matched by very few in this draft class. He is going to be a guy who can be starter in this league for the next ten years at least, and in Minnesota, fixing the offensive line is going to be the difference in this team taking the next step in 2018.
With the second of two first round picks on Thursday, the New England Patriots should once again look to fix their defense. The truth is, they looked terrible during the Super Bowl, and not even 500 yards from Tom Brady could help them beat the Philadelphia Eagles. While a cornerback should be brought in with pick No. 23, eight picks later, New England should bring in a guy to help the front of their defense.
Da’Ron Payne showed during his time at Alabama that he is an elite defensive tackle, and is going to be a solid player at the next level. He has the skill set to be a run stopper, but also has the quickness to get after people in the backfield. This Patriots defense was exploited back in February, so using two first round picks to get better on two levels of the unit makes a lot of sense.
New England is going to be a playoff team again in 2018, as Brady and most likely Rob Gronkowski should be back with the team. However, they lost a lot of talent this offseason to free agency, as maybe players were rubbed the wrong way by Bill Belichick benching Malcolm Butler in the Super Bowl. Payne and Hughes will help the defense immensely, making them the best team in the AFC East once again.
The Philadelphia Eagles were not supposed to win the Super Bowl, especially when Carson Wentz blew out his knee in Week 13. However, they had a stellar backup in Nick Foles, who played out of his mind during the playoffs. In fact, when all was said and done, Foles had been named Most Valuable Player of the Super Bowl, after shredding the New England Patriots secondary.
As they head into next season, Foles will likely start the season as the starter, as Wentz was hurt so late in the year in 2017. On the defensive side of the ball, they could use some help in the pass rush, and Marcus Davenport is one of the best in this draft class at doing just that. He is going to be a first round pick on Thursday, and the Eagles would be very lucky if he falls to them with the final pick of round one.
Next: NFL schedule 2018: Each team's biggest game
So there it is. Our last 2018 NFL Mock Draft. There has been so much movement in this draft heading into Thursday, and you can be sure the first round will have a different look before all is said and done. This is one of the more exciting three days on the NFL calendar, and there are certain to be some fireworks throughout.