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2018 NFL Mock Draft

Walt18 mins
Last update: Saturday, Jan. 6, 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.

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/16): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/15) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


    *** 2018 NFL MOCK DRAFT (4 rounds) updated Jan. 6. This mock draft will be updated occasionally. Check out old versions of this 2018 NFL Mock Draft in the archived mock section. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***


  1. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
    A quarterback appears to be the most logical choice, but which one? Sam Darnold had a down year. Josh Rosen has said that he doesn’t want to play for the Browns. There have been rumors linking the Browns to Josh Allen, but I’m not sure I quite buy those yet.

    I think it’s more likely that the Browns address the position elsewhere, perhaps acquiring A.J. McCarron, Kirk Cousins or Alex Smith. If they do that, they’ll want to pair that signal-caller with an elite play-making weapon, and the first-overall choice would be obvious then.

    Saquon Barkley is the best player in this class, and he has a legitimate chance to be chosen first overall (or second, if the Giants and Browns flip selections). He’s drawn comparisons to Marshall Faulk, and he’s unlikely to get past the Colts at No. 3 overall.

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    Pick change; previously Josh Rosen, QB

  2. New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
    Eli Manning turns 37 in January, and he’s in obvious decline. The Giants will likely have a new front office, so they’ll want their own franchise quarterback.

    Josh Rosen seems like he’d be the consensus top quarterback available, though Sam Darnold might have something to say about that. I could even see the Giants flipping picks with the Browns, like the 49ers and Bears did last year, so that the Broncos, Jets, Cardinals, etc. don’t jump past them for Rosen.

    NFL coaches and owners are wary of the sort of things Rosen has discussed to the media, and his open views could hurt him. Scouts have told us that his teammates don’t like him either, so that’s a major strike against him. And for the cherry on top, even if his high school coach criticized him. However, Rosen has been prolific in some big games this year, so that could push him into the top spot.

    Pick change; previously Lamar Jackson, QB

  3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C.State
    Indianapolis has some nice edge rushers in Jabaal Sheard and John Simon, but neither is the elite talent Bradley Chubb happens to be. With Saquon Barkley off the board, Chubb is one of the two best players available. The Colts don’t need a safety (Minkah Fitzpatrick), and it might be too early to select a guard (Quenton Nelson), so Chubb makes the most sense at No. 3 overall.

    Chubb steadily moved up my mock drafts during the season. At 6-4, 275, Chubb has a great blend of size and speed, and he’s been dominant this season. There’s some talk that Chubb is viewed as the top defensive prospect in NFL circles.

    Pick change; previously Saquon Barkley, RB



  4. Cleveland Browns: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S/CB, Alabama
    Any team that can’t stop Brett Hundley in the fourth quarter and overtime to achieve its first victory of the season desperately needs defensive back help. The Browns are desperate at both cornerback and safety, and Minkah Fitzpatrick can play both positions extremely well. Plus, he’s arguably the best player available.

  5. Denver Broncos: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
    Sam Darnold was considered to be the favorite to be taken first overall for a while, and that could still be the case. However, he struggled this past season, and there was speculation among teams that he would return to school. Darnold surprised them by declaring.

    Darnold is still considered a top-10 talent, so he makes a lot of sense for the Broncos, who are desperate for a franchise quarterback. They would probably even have to trade up for Darnold, as some of the other quarterback-hungry teams – Jets, Cardinals, Redskins (if Kirk Cousins leaves) – will have major interest in him.

    Pick change; previously Baker Mayfield, QB



  6. New York Jets: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
    The Jets will be looking for a new quarterback this offseason. Perhaps they’ll attempt to obtain Kirk Cousins – they certainly have the money to do so – but they could also target one of the quarterbacks in this class. Their preference could be Baker Mayfield.

    I feel as though this will be a very polarizing pick. There are some ardent fans of Mayfield who will believe that I have the Oklahoma quarterback in the correct spot. There are others who dislike Mayfield as a prospect. We’ve spoken to team sources that have him as a second- or third-round player.

    However, team sources pegged Deshaun Watson as a second- or third-round prospect last year as well, and he went No. 12 overall. If a quarterback is considered a Round 2-3 player, he will likely be chosen in the opening frame, and Mayfield, like Watson, could win teams over with his leadership ability and upside. He certainly has his flaws, like his mechanics and anticipation, but a team desperate for a franchise quarterback – i.e. the Jets – could pull the trigger much earlier than some expect.

    Pick change; previously Lamar Jackson, QB

  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU
    Robert Ayers is just a temporary solution for the Buccaneers at defensive end; he’ll be a 33-year-old impending free agent in 2018. They’ll need a long-term starter across from Noah Spence to help put pressure on Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Drew Brees. And speaking of Spence, I don’t know how much longer Tampa can wait on him to remain healthy. When will his shoulder issues go away?

    Arden Key is the best player available, so the Buccaneers would be thrilled to land him at No. 7 overall.

    Pick change; previously Derwin James, S



  8. Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
    I think the Bears would jump all over the top wide receiver prospect in the class if they have the ability to obtain him. Kevin White has been a bust thus far, while Cameron Meredith’s long-term status is unclear because of the brutal injury he suffered in the preseason. The Bears need to give Mitchell Trubisky a viable No. 1 receiver.

  9. San Francisco 49ers: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
    Jimmy Garoppolo looks like he’s going to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in the near future, but the 49ers will need to add talent around him. This includes a No. 1 receiver, so Calvin Ridley is a possibility if he’s available. However, Garoppolo needs better protection as well. The 49ers have a pair of great tackles, but they need to bolster the interior of the offensive line.

    NFL teams and scouts absolutely love Quenton Nelson. He’s viewed as an elite prospect. He’s a guard, so he may have trouble being chosen in the top five, though it’s not completely impossible. He’s viewed as the next Logan Mankins, so I’ll be surprised if he’s not taken in the initial 10 selections.



  10. Oakland Raiders: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
    The Raiders need to upgrade every area of their defense. Cornerback, linebacker and safety are seen as the big problem areas, but defensive tackle will be as well if Justin Ellis departs via free agency.

    Da’Ron Payne, a freak athlete, has a chance to be chose in the top five – I considered him to Cincinnati at No. 5 several weeks ago – so he’s a great value pick at No. 10.

  11. Miami Dolphins: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
    A quarterback will be debated here if there is a worthy one available, but I think the Dolphins will continue to start Ryan Tannehill next year. They’ll focus on another position, and perhaps that’ll be cornerback. Byron Maxwell was released, so Miami will need to find a replacement.

    Team sources have raved about Joshua Jackson, and there’s a chance he’s the first cornerback selected in the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Pick change; previously Denzel Ward, CB

  12. Cincinnati Bengals: Derwin James, S, Florida State
    Tackle Mike McGlinchey is a strong possibility, but Derwin James seems more like the sort of pick the Bengals would make. Besides, it’s not like James wouldn’t fill a need. Cincinnati’s defense has not been the same since losing Reggie Nelson, so an upgrade at safety would take the stop unit back to a playoff-caliber level.

  13. 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.

  14. Green Bay Packers: Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio
    The Packers had a big need at outside linebacker entering the draft. They didn’t address the position aside from selecting Vince Biegel in the fourth round, however, so that’s something they could target early in the 2018 NFL Draft. Clay Matthews is a famous star because of the commercials, but he really hasn’t played consistently in several years, as it appears as though all of the injuries have taken a toll on him.

    Marcus Davenport is a highly athletic edge rusher who has been generating tons of buzz lately. He could be a top-15 pick with a strong pre-draft process.

    Pick change; previously Clelin Ferrell, DE

  15. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
    Bruce Arians has retired, but Josh Allen is the sort of quarterback he would’ve wanted. Allen has to really work on his accuracy and field vision, but he has top-five overall physical talent, and Arians may have believed he could coach him up.

    Still, the Cardinals could take Allen depending on whom they hire to succeed Arians. They are desperate for a quarterback in the wake of Carson Palmer’s retirement.

    Pick change; previously Joshua Jackson, CB



  16. Baltimore Ravens: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
    The Ravens are desperate for receiving help. Breshad Perriman has been a bust; Jeremy Maclin and Joe Flacco have never clicked; and Mike Wallace, an impending free agent, is very inconsistent. Baltimore has to find a No. 1 wideout.


    17. 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.



Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3


Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4 | Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie Campbell


Go to 2019 NFL Mock Draft







2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 16


NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12






NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2003 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/8/08)
My 2004 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2004 NFL Draft Prospects/ 2004 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/6/08)
My 2005 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2005 NFL Draft Prospects
2005 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/4/08)
My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2006 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/28)
2006 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded on 7/3)
My 2007 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/ Round 4/ Round 5/ Round 6/ Round 7
Other 2007 Mock Drafts:April Fools
2007 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/24)/Kenny Ortiz's Top 40 Prospects
2007 NFL Combine and Pro Day Results
2007 NFL Draft Grades
2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/Round 4/Round 5/Round 6/Round 7
Alternative 2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/7): Round 1 /Round 2
2008 NFL Re-Draft - Round 3 (UPDATED 4/27)
2008 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 8/5)
Other 2008 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/25)/ Craig Smith (4/22)/ Emmitt Smith (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Shocker (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Backwards (4/19)/ Forum Mock (4/15)/ April Fools (4/1)
2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 2 (4/23): Round 2 (Walt's) / Round 3 (Walt's) / Round 2 (Matt's) / Round 3 (Matt's)
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2012 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Pick History (4/23) /Emmitt Mock (4/19) /Not Mock (4/19) /Backward Mock (4/17) /Celebrity (4/15) /Goals (4/10) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2013 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /GM Mock (4/21) /Charlie's Trade Mock (4/20) /Goals (4/19) /Rapid Reader Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/14) /Not Mock (4/13) /Pick History (4/5) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Archived 2013 NFL Mock Drafts
2014 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATE 5/8): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2014 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/10): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2014 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/8) /Goals (5/3) /Not Mock (4/27) /Emmitt Mock (4/20) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Celebrity Mock (4/11) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2015 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2015 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/2): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2015 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/30) /Goals (4/25) /Not Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/3) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/5) /Overreaction Mock (12/29)
2016 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2016 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2016 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Combo (5/8) /Goals (4/23) /Not Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2017 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2017 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2017 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Combo (5/7) /Goals (4/22) /Not Mock (4/21) /Emmitt Mock (4/16) /Backward Mock (4/9) /Celebrity Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Overreaction Mock (1/2)
2018 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2018 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2018 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Combo (5/6) /Goals (4/21) /Not Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Backward Mock (4/8) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/11) /Senior Bowl (1/27)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2019 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /Combo (5/5) /Goals (4/20) /Not Mock (4/18) /Witten Mock (4/14) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Emmitt Mock (4/7) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/26) /Video Mock (1/8) /Overreaction Mock (12/31)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2020 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2021 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/1): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/17) /Goals (4/23) /Backward Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/11) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/30) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2022 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2022 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2022 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Goals (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/5) /Overreaction Mock (1/10)
2023 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2023 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2023 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Backward Mock (4/19) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/4) /Overreaction Mock (1/9)
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/16): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/15) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
2018 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2017 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2016 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2015 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2014 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2013 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2012 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2011 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2010 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2009 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2008 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock


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