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2018 NFL Mock Draft

Walt14 mins
Last update: Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017. Major changes.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2018 NFL Mock Draft is based on my NFL Season Previews.

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/20): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/15)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/26)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


    *** 2018 NFL MOCK DRAFT (2 rounds) updated Aug. 1. 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. New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
    The Jets appear to be tanking for the 2018 NFL Draft, as I think we can surmise based on the Josh McCown signing. This is a smart move, as there are projected to be three top-10 signal-callers in this class.

    Sam Darnold has taken the Pac-12 by storm, as he’s been incredible ever since taking over as the starter, which was capped off by his amazing Rose Bowl performance. A big quarterback with a nice arm, terrific accuracy and decent mobility, Darnold could end up being the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, you can Support Us on Patreon here!

    Pick change; previously Josh Allen, QB


  2. Los Angeles Rams: Trey Adams, OT, Washington
    I’ve had the Rams selecting Sam Darnold in my previous updates, citing that there’s no way they’d pass on him despite trading up for Jared Goof in 2016. Josh Allen is another story; he’s a top-five prospect at the moment, but he’s not the sure-fire talent Darnold is. Thus, the Rams are going in a different direction in this update.

    The Rams need to protect Goof, so selecting Trey Adams makes sense. Andrew Whitworth was signed, but there’s no telling how long he’ll last in Los Angeles. Adams, who, according to Charlie Campbell in the NFL Draft Hot Press, has been receiving high first-round marks, makes sense at No. 2 overall.

    Pick change; previously Sam Darnold, QB

  3. San Francisco 49ers: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
    A quarterback would make sense for the 49ers if they didn’t stand a good chance of obtaining Kirk Cousins. It’s too late for that this offseason, but it surely will happen by next spring. If so, Cousins will need someone to throw to besides Pierre Garcon. He’ll also need a running back if Joe Williams doesn’t pan out; Carlos Hyde is not a good fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and there was some talk that the 49ers would select Leonard Fournette.

    Saquon Barkley ran a 4.33 at the Penn State pro day in March and appears to be a potential top-five prospect for the 2018 NFL Draft.



  4. Chicago Bears: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU
    An edge rusher isn’t extremely high on Chicago’s list of needs, but I’d have to believe that the Bears would be hard pressed to pass on a super talent like Arden Key, especially if Pernell McPhee keeps having injury problems. A dynamic edge rusher like Key could really take their defense to the next level and cover up some holes in the secondary.

  5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
    Blake Bortles has been an utter failure thus far, and there was speculation that they’d draft a quarterback to replace him. That didn’t happen, but it could next April.

    Josh Allen projects as a potential first-round signal-caller. He has a big arm and can scramble pretty well, but he needs to work on his accuracy next year.

    Pick change; previously Lamar Jackson, QB



  6. Cleveland Browns: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
    This pick obviously depends on DeShone Kizer’s progression. If he struggles as a rookie and doesn’t show any signs of being a franchise quarterback, the Browns will almost certainly consider someone like Lamar Jackson in the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Jackson has some issues, but scouts are ranking him favorably, and they believe he’ll be a top-10 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. For more, check out the new NFL Draft Rumor Mill for scouts’ thoughts on Jackson and the other quarterbacks.

    Pick change; previously Christian Kirk, WR

  7. Buffalo Bills: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
    The Bills appeared to finally find a capable No. 2 receiver to play across from Sammy Watkins when they selected Zay Jones. However, news broke later that evening that Buffalo was not going to exercise Watkins’ fifth-year option, so the team will need a new No. 1 wideout if Watkins leaves via free agency. Christian Kirk would definitely qualify. Kirk is an absolute stud who would be a massive upgrade at receiver.

    Pick change; previously Calvin Ridley, WR

  8. Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
    The Bengals lost Andrew Whitworth this offseason. They’ll be trying out a couple of unproven tackles this season, so they’ll probably need to address the position early in the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Mike McGlinchey would probably have been the top tackle chosen in the 2017 NFL Draft if he had declared (No. 7 overall to the Chargers?), but he announced that he would be returning to school.



  9. Indianapolis Colts: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
    The Colts selected Tarell Basham in the third round, but that won’t be enough to solve their weak pass rush. Spending a first-round pick on a blue-chip talent like Sam Hubbard would.

    Hubbard saw his sack total drop from 6.5 in his freshman year to 3.5 in 2016, but he’s a freak athlete poised to have a breakout junior campaign.

  10. Baltimore Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
    It can’t surprise anyone that the Ravens would select another Alabama prospect. Two make sense here – Calvin Ridley, Da’Ron Payne – but I went with the former because he’s slightly higher on my board, plus the team doesn’t have a No. 1 receiver. Jeremy Maclin was acquired, but he’s more of a secondary option. If Breshad Perriman doesn’t do anything this year, Ridley would be a real possibility.

    Pick change; previously Da’Ron Payne, DT



  11. New York Giants: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
    Will this finally be the year that the Giants address their pedestrian offensive line? They have to do it eventually.

    Connor Williams needs to improve his strength, but his length and athleticism will likely have him chosen in the top half of the opening round.

  12. Miami Dolphins: Derwin James, S, Florida State
    The Dolphins are going to have a couple of safeties hit free agency next spring – T.J. McDonald, Michael Thomas – so they could stand to find an upgrade to play next to Reshad Jones.

    Derwin James has missed some time in 2016 with a knee injury, but he’s a monstrous safety (6-3, 211) who happens to be a terrific athlete. He’s still projected to be a top-10 pick.

  13. Denver Broncos: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
    Denver’s defense is still one of the better units in the NFL, but it’s not nearly as dominant as it once was. The team has issues on the defensive line, where Derek Wolfe is the only proven commodity in that area. Unless Adam Gotsis pans out, the Broncos could consider a first-round defensive lineman in the near future.

    Da’Ron Payne makes a huge jump in this mock draft edition, as Charlie Campbell reported in the NFL Hot Press that teams are very high on Payne.

    Pick change; previously Malik Jefferson, LB

  14. Carolina Panthers: Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College
    The Panthers have a couple of aging defensive ends who will see plenty of action for them this season in Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson. They’ll need to add some young blood at the position.

  15. Los Angeles Chargers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB/S, Alabama
    The Chargers lost Brandon Flowers this offseason, so they’re pretty thin at cornerback. If 2015 third-rounder Craig Mager doesn’t pan out, they’ll need to add a third corner to go along with Casey Hayward and Jason Verrett.

  16. Detroit Lions: Vita Vea, NT, Washington
    The Lions have nothing outside of A’Shawn Robinson at defensive tackle. They’ll need to bolster their talent at the position, and Vita Vea is a bargain at this stage of the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Vea, a monstrous defensive tackle with pass-rushing ability, could be targeted as a replacement for Floyd in the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Pick change; previously Christian Wilkins, DT




    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: Charlie Campbell







NFL Picks - Nov. 20


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20


NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4






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 4/25): 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 11/20): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/15)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/26)
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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