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

Last update: Wednesday, April 25, 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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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 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
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Los Angeles Chargers: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
The Chargers have a great defense, but their one area of weakness is in the interior of the defensive line. Corey Liuget is a talented interior pass-rusher, but the Chargers lack a monstrous run-stuffing presence. That would change with this selection.

Da’Ron Payne is a great athlete for his position, as few man can do what he’s able to at his size. He could easily be chosen in the top 15, so this is a solid value pick.

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

1. Vita Vea, NT – The other top-end nose tackle is an option at this juncture as well.

2. Leighton Vander Esch, LB – I’ve had Vander Esch slotted here before, and I still think he makes sense for a Charger team that needs an upgrade at linebacker.

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Pick change; previously Vita Vea, NT
Seattle Seahawks: Maurice Hurst, DE/DT, Michigan
The Seahawks will almost certainly trade down. After this selection, they don’t pick again until No. 120! Considering the amount of holes they have, they desperately need to acquire more resources.

Maurice 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, but he could fall into Day 2 as a result of his medical issues. If so, Seattle could trade down a couple of times and select Hurst in the 30-35 range to fill a big need.

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

1. Christian Kirk, WR – I could see the Seahawks trading down into the late 20s or early 30s and then grabbing Kirk to replace Paul Richardson.

2. Billy Price, C – Here’s another trade-down target, as Seattle needs to bolster its offensive line.

Pick change; previously Billy Price, C
Dallas Cowboys: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
The Cowboys’ defense has fallen apart in recent years when Sean Lee has been out of the lineup. Anthony Hitchens was developing into a solid second linebacker, but he signed with the Chiefs this offseason. Dallas needs help at linebacker.

We published a report that one NFL team medically flunked Leighton Vander Esch. While this is 100-percent true, it’s also true that other teams really like Vander Esch and would consider taking him in the first round. I believe the Cowboys to be one of those teams.

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

1. D.J. Moore, WR – If the Cowboys opt for a receiver in the first round, I believe it’ll be Moore.

2. Taven Bryan, DT – A sleeper pick if the Cowboys really want to focus on improving their interior pressure.

Detroit Lions: Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College
The Lions desperately need help in their front seven. Ezekiel Ansah is the only reliable edge rusher in the new scheme, and the word “reliable” might even be a stretch, given his extensive injury history.

Detroit’s coaching staff is familiar with Harold Landry, as new defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni was his defensive line coach at Boston College the past two seasons.

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

1. Taven Bryan, DT – The Lions desperately need help on their defensive line, and I like the fit here with Bryan.

2. Jaire Alexander, CB – The Lions pursued Malcolm Butler in free agency, but failed to sign him.
Cincinnati Bengals: Frank Ragnow, C/G, Arkansas
I have to think someone like Frank Ragnow 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 Ragnow at No. 12, but he’s much more reasonable at No. 21 overall.

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

1. Billy Price, C – Cincinnati should probably take the best offensive lineman on its board after what transpired last year.

2. Kolton Miller, OT – The Bengals may decide that they can get a solid center in the second round, allowing them to take a tackle.

Pick change; previously James Daniels, C

Buffalo Bills: Isaiah Wynn, G/C, Georgia
Eric Wood retired this offseason. Cordy Glenn was traded. Now, Richie Incognito has opted to hang up the cleats as well. Buffalo’s offensive line is in shambles, so the team needs to spend multiple resources fixing it. Taking the best blocker available makes a lot of sense, and that could be Isaiah Wynn.

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

1. James Daniels/Billy Price, C – If the Bills keep this pick, and use their other first-rounder to move up for a quarterback, they’ll have to select some sort of offensive lineman at this spot.

2. Rashaan Evans, LB – The Bills may decide that they can wait for interior linemen in the second round, and Evans would fill a huge need.
New England Patriots: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
New England’s linebacking corps is in shambles. Dont’a Hightower is the Patriots’ only viable starter in the group, and he has had major issues staying healthy throughout his career. It’s possible that Bill Belichick could snag the fourth linebacker in this class with the selection he acquired in the Brandin Cooks trade.

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

1. D.J. Moore, WR – The Patriots acquired this pick in the Brandin Cooks trade, so they might use this opportunity to find a replacement for the new Ram receiver.

2. Taven Bryan, DT – New England must improve its pedestrian pass rush.

Pick change; previously Josh Rosen, QB

Carolina Panthers: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Based on how much players have been getting paid at the position, I expect receivers might be taken earlier than expected. Thus, don’t be surprised if three receivers are chosen in the top 25. In fact, D.J. Moore may not even last this long.

Carolina has shown interest in Moore, which makes a ton of sense. The team currently lacks a No. 1 receiver, and the Panthers could use this pick to change that.

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

1. Hayden Hurst, TE – The Panthers like Hurst a lot. Enough to take him at 24? Perhaps, if all the defensive backs they prefer are off the board.

2. Joshua Jackson/Jaire Alexander, CBs – Carolina needs to upgrade the secondary with multiple new defensive backs.

Pick change; previously Josh Rosen, QB
Tennessee Titans: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
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.

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

1. Leighton Vander Esch/Rashaan Evans, LBs – If Vander Esch slips a bit, the Titans could scoop him up as a replacement for Avery Williamson. Evans also makes sense.

2. Harold Landry, DE/OLB – Here’s another edge-rushing option.

Pick change; previously Harold Landry, DE/OLB

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.

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

1. Sam Hubbard, DE – The Falcons need to replace Adrian Clayborn, so Hubbard would make sense.

2. Isaiah Wynn/Will Hernandez, G – The Falcons could take a guard at this spot.

Pick change; previously Marcus Davenport, DE
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.

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

1. Rashaan Evans, LB – It feels weird to consider other players here because I’ve slotted Jackson to the Saints for so long. But New Orleans needs linebacker help, so Evans would be a logical fit.

2. Hayden Hurst, TE – The Saints attempted to sign Jimmy Graham a month ago, but failed. Here’s their tight end of the future.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
I’m sure the Steelers would love to take either Leighton Vander Esch or Rashaan Evans with this pick, but both happen to be off the board. That’s the bad news. The good news is that a very talented cornerback prospect fell to them, as Joshua Jackson will allow them to bolster their secondary.

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

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

1. Leighton Vander Esch/Rashaan Evans, LB – The Steelers reportedly like Vander Esch, and I have to believe that Evans would be in the conversation as well.

2. Lamar Jackson, QB – Pittsburgh is another team that could trade up for Jackson. I had the Steelers doing so in some of my early mock drafts.

Pick change; previously Rashaan Evans, LB
Jacksonville Jaguars: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
Hayden Hurst was one of my “not” picks, as I reasoned that Tom Coughlin’s old-school mentality would prevent him from taking a tight end in the first round. I’ve obviously changed my mind. There are 18-24 first-round prospects in this class, so this selection is effectively in the second round. Also, I think Coughlin may appreciate a complete tight end, so he’ll value Hurst’s blocking in addition to his receiving skills.

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

1. Courtland Sutton/Christian Kirk, WR – Some might think it’s too early for Kirk, but given how quickly receivers have been plucked in recent drafts, and how much wideouts have been paid in free agency the past two springs, this is a possibility. Sutton is also a logical choice.

2. Jaire Alexander, CB – Maurice Jones-Drew mocked Alexander to his former team, and I think the pick makes sense. Someone will need to replace the departed Aaron Colvin.

Pick change; previously Christian Kirk, WR
Minnesota Vikings: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
The Vikings definitely need to acquire offensive linemen to help Kirk Cousins. Failing to address the offensive line would be irresponsible, given how much guaranteed money the Vikings have given their new quarterback.

However, Minnesota needs a guard, and non-elite players at that position can easily be obtained in the middle rounds. It’s more difficult to do so with talented cornerbacks like Mike Hughes. Besides, the Vikings need cornerback help after Nick Foles sliced and diced their secondary in the NFC Championship.

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

1. Will Hernandez/Isaiah Wynn/James Daniels/Billy Price, OL – Name a first-round interior lineman not named Quenton Nelson, and I’ll tell you that he makes sense for the Vikings at No. 30.

2. Donte Jackson, CB – Another possibility to replace the ancient Terence Newman.

Pick change; previously Will Hernandez, G
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.

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

1. Justin Reid, S – New England’s secondary needs help, and I’m sure Bill Belichick would love Reid’s versatility.

2. Isaiah Oliver, CB – The Patriots lost Malcolm Butler. They managed to replace him with Jason McCourty, but he’s just a short-term solution.

Philadelphia Eagles: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
The Eagles are very likely to trade down. I mentioned that the Seahawks don’t pick again after the first round until No. 120. The Eagles won’t be on the clock following this choice until No. 130!

Philadelphia’s trade-down target might just be Sony Michel. Running back is a need, as Jay Ajayi, an impending free agent in 2019, has durability concerns. Plus, Michel seems like he’d complement Ajayi extremely well in 2018. The Eagles would be able to use Michel as their third-down back right away, as they value his pass-protection ability.

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

1. Derrius Guice, RB – If the Eagles stay put, Guice could be their target.

2. Mike Gesicki, TE – Another trade-down option for the Eagles, who need to replace Brent Celek.

Pick change; previously Maurice Hurst, DT