2018 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 (Three-Round Mock)

Shockwaves were sent through the NFL yesterday when the Patriots traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick to the Saints for the 23rdoverall pick and a sixth-round pick, and the move really changes what could happen over the next few weeks, as New England now has two first-round picks and two second-round picks to play with. Some have speculated they will move up for a quarterback or trade two firsts for Odell Beckham Jr., and here’s what I think might happen in my first three-round mock draft.

 

Round 1

 

1. CLE: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

I’ve been back-and-forth on the first-overall pick, but I think the overwhelming belief that Sam Darnold is the guy has been wrong. It’s possible Cleveland is able to convince the Giants to move up one spot to assure they get Darnold, so that’s something to watch.

 

2. NYG: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

At this point, it would be a surprise if this pick were anything other than Darnold or Allen—whether it’s New York taking their future quarterback or trading out for someone else to take whoever Cleveland doesn’t.

 

3. NYJ: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Is it possible that the Jets traded up with one of the top-two quarterbacks in mind, and have someone else (like Saquon Barkley) as a backup plan? I wouldn’t be completely shocked, but they probably didn’t give up three second-round picks to not take a signal-caller. Baker Mayfield fits the system.

 

4. CLE (via HOU): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

This is a best-case scenario for the Browns in my opinion, as they get their quarterback target with the first pick and still have Barkley on the board here.

 

5. DEN: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

Things will get interesting if the draft plays out like predicted to this point, as Denver could either take Josh Rosen or Lamar Jackson, trade down for someone to take one of them, or simply take the best player available. I don’t think GM John Elway will pass up a chance at Quenton Nelson without a Godfather offer.

 

6. IND (via NYJ): Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

The Colts get a guy they might have taken with the third-overall pick while getting some tremendous values on Day 2 of the draft.

 

7. MIA (mock trade w/ TB): Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

If no one trades up like I’m predicting here, then Josh Rosen and undoubtedly gong to fall outside the top ten. But Adam Gase might fall in love with Rosen’s accuracy all over the field and trade up to ensure he gets him.

 

8. CHI: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Roquan Smith is the perfect Chicago linebacker. He could be the final piece to building a dominant defense that would make the ’85 Bears proud.

 

9. SF: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

GM John Lynch would be ecstatic if four quarterbacks went in the top-seven picks, as a blue-chip talent would be available here. Minkah Fitzpatrick is as versatile and intelligent as it gets on the back-end of a defense.

 

10. OAK: Denzel Ward, CB, Alabama

The Raiders plugged a bunch of holes in free agency, but cornerback is still a question mark. Denzel Ward would push former college teammate Gareon Conley for a starting job and would at worst be a shutdown slot man.

 

11. TB (mock trade w/ MIA): Derwin James, S, Florida State

A dream scenario for the Bucs would be Saquon Barkley falling to them, but if that doesn’t happen, I think they are a prime candidate to trade back. Derwin James would bring a fear factor to the secondary.

 

12. LAC (mock trade w/ BUF): Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Buffalo is in Josh-Allen-or-bust mode in my opinion, so if they aren’t able to get the Wyoming gunslinger, a trade back to acquire more picks is possible. The Chargers have shown a ton of interest in Lamar Jackson this offseason, and he’d be an exciting successor to Philip Rivers.

 

13. WAS: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

The Redskins need a cornerback to pair with Josh Norman, and Jaire Alexander is a playmaker that can play man or zone. He also could boost the return game for Washington.

 

14. GB: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

The draft range for Mike Hughes is pretty wide, but all it would take is one team to go early like he does here. Green Bay needs a true number-one cornerback.

 

15. ARI: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

A healthy Sam Bradford would be deadly in an offense that includes Larry Fitzgerald, David Johnson, and Christian Kirk.

 

16. BAL: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Baltimore improved their receiving core in free agency with Michael Crabtree and John Brown, but the former turns 31 in September, and the latter has had various injury issues. Calvin Ridley would be a steady presence for Joe Flacco.

 

17. BUF (mock trade w/ LAC): Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Sean McDermott’s defense was championship caliber in 2017, but they could use help at linebacker; Tremaine Edmunds is a freaky athlete that should grow into one of the game’s best.

 

18. SEA: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

This is one of the best fits in the draft, as Jackson profiles as a ball-hawking perimeter cornerback that could seamlessly replace Richard Sherman in the new-look Legion of Boom.

 

19. DAL: Vita Vea, DL, Washington

I think Dallas would take Calvin Ridley if he’s available, but if not, they could go with the best player available to sure up the defensive line with Vita Vea.

 

20. DET: Da’Ron Payne, DL, Alabama

Matt Patricia would likely be thrilled with the versatile Da’Ron Payne as his first pick as head coach of the Lions. He and GM Bob Quinn—both from the Patriots—will be on the same page.

 

21. CIN (via BUF): Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia

Cincinnati already bolstered the offensive line with new left tackle Cordy Glenn, and they could also come away with an elite guard prospect later this month.

 

22. BUF: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Last year’s Bills defense with Tremaine Edmunds and Rashaan Evans in the middle is a scary thought. I don’t think this would be overkill.

 

23. NE (via LAR): Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State

I think New England might have traded Brandin Cooks with Mike Gesicki in mind here. He’s the perfect compliment to Rob Gronkowski as a move tight end that will be a mismatch nightmare.

 

24. CAR: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

Carolina has a handful of needs, and a talented edge rusher is towards the top of the list. Marcus Davenport has to improve his technique, but all the tools are there.

 

25. TEN: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas

I’ve had the Titans drafting Rashaan Evans here to lead Mike Vrabel’s defense, but if he’s off the board, they could turn their sights to Malik Jefferson; he can make plays all over the field.

 

26. ATL: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP

Atlanta could really use Will Hernandez to open more holes for Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman in the running game.

 

27. NO: James Daniels, C, Iowa

With Max Unger declining, New Orleans needs to think about a succession plan. James Daniels can easily slide in at guard for a year before taking over as the anchor on the offensive line.

 

28. PIT: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

Unless Ben Roethlisberger has told the team he was just being dramatic with retirement talk last year, they should start looking ahead for a franchise signal-caller. Mason Rudolph would really benefit from sitting behind a two-time Super Bowl champion as he adjusts to the NFL.

 

29. JAX: Connor Williams OT, Texas

The offensive tackles could wind up going much higher than this, but a few teams already have bookends in place. Jacksonville would have that with Connor Williams and 2017 second-round pick Cam Robinson.

 

30. MIN: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Minnesota is loaded after signing Kirk Cousins and Sheldon Richardson without losing any big-time contributors, so they can continue to improve the offensive line with Mike McGlinchey.

 

31. NE: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

Perhaps the Steelers took their quarterback target in Mason Rudolph here, but the Patriots need a left tackle after Nate Soldier left in free agency. Kolton Miller is an ideal replacement.

 

32. PHI: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland

D.J. Moore is a dangerous playmaker with the ball in his hands, and he could work inside and outside in tandem with Nelson Agholor and Alshon Jeffery on an already-stacked offense.

 

Round 2

 

33. CLE: Maurice Hurst, DL, Michigan

34. NYG: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

35. CLE: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia

36. IND: Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn

37. IND: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

38. TB: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

39: CHI: Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia

40. DEN: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

41. OAK: Taven Bryan, DL, Florida

42. TB (mock trade w/ MIA): Harold Landry, DE, Boston College

43. NE: Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky

44. WAS: Nathan Shepard, DL, Fort Hays State

45. GB: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

46. CIN: Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis

47. ARI: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan

48. LAC: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

49. IND: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

50. DAL: D.J. Chark, WR, LSU

51. DET: Ronald Jones II, RB, USC

52. BAL: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

53. BUF: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State

54. KC: Ogbonnia Okoronwko, OLB, Oklahoma

55. CAR: Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn

56. BUF: Nyheim Hines, RB, NC State

57. TEN: Sam Hubbard, OLB, Ohio State

58. ATL: Harrison Phillips, DT Stanford

59. SF: R.J. McIntosh, DL, Miami (FL)

60. PIT: Arden Key, OLB, LSU

61. JAX: Donte Jackson, CB, LSU

62. MIN: Billy Price, C, Ohio State

63. NE: B.J. Hill, DL, NC State

64. CLE: Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State

 

Round 3

 

65. BUF: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

66. NYG: Brian O’Neill, OT, Pittsburgh

67. IND: Austin Corbett, G, Nevada

68. HOU: Shaquem Griffin, LB, UCF

69. TB: Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia

70. SF: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State

71. DEN: DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State

72. NYJ: Dorance Armstrong, OLB, Kansas

73. MIA: Micah Kizer, LB, Virginia

74. SF: Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State

75. OAK: Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon

76. GB: Jeff Holland, OLB, Auburn

77. CIN: Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond

78. KC: Quenton Meeks, CB, Stanford

79. ARI: DeShon Elliott, S, Texas

80. HOU: Joseph Noteboom, OT, TCU

81. DAL: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma

82. DET: Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana

83. BAL: Braden Smith, G, Auburn

84. BUF (mock trade w/ LAC): Rod Taylor, G, Ole Miss

85. CAR: Deon Cain, WR, Clemson

86. KC: Marcus Allen, S, Penn State

87. LAR: Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa

88. CAR: Geron Christian, OT, Louisville

89. TEN: Tim Settle, DL, Virginia Tech

90. ATL: Dorian O’Daniel, LB, Clemson

91. NO: Da’Shawn Hand, DL, Alabama

92. PIT: Oren Burks, LB, Vanderbilt

93. JAX: Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech

94. MIN: Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin

95. NE: Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham

96. BUF: Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon

97. ARI: Levi Wallace, CB, Alabama

98. HOU: Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana

99. DEN: Kemoko Turay, OLB, Rutgers

100. CIN: Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin