Here we go – it’s “Big Natural” Stoney Keeley’s 2018 NFL Mock Draft. It will be updated weekly through the NFL Draft. The only rule is “no trades.” Otherwise, there are no rules. Updates will be denoted week-to-week. Welcome to the thunderdome.
Changes this week: #1 Cleveland, #4 Cleveland, #7 Tampa Bay, #12 Buffalo, #17 Los Angeles, #23 New England, #24 Carolina, #26 Atlanta, #29 Jacksonville
BIG NATURAL’S 2018 NFL MOCK DRAFT 5.0
1. **UPDATE** Cleveland Browns: QB Sam Darnold – I bit on the Josh Allen talk. I’ll admit it. After talking to Jake Arthur last week, I agree the Darnold is probably the pick.
2. New York Giants: RB Saquon Barkley – Pat Shurmur has said Eli Manning is his quarterback. The team invested a third round pick in Davis Webb last year, and they still haven’t really seen what they have in him. This isn’t the year they select a quarterback in the first round when a rare talent like Barkley, who also happens to fill a huge need, is on the board.
3. New York Jets (from IND): QB Baker Mayfield – I think the Jets are the only team that I’ve changed my mind on each and every week that I’ve done this mock. It’s obvious they want a quarterback, but it’s not so obvious which one they want. First it was Josh Allen, then it was Josh Rosen, now reports are coming out that they’re all in on Mayfield. Can we just get the draft over with already?
4. **UPDATE** Cleveland Browns (from HOU): CB/S Minkah Fitzpatrick – For the better part of this process, I’ve had Denzel Ward here. But, Fitzpatrick is just too good and too versatile to pass over.
5. Denver Broncos: G Quenton Nelson – I love Denzel Ward here, but I just can’t convince myself that the Broncos will pass over a dire need with an o-line prospect such as Nelson on the board. It’s time to give this pipe dream up.
6. Indianapolis Colts (from NYJ): DE Bradley Chubb – It’s a steal for the Colts at this point, but they have needs all over the board. Should the Colts land Chubb, they’d be getting a guy who some have said is the best player in the draft.
7. **UPDATE** Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Denzel Ward – The Bucs signed Jason Pierre-Paul and Vinny Curry, so I don’t think they’ll need as much help in the pass rush any longer. Secondary now becomes a concern since there’s no running back worth taking here.
8. Chicago Bears: LB Tremaine Edmunds – The Bears have done well to alleviate the need for a receiver in free agency. So, getting a difference-maker on defense should be the priority. I think Roquan Smith’s projected slide is legit, so Edmunds is the call.
9. San Francisco 49ers: S Derwin James – The Niners need a playmaker on offense, but who am I kidding? It’s way too early for Calvin Ridley. They end up with maybe the best safety in this draft class.
10. Oakland Raiders: DT Vita Vea – I’m finally going to bite on the Raiders wanting defensive line help. I’ve pegged linebacker and defensive back as bigger needs, but with Edmunds off the board and Smith’s tumble, I think Vea is the better value here.
11. Miami Dolphins: LB Roquan Smith – I just can’t buy that Smith is going to fall past Miami. They need a boost in the pass rush
12. **UPDATE** Buffalo Bills (from CIN): QB Josh Allen – I don’t think Allen will last to #12, but since I don’t mock trades, he’s here. Buffalo would be happy to grab him, as some people think he’s the best QB in this class.
13. Washington Redskins: CB Joshua Jackson – The R-Words need some help in the secondary and Jackson’s stock is SOARING as of late. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him come off the board here at all.
14. Green Bay Packers: OT Mike McGlinchey – To have been so consistently good for so long, the Packers find themselves with a ton of needs. Keeping Aaron Rodgers safe takes priority.
15. Arizona Cardinals: QB Josh Rosen – The quarterback carousel continues. Seems like I’ve mocked Rosen to four different teams. But, that seems to be the book on the guy. I can’t remember a more polarizing quarterback prospect. But, the Cards need their guy.
16. Baltimore Ravens: WR Calvin Ridley – Would’ve mocked him here before but he was off the board to SF. The Ravens would be ecstatic to see Ridley fall to #16.
17. **UPDATE** Los Angeles Chargers: LB Leighton Vander Esch – Between Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, the ends of the Chargers defensive line are ridiculous. They could use a rangy guy to back them up.
18. Seattle Seahawks: DE Marcus Davenport – The Seahawks need to rebuild their defense. Luckily, Davenport has the tools to become one of those foundational pieces.
19. Dallas Cowboys: WR D.J. Moore – Sure, they added Allen Hurns in free agency, but this receiving corps is on the brink of implosion. It looks like the Dez Bryant days are numbered. Jason Witten is still serviceable, but he’s not a game breaker anymore. Terrance Williams can’t stay healthy. It’s time to start thinking about the future.
20. Detroit Lions: G Isaiah Wynn – The Lions need a total overhaul of their rushing attack. While Sony Michel may be tempting, they can’t pass up the guard help. Plus, it’s a deep RB class. They can grab a guy later.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (from BUF): G Will Hernandez – The Bengals need to continue beefing up their offensive line, and there isn’t really a CB that warrants selection here.
22. Buffalo Bills (from KC): WR Courtland Sutton – The Bills get Darnold at #12. Now, it’s time to get him some upgraded weaponry.
23. **UPDATE** New England Patriots: DE/OLB Harold Landry – The Pats absolutely have to get some pass rush help….really, just some defensive help after getting thrashed by the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
24. **UPDATE** Carolina Panthers: S Justin Reid – The Panthers, as usual, are in absolute dire need of a true play-maker on offense. But, that’s been the case for a couple of seasons now and they haven’t addressed it. Why would they start now? Plus, Reid is soaring up draft boards and has been tied to the Panthers. I like the call here.
25. Tennessee Titans: ILB Rashaan Evans – Evans was off the board in 1.0. Right now, I think I’m leaning on this selection being either Evans, Landry, or Sam Hubbard. Evans is the best in my mind.
26. **UPDATE** Atlanta Falcons: DT Da’Ron Payne – The Falcons have a HUGE need at DT. While I don’t realistically see Payne sliding this far, if he does, the Falcons will absolutely pounce on him.
27. New Orleans Saints: G/C James Daniels – Keep feeding the beasts in Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, and keep beefing up that offensive line.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: S Ronnie Harrison – The Steelers don’t have a lot of serious needs. I anticipate they’ll be in a sort of ‘best player available’ mode. But, safety is probably their biggest need. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go LB or even QB here.
29. **UPDATE** Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Lamar Jackson – I’m finally going to bite. Jackson’s going to be a good pro, and the Jags aren’t really committed to Bortles long-term. I see Jackson as the future of the franchise in Jacksonville.
30. Minnesota Vikings: G/C Billy Price – He’s the best interior lineman on the board and solidifying the unit in front of prize free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins should be priority numero uno.
31. New England Patriots: CB Jaire Alexander – The Pats need a replacement for Malcolm Butler. Alexander stole the show at the scouting combine. He could go as high as #13 to Washington, though.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: DE/OLB Sam Hubbard – The Eagles won the Super Bowl, okay? They obviously don’t have many dire needs. That’s why I think they use this opportunity to keep beefing up their defense. Hubbard is a weapon and a steal should he last to #32.
It’s over – tonight’s the night. All the mocking is done and we get to real picks. Enjoy the ride, folks.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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