OK, this is a little early, but it highlights my reason for not taking a qb in this years draft. Next year, there are 3 top 10 qbs. I'm saving my ammo to get one of them. Darnald is my target right now.
2018 NFL Mock Draft
Last update: Friday, April 14, 2017.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
The order of this 2018 NFL Mock Draft is based on my NFL Power Rankings. If you have a problem with this order, well, you're probably not alone.
Los Angeles Rams: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Taking a quarterback is a realistic scenario, despite all that the Rams have surrendered for Jared Goof. If they're bad enough to be selecting No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, they'll surely be ready to move on to another quarterback.
Sam Darnold has taken the Pac-12 by storm, as he's been incredible ever since taking over as the starter, which was capped off by his amazing Pac-12 performance. A big quarterback with a nice arm, terrific accuracy and decent mobility, Darnold could end up being the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
New York Jets: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Jets appear to be tanking for the 2018 NFL Draft, as I think we can surmise based on the Josh McCown signing. This is a smart move, as there are projected to be three top-10 signal-callers in this class.
Josh Rosen was once the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he's been passed by Sam Darnold. It also must be noted that NFL coaches and owners are wary of the sort of things Rosen has discussed to the media. However, he's young and could improve his thinking.
San Francisco 49ers: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
A quarterback would make sense for the 49ers if they didn't stand a good chance of obtaining Kirk Cousins. It's unclear if that'll be possible this offseason, but it surely will happen by next spring. If so, Cousins will need someone to throw to besides Pierre Garcon.
Christian Kirk would definitely qualify. Kirk is an absolute stud who would be a massive upgrade at receiver.
Chicago Bears: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU
An edge rusher isn't extremely high on Chicago's list of needs, but I'd have to believe that the Bears would be hard pressed to pass on a super talent like Arden Key. A dynamic edge rusher like Key could really take their defense to the next level and cover up some holes in the secondary.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Blake Bortles has been an utter failure thus far, but something the Jaguars can point to is poor pass protection. They signed Kelvin Beachum last offseason, but he was recently released because he struggled coming off an ACL tear. Bortles' blind side needs to be protected for a change.
Mike McGlinchey would probably be the top tackle chosen in the 2017 NFL Draft if he were to declare, but he announced that he would be returning to school.
Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Isaiah Crowell will be a free agent next offseason unless he's re-signed. The Browns won't be too upset to see hm depart if they can land Saquon Barkley, who ran a 4.33 at the Penn State pro day in March.
Cincinnati Bengals: Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Bengals missed Reggie Nelson last season, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind finally finding a replacement to strengthen their secondary.
Derwin James has missed some time in 2016 with a knee injury, but he's a monstrous safety (6-3, 211) who happens to be a terrific athlete. He's still projected to be a top-10 pick.
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Here's the third elite signal-caller. The Bills could be in the market for one. They decided to keep Tyrod Taylor, but they can pretty much cut ties with him following one season. They'll likely opt to do so if they're selecting this early in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Josh Allen projects as a potential first-round signal-caller. He has a big arm and can scramble pretty well, but he needs to work on his accuracy next year.
Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Ravens have been linked to Mike Williams in the 2017 NFL Draft, but it's unlikely that the Clemson receiver slips all the way to No. 17. Here's Baltimore's chance to nab a dynamic wideout.
Minnesota Vikings: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
The Vikings are disappointed with Sharrif Floyd, so if he doesn't get his act together, he won't be on the team much longer. Christian Wilkins could be targeted as a replacement for Floyd in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Washington Redskins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama
The Redskins are interested in adding a cornerback, but if they don't do so at No. 17 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, perhaps they'll select one in the opening round next year. They're getting the best prospect at the position in this class in this scenario.
Indianapolis Colts: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
The ultra-talented Malik Jefferson makes a lot of sense for the Colts at No. 12 overall in this 2018 NFL Mock Draft. Indianapolis really struggled to cover running backs and tight ends last season because of poor linebacker play. Jefferson would be able to fix that problem.
Carolina Panthers: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
The Panthers traded Kony Ealy and plan to go with the duo of Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers next year. The problem is both are on the wrong side of 30 and won't be on the team much longer. Carolina will have to use an early-round s******** on a defensive end sometime in the near future.
Sam Hubbard saw his sack total drop from 6.5 in his freshman year to 3.5 in 2016, but he's a freak athlete poised to have a breakout junior campaign.
Denver Broncos: Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson
Back-to-back offensive tackles may seem strange if you're not familiar with the Broncos. Upon further inspection, however, you'll see that Denver's tackle situation is extremely dire, as the team doesn't have a single starting-caliber tackle on the roster.
Houston Texans: Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
The Texans sustained a huge loss this offseason when they lost A.J. Bouye to the Jaguars. They could select a cornerback in the first two rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft. If not, this becomes a very realistic possibility.
Arizona Cardinals: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Larry Fitzgerald has agreed to return for 2017, but it's unclear how much longer he'll want to keep playing. Michael Floyd is gone, while John Brown is an impending free agent. Arizona will have to target a receiver early in one of the next two NFL Drafts.
James Washington made somewhat of a surprise choice by going back to school; he had a chance to be a first-round this April.
Last update: Friday, April 14, 2017.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
The order of this 2018 NFL Mock Draft is based on my NFL Power Rankings. If you have a problem with this order, well, you're probably not alone.
Los Angeles Rams: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Taking a quarterback is a realistic scenario, despite all that the Rams have surrendered for Jared Goof. If they're bad enough to be selecting No. 1 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, they'll surely be ready to move on to another quarterback.
Sam Darnold has taken the Pac-12 by storm, as he's been incredible ever since taking over as the starter, which was capped off by his amazing Pac-12 performance. A big quarterback with a nice arm, terrific accuracy and decent mobility, Darnold could end up being the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
New York Jets: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Jets appear to be tanking for the 2018 NFL Draft, as I think we can surmise based on the Josh McCown signing. This is a smart move, as there are projected to be three top-10 signal-callers in this class.
Josh Rosen was once the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he's been passed by Sam Darnold. It also must be noted that NFL coaches and owners are wary of the sort of things Rosen has discussed to the media. However, he's young and could improve his thinking.
San Francisco 49ers: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
A quarterback would make sense for the 49ers if they didn't stand a good chance of obtaining Kirk Cousins. It's unclear if that'll be possible this offseason, but it surely will happen by next spring. If so, Cousins will need someone to throw to besides Pierre Garcon.
Christian Kirk would definitely qualify. Kirk is an absolute stud who would be a massive upgrade at receiver.
Chicago Bears: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU
An edge rusher isn't extremely high on Chicago's list of needs, but I'd have to believe that the Bears would be hard pressed to pass on a super talent like Arden Key. A dynamic edge rusher like Key could really take their defense to the next level and cover up some holes in the secondary.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Blake Bortles has been an utter failure thus far, but something the Jaguars can point to is poor pass protection. They signed Kelvin Beachum last offseason, but he was recently released because he struggled coming off an ACL tear. Bortles' blind side needs to be protected for a change.
Mike McGlinchey would probably be the top tackle chosen in the 2017 NFL Draft if he were to declare, but he announced that he would be returning to school.
Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Isaiah Crowell will be a free agent next offseason unless he's re-signed. The Browns won't be too upset to see hm depart if they can land Saquon Barkley, who ran a 4.33 at the Penn State pro day in March.
Cincinnati Bengals: Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Bengals missed Reggie Nelson last season, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind finally finding a replacement to strengthen their secondary.
Derwin James has missed some time in 2016 with a knee injury, but he's a monstrous safety (6-3, 211) who happens to be a terrific athlete. He's still projected to be a top-10 pick.
Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Here's the third elite signal-caller. The Bills could be in the market for one. They decided to keep Tyrod Taylor, but they can pretty much cut ties with him following one season. They'll likely opt to do so if they're selecting this early in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Josh Allen projects as a potential first-round signal-caller. He has a big arm and can scramble pretty well, but he needs to work on his accuracy next year.
Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Ravens have been linked to Mike Williams in the 2017 NFL Draft, but it's unlikely that the Clemson receiver slips all the way to No. 17. Here's Baltimore's chance to nab a dynamic wideout.
Minnesota Vikings: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
The Vikings are disappointed with Sharrif Floyd, so if he doesn't get his act together, he won't be on the team much longer. Christian Wilkins could be targeted as a replacement for Floyd in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Washington Redskins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama
The Redskins are interested in adding a cornerback, but if they don't do so at No. 17 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, perhaps they'll select one in the opening round next year. They're getting the best prospect at the position in this class in this scenario.
Indianapolis Colts: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
The ultra-talented Malik Jefferson makes a lot of sense for the Colts at No. 12 overall in this 2018 NFL Mock Draft. Indianapolis really struggled to cover running backs and tight ends last season because of poor linebacker play. Jefferson would be able to fix that problem.
Carolina Panthers: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
The Panthers traded Kony Ealy and plan to go with the duo of Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers next year. The problem is both are on the wrong side of 30 and won't be on the team much longer. Carolina will have to use an early-round s******** on a defensive end sometime in the near future.
Sam Hubbard saw his sack total drop from 6.5 in his freshman year to 3.5 in 2016, but he's a freak athlete poised to have a breakout junior campaign.
Denver Broncos: Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson
Back-to-back offensive tackles may seem strange if you're not familiar with the Broncos. Upon further inspection, however, you'll see that Denver's tackle situation is extremely dire, as the team doesn't have a single starting-caliber tackle on the roster.
Houston Texans: Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
The Texans sustained a huge loss this offseason when they lost A.J. Bouye to the Jaguars. They could select a cornerback in the first two rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft. If not, this becomes a very realistic possibility.
Arizona Cardinals: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Larry Fitzgerald has agreed to return for 2017, but it's unclear how much longer he'll want to keep playing. Michael Floyd is gone, while John Brown is an impending free agent. Arizona will have to target a receiver early in one of the next two NFL Drafts.
James Washington made somewhat of a surprise choice by going back to school; he had a chance to be a first-round this April.
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