With so much uncertainty surrounding the 2018 NFL Draft, I tried my best to identify the most plausible picks (and trades) that we could see on draft day. Below is the final iteration of my 2018 mock draft…

1. Cleveland Browns – Sam Darnold QB, USC

The Browns interest in Josh Allen (Hue Jackson & Todd Haley’s guy) and Baker Mayfield (Scot McCloughan’s guy) is real, but in the end, Dorsey has final say and selects the quarterback with the highest floor and ceiling in Sam Darnold.

2. New York Giants – Saquon Barkley RB, Penn State

GM Dave Gettleman decides he does not have to invest in Eli Manning’s successor and selects the player with the highest “tape” grade on the board. Barkley is a true three-down back with big-play ability and would immediately upgrade an anemic Giants run game as well as the play-action passing game. 

3. New York Jets (from IND) – Baker Mayfield QB, Oklahoma

When the Jets traded up from the 6th pick to the 3rd pick, GM Mike Maccagnan had an idea of who he’d select with the 3rd overall pick (you don’t make the trade otherwise). Several sources close to the organization believe they made the move for Baker Mayfield, though if Sam Darnold is somehow available at #3, he would certainly be in discussion for the pick.

4. Cleveland Browns – Bradley Chubb EDGE, NC State

GM John Dorsey fields trade calls for the 4th pick (Buffalo most likely suitor), but ultimately selects the best defensive player in this year’s class to form one of the most formidable young pass rush rotations in the NFL. DC Gregg Williams will find a way to get Myles Garrett, Emmanuel Ogbah and Bradley Chubb on the field in the same package in passing situations.

5. Denver Broncos – Quenton Nelson OG, Notre Dame

Team President John Elway does not have to take a quarterback with the 5th pick after signing Case Keenum to a 2-year, $36M contract ($25M guaranteed) in free agency. The Broncos draft plan likely resembles: Bradley Chubb, Quenton Nelson, Saquon Barkley, or trade down.

6. Buffalo Bills (from IND)* – Josh Allen QB, Wyoming

[Projected Trade] – Bills send #12, #22 & 2019 2nd Rd Pick to the Colts for #6

Colts GM Chris Ballard has been vocal about his willingness to trade down [again] to secure more picks, while the Bills are the team most likely to move up for a quarterback. The Bills are reportedly the only team to conduct an individual private workout with Allen throughout the draft process.

7. Arizona Cardinals (from TB)* – Josh Rosen QB, UCLA

[Projected Trade] – Cardinals send #15, #47 & #79 to the Buccaneers for #7

The Bucs are another team that will consider trading out of the top 10 if one of the top four QBs is available with the 7th pick. Don’t sleep on Buccaneers GM Jason Licht’s relationship with Cardinals GM Steve Keim as potential trade partners—Licht was the Cardinals VP of Player Personnel under Keim before taking the Buccaneers GM job in 2014. The Cardinals have every reason to trade up for a QB after settling for the oft-injured Sam Bradford in free agency, and Rosen is a guy they covet.

8. Chicago Bears – Roquan Smith LB, Georgia

Roquan Smith immediately becomes the quarterback of the defense, bringing a level of leadership and energy that has been missing since the days of Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. Quenton Nelson, Tremaine Edmunds and Denzel Ward are also in play for Bears at #8.

9. San Francisco 49ers – Minkah Fitzpatrick CB, Alabama

The latest news from the Reuben Foster-case suggests the 49ers could have their second-year linebacker back with the team without significant disciplinary action from the league. This reduces the 49ers need for a linebacker, though GM John Lynch will still consider Roquan Smith or Tremaine Edmunds if either is available. In this case, the 49ers stick with their “best player available” approach and select Fitzpatrick, who could play six different positions in the secondary for a team that struggled against the pass last season. This is also a trade-up spot for a team looking to get in front of the Dolphins for their quarterback.

10. Green Bay Packers (from OAK)* – Denzel Ward CB, Ohio State

[Projected Trade] – Packers send #14 & #76 to the Raiders for #10

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport is reporting the Packers are in the market to trade up to secure one of the top defensive backs—Denzel Ward or Derwin James. New Packers GM Brian Gutekunst takes a sniper approach in his first draft as the team’s primary decision maker and calls his long-time colleague, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie, to ensure they get their guy.

11. Miami Dolphins – Vita Vea DT, Washington

12. Indianapolis Colts (from BUF)* – Tremaine Edmunds LB, Virginia Tech

[Projected Trade] – Bills send #12, #22 & 2019 2nd Rd Pick to the Colts for #6

13. Washington Redskins – Derwin James DS, Florida State

14. Oakland Raiders (from GB)* – Mike McGlinchey OT, Notre Dame

[Projected Trade] – Packers send #14 & #76 to the Raiders for #10

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from ARI)* – Will Hernandez OG, UTEP

16. New England Patriots (from BAL)* – Lamar Jackson QB, Louisville

[Projected Trade] – Patriots send #23 & #63 to the Ravens for #16

17. Los Angeles Chargers – Rashaan Evans LB, Alabama

18. Atlanta Falcons (from SEA)* – Da’Ron Payne DT, Alabama

[Projected Trade] – Falcons send #26 & #58 to the Seahawks for #18, #120 & #168

19. Dallas Cowboys – Leighton Vander Esch LB, Boise State

20. Detroit Lions – Harold Landry EDGE, Boston College

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Frank Ragnow OC, Arkansas

22. Indianapolis Colts (from BUF)* – Marcus Davenport EDGE, UTSA

[Projected Trade] – Bills send #12, #22 & 2019 2nd Rd Pick to the Colts for #6

23. Baltimore Ravens (from NE)* – Calvin Ridley WR, Alabama

[Projected Trade] – Patriots send #23 & #63 to the Ravens for #16

24. Carolina Panthers – Josh Jackson CB, Iowa

25. Tennessee Titans – Sam Hubbard EDGE, Ohio State

26. Seattle Seahawks (from ATL)* – Derrius Guice RB, LSU

[Projected Trade] – Falcons send #26 & #58 to the Seahawks for #18, #120 & #168

27. New Orleans Saints – D.J. Moore WR, Maryland

28. Pittsburgh Steelers – Jaire Alexander CB, Louisville

29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Connor Williams OG/OT, Texas

30. Minnesota Vikings – Taven Bryan DT, Florida

31. New England Patriots – Kolton Miller OT, UCLA

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Sony Michel RB, Georgia