Ourlads' 2025 NFL Mock Draft Challenge

RandomUsername | The 2018 Mock Draft v 3.0 by Random (post FA)

Updated: 03/19/2018 10:36AM ET

Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	School
Round 1
1	Browns	Josh Allen	QB	Wyoming
UPDATE In my last mock, I had the Browns taking Barkley at 1. Now with the Jets making a move and the news that the trade for Taylor is most likely a short term move, I believe the Browns will take a QB at 1 to ensure they get the QB they want. Allen is still my number 1 QB, I feel he has the most tools and upside of any QB in the draft.
2	Giants	Saquon Barkley	RB	Penn State
UPDATE The Giants are a team that many people are not talking a lot about this off-season. It's very hard to know what they are planning. While I think it is still a high possibility that the Giants could draft a QB, I think they ultimately decide at this point to get a great offensive weapon to try and rebuild their terrible offense around.
3	Jets f/IND	Sam Darnold	QB	Southern Cal
UPDATE Well, I did say I thought the Colts at 3 could be a prime trade location and now the Jets have moved up. This move is obviously to grab a QB. I had Darnold mocked to the Jets at 6 and I still think he is the QB that they look to grab at 3. He may need so time to mature and develop, but with McCown and Bridgewater ahead of him on the depth chart, there won't be any hurry to get him on the field.
4	Browns f/HOU	Bradley Chubb	DE	North Carolina State
UPDATE I think the Browns would like to see Barkley fall here if they pass on him at 1, but in this scenario, with him gone, I have them taking maybe the best defensive player in the draft. Chubb would be a great addition to the Browns defense and could help to form a formidable tandem with Garrett across from him on the line.
5	Broncos	Quenton Nelson	OG	Notre Dame
UPDATE With the Broncos signing Keenum, I think it takes them out of consideration for a QB at 5. Nelson is the best OL in the draft and might be the best player behind Barkely for the whole class. Taking a Guard this high is unusual, but sometimes, you make an exception for exceptional talent.
6	Colts f/NYJ	Minkah Fitzpatrick	CB	Alabama
UPDATE I believe the Colts made the trade with Jets believing that they have a good chance of Barkley or Chubb falling to them at 6. However, in this scenario, since neither of them do, I have them selecting the best DB in the draft to help try to reshape the Colts terrible defense.
7	Buccaneers	Josh Jackson	CB	Iowa
With Nelson and Fitzpatrick gone, the Bucs are left to scramble. While taking Jackson at 7 is a bit of a reach, they need secondary help so badly, in this scenario, they are willing to pay that price. I'm not sure if the draft plays out his way, but if it does, it could be a long 10 minutes for the Bucs.
8	Bears	Calvin Ridley	WR	Alabama
UPDATE I don't think the signing of Robinson changes this pick. Original analysis follows: Yes, it's way too high for Ridley. He shouldn't even be considered for the top 10. However, this is the Bears we're talking about. The same team that traded a bunch of unnecessary picks to move up 1 spot to select a QB they could have taken at their own spot. So yeah, they are unpredictable. I know the secondary needs help and there's talk they love Josh Jackson, but I think they swing for the fences to get a reliable weapon for their new QB savior.
9	49ers	Derwin James	SS	Florida State
I had James at 19 in my last mock and I hated the fact I had him so far down. Thankfully, I can now find a spot for him that makes sense. James is best safety in the draft and would help to transform the back of an emerging defense.
10	Raiders	Roquan Smith	IB	Georgia
The Raiders need big time help with their LB's and while I think Edmunds is possibility, I think Gruden opts for an athletic and rangy LB who is great in coverage and rushing. Smith is the total package and could help to transform their woeful LB core overnight.
11	Dolphins	Denzel Ward	CB	Ohio State
Miami needs help in the secondary, plain and simple. They have a terrible cap situation, so they have no money to add anyone in FA. Ward is a great addition to help a team in desperate need of quality backs in the secondary.
12	Bills f/BUF	Mike McGlinchey	OT	Notre Dame
UPDATE This pick will belong to the Bills, will change when mock is updated. Original analysis follows: The Bengals are an interesting team because they could look vastly different next year depending on what FA holds. No matter who is there starting QB, they need to protect them. McGlinchey is a plug and play day one starter. Easy choice.
13	Commanders	Tremaine Edmunds	OB	Virginia Tech
Washington's LB need help. Edmunds can fit in right away to help them out. While not a perfect scheme fit, I still think he makes a lot of sense for Washington.
14	Packers	Marcus Davenport	DE	Texas-San Antonio
Davenport is one of those players who could be flying up draft boards as the draft process carries on. While some may question his competition level, that hasn't stopped others from being dominant players in the NFL. I think Davenport helps to fill a need and keeps a great pass rusher out of the hands of the needy rival Lions.
15	Cardinals	Josh Rosen	QB	UCLA
UPDATE Even with the signing of Bradford, I believe the Cards would draft a QB in they happen to fall to this slot. Original analysis follows: I had Orlando Brown here last mock, but after his awful combine, I'm guessing he will tumble a bit. I don't think Josh Rosen will fall this far, but without trades to mock, it could happen this way. While I believe it's unlikely the Cards draft a QB in the first, if Rosen is here, I think they pounce, even with all the talk about his character and other issues.
16	Ravens	Da'Ron Payne	DT	Alabama
I think Baltimore would like to see Calvin Ridley here, but since he is gone, they need a back up plan. Payne is a solid DT who can fit in right away to help bring depth to a team that needs it. Not a bad consolation prize.
17	Chargers	Vita Vea	DT	Washington
I think if Baker Mayfield falls this far, LA will be tempted to pounce, but ultimately, I think they decide to go with a physical freak who can help wreak havoc on opposing O-Lines.
18	Seahawks	Billy Price	OC	Ohio State
Seattle needs to protect it's franchise QB and let's face it, it's O-Line is awful. Price is a versatile OL who can help to start to fix a broken and leaky O-Line.
19	Cowboys	Isaiah Wynn	OG	Georgia
Dallas just keeps adding to the great offensive line. Wynn is a versatile lineman that would add great depth and ability to a team that needs to make holes for Zeke and protect Prescott.
20	Lions	Derrius Guice	RB	LSU
UPDATE Even with the signing of Blount, I don't think the Lions will shy away from taking a RB early. Original analysis follows: I had Hurst here in the last mock, but after his heart issue was found, I think it might scare teams away. The Lions have a desperate need for a great running back, since they always finish last or near last in running every year since Sanders retired. While this might be a bit of a reach for Guice, he's arguably the second best RB in the draft and could help the Lions immediately next season.
21	Bengals f/CIN	Baker Mayfield	QB	Oklahoma
UPDATE This pick will belong to the Bengals. I will update when mock is updated. Original analysis follows: Personally, I wouldn't take Mayfield in the first round. I think his lack of size, strength and serious character red flags make him a giant risk. He's essentially Manziel 2.0, but he'll get taken in the first regardless and probably higher than this. However, I wasn't comfortable slotting him earlier, so he goes to Bills here.
22	Bills f/KC	Orlando Brown	OT	Oklahoma
While Brown had a historically bad combine, I don't know if it yet tumbles him out of the first. If he was a skill position, I would say yes, but I think tape is more valuable for a lineman. The Bills are going to need someone to help protect their new QB, whoever it is, and Brown can do that, despite the bad combine. Trust the tape.
23	Patriots f/LAR	Donte Jackson	CB	LSU
Yes, they did trade for Marcus Peters, but he may not be there for the long term and an understudy is never a bad idea. Jackson could be a really good corner in a few years and the new number 1 if Peters departs.
24	Panthers	Courtland Sutton	WR	SMU
Cam Newton needs WRs to throw to. It's that simple. Take the second best WR in the draft. Easy peasy.
25	Titans	Rashaan Evans	OB	Alabama
The Titans could go a number of different directions, but Evans provides depth and energy for a need area.
26	Falcons	Taven Bryan	DT	Florida
Word is Atlanta really likes him. Who am I to argue?
27	Saints	Mason Rudolph	QB	Oklahoma State
Call this a gut feeling. Brees has maybe a year or two left. You need an heir apparent at some point, why not now?
28	Steelers	Leighton Vander Esch	OB	Boise State
They are going to need someone to replace Shazier if he isn't able to resume his career. Vaner Esch is solid player to try and fill the void.
29	Jaguars	Dallas Goedert	TE	South Dakota State
Well, well, they kept Bortles around for at least another year. He's going to need weapons, why not the number TE in the draft? Sounds good to me.
30	Vikings	Connor Williams	OT	Texas
UPDATE With Cousins signing with the Vikings, they still need to protect him. Original analysis follows: I'm mocking this assuming Cousins signs with the Vikings. This will change if he doesn't. He'll need protection, so give him a big, strong OL.
31	Patriots	Sony Michel	RB	Georgia
New England can do lots of things here, but they love RBs. Michel is probably the second best RB in this class and would be a big addition to the Super Bowl runner-ups.
32	Eagles	Isaiah Oliver	CB	Colorado
Another gut call. You can never have enough solid secondary pieces.