2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 17-32

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.

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 12/4): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/29)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/29): 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)


    *** This mock draft will be updated each week. Check out old versions of this 2018 NFL Mock Draft in the archived mock section. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***




  1. Los Angeles Chargers: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
    The Chargers have a great defense, but they need help at nose tackle, safety and linebacker. They figure to address one of those positions with this pick unless they choose an offensive lineman, so Leighton Vander Esch makes sense if Vita Vea and Da’Ron Payne are off the board.

    Vander Esch’s stock is rising. I’ve had him going to the Steelers for quite a while, but Pittsburgh may have to move up to get him.

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  2. Seattle Seahawks: Isaiah Wynn, G/C, Georgia
    The Seahawks have to focus on their offensive line this offseason, as they can’t allow Russell Wilson to run around like a chicken with its head cut off for another year. Taking the best offensive lineman available makes a lot of sense, and that could be Isaiah Wynn.

  3. Dallas Cowboys: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
    Tony Pauline has reported that Roquan Smith has been medically red flagged, so he has dropped about 10 spots in a recent mock draft update. It’s unclear how serious the injury is, but we saw Reuben Foster fall for similar reasons last year.

    Still, Smith is a great enough prospect that the Cowboys could consider him at this juncture. Their defense falls apart whenever Sean Lee gets hurt, so having Smith on the roster would prevent that from happening.



  4. Detroit Lions: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
    The Lions wanted to sign Malcolm Butler, but lost out on him to Tennessee. They failed to find a legitimate No. 2 cornerback across from Darius Slay, so that’s what they’re doing in this mock draft update.

    Joshua Jackson improved on his 4.56 40 from the combine, running a 4.42 recently. Pro Day Results are available via the link.

  5. Cincinnati Bengals: James Daniels, C, Iowa
    I have to think someone like James Daniels is Cincinnati’s target. The Bengals are desperate for offensive linemen, but all of them would be reaches at No. 12, with the exception of Quenton Nelson, who wouldn’t be available. It’s too early for a big center upgrade like Daniels at No. 12, but he’s much more reasonable at No. 21 overall.



  6. New York Giants: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
    The Giants acquired this pick in the proposed Bills-Giants NFL Draft Trade.

    It sounds like Odell Beckham Jr. will be traded – see which teams could trade for Odell Beckham – so if that’s truly the case, New York might use one of its first-round picks acquired via a deal for Beckham’s replacement. Courtland Sutton could be chosen much earlier than this, as I had him in the top 10 recently.

    Pick change; previously Rashaan Evans, LB

  7. New England Patriots: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
    The Patriots just acquired this pick in the Brandin Cooks trade – click the link for grades for each team – so they could use the selection to either trade for Odell Beckham Jr. or select a receiver. The rising D.J. Moore makes sense.

    Pick change; previously Courtland Sutton, WR



  8. Carolina Panthers: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
    The Panthers have a great linebacking corps and defensive interior, but their edge rush beyond Julius Peppers and Mario Addison is lacking. Peppers obviously won’t be around for more than another year or two, so Carolina will have to obtain his successor.

    I’ve been moving Sam Hubbard around in my mock draft quite a bit. That’s because he has great talent, but seldom lived up to it at Ohio State. However, he had a strong finish to his 2017 campaign, so he could still go in the first round.

    Pick change; previously D.J. Moore, WR

  9. Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College
    The Titans have Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan as their starting edge rushers, but the former will turn 32 in July. He’ll also be a free agent next March. Tennessee needs to look toward the future, and that would mean acquiring a long-term edge rusher who can hound Deshaun Watson and Andrew Luck.



  10. Atlanta Falcons: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
    The Falcons’ defense was incredibly soft against the Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs. They have to strengthen the interior of their defensive line, and they can do that with this selection.

    This mock selection was influenced by Charlie Campbell’s Senior Bowl rumor mill report, where he discussed that the Falcons like some defensive tackles in this class, including Taven Bryan.

  11. New Orleans Saints: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
    The Saints were going to pick Patrick Mahomes last year before the Chiefs jumped in front of them. They need a successor for Drew Brees, so it would make sense for them to take Lamar Jackson. Like Mahomes, Jackson has a big arm, and he’s also extremely athletic. Jackson needs a lot of work, as he’s very inconsistent with his accuracy and mechanics, but Sean Payton might believe that he can coach him up and have him ready to start in 2019 or 2020.

    Pick change; previously Sam Hubbard, DE

  12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
    I’ve had the Steelers taking Lamar Jackson in my previous updates, but with Ben Roethlisberger saying that he wants to play for three more years, it makes sense for the front office to look elsewhere.

    Pittsburgh obviously needs to replace Ryan Shazier, who won’t play in 2018. Rashaan Evans’ stock has slipped of late, but he could still be chosen in the opening round.

    Pick change; previously Lamar Jackson, QB

  13. Jacksonville Jaguars: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
    Jacksonville’s receivers did a good job this past season in the wake of Allen Robinson’s injury, but none of them projects as a true No. 1. Robinson signed with the Bears, so I suspect the Jaguars will consider a replacement in the first couple of rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Calvin Ridley, once projected to go in the top 10, now may fall out of the first round. He tested extremely poorly at the combine. However, Tom Coughlin might be someone who scoffs at analytics and just chooses Ridley because he believes he’s a good player. A crazy concept, I know.

  14. Minnesota Vikings: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
    The Vikings just gave Kirk Cousins a fully guaranteed $84 million contract. They would be foolish not to protect their new quarterback as well as possible, and they currently have a hole at one of the guard spots. Will Hernandez, if available, would be a terrific solution to that problem.

  15. New England Patriots: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
    Nate Solder signed with the Giants. It wasn’t a surprise that the Patriots opted not to keep him. Solder is obviously very talented, but he’s had severe injury problems over the past several seasons, so he was too risky to give a big contract to, despite what the Giants just did. Regardless, the Patriots need a new blind-side protector.



  16. Philadelphia Eagles: Maurice Hurst, DE/DT, Michigan
    Doug Pederson comes from the Andy Reid school of thought where bolstering the trenches is paramount. He spent last year’s first-round pick on Derek Barnett despite already having Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry, so I don’t think it’s out of the question that he could opt for a talented defensive tackle to play in a rotation with Fletcher Cox and Timmy Jernigan. Both of those players stayed healthy in 2017, but what if that doesn’t happen in 2018? It would be great to have a terrific insurance policy like Maurice Hurst, especially if Michael Bennett can’t play because of his legal issues.

    Hurst, as you may have heard, was sent home from the combine because of a heart condition. Reports indicate that it doesn’t seem too serious, so the Eagles could take him here, as they seem to be in a great position to gamble. We saw them do this with Sidney Jones last year, so I believe they’d try their luck with Hurst.



  17. 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: Round 5 | Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 6


    Back to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16 | Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie Campbell


    Go to 2019 NFL Mock Draft | Go to 2020 NFL Mock Draft







NFL Picks - Dec. 5


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 4


NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 3


2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4






NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
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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)
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2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
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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
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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 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 12/4): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/29)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/23)
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