2018 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. 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 10/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/1)
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 Sept. 28. 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 Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
    TRADE! Back in 2004, the Giants had the No. 4 pick in the draft and managed to come away with Eli Manning. Now, Manning turns 37, and the Giants need to find his replacement. Perhaps they’d move up to No. 1 overall to obtain their next franchise quarterback.

    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. He has gotten off to a slow start this year, but has the talent to have a big finish.

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    Pick change; previously Connor Williams, OT


  2. Cincinnati Bengals: Trey Adams, OT, Washington
    Don’t completely blame Andy Dalton for the team’s struggles thus far. This is the first time in his career that he’s playing behind an offensive line that doesn’t happen to be packed with talent. In fact, Cincinnati’s blocking is probably worse than Seattle’s. Both tackles stink, so the Bengals need to address this position early in the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Trey 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 Mike McGlinchey, OT

  3. San Francisco 49ers: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU
    A quarterback would make sense for the 49ers if they didn’t stand a good chance of obtaining Kirk Cousins. There’s a decent shot it happens next offseason, so I’m going to avoid giving them a signal-caller for now.

    They used the No. 3 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on edge rusher Solomon Thomas. Well, why not address the position again? Arden Key and Thomas would form an incredible edge-rushing tandem, assuming Thomas starts playing well at some point.

    Pick change; previously Trey Adams, OT



  4. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
    The Browns have Isaiah Crowell, a talented running back, but he’ll be hitting free agency this offseason. With two first-round picks, both of which could be in the top 10, they could opt to use one of them on a replacement (and an upgrade) for Crowell.

    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.

  5. Los Angeles Chargers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
    The Chargers had a chance to select Malik Hooker at No. 7 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. They may end up regretting that decision, as their safety play isn’t very good right now. Perhaps they’ll make amends for it this upcoming April.

    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.

    Pick change; previously Minkah Fitzpatrick, S



  6. Indianapolis Colts: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
    The Colts need to improve their defense, but protecting Andrew Luck is the greatest priority. They need to obtain better tackle play across from Anthony Castonzo, and they should be able to do that in this draft class.

    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.

    Pick change; previously Arden Key, DE/OLB

  7. Cleveland Browns: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
    The Browns are definitely on the rise, and they might even have two top-10 picks. This will really help them solidify their roster, and I think they should attack their offense. DeShone Kizer has shown promise, but he has just one legitimate downfield threat to work with in Corey Coleman. Why not add a second, displacing the lethargic Kenny Britt in the process?

  8. Seattle Seahawks: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
    The Seahawks would crazy not to address their horrible offensive line. The inept blocking is why they’re 1-2 instead of 3-0 right now. They need help everywhere, excluding center, so they might as well begin with a new left tackle. Perhaps George Fant can play on the right side when he returns.

    Connor Williams needs to improve his strength, but his length and athleticism could have him chosen in the top half of the opening round, and maybe even the top 10.

    Pick change; previously Quenton Nelson, G



  9. New Orleans Saints: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
    I considered a quarterback (Josh Rosen) here, as the Saints could move on from Drew Brees this offseason. Brees is a free agent, and New Orleans could choose to start over from scratch. In this scenario, however, they keep Brees and once again attempt to improve their defense. The Saints need help all over, including someone to play next to Sheldon Rankins with Nick Fairley likely finished.

    Teams are extremely high on Da’Ron Payne, who does some freakish things for a player at his position.

  10. Chicago Bears: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
    The Bears need to find several downfield play-makers for Mitchell Trubisky. They have absolutely nothing at receiver, excluding Cameron Meredith, who will be returning from a brutal injury in 2018.

    Christian Kirk just had an explosive game against Arkansas, and he could be the second receiver chosen in the top 10 of the 2018 NFL Draft.

    Pick change; previously Derwin James, WR



  11. Miami Dolphins: Iman Marshall, CB, USC
    A quarterback will be debated here, 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. I’m not sure how long the Dolphins keep Byron Maxwell around, especially at his outrageous salary. Maxwell hasn’t performed well yet, so unless he improves his play, he’ll be gone next offseason.

    Pick change; previously Tarvarus McFadden, CB

  12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C.State
    Robert Ayers is just a temporary solution for the Buccaneers at defensive end. They’ll need a long-term starter across from Noah Spence to help put pressure on Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Drew Brees.

  13. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
    Carson Palmer hasn’t quite looked like himself in most of the games this year. Part of that is on the offensive line, but Palmer turns 38 in December, so Arizona needs to find a successor.

    Josh Rosen was once the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he’s been passed by Sam Darnold, and maybe even Lamar Jackson. 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’s epic comeback against Texas A&M almost certainly has helped repair his draft stock a bit.

    Pick change; previously Calvin Ridley, WR

  14. New York Jets: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
    The Jets spent all of their efforts tanking this offseason, yet they’ve done so incorrectly. They won, which has hurt their chances of landing Sam Darnold. Perhaps they’ll consider committing to Josh McCown for the long term. He could be their quarterback for the next 12 years, even though he’ll be 50 by then.

    If they opt not to stick with McCown, they could try Lamar Jackson. The Louisville quarterback has some issues – ball placement is a big one – 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 Sam Darnold, QB

  15. Baltimore Ravens: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S/CB, Alabama
    It’s the best Alabama player available, right? Eric Weddle hasn’t played up to his ability this season, struggling mightily against both the Bengals and Jaguars. If he doesn’t improve, the Ravens could go younger and more Alabama at safety. Minkah Fitzpatrick would make sense in that case.

    Pick change; previously Christian Kirk, S

  16. Dallas Cowboys: Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson
    Dallas’ offensive line has taken a big step backward this season, as the team now has holes at both left guard and right tackle. Well, as one former Cowboy great once said, they can kill stones with one bird by selecting a talented right tackle, as it would allow La’el Collins to move back inside.

    Pick change; previously Christian Kirk, S




  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. 5


NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 5


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Oct. 30


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
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My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
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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
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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 10/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/1)
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