2018 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Thursday, April 26, 2018. 3:05 p.m. Major changes.
Next update: Final update in the early afternoon. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

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

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/20): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/22)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/23)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)

archived mock section

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Cleveland Browns: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The Browns have kept us guessing for months. Various names surfaced as possibilities for the No. 1 pick, from Sam Darnold, to Saquon Barkley, to Josh Allen, and now to Baker Mayfield. It was widely reported in recent days that Cleveland was debating between Allen and Mayfield. It appears as though the Browns have made their choice.

Scot McCloughan believes Mayfield is the next Brett Favre, and Mayfield has the accuracy and mobility John Dorsey covets. Also, Josh Allen’s offensive tweets can’t have helped matters, and I wonder how much that factored into this decision.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Josh Allen, QB – Both Adam Schefter and Dan Patrick have reported that Mayfield is in the conversation. In fact, Patrick’s sources told him that Darnold is not in consideration to be the top pick. Mary Kay Cabot reported the same thing Wednesday.

2. Sam Darnold, QB – Darnold may not be out of the picture just yet.

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Pick change; previously Josh Allen, QB
New York Giants: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
I don’t mind the Giants not selecting a quarterback. Why do so if they really don’t like any of them, which is what the scuttlebutt happens to be? Not trading down, however, seems like it would be a big mistake, as New York would be able to secure an impressive haul for this pick. I have a Broncos-Giants potential NFL Draft trade posted via the link, for example.

The other part of the rumors regarding this selection is that the Giants will take Saquon Barkley. Perhaps this is a ruse by the front office to get the Browns to trade up from No. 4 to 2, and if so, general manager David Gettleman deserves a ton of credit. However, Gettleman’s picks have been telegraphed through the media in the past; everyone knew the Panthers were going to take Christian McCaffrey last year.

If Gettleman was willing to take a runner who can’t shoulder a complete workload like McCaffrey at No. 8 overall, he’ll certainly be open to take Barkley with the second-overall choice.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Sam Darnold, QB – Everything Gettleman has said during the pre-draft process indicates that he won’t select a quarterback, but perhaps he’s just a masterful liar. The owners sound like they’re pushing for a quarterback.

2. Bradley Chubb, DE – David Gettleman has a history of not trading in the draft, so it seems like the only other option is Chubb.
New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Jets will be looking for a new quarterback, and that is obvious in the wake of their trade to No. 3 overall (go here for my NFL Trade Grades.) Their preference could be Josh Allen, as Charlie Campbell pointed out in his Senior Bowl Rumor Mill. Allen, however, has gotten into trouble with some offensive tweets and could slip a bit.

Recent reports have linked the Jets to Mayfield, but that was assuming Darnold was going to be off the board. Darnold is available in this scenario, and Mayfield is not, making Darnold the easy choice.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Baker Mayfield, QB – If this whole Browns-Mayfield thing is a hoax, the Jets will take Broadway Baker.

2. Josh Rosen, QB – Rosen sounds like an outside possibility, but having him in Manhattan seems like major trouble.

Pick change; previously Baker Mayfield, QB

Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Trade! The Browns are losing out on the prospect they want the most in this class (Saquon Barkley), so they either have to select Bradley Chubb or trade down. Picking Chubb doesn’t make much financial sense because in 4-5 years, they’d have to give out three $100 million contracts to him, Myles Garrett and the quarterback they choose. It’ll be a financial nightmare.

The Bills, meanwhile, have to trade up. They don’t have a viable starting quarterback, and they’ve already moved up once. They plan on following the Eagles’ blueprint with a double trade.

Now, which quarterback will Buffalo trade up for? Charlie Campbell reported in his NFL Draft Week Rumor Mill that the Bills have Josh Allen slotted ahead of Josh Rosen, but this information was compiled prior to Allen’s offensive tweets surfacing. It’s unclear how this will impact Allen’s draft status, but he still makes sense here. Either way, it’ll be one of the two Joshes.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Bradley Chubb, DE (CLE) – This pick could happen, but I would hate it for the Browns because it would mean they would be in a financial nightmare in 4-5 years, as they’ll have to give out three $100 million contracts in that span.

2. Saquon Barkley, RB (CLE) – It doesn’t sound like Barkley will make it to No. 4, but if the Giants trade down, I can’t imagine Barkley making it past Cleveland.

Pick change; previously Josh Rosen, QB
Denver Broncos: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C.State
Case Keenum signing with the Broncos does not take them out of the quarterback sweepstakes. Take a look at the Bears. They brought in Mike Glennon with a big contract last offseason, yet they moved up for Mitchell Trubisky anyway. However, it does make it more likely that Denver could wait until 2019 or 2020 for their franchise signal-caller because it may have to move up to No. 2 to get whichever quarterback it wants.

We’ve had the Broncos taking a player to protect Keenum for a while, but it appears as though they’re going in a different direction. They’d love to acquire a talented edge rusher to play across from Von Miller, as they were at their best, defensively, when Miller was paired with DeMarcus Ware.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Sam Darnold, QB – I can’t imagine Darnold making it past Denver.

2. Denzel Ward, CB – If Darnold and Chubb are off the board, Ward would be the logical choice.

Indianapolis Colts: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The Colts would love Bradley Chubb, but he’s not available in this update. It’s difficult to imagine Chubb making it past both the Browns and Broncos at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively (though I still don’t like the fit for Cleveland.)

With Chubb off the board, the Colts have three viable options: Roquan Smith, Quenton Nelson and Denzel Ward. Of the three Smith makes the most sense. Indianapolis’ new defensive scheme requires a play-making linebacker who can be on the field for all three downs, and the team lacks that at the moment. Also, there has been a lot of smoke connecting Indianapolis to Smith, who would finally solve the team’s woes as far as not being able to stop tight ends and pass-catching running backs are concerned.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Quenton Nelson, G – Indianapolis must protect Andrew Luck, but guard isn’t a huge need right now.

2. Denzel Ward, CB – The Colts are in a prime position to trade down again. Maybe they’ll do that and get Ward at 12 or so.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
There’s a ton of pressure on the Buccaneers to win this season, and for them to do so, they’ll need Jameis Winston to finally play up to his potential. He’ll be able to do that if properly protected, and Quenton Nelson is the top offensive lineman in this class by a mile. I believe he’ll be the pick if he’s available unless Saquon Barkley or Bradley Chubb slip by some miracle.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Derwin James, S – Derwin James is the play-making safety the Buccaneers are missing, and he could take their defense to a new level. As Charlie Campbell reported, some teams have Derwin James rated ahead of Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Arizona Cardinals: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Trade! If one of Josh Rosen or Josh Allen falls into the 6-10 range, which is likely to happen, I could see the Cardinals trading up for a franchise quarterback. They signed Sam Bradford to a large contract, but they would be crazy to think they can rely on him for more than one season. It’s likely that Arizona envisions Bradford as the quarterback for just 2018, allowing them to hand over the controls to whichever signal-caller they move up for in this class.

I think it would make sense for Arizona to move up to this spot. General managers Steve Keim and Ryan Pace have a relationship that should help facilitate this, and I could see the Bears wanting to move out of the eighth spot if Quenton Nelson is off the board (and it’s very likely he will be.) Chicago doesn’t have a third-round pick, so it may want to recoup that by trading down.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. D.J. Moore, WR (at 15) – Arizona’s top target at 15 seems like it could be Moore, as the team will be looking to upgrade across from Larry Fitzgerald, all while finding a No. 1 receiver for the future.

2. Mike Hughes, CB (at 15) – The Cardinals have to replace Tyrann Mathieu’s production, and Hughes would be a strong option.
San Francisco 49ers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S/CB, Alabama
Major news broke Wednesday, as Reuben Foster’s girlfriend, who previously accused Foster of assaulting her, told authorities that she had lied about the incident. There apparently happens to be video evidence corroborating this story.

Hopefully what she’s currently saying is true. It now sounds like Foster will be available for 2018, so the 49ers don’t have to push the panic button with a linebacker. Thus, they can pursue Minkah Fitzpatrick, whom they covet.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Roquan Smith, LB – Smith wouldn’t be out of the picture if available, but he’s off the board.

2. Tremaine Edmunds, LB – Both of the top linebackers are in play here, as either can play with Foster.

Oakland Raiders: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Donald Penn, 35 by the end of the month, is coming off a Lisfranc injury and reportedly won’t be ready to return for a couple of months. This is obviously a big concern. Meanwhile, Oakland has a huge hole at right tackle. Offensive tackle is a position absolutely must be addressed early in the draft.

Mike McGlinchey is the top tackle in this class, and there’s speculation that he’ll be a top-10 pick. This is the most logical destination for him in that range.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Vita Vea, NT – We’ve had Vea here for a while. He would still be a strong option if Ward weren’t available, as the Raiders attempted to sign Ndamukong Suh.

2. Denzel Ward, CB – Corner is a huge need, and the ability to obtain the top player at the position is almost too good to be true.
Miami Dolphins: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
The Dolphins have been linked to Baker Mayfield or Josh Rosen, but it doesn’t sound as though they’ll be trading up. They’ll likely stay put and select the best prospect available, and from what it sounds like, they value Tremaine Edmunds very highly.

Edmunds could go as high as No. 6 overall, so having him available is a dream come true for the Dolphins, who don’t have a strongside linebacker on their roster.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Roquan Smith, LB – The Dolphins like both linebackers so much that they may move up a couple of spots to secure one.

2. Vita Vea, NT – It sounds like Vea is the backup plan for the Dolphins, and he should be available at No. 11.
Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
This is exactly why the Browns should select Saquon Barkley first overall. It’s absolutely mind-boggling as to why they’d risk losing out on the best player in the class when they won’t be missing out on one of the top three quarterbacks. I could understand it if they had the first and eighth picks, for example, but Nos. 1 and 4 allow them to do the logical thing and go with Barkley and then whichever quarterback is left over (Cleveland likes all three.) If they can’t trade down from No. 4 overall, it’ll be a complete disaster.

Fortunately for Cleveland, a trade is possible in this scenario. The Browns can take a player who makes more sense. With Mike McGlinchey off the board, they can select the best cornerback in this class, Denzel Ward, whom I mocked to the Browns at No. 4 several months ago.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Mike McGlinchey, OT – McGlinchey is the other trade-down target, but I’m not confident he’ll be available at No. 12.
Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, NT, Washington
The Redskins looked completely helpless trying to stop Alfred Morris in a must-win game the week after Thanksgiving. They need to bolster their defensive front, and Vita Vea happens to be one of the best players available.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S – Fitzpatrick will certainly be in the conversation if he’s available, as he could be the top prospect on the board.

2. Da’Ron Payne, NT – I’ve had either Payne or Fitzpatrick slotted here in every single mock draft I’ve done since February. Until today.
Green Bay Packers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Packers had a huge need at cornerback going into the offseason. They seemed to be fine at safety, but they lost Morgan Burnett to free agency. Green Bay now needs serious help at both positions, so it’s no surprise that there are reports saying they’ll take the best defensive back available.

The top defensive back on the board is Derwin James. It’s very possible that James could go as high as No. 7 to the Buccaneers, so the Packers should consider this a steal, as their new general manager replaces Burnett.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Denzel Ward, CB – The Packers will try to trade up for Ward.

2. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S – The value for safeties has dipped, based on how little interest they’ve received in free agency this offseason, so one of the top players at the position should be available for Green Bay.
Chicago Bears: Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio
General manager Ryan Pace loves high-upside talents, especially those from small schools. That’s all he drafted last year after taking Mitchell Trubisky! Marcus Davenport obviously fits that mold, and he should be selected in the teens.

The Bears are not only getting a high-upside prospect, but they’re also filling their biggest need. They have no viable edge rushers outside of Leonard Floyd, so that must change in a division with Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and now Kirk Cousins.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Denzel Ward, CB (at 8) – Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com said that the Bears love Ward. They’ve given out two substantial contracts to cornerbacks this offseason, but if they are smitten with Ward, they’ll consider taking him.

2. Tremaine Edmunds, LB (at 8) – Edmunds also fits the mold of player Ryan Pace has drafted as general manager of the Bears.

New Orleans Saints: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Trade! Ian Rapoport reported today that the Saints were planning a big trade up. This was music to my ears, as I’ve been touting the idea of New Orleans moving up for Lamar Jackson for months. The Saints have spent more time on Louisville’s campus than any other team, and after just barely missing out on Patrick Mahomes last year, they should be more proactive in getting their next franchise quarterback. The Ravens, looking to move down in order to fill lots of needs, could be the perfect trading partner.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Calvin Ridley, WR (at 27) – The Saints might see Ridley as the best player on the board, and someone who could fix their mediocre third-down offense.

2. Joshua Jackson, CB (at 27) – The top cornerback available would definitely interest New Orleans.

Pick change; previously Calvin Ridley, WR

Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.