2018 NFL Draft Goals

Posted April 22, 2018.
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What does every team need to accomplish in the 2018 NFL Draft? We’ll look at each team’s goals on this page, as well as possible selections for each squad. See how the goals are being addressed in the 2018 NFL Mock Draft (will be updated tomorrow).



  1. Cleveland Browns:
    The Browns are the first team since the 1992 Colts to have two picks in the top four heading into the draft season (the Redskins picked second and third in 2000, but they moved up from No. 12 a couple of months beforehand.) Cleveland has just one win in the past two years, and needs to do something special. The team must select Saquon Barkley first overall, as it has an extremely rare luxury of also obtaining a franchise quarterback with the fourth pick. Unfortunately, it appears as though the Browns are going with the homoclitic route instead, meaning they’re going to lose out on Barkley for no good reason.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    1. Saquon Barkley, RB
    4. Josh Allen, QB
    33. Brian O’Neill, OT
    35. Mike Hughes, CB
    64. Trenton Thompson, DT
    114. Dane Cruikshank, CB


  2. New York Giants:
    The Giants have lots of holes and are transitioning into a new defensive scheme, so it would be in their best interest to trade down. Being able to pick up a 2019 first-round pick from the Bills, for example, would be a tremendous move. Otherwise, New York absolutely has to bolster its offensive line so that its next quarterback is well protected.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    12. Mike McGlinchey, OT (trade with Bills)
    34. Lorenzo Carter, OLB
    66. Equanimeous St. Brown, WR
    69. Braden Smith, G
    108. Austin Corbett, C

  3. New York Jets:
    The Jets moved up to No. 3 to secure their franchise quarterback. Once they obtain that signal-caller, they’ll have to surround him with enough talent so he’ll succeed. Upgrades are needed on the offensive line, as well as in the receiving corps and backfield.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    3. Baker Mayfield, QB
    72. Braden Smith, G
    107. DaeSean Hamilton, WR



  4. Houston Texans:
    The Texans don’t have a pick until the third round, so it’ll be difficult for them to make wholesale changes to their 2018 outlook. Luckily for them, their forecast is already bright because of Deshaun Watson. Houston needs to spend some energy finding better blockers for Watson. Some help in the secondary is needed as well.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    68. Mike Gesicki, TE
    80. Desmond Harrison, OT
    98. Tarvarus McFadden, CB
    103. Jordan Whitehead, S

  5. Denver Broncos:
    The Broncos won a Super Bowl with a decrepit Peyton Manning, so John Elway must believe that he can do so with Case Keenum. For that to happen, he’ll need to plug the holes on his offensive line, find a new running back and address some needs in his defense (inside linebacker, edge rusher, cornerback, safety.) Finding a quarterback of the future is another goal he may want to pursue.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    5. Quenton Nelson, G
    40. Derrius Guice, RB
    71. Kyle Lauletta, QB
    99. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE/OLB
    106. DeShon Elliott, S
    113. Isaac Yiadom, CB



  6. Indianapolis Colts:
    Excluding quarterback, the Colts have the worst overall roster in the NFL. They’ve already traded down once. Doing so again would be ideal, as it would allow them to plug tons of holes on both sides of the ball. That said, Indianapolis should stay put if a non-quarterback blue-chipper like Bradley Chubb or Quenton Nelson is available.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    6. Bradley Chubb, DE
    36. Ronald Jones, RB
    37. Mike Hughes, CB
    49. Tyrell Crosby, OT
    67. James Washington, WR
    104. Jerome Baker, LB

  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
    The Buccaneers’ coaching staff and front office will likely be fired if their team doesn’t make the playoffs in 2018. Thus, the front office needs to put Jameis Winston in the best possible position to succeed, bolstering his shoddy protection and making sure the running game is much better.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    7. Quenton Nelson, G
    38. Derrius Guice, RB
    102. Alex Cappa, OT

  8. Chicago Bears:
    The Bears didn’t have a good record last year, but they were very competitive in most games, beating the Steelers and Panthers and nearly upsetting the Falcons and Vikings (in their first meeting.) They need to build around Mitchell Trubisky and also strengthen their defense even more, given all of the offensive talent in their division.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    8. Tremaine Edmunds, LB
    39. Isaiah Oliver, CB
    105. Josh Sweat, DE
    115. Dante Pettis, WR



  9. San Francisco 49ers:
    The 49ers seem to be poised to make a playoff run with Jimmy Garoppolo. They need some things first, however, including better guard play, as well as help in their linebacking corps and secondary. A top-notch receiver would also be a huge boon for Garoppolo.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    23. Courtland Sutton, WR (trade with Patriots)
    31. Will Hernandez, G
    59. B.J. Hill, DT
    70. Arden Key, DE
    74. Josey Jewell, LB
    128. Quenton Meeks, CB

  10. Oakland Raiders:
    The Raiders have to find a new receiver and a right tackle, but their primary needs are on defense. They need help at every level. Their interior defensive pressure is lackluster; their linebacking corps is in shambles; and a No. 1 cover corner must be obtained.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    10. Denzel Ward, CB
    41. Harrison Phillips, DT
    75. Malik Jefferson, LB
    110. Marcell Ateman, WR



  11. Miami Dolphins:
    Miami might be the worst team in the NFL this year. Numerous veterans are gone, and there are glaring holes everywhere. It’s impossible for the Dolphins to fix everything now, so this has to be a 2-year rebuilding process. Trading down would be great, as it’ll allow Miami to pick up some much-needed assets.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    11. Roquan Smith, LB
    42. Dallas Goedert, TE
    73. Nick Chubb, RB
    123. Luke Falk, QB
    131. Deadrin Senat, OT

  12. Buffalo Bills:
    The Bills are rebuilding, yet they have no franchise quarterback for the future. They’ll have to move up to obtain one, even if it costs them a first-round pick in the spectacular 2019 NFL Draft. Buffalo will then have to add tons of talent around this signal-caller, and that would involve fixing one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    4. Sam Darnold, QB (trade with Bills)
    22. Isaiah Wynn, G
    53. D.J. Chark, WR
    56. Harrison Phillips, DT
    65. Austin Corbett, C
    96. Darius Leonard, LB
    121. Royce Freeman, RB

  13. Washington Redskins:
    The Redskins will be competitive with Alex Smith if they address some of their glaring needs. Among those are nose tackle, guard and running back. Otherwise, filling out the roster with the best players available makes sense.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    13. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S
    44. Sony Michel, RB
    109. P.J. Hall, NT

  14. Green Bay Packers:
    Defense, defense, defense. Green Bay’s secondary is atrocious. Help is needed elsewhere as well – edge rusher, inside linebacker – but the defensive backfield has to be the primary concern because the Packers can’t defend the pass whatsoever.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    14. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S/CB
    45. James Washington, WR
    76. Carlton Davis, CB
    101. Rasheem Green, DE/DT
    133. Chukwuma Okorafor, OT

  15. Arizona Cardinals:
    The Cardinals can’t count on Sammy Sleeves – as Kenny calls Sam Bradford on our podcast – staying healthy for more than a month. They have to find a quarterback of the future at some point. They also have some other glaring holes to address, including some on the pedestrian offensive line. Otherwise, receiver, cornerback and the defensive line must be addressed.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    15. Marcus Davenport, DE
    47. Christian Kirk, WR
    79. Kyle Lauletta, QB
    97. Orlando Brown, OT
    134. J.C. Jackson, CB

  16. Baltimore Ravens:
    The Ravens’ roster continues to regress as a result of Joe Flacco’s albatross of a contract. It’s imperative for Ozzie Newsome to hit almost every single selection to keep Baltimore in playoff contention. The Ravens have holes at many offensive positions, so it’s a matter of taking the best offensive player available with most of their selections.

    Ideal 2018 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    16. Calvin Ridley, WR
    52. Kerryon Johnson, RB
    83. Orlando Brown, OT
    118. Anthony Averett, CB


  17. Go to 2018 NFL Draft Goals: 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.

2018 NFL Mock Draft | 2019 NFL Mock Draft






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NFL Draft Links:

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2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
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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)
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