The countdown to Dallas is alive and well, as players, coaches and team owners gear up for the 2018 NFL draft.
Below is the NFL Mock Draft 2.0, which includes each team’s draft order.
1. Cleveland Browns – Sam Darnold (QB, USC)
Tyrod Taylor can’t do it all for the Browns as they need a true franchise quarterbacks. Darnold is by far the best quarterback in the draft and will look to fill in one of the biggest needs for the Browns.
2. New York Giants – Saquon Barkley (RB, Penn State)
Eli Manning’s job is safe, for now, as Saquon Barkley is by far the best offensive player in the draft, and with the addition of Jonathan Stewart, the Giants running back group could be among the best in the league.
3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis) – Josh Rosen (QB, UCLA)
Drafting Josh Rosen would be smart for the Jets, especially since they could deal off quarterbacks like Christian Hackenberg or Josh McCown. Keeping Teddy Bridgewater as a sustainable backup would be the ultimate goal.
4. Buffalo Bills (mock trade with Cleveland from Houston) – Josh Allen (QB, Wyoming)
Although this trade is purely speculative, the Bills really need a quarterback in the early rounds, which they will give a lot for. Josh Allen could be the best arm the Bills have at quarterback in years.
5. Denver Broncos – Bradley Chubb (DE, N.C. State)
Bradley Chubb is the best pass rusher available and his demand will be high. Denver picks up the best available player with this choice.
6. Indianapolis Colts (from New York Jets) – Quenton Nelson (OT, Notre Dame)
Quenton Nelson could be one of the best linemen to go into the draft in years. He is powerful, has broad shoulders and wide hips, which makes him a threat on the line.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tremaine Edmunds (LB, Va. Tech)
The Bucs don’t pass up on the talent at the eighth overall pick with Tremaine Edmunds. He can add some good depth at the linebacker spot and will be the best available pick.
8. Chicago Bears –Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB, Alabama)
The disparity that the Bears have in the secondary makes Minkah Fitzpatrick a no-brainer draft pick for Chicago. He can play safety or corner, due to his versatility.
9. San Francisco 49ers – Denzel Ward (DB, Ohio State)
With the addition of Richard Sherman, the 49ers want to build the best secondary in the league. Defensive back Denzel Ward is a spark plug in terms of athleticism and can see the field as early as this season.
10. Oakland Raiders – Derwin James (S, Florida State)
Derwin James has top-10 draft pick caliber in his play and the Raiders play it safe with a strong addition to their secondary with James.
11. New England Patriots (mock trade with Miami) – Baker Mayfield (QB, Oklahoma)
Here’s a spin-zone for fans. The Patriots loved Baker Mayfieldthroughout his off-season workouts, and with an aging Tom Brady, New England has to start thinking ahead. Maybe there is a future with Josh McDaniels and Mayfield at New England.
12. Cleveland Browns (mock trade with Buffalo from Cincinnati) – Connor Williams (OT, Texas)
Conor Williams deserves to go high in the draft due to his footwork and leadership capabilities. In this mock trade with the Bills, the Browns stick with a lineman to fill the void of Joe Thomas on the offensive front.
13. Washington Redskins – Vita Vea (DT, Washington)
The Redskins need a lot of things on defense, one being a run-stopper like Vita Vea. He can power through lineman and is a tough defensive player to block.
14. Green Bay Packers – Mike McGlinchey (OT, Notre Dame)
Mike McGlinchey is an athletic interior lineman that will create some good holes for the run game. Aaron Rogers can also rest well with McGlinchey blocking him up front.
15. Arizona Cardinals – Roquan Smith (LB, Georgia)
No, quarterback for the Cardinals this one. Instead, they get Roquan Smith, who converted from wide receiver to linebacker in college. He will boost that linebacker spot for the Cardinals.
16. Baltimore Ravens – Calvin Ridley (WR, Alabama)
Calvin Ridley is the most NFL-ready receiver in the draft. He’s got good speed as a target and is a strong route runner. The Ravens desperately need more targets and Ridley can be a No. 2 target at receiver.
17. Los Angeles Chargers – Orlando Brown (OT, Oklahoma)
Orlando Brown could help the Chargers run game down the line. Instead of getting someone on defense, the Chargers wait until the later rounds and pick up a lineman in the first.
18. Seattle Seahawks – Harold Landry (ILB, Boston College)
Harold Landry set the school single-season record with 16.5 sacks in 2016 at Boston College. The Seahawks needs some depth at defense, and instead of getting a secondary member, they go with a linebacker in the first.
19. Dallas Cowboys – Da’Ron Payne (DT, Alabama)
Da’Ron Payne is everything a team wants to help out stopping the run and this experienced defensive lineman is what the Cowboys need. Expect Dallas to look in the second or third round for a tight end or a receiver.
20. Detroit Lions – Ronald Jones II (RB, USC)
The McKinney, Texas, native in Ronald Jones II is something that Detriot won’t pass up on. Jones II is the fastest running back that is worthy of a first round pick.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (from Buffalo) – Will Hernandez (OG, UTEP)
Will Hernandez, the former UTEP standout lineman, will find his next home in Cincinnati. The Bengals have all sorts of needs, especially at the offensive line and at the linebacker spot. Even though they acquired tackle Cordy Glenn, the Bengals still need to add another option on the line, which Hernandez will fill.
22. Cleveland Browns (mock trade with Buffalo from Kansas City) –Mike Hughes (CB, UCF)
Speed, speed and more speed. That’s what you get if you draft Mike Hughes, a corner out of UCF that is able to create big turnovers.
23. Miami Dolphins (mock trade with New England) – Leighton Vander Esch (ILB, Boise St.)
Leighton Vander Esch plays more of a traditional type of linebacker. He is climbing up draft boards and Miami should fill their need at linebacker by drafting him at No. 23.
24. Carolina Panthers – Billy Price (C/OT, Ohio State)
Although the Panthers need some more receivers, they play it safe by taking Billy Price, who could very well be a make-or-break for Carolina. If Price can bounce back from his injury he sustained in the off-season, he could develop into a good product on the line. .
25. Tennessee Titans – Rashaan Evans (ILB, Alabama)
A lot of teams really like the way Rashaan Evans plays the linebacker spot, which makes him a desired pick late in the first round. Tennessee needs a hybrid pass-rusher like Evans, who could even be an EDGE player that the Titans want.
26. Atlanta Falcons – Taven Bryan (DT, Florida)
Taven Bryan is an on-the-fence first round prospect on the defensive line that embraces his potential. After Dontari Poe left for Carolina, the Falcons need to fill the gap at defensive tackle.
27. New Orleans Saints – DJ Moore (WR, Maryland)
DJ Moore has been climbing up draft boards and if the Cowboys pass up on Moore at No. 19 and he falls to the bottom of the first, expect New Orleans to snatch him.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers – Derrius Guice (RB, LSU)
It’s likely that Le’Veon Bell returns to Pittsburgh next year, but this time with a new weapon beside him in Derrius Guice. Mike Tomlin watched Guice, which obviously shows the Steelers’ interest with him.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Christian Kirk (WR, Texas A&M)
The Jaguars offense needs to replace Allen Hurns and after giving the franchise tag to Allen Robinson, the Jaguars cannot afford a high-profile veteran receiver. Getting Christian Kirk would be a prime addition for the Jags.
30. Minnesota Vikings – Isaiah Wynn (OT/G/C, Georgia)
You can’t go wrong getting a versatile lineman like Isaiah Wynn, who literally has done it all on the line at Georgia. The Vikings can plug him wherever on the line to fill their needs at the offensive front.
31. Miami Dolphins (mock trade with New England) – Josh Jackson (CB, Iowa)
Miami fills a much-needed spot at corner with Josh Jackson, who is versatile in the secondary and will do some good work defensively.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Sony Michel (RB, Georgia)
With the loss of LeGarrette Blount in the off-season, the Eagles will likely supplement Jay Ajayi with a young back. Sony Michel has played on the highest stages of football and does impressive work on the ground.
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