Nutz's 2018 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 Final

[Deputy Nutz]

All right here it is, trades and trades and trades. Just kidding just a few.

1. Cleveland Browns: The Browns want a long term solution QB after trading Deshone Kizer their 2nd round pick from 2017 to the Packers. The Browns traded for former Buffalo QB Tyrod Taylor to start for 2018 but I don't think the Browns see him as their long term solution. They have the number one pick in the draft and they have 5-6 QBs with first round grades to choose from. So none of the above has changed. The Browns need a QB but as of early today they still haven't decided and all names seem to be floating around. Browns Select: Sam Darnold QB USC. He has the pedigree, the arm, and the attributes to be the number one guy selected but his will to win leaves question marks.

2. New York Giants: They have a lot of holes, They can have the option of taking one of the three top players in the draft in Chubb, Barkley, or Nelson. They really want a QB to replace Manning but they are hesitant to pull the trigger. Arizona and Buffalo want options in this draft at QB both will be willing trade partners. The Bills make the big move and trade up with the Giants keeping the second pick in New York State. The Bills select: Josh Allen QB Wyoming. Allen has everything you want in QB and the Bills are hoping the accuracy will come along as well, they paid a hefty sum to get the signal caller they hope will lead the Bills for years to come.

3. New York Jets: The Jets need and want a QB. That is why they traded up in the first place Lucky for them they don't have the option on taking another USC QB. The Mark Sanchez era still probably looms large in the fandom of the Jets. The Jets select: Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma. The Jets are not phased by Buffalo moving up. They get the guy they want. Mayfield plays with a chip on his shoulder and along with that chip he has the mindset and the physical tools to play a long time in the NFL. The only down side is his height.

4. Browns: They have the option of selecting Saquon Barkley the best offensive player in the draft. Personally I wasn't all that impressed with 2017 season, but he tested off the chart at the combine and he is a heck of a football player. The Browns as always have needs all over the field, so they could take a linemen, or corner. The Browns have taken running backs high in past drafts and it has not worked in their favor, and they spent a high pick in last years draft on an edge rusher. The Browns make the decision to trade the pick. Tampa Bay needs a running back and they trade up to get Barkley. Tampa Bay selects: Saquon Barkley RB Penn St. Tampa Bay needs help in other places but they want to get Winston a back that can take the pressure off of him and give him an option with play action. Tampa gives up the 7th pick and their second round round pick to move up.

5. Denver Broncos: Is Case Keenum really the answer? I can't hold my breath that Keenum is going to be able to lead the Broncos to the playoffs. He is smart and tough, but his skills at the position are still questionable. They could go a couple of different ways though with picking up Keenum. Keenum provides options. If the QB that they want is their I think they will pick him, if not they go with the best player that fits their needs. The Broncos are going to roll with Keenum and thank their lucky stars and select: Bradley Chubb Edge NCSt. He is prospect that can be compared to some of the best pass rushers in the game. They now have the best edge tandem in football.

6. Colts: They traded down and they miss on Barkley. I don't think their feelings are too hurt but they need an edge player and their isn't one on the board that deserves the 6th pick in the draft. They have holes on the defense and also need help on the offensive line. The Colts go with the best player available, the Colts select: Quentin Nelson OL Notre Dame. He is a fantastic option at #6 as they get the best lineman in the draft.

7. Cleveland: Their defense needs help. Their best option at this point is a defensive back. They can take Fitzpatrick, James, Ward. Fitzpatrick offers more flexibility playing either corner or safety and James might be the best athlete in the draft. Browns select: Denzel Ward. They need a cover corner more than a safety and they get the best one in the draft and acquire picks as well.

8. Bears: they got holes like the rest of these teams. The Bears play it safe and they get their guy. Bears select: Roquan Smith LB Georgia. They have been looking to replace Urlacher for years and they get their sideline to sideline player that can drop into coverage.

9. 49ers: They are looking to upgrade their defense with this pick. They have options and they take the best player available in Derwin James. He is a big safety that can play anywhere in the back 7. He has great awareness and football IQ to go with a dynamic locker room presence. 49ers Select: Derwin James S FSU

10. Raiders: Holes on the defense. Easy fill at this spot with Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick can play corner or safety in the NFL. Raiders select: Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Raider wait it out and get one of the top flight players in the draft.

11. Dolphins: They have spots that need to be filled but they get their choice of the four remaining QBs with 1st round grades. The Dolphins can take a QB or they can upgrade their defense. The Dolphins select: Vita Vea DL Washington. This kid is a monster in the middle and can take on and beat the double team block. If all goes right he is a guy in the middle that opposing offenses will have to account for.

12. New York Giants: The Giants have gained two first round picks this year along with a 2nd round pick in 2019 to move back. They still have two options at QB with Rosen and Jackson on the board. Rosen is the most ready and prostyle QB available. The Giants select: Josh Rosen QB UCLA. Manning will now have to look over his shoulder for at least a year. As Rosen will be groomed by the Giants coaching staff Manning will have to play well or lose his job.

13. Washington Racists: Alex Smith isn't the long time solution to the needs of the racists. The Redskins can groom a QB behind Smith for at least a year. Washington can reach on a QB, or they can fill holes on their defense. Right now they have Smith for the 2018 season with Hogan backing him up. They move in the direction of defense and the Racists select: Tremaine Edmunds LB Virgina Tech. Edmunds had a terrific combine and his film is consistent. He has good size and can play in the middle or on the outside.

14. Green Bay Packers: Packers have holes all over their defense but their defensive backfield is bad with losing Randall in a trade to the Browns and losing Morgan Burnett in free agency. The Packers lack depth at linebacker and their offensive line is incomplete at the moment. Wide receiver is now an issue with the Packers cutting Jordy Nelson. If not for Aaron Rodgers this team is not a playoff team, not even close. The roster has been mismanaged for several years and it is finally showing. The Packers have options at this spot. They could trade up and get a corner, or if Chubb is there they could really move up and give up future top picks to get the best pass rusher in the draft. They could move back in the draft and look to draft offense at wide receiver or offensive line. The Packer elect to trade back with the New England Patriots. In an unlikely move for both franchises the Patriots want Lamar Jackson. New England Selects: Lamar Jackson QB Louisville. Green Bay gives up the 14th pick in return for the Patriots two 1st round picks.

[mraynrand]

One theory is that Lamar Jackson will be selected by Baltimore and they will change their offense to accommodate. Lurch has one more season as QB there and they save 10 mil cutting him next year.

[Deputy Nutz]

15. Arizona Cardinals: They miss out on Lamar Jackson, and they are sort of left holding the bag. They have options but none they really want along with teams that have no reason to trade with them. The Cardinals take a risk at WR. There are a lot of options but no one receiver comes without issues and concern. Cardinals select: Calvin Ridley WR Alabama. Ridley has the film and the chops as a great route runner, but a lackluster combine and smaller stature has hurt him as a prospect.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Some defensive holes need to be filled and although they strengthened their WR corps through free agency it isn't enough to sustain their passing game long term. They need to give Flacco one more chance and they look to fill a need at receiver The Ravens select: DJ Moore WR Maryland. Moore hasn't been talked about as one of the top receivers in the draft but for good reason. Teams have wanted to keep him a secret. He was the offense at Maryland last year. He is used to playing with the ball in his hand which has led to his allusiveness after the catch. he runs decent routes.

17. Chargers are not going to turn the franchise around with this pick, but they can need to add a talented player to their roster that can contribute in 2018. They need an offensive tackle, but there several that warrant a selection here at 16. Chargers select: Mike McGlinchy OT Notre Dame. A big robust tackle that has decent feet and is solid in the run game will not only help out Rivers but will open holes for Melvin Gordon as well.

18. Seattle has a ton of holes on the offensive line, and finally on defense as the Legion of Boom has crumbled. They can use help all over the secondary with losing their top two corners, they also have a need for a pass rusher. They can look at the best available in the secondary and start there. Seattle selects: Joshua Jackson CB Iowa. Speed has never been a big concern when looking at secondary players for the Seahawks. They want physical and tall corners. Jackson is 6-1 and physical. He doesn't have top end speed but he is smart and can use his body to get between the target and the ball. Seattle is now in rebuild mode.

19. Dallas Cowboys: Cowboys would like to add a dynamic receiver, but would also like to solidify their defensive line with an interior pass rusher. The Cowboys also have a need at linebacker. The Cowboys select: Maurice Hurst DT Michigan. Hurst's biggest knock is that he has a possible heart condition, at this point it may not be enough to steer the Cowboys away from the agile tackle. Cowboys get some value here, but it might not be the wow pick Jones is constantly looking for.

20. Detroit: The lions still need some help along the the defensive line and putting pressure on the QB. The Lions select: Marcus Davenport Edge UTSA . In a draft that doesn't have top end talent at the pass rushing position the Lions snag the 2rd best prospect in this draft Davenport may have the highest untapped potential in this draft making him the boom bust pick in the 1st round. They could look to upgrade the TE position or go with an offensive lineman.

21. Cincy Bengals: Offensive line is still a need for the Bengals but they can address that later in the draft if they want to. There are several linemen that the Bengals can take with the 21st pick. The best option would be UTEP guard Will Hernandez, or Georgia guard/tackle Isaiah Wynn. Wynn is a bullish player with good feet. His lack of height will cause issues at tackle but his feet are decent enough for a team to plug him at right tackle. Most likely he will be a guard and be a darn good one. Bengals select: Isaiah Wynn OL Georgia.

22. New York Giants: They got their quarterback and were still able to collect another pick in the first round. The Giants look to improve their offensive line. The Giants select: Kolton Miller OT UCLA. Miller is extremely athletic and has terrific feet. He will offer up the best pass protection available at this point in the draft.

23. Packers: Not finding what they like at number 14 they trade down. The Packers land their coveted cover corner and select Jaire Alexander CB Louisville. Alexander is a great athlete that offers the right mix of nastiness and cockiness that you are looking for from your starting corner. This is a home run at this point in the draft. The Packers could look to fill holes on their offensive line and for an edge rusher but they now have one more pick in this round to do so.

24. Carolina Panthers: They need a playmaker at receiver or in the defensive backfield. They choose to go with receiver and address their needs with the selection of Christian Kirk WR Texas A&M. is a strong receiver with quick first step that runs ok routes and is explosive down field. He will need to work on his route running and getting routes dialed in or he will struggle at the next level.

25. Titans: They need a pass rusher, and they might have to reach to get a player to fill that need. They could use an inside linebacker as well. The Titans look for flexibility and select Leighton Vander Esh LB Boise St. Vander Esh can play inside or outside and depending on the scheme the Titans use they could use him to apply pressure on the QB. His athleticism offers the Titans option on how they would like to use him. He will never be a pure pass rusher, but he can play all linebacker spots.

26. Falcons: The Falcons can improve their defensive line and they are in the right position to do so. They have a lot of players that can help them available in this draft. The Falcons get great value and select Da'Ron Payne DT Alabama. Payne is an agile tackle that can hold up at the point of attack, yet get pressure from the interior.

27. Saints: They need a TE but is there one that offers value in the first round? Sure! Dallas Goedert is a big strong kid that has caught a lot of balls the last two years. He does come from a smaller sandbox but he has managed to demonstrate that he is more than a capable receiver, and has some ability as an inline blocker. The Saints Select: Dallas Goedert TE South Dakota St.

28. The Steelers have wants but not really any needs. They lock up their safety position by signing Morgan Burnett from the Packers. They can look at upgrading the linebacker position with the selection of Rashaan Evans LB Alabama. He isn't the big bruiser type from Alabama is smaller and quicker and could easily fill the role that Shazier played so successfully.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: There are open positions that they need to fill to continue their run. The Jaguars can look to upgrade their offensive line, and their linebacker position. There have been no tackles taken in the first round. The Jaguars select: Connor Williams OT Texas. Williams biggest issue was a left knee his senior year. His arms are a bit short but he has the agility you are looking for as a left tackle in the NFL

30. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings need to upgrade the offensive line with either a guard or a tackle. The Vikings select Isaiah Wynn OL Georgia. Wynn is a load but he has great feet. He could be an ok tackle but his true calling is at guard. He is a road grader and will offer solid protection in the middle for the Vikings.

31. Packers: They could go receiver or edge rusher here. The Packers make a bold move and select Lorenzo Carter Edge Georgia. The Packers would have loved to get Wynn or Williams but both were picked just ahead of them. Carter offers the most athleticism on the edge and can play outside linebacker, inside linebacker, and put his hand down and rush from a 7 technique.

32. Eagles: Finally won a Super Bowl! Now they work to fill spots at the end of the first round. Teams like the Eagles can always go best player available and still fill a need. The Eagles could upgrade at the linebacker position and at the WR position. There isn't a linebacker or receiver with the 32nd pick. So they look to TE. The Eagles select: Hayden Hurst TE South Carolina. Hurst a former minor league pitcher offers a combination of downfield speed and can attack defenses at all three levels. Plays with a lot of energy and effort, needs to work on his blocking.

[pbmax]

Version 4.0 is my favorite so far.

[mraynrand]

Mike Mayock has the Packers selecting Jaire Alexander as well - at 14.

[mraynrand]

If the Packers wanted the linemen at 31, wouldn't they have tried to trade up to 29 or 30 to get one, or they just guessed wrong?

[mraynrand]

Version 4.0 is my favorite so far.

Entertaining to be sure. Thanks Deputy.