Updated 2018 Mock Draft Picks 1-15; End of College Football Regular Season
More stories from Jacob Waxman
- Browns- Josh Rosen QB UCLA
- With the way the browns have handled the QB situation this season, they show little pride w Deshone Kizer being their man of the future. With that being said they can’t go wrong with either Darnold or Rosen, but after this season Rosen has looked like the more NFL ready QB.
- 49ers- Saquon Barkley RB PSU
- Having Beathard get injured with only 2 minutes left in the game on Sunday gave Jimmy Garrapolo a chance to show what he’s got to the organization. He capitalized by throwing a touchdown while on the run. Expecting that he is their franchise QB expect Shanahan to take Barkley who relates to what Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman did with Shanahan in Atlanta, but with Barkley being their APB and main ball carrier.
- Giants- Sam Darnold QB USC
- With the Eli Manning era coming to an end very soon if not after this season the GIants have to for their future, and I dont think that future involves Davis Webb. Webb doesnt look like he will be a franchise QB in the NFL but can be a steady backup expecially in the GIants system, WIth Rosen likely off the board at this point you have to expect the GIants to take the next best in Darnold who very well might be NFL ready for the 2018 season.
- Broncos- Josh Allen QB Wyoming
- Ever since Peyton Manning has retired the Broncos have had ongoing quarterback issues. They drafted Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch, and Trevor Seimian to see who can replace him but have had no luck. When John Elway drafted Lynch in the first round a few years ago, he said he wanted someone who can scramble out of the pocket and create plays with his feet. Allen is that guy. Allen has very comparable size and athleticism to Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz who is currently the front runner for NFL MVP this season. Allen has a strong arm and is a very accurate passer, who will be able to capitalize his playing potential in Denver.
- Colts- Bradley Chubb DE NC State
- Although 2012 first overall pick Andrew Luck hasn’t played at all this season due to injury, selecting Chubb would make the most sense if they do stay at the fifth pick in the draft. There isn’t a quarterback besides the three previous, that have proven on and off the field to be selected this high in the draft. Chubb fits their scheme perfectly, drawing comparison to ex-Colts and possible Hall of Famer Dwight Freeney. Not knowing what the coaching situation will be for the Colts next year, Chubb is a very safe pick knowing that he can play in a 4-3 or 3-4.
- Bears- Connor Williams OT Texas
- On Monday, Williams made an announcement saying that he will be declaring for the draft and will not play in Texas’ bowl game. Williams is the clear best offensive lineman in this years draft. After extending Left Tackle Charles Leno Jr.’s contract in the beginning of the season, Williams would be a safe pick for the Bears giving Mitchell Trubisky security on both sides of the offensive line. Although the Bears can use a Wide Receiver, there isn’t one to be taken this early unless a team wants to reach on Alabama’s Calvin Ridley.
- Jets- Quenten Nelson OG Notre Dame
- The jets are off to a season that no one expected they would have. They’re 4-7 and they have four more wins than anyone thought they would. Josh McCown has played a lot better than people thought he would, but the Jets need a long term solution at quarterback rather than the 18 year vet. Unfortunately for them there isn’t a quarterback worth taking seventh overall, so to keep one around you need to protect him. Nelson is the best guard in the country with a very strong presence in run blocking. If the Jets feel they’d rather take a quarterback, don’t be surprised to see them move a few spots back in the draft, acquire more picks and select a quarterback in the middle of the first round.
- Dolphins- Minkah Fitzpatrick S Alabama
- Fitzpatrick is easily a top five prospect in the draft but doesn’t fit the previous teams needs. Fitzpatrick is a versatile player who can fit in anywhere on a defense, whether its cornerback, safety,or as a hybrid linebacker. He strongest as a free safety and with a Dolphins secondary that has the experience but not all the talent, if drafted here expect him to be an instant plug and play in the Dolphins system.
- Buccaneers- Derwin James S Florida State
- Going into this season James was one of the most hyped up players, but until about the middle of the season he wasn’t living up to the hype. James was projected to be a Heisman finalist this season but is now on the outskirts of the conversation. The Bucs signed aging vet TJ Ward this off season, which hasn’y payed off well. Expect them to draft a Safety like James who can be an intimidating force in the second level of the defense especially with his coverage skills, and someone who will add youth to the secondary along with current second year cornerback Vernon Hargeaves III.
- Browns- Calvin Ridley WR Alabama
- With the Browns adding a quarterback with the first pick expect them to beef up the offense even more this early in the draft. Although Ridley’s size isn’t the best he poses as a quick and precise route runner to be opposite of second year player Corey Coleman in the future. With the huge question mark of Josh Gordon waiting to be answered Ridley would be a great addition to a struggling Browns offense who drafted an atheltic tight end in David Njoku in last years draft.
- Chargers- Ronnie Harrison S Alabama
- Banking on Gus Bradley being the Defensive Coordinator for the Chargers next season they can use an upgrade at strong safety. So far this season the Chargers pass rush has been elite with Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa on the edge, but their secondary can use an upgrade. Harrison is an intimidating factor to any offense. The hard hitting, run stopping safety from Alabama should test well at the Combine making scouts drool. Expect Harrison to be a top 15 pick regardless of the team he gets selected by.
- Bengals- Denzel Ward CB Ohio State
- With Bengals aging cornerback, Adam Jones going into his eleventh season next year, the Bengals can look for a young, physical corner. Like Jones, Wards is an extremely physical player who would be best playing on the line of scrimmage, opposite former Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. Cincinnati can go for a wide receiver with this pick but they took John Ross last year and have NFL vet Brandon LaFell, who has put up numbers for them this season, with the distraction of A.J. Green of the other side.
- Cardinals- Mason Rudolph QB Oklahoma State
- With Carson Palmer continuing to get injured, the Cardinals need to find his future replacement. Bruce Arians seems to be skeptical about rookie quarterbacks, but Rudolph seems to fit right into their system. Coming from Oklahoma State where the offense is producing deep play actions, four verticals, and other 25+ yard throws, the Cardinals offense with small quick receivers in J.J. Nelson, Jaron Brown, and John Brown largely relates to to what Rudolph has done in college. This season alone, the Cardinals have four touchdowns of 25+ yards, with 5 games left on their season.
- Cowboys- Josh Jackson CB Iowa
- With the Cowboys struggling this season, you can look to either side of the ball for the to take a pick on. Last year they spent their pick on DE Taco Charleton who hasn’t seemed to find his niche in the Cowboys scheme yet this year. I don’t think they can waste another pick on a defensive lineman, so I have them improving their secondary with Josh Jackson. Jackson is a long corner who has great ball hawking skills. Jackson is a guy who can locate the ball, keep up with the receiver, and can turn his hips quickly. In the future along side Jourdan Lewis, and with Byron Jones in the secondary, this Cowboys secondary can be legit in the next few years with this pick.
- Redskins- Derrius Guice RB LSU
- Since Alfred Morris left the Redskins for the Cowboys a few years ago, the ‘Skins haven’t been able to find his replacement. They took Samaje Perine late in last years draft, but he has only had one breakout game this season. Guice proved who he was last season at LSU when Fournette went down with an injury, and since then he has been on every scouts watch list. Guice is not only a power back like Fournette, but also has the agility and speed to run outside the tackles. The Redskins can probably get lucky with a running back in later rounds, but if they bring back Kirk Cousins on either a franchise tag or a new contract, they will need to surround him with a dynamic back.