2018 NFL Mock Draft, Bigger, Better, Texas

This year the NFL Draft will be bigger and better than ever! Not only will a Texas born player be the first overall pick, but for the first time ever the NFL draft will be held at AT&T Stadium.

Draft Thoughts

Josh Allen may have some of the cleanest mechanics and might be most natural thrower of the football of any of the quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft, but we think the Browns go after a QB that has an infectious attitude of winning.

The draft order is finally set.

1. Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma (Lake Travis HS). The Browns desperately need a QB who is a going to be a smart playmaker who has legitimate franchise QB skills. Mayfield has a way with the fans, media and players that will be infectious and bring hope to Browns fans everywhere.  He is the one QB in the draft that can help turn this particular franchise around.  His Texas roots and hard working attitude make him a no-brainer pick for the Browns.  His psychological make-up is a big part of this decision.  He’s got the grit to get it done.  Most prognosticators are saying Wyoming’s Josh Allen goes number 1 overall.  We predict he slides a bit due to the total package that comes with picking Mayfield.

2. New York Giants

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State. The Giants still good with the Eli Manning and expect him to lead the team for the foreseeable future. They give him an early Christmas gift with Barkley .

Bradley Chubb, DE,  NC State. The Colts stay put with this pick and up Chubb who is the best looking DE prospect in the Draft

Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming. Allen needs more time under center especially at the NFL level. He was a bit of a late bloomer and had no FBS offers coming out of high school which landed him at a community college in California.  Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl saw Allen’s talent and wondered if he might be a Carson Wentz.  He’s no doubt a great QB but we think he’s going to need some time to adjust in the NFL.  Allen struggled against Power Five foes Iowa (23-of-40, 174 yards, 2 INT) and Oregon (9-of-24, 64 yards, INT). He missed the last two regular season games with an injury to his throwing shoulder but returned for the Cowboys’ bowl win over Central Michigan (11-of-19, 154 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT).

Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA. Rosen might have the best footwork out of this QB class.  Rosen is mentally tough, has great visibility down field (trusts his o-line) and climbs the pocket when needed. However, durability seems to be a bit of a concern. With Elway and QB coach Mike Sullivan he’ll be in the right place to develop his skills as a player, and a leader on the field.

  6. New York Jets

Sam Darnold, QB, USC. Darnold is the proto-type NFL QB with his size and needs some time perfecting his craft at the NFL level.  Given the time and coaching Darnold ends up being the Jets franchise QB.

Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA. Davenport killed it at combine! He ran a 4.58 40 yard dash at 6’6″ and 264lbs…impressive across the board.  The Buc’s need help on the edge and if Davenport is still available he’s headed to Tampa.  Davenport attended John Paul Stevens High School in San Antonio.

Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech. The Bears are looking to make some off season moves for receivers. That allows them to turn their direction to defense, where the  19-year-old Edmunds is their top target.

Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame. Two of the top o-line prospects in this years draft are coming out of Notre Dame this year. Nelson will anchor the interior of the line at an extremely high level for years to come.

Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia. Smith is a Gruden player if there ever was one. Quick, tough linebacker that will remind Gruden of Derrick Brooks.  This fills a huge need for the Raiders

Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama. The Browns get this pick (The Browns need this pick), the Dolphins’ 2018 second-rounder, the Dolphins’ 2nd and 4th round selection and a 2019 4th-round pick in this deal. Browns need to build ….and fast.  They get Fitzpatrick and fill a lot of holes in the defensive backfield.

Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame. The Bengals get a rock-solid career out of McGlinchey, He is the proto-typical tackle with great footwork, toughness and leadership skills (voted captain 2 consecutive years).

Derwin James, S, Florida State. The Chargers see James fall and they insure they get him, so they send their 2nd-3rd and 2019 4th round picks to Washington. James is just an athlete and a playmaker in the Chargers secondary.

Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College. Landry had an amazing combine.  He has an incredible burst, and the bend to be a stand-up outside linebacker in Green Bay.

Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU. We’re assuming the Cardinals land either one of the QB’s from the Vikings, or trade for either Nick Foles. To help their new signal-caller, they get the 6-foot-4 receiver out of Brenham High School has been one of the most sought out receivers in the 2018 NFL Draft. The former SMU Mustang decided to forgo his senior season to declare for the NFL and is ranked as the premier big wideout in the 2018 class.

Derrius Guice, RB, LSU. The Ravens got a solid performance RB in Alex Collins in 2017 but they are still on the hunt for that feature back that can be a game changer. Guice can be that game changer for the Ravens.

Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State. Vandor put on a “show” at the combine on Sunday, behind a 2-gapping D-Line in Washington he’ll be putting on a show on game days in 2018. The ‘skins get Vandor after the trade back.

Taven Bryan, DL, Florida. The Rams need help on defense and trade up with the Seahawks to get a prospect, dare we say, similar to J.J. Watt.  He doesn’t have Watt’s size but the combine results and film are similar.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama. Ridley didn’t have a great combine so we have him sliding here a bit ( a good pro-day at “bama” can push him back up), but the Cowboys pick him to pair with Dez Bryant to stretch defenses.

Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State. Ward’s height (5’10”) is the only thing that makes him fall to pick No. 20. ward ran a blazing 4.32 forty.  The Lions love this pick  and new cornerback tandem of Darius Slay and Ward.

Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State. If Rudolph slips past Miami, Baltimore and Los Angeles, The Bills will take him at No. 21 overall. They can’t pass on him. He’s an experienced pocket passer with a nice touch and good mobility.

Vita Vea, DT, Washington. The Bills are renovating their d-line and Vea will be the rock solid foundation. With his arsenal of pass rushing moves he is the type of player that can make an impact from day one.

Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa. Jackson has amazing ball skills, a corner tailor made for Seattle. The Seahawks will go into the draft with their first-round pick, then not another selection until the fourth round.

Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP. If Andrew Norwell leaves in free agency — most likely — the Panthers will have a huge need at left guard. Hernandez is a mauler who’ll fill in wonderfully for Norwell.

Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama. Evans is one of the more versatile and fluid linebackers to come out of Alabama in recent years. He’s also fierce on the field.  Definite impact player from “go”.

Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama. Payne can do it all on the d-line wether it’s stopping the run or getting after the QB. Payne and Grady Jarrett will be a force to be reckoned with in Atlanta.

Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State. Gesicki’s blew up at the combine put himself in the first round. With Drew Bree’s at the helm he’ll be an instant threat to defenses.

Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas.  Out of Mesquite Poteet High, Jefferson is a super-fast sideline-to-sideline player with great size and change of direction speed. He’s just the type of player Pittsburgh needs.

D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland. Moorehad a standout performance at the combine at the receiver spot.  He’ll fill the void for whichever wideout the Jags lose.

Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA. Miller has franchise left tackle written all over him. He had a great combine and will anchor the Vikings line in the years to come.  He’s a huge man at 6’9″ and 310 lbs., but needs to add some muscle to his frame….which he will.

Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State. Bill Belichick loves drafting athletes.  Sweat showed at the combine that he’s clearly a special talent. With the right coaching, he’ll be a  huge threat rushing the corner.

Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon. Crosby has great mobility and will do well in the Eagles zone running game.  He’s a very solid pick here for the Eagles.

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