NFL Mock Draft 3.0- 1st Round (No Trades)

By Jacob Waxman, Staff Writer
April 25, 2018

  1. Browns- Josh Allen, QB Wyoming
    • With the Browns in dire need of a quarterback (QB), they seem to be very high on Allen. Although he isn’t the highest rated QB in the draft, General Manager John Dorsey seems to draft for potential rather than raw talent. With Allen’s strong arm, size, and big play ability, the Browns hope he can develop to be their long awaited franchise QB.
  2. Giants- Sam Darnold, QB USC
    • With Eli Manning retiring in the near future the Giants need to add his replacement. New GM Dave Gettleman has expressed his interest in Darnold, and banking on the Brown’s not drafting him, the Giants can start their future with a highly touted QB in Darnold.
  3. Jets-Josh Rosen, QB UCLA
    • The Jets previously held the sixth pick but with a trade with the Indianapolis Colts, they traded up to three, presumably to take a QB. Rosen is the best QB in the draft, who can make any throw on the field. Although they resigned Josh McCown and signed Teddy Bridgewater, he Jets need to start their future up with a raw talent, accurate, pro style QB in Rosen.
  4. Browns- Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State
    • Barkley, the best overall player in the draft, and would make the most sense for the Browns here at four. Barkley is the highest rated RB coming out of college since future Hall of Famer, Adrian Peterson. Although the Browns have Duke Johnson and recently signed Carlos Hyde, with Barkley’s size, elite speed, and ability to escape tackles he is a can’t miss talent.
  5. Broncos- Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma
    • Even with Case Keenum’s break out season last year with the Vikings, it is uncertain if he will succeed in Denver. That’s where Baker Mayfield comes in. Heisman Trophy winning QB, with elite accuracy, and the ability to run and scramble out of the pocket, John Elway and the Broncos organization can build their offense around him.
  6. Colts- Bradley Chubb, DE NC ST
    • Hoping Andrew Luck can return this season the Colts look to build up their struggling defense, starting with the defensive line. The Colts land Chubb at six, the player they would’ve taken at three. Chubb is a freak athlete, with the size and strength to disturb the offensive line.
  7. Bucaneers- Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB Alabama
    • The Bucs can go in any direction here, but taking a versatile defensive back like Fitpatrick would make the most sense. Their secondary is aging, and with the versatility of Fitzpatrick, he can play anywhere on the field. Most people think he will end up at Strong Safety and with the inconsistency of the Bucs safeties last season, he is a plug and play.
  8. Bears- Quenten Nelson, OG Notre Dame
    • Nelson who is a top five player coming into the draft, is the best available player on the board. With a young quarterback like Mitchell Trubisky behind center for the Bears, they can improve their offensive line with a special, plug and play talent in Nelson.
  9. 49ers- Roquan Smith, LB Georgia
    • Last season the 49ers got a steal late in the First Round when they selected Reuben Foster. As of recently Foser has been charged with domestic violence, attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime and possession of an assault weapon. With the uncertainty of Foster’s future in San Francisco, Smith seems to be the most ideal pick, with his versatility, speed, and ability to track down the ball.
  10. Raiders- Denzel Ward, CB Ohio State
    • Last season the Raiders struggled a lot in their secondary, making it one of the worst defenses in the entire league. Former Head Coach Jack Del Rio took Ohio State cornerback Gareon Coney last year in the draft, and this year I expect new Head Coach Jon Gruden to take another Ohio State CB in Ward. Ward is an extremely physical CB who fits best with playing press coverage, which fits Gruden’s scheme perfectly. With the physicality of Conley, Ward, and Safety Karl Joseph, the Raiders secondary will be on the rise in the next few years.
  11. Dolphins- Derwin James, S Florida State
    • James who is a Top 10 prospect will stay in Florida, but will be flying down to Miami. Like Fitzpatrick, James is an extremely versatile player who can play anywhere on the field. One of the most physical players in the draft, James can hit, run, and play like Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor.
  12. Bills- Tremaine Edmunds, OLB Virginia Tech
    • Edmunds is one of the youngest players in this years draft. Whatever team selects him would be drafting for potential, rather than raw talent. Edmunds is the most versatile linebacker in the draft with the speed, strength, and ability to play outside or inside. Buffalo hasnt had much luck drafting linebackers in recent years, but if they take a young guy like Edmunds, it can pan out just the way they wanted it to.
  13. Redskins- Vita Vea, DT Washington
    • At 13 I think the Redskins can go one of two ways. Improve their RB depth or take the best player available. In this case I think they go for best player available (BPA) and take Vita Vea who is an athletic Freak for a 340-pound man. Vea can blow up a play even when he isn’t tackling the ball carrier. With his speed, strength, and football IQ, Vea will be an absolute stud in run and pass defense.
  14. Packers- Marcus Davenport, DE UTSA
    • The Packers defense hasn’t been the same since 2010, when they won the Super Bowl. With this pick I think they go for projected talent over raw talent. Davenport is a versatille DE/Edge Rusher, who will work perfectly in the Packers defense. With Clay Matthews aging, Davenport has the skills to become the next best pass rusher.
  15. Cardinals- Lamar Jackson, QB Louisville
    • At 15 I think the Cardinals reach a little bit and take a much needed quarterback. Although they signed Sam Bradford this offseason, there are uncertainties about his durability. Lamar Jackson will need to learn from a veteran like Bradford to be able to develop and be great in this league.
  16. Ravens-Hayden Hurst, TE South Carolina
    • The Ravens haven’t been a tight end system until they hired Harbaugh and when he got there they haven’t had a good one. A few years ago they took Minnesota TE Maxx Williams, but he hasn’t performed the way they wanted. With this pick I think they will go tight end since they signed two wide receivers in the offseason. Hurst is the second best tight end in the draft, and with a combination of route running and blocking he can be the next best at his position.
  17. Chargers- Da’Ron Payne, DT Alabama
    • Although the Chargers pass rush improved this past season, they go BPA. The defensive side of the ball doesn’t need much improvement besides at safety. The only way the Chargers would get a safety is if Derwin James drops. Although its possible, I doubt it’ll happen. Payne is another huge, powerful DT coming out of Alabama. He is a run stopper, that any team can use, and with the speed of the Chargers defensive ends, Payne can fill the hole on a run.
  18. Seahawks- Josh Jackson, CB Iowa
    • With the Seahawks rebuilding their defense, getting rid of Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, and possibly Earl Thomas or Kam Chancellor, they look to revamp the secondary. Jackson is a ball-hawking CB, with the speed, size, and hands to one day lead the league in interceptions. Jacksons break out game was against Ohio State when he intercepted JT Barrett three times. Opposite of Shaquill Griffin, Jackson can give some youth to the Seahawks defense.
  19. Cowboys- Rashaan Evans, LB Alabama
    • Former Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens, signed with the Chiefs in the offseason, opening the starting role for a middle linebacker in the Cowboys defense. Evans, a fast, strong middle linebacker, who accounted for 74 tackles this past season for the National Champion Crimson Tide, can add young talent to the Cowboys aging linebackers.
  20. Lions- Derrius Guice, RB LSU
    • Since Matthew Stafford has been Detroit’s franchise quarterback, he hasn’t had a good running back to help balance out the offense, partially due to the weak offensive line. The Lions took Ameer Abdullah out of Nebraska a few years ago, but he hasn’t worked out. Guice is a fast, powerful back that has the toughness to run people over, and the agility to make people miss. Taking Guice here, would open up Detroit’s entire offense, and help take some of the weight off of Stafford’s shoulders.
  21. Bengals- Leighton Vander Esch, LB Boise State 
    • Vander Esch was under the radar the entire season, until the draft process kicked in. The Bengals are in need of a versatile linebacker. Vontaze Burfict continues to get suspended for violating the leagues PED Policy, and for dirty hits, some labeling him the dirtiest player in the league. With him out so often, Vander Esch can add more speed to the defense if he’s playing inside or outside linebacker.
  22. Bills- James Daniels, C/OG Iowa
    • After Bills center Eric Wood and guard Richie Incognito retired, the Bills have holes to fill on the offensive line. Daniels can play either center, which he did in college, or move to his left or right and play guard. His elite footwork, and run blocking can open holes for All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy.
  23. Patriots- Mike Hughes, CB UCF
    • Hughes had a huge season for undefeated UCF this past fall. Hughes is part of the new breed of NFL cornerback’s. In recent years, teams have been falling in love with taller cornerbacks and thats what Hughes is. In Belichick’s defense Hughes can use his height, ball skills and speed to become a shutdown corner early in his career.
  24. Panthers- Calvin Ridley, WR Alabama
    • After getting rid of Kelvin Benjamin last season the Panthers need another target for Cam Newton to throw to. Ridley has the speed and route running ability to get himself open no matter who is covering him. With the distraction of covering Greg Olsen and Christian McCaffrey, Ridley can have a field day, day in and day out.
  25. Titans- Harold Landry, LB Boston College
    • With new Head Coach Mike Vrabel at the helm, he needs some young speed on the edge in Tennessee. Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan are only getting older, and if the Titans took Landry here, they would be able to let him develop under some of the best edge rushers the NFL has ever seen.
  26. Falcons- DJ Moore, WR Maryland
    • Falcons have arguably the best wide receiver in the league, Julio Jones, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for improvement. Taylor Gabriel left to go to Chicago, and Mohammed Sanu thrives in the slot. DJ Moore can play opposite Julio Jones, and with his speed and size, similar to Stefon Diggs, he can make Atlanta’s offense even better.
  27. Saints- Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State
    • Jimmy Graham got traded to Seattle two years ago, and since then, the Saints passing game hasn’t been the same with that Red Zone threat. Coming out of a small school, Goedert is the best and most complete tight end in the draft. He has great hands and can run good routes. With Michael Thomas coming off of a Pro Bowl season, adding Goedert can only help Thomas get more open, as well as adding the much needed Red Zone threat for the Saints.
  28. Steelers- Jaire Alexander, CB Louisville
    • Artie Burns was drafted in the first round of the 2016 Draft, and hasn’t proved that he’s the real deal yet. Alexander was never someone you would hear of on ESPN, always in the shadow of Lamar Jackson. And like Vander Esch, he didn’t emerge until the draft process began. Alexander is one of the faster cornerbacks in the draft and with that speed he can keep up with the quick wide receivers the the AFC North has.
  29. Jaguars- DJ Chark, WR LSU
    • After letting Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns go in free agency, the Jaguars look to use their young, talented groups of wide receivers to build their offense around. With Marquise Lee and Dede Westbrook, adding a wide receiver like Chark who ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the this years combine can make the Jaguars offense explosive.
  30. Vikings- Isaiah Wynn, OT/OG Georgia
    • With Joe Berger’s retirement, Minnesota has a need at guard. Wynn is a college left tackle who will likely shift inside, due to his speed. With his height, arm length, and potential, Wynn can help in a big way as the Vikings look to win a super bowl. He’s a complete player and would be a nice addition for Minnesota.
  31. Patriots- Mason Rudolph, QB Oklahoma State
    • After trading what was thought to be Brady’s replacement, Jimmy Garoppolo, last season to the 49ers, the Patriots need Brady’s replacement as he nears retirement. Rudolph would fit well in Josh McDaniels offense with the amount of deep balls, and corner and crossing routes. Drafting Rudolph this high in the draft is a reach, but due to the other five going so high, it makes the rest of the quarterbacks go higher in the draft. With at least two years left in Brady’s career, if drafted to New England, Rudolph can learn from the best quarterback to ever step on a field.
  32. Eagles- Ronnie Harrison, S Alabama
    • Super Bowl LII Champion, Philadelphia Eagles don’t need much to complete their roster, but with safeties Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod nearing the end of their contracts, Harrison can be the perfect pick. Harrison is a hard-hitting, run stopping safety who can really benefit from Jim Schwartz’ constantly rotating defense. Even if he doesn’t get the opportunity to start at safety this season, he could step in a linebacker, and be on the field for dime package.