2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2

Last update: Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Major changes.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2018 NFL Mock Draft is based on the real 2018 NFL Draft Order.

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Cleveland Browns: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Joe Thomas has retired, so the Browns will need to spend an early resource on a left tackle. Unfortunately for them, there aren’t many exciting options in this draft class. Connor Williams is pretty lackluster, as some teams believe he should play guard even though he’s not strong enough to be a guard.

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New York Giants: Ronald Jones, RB, USC
Shane Vereen is an impending free agent, so the Giants will need a new running back. Orleans Darkwa, Wayne Gallman, Paul Perkins… all of these players are pedestrian. New York needs an upgrade here, and it would get that with Ronald Jones, who could be chosen in the first round.
Cleveland Browns: Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
The Browns acquired several players recently, but they did manage to trade one away. That was Danny Shelton, a run-plugger. Larry Ogunjobi will take his place, but Cleveland needs an interior rusher to start next to Ogunjobi.

Indianapolis Colts: Donte Jackson, CB, LSU
Vontae Davis is officially gone, as he signed with the Bills. The Colts had just one viable cornerback in Rashaan Melvin, but he signed elsewhere as well. Here’s some needed help for the secondary.
Indianapolis Colts: Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn
Frank Gore is gone, and Jim Irsay hinted that his team would use an early-round selection on a running back.

Pick change; previously Nick Chubb, RB

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
As mentioned in the first round, the Buccaneers really need to make sure Jameis Winston plays better in 2018. Part of that will require finding a better running back to replace Doug Martin, who was recently cut.
Chicago Bears: Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State
The Bears declined to keep Josh Sitton this offseason, believing he was too expensive. His absence will hurt Mitchell Trubisky’s development, however, unless a solid option is obtained early in the draft.

Billy Price tore his pectoral at the combine, which is why he has taken a tumble recently. I expect him to be chosen between Nos. 30 and 50.

Denver Broncos: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
The “No Fly Zone” isn’t what it once was. Aqib Talib is gone, while the safety play has declined as well. Here’s a player who could add some energy into Denver’s defensive backfield.

Pick change; previously Sony Michel, RB
Oakland Raiders: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
I’ve had Sony Michel slotted at No. 20 to the Lions for quite some time. This seems to be the worst-case scenario for his draft positioning. I’d have to think the Raiders would consider him, as Jon Gruden always valued having lots of talented running backs.

Pick change; previously Kerryon Johnson, RB

Miami Dolphins: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
The Dolphins could add another offensive weapon. Addressing tight end makes sense, as the team is finished with Julius Thomas.
New England Patriots: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
Malcolm Butler is certainly gone after being inexplicably benched for the entire Super Bowl. Jason McCourty was brought in to replace him, but he’s just a temporary solution.

Washington Redskins: B.J. Hill, DT, N.C. State
The Redskins are expected to address their glaring need for a nose tackle early in the 2018 NFL Draft. If Da’Ron Payne isn’t available at No. 13, B.J. Hill could be an option in Round 2.
Green Bay Packers: D.J. Chark, WR, LSU
The Packers cut Jordy Nelson, so they’ll need to find a new starting receiver to go along with Davante Adams. I expect them to do so with an early-round pick.

Cincinnati Bengals: Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia
No one should be surprised if the Bengals double up on offensive linemen in the first few rounds in the 2018 NFL Draft, based on how the blocking unit has performed. Despite the addition of Cordy Glenn, another tackle will be needed.
Arizona Cardinals: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
The Cardinals signed Sam Bradford, so they’ll need to complement him with a young signal-caller, whom Arizona will be able to groom for a year or two (or, perhaps, a month or two, based on Bradford’s injury history.)

Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Reid, S, Stanford
The Chargers probably should’ve taken Malik Hooker seventh overall last April. Here’s another chance to potentially get an upgrade at the position.

Pick change; previously Ronnie Harrison, S
Indianapolis Colts: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
The Colts have three second-round picks, and two of them could be used on cornerbacks. That’s how dire the situation is for Indianapolis at that position.
Dallas Cowboys: Jesse Bates, S, Wake Forest
The Cowboys have issues in the middle of their defense. They need to obtain better safety help, and they could do so with some strong options in Round 2.
Detroit Lions: Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia
The Lions really need to focus on bolstering their pass rush, and they could use an interior presence to go along with A’Shawn Robinson.
Baltimore Ravens: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
The offensive line must be upgraded, and Orlando Brown would start immediately at right tackle, which was a big problem area for Baltimore. Brown, despite struggling at the combine, would continue the legacy of his late, great father, who was a dominant presence for Baltimore in the late 90s.
Buffalo Bills: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
There was a disturbing video of Zay Jones released this offseason, so it’s unclear if Buffalo can count on him going forward. If not, that just leaves Kelvin Benjamin, so a new No. 2 receiver will be needed.

Kansas City Chiefs: Dorance Armstrong, DE/OLB, Kansas
Tamba Hali is as good as gone, so the Chiefs need to find another potent edge rusher to start across from Justin Houston.
Carolina Panthers: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
There was talk earlier in the offseason that Greg Olsen would retire and take a broadcasting job. It sounds like that’ll happen in the near future, so here’s a similar selection to the Chargers taking Hunter Henry to eventually replace Antonio Gates.

Pick change; previously Ronnie Harrison, S

Buffalo Bills: R.J. McIntosh, DT, Miami
The Bills traded away Marcell Dareus and know that Kyle Williams won’t be around much longer. They signed Star Lotulelei, but he’s just a run-stuffer. Buffalo needs an interior player who can put lots of pressure on the quarterback.

By the way, if you’re wondering why this isn’t the Giants’ pick, per the trade discussed earlier, I thought I’d simplify things and just have Buffalo deal its 2019 first-round pick instead of all of these Day 2 selections.
Tennessee Titans: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Eric Decker was a failure in Tennessee, so the Titans will be looking to bolster their receiving corps.
Atlanta Falcons: Braden Smith, G, Auburn
The Falcons have one major liability on the offensive line, and that would be at right guard. Here’s their opportunity to fix that weakness.
San Francisco 49ers: Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State
The 49ers looked like they landed their stud linebacker for the next decade in Reuben Foster, but now it’s uncertain if he’ll ever play for them again. He’s been arrested twice in the span of a month, one of which was for allegedly dragging his injured girlfriend. He’ll be suspended for six games at the very least, and he could face jail time. The 49ers may opt to cut him.

Pick change; previously Carlton Davis, CB
Pittsburgh Steelers: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Le’Veon Bell may not be in Pittsburgh beyond this season, so I could see the Steelers adding an insurance policy.

Pick change; previously Terrell Edmunds, LB
Jacksonville Jaguars: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
The Jaguars could use a new tight end, as they signed Austin Seferian-Jenkins as a short-term solution, but then ended up cutting Marcedes Lewis.

Pick change; previously Mike Gesicki, TE

Minnesota Vikings: Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State
There have been reports indicating that Sharrif Floyd may never play again, which is a shame. Sheldon Richardson was signed, but for just one year. Here’s a long-term plan at the position.
New England Patriots: Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
The Patriots desperately need help at linebacker, as the injury-prone Dont’a Hightower is their only viable starter at the position.
Cleveland Browns: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU
Arden Key has taken quite the tumble, as there is some major concern about his off-the-field problems. However, with all of these picks, the Browns can afford to take a chance. General manager John Dorsey took similar risks in Kansas City, and they mostly paid off.