Nutz's 2018 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

[Deputy Nutz]

The draft is just weeks away folks, and the NFL brass is spinning! Prospects are rising and falling and I am doing my best to keep up. I think there are going to be some movers and shakers in this draft and you are going to see a few more trades come down the pipe. I am adding trades to this draft. If I do a 4.0 after this I will or will not include trades. Teams like the Bills and the Cardinals seem desperate to get their hands on a QB. This draft will have up to 6 QBs taken in the first round but yet not one of them is considered a lock. There seems to be a lot of risk when bringing up the quarterback position.

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. I still think the best QB prospect in the draft is Josh Allen. Allen struggled in his senior year according to his numbers but his ceiling is the highest in this draft. Allen is without a doubt the biggest risk at this point for any team drafting a quarterback #1 overall. The Browns are in a position where they simply can't miss. Tyrod Taylor is a hold over and if this pick doesn't pan out the Browns will continue to struggle. Browns Select: Sam Darnold QB USC. Allen has the best arm in the draft and has the most intangibles but Darnold just seems to be less risk. Darnold isn't a solid pick either as he has struggled during his college career. Darnold is athletic enough, smart enough, and has a good enough arm to play consistently at the next level. I can't pretend though that he is good enough to be a top ten QB in the league and get the Browns to the playoffs consistently.

2. New York Giants: They have a lot of holes. They have a short term fix at running back with Stewart, their offensive line hasn't been good in years, and Manning is pretty much washed up. The have needs on the defensive line, QB, and running back and they have the best options with the second pick. Taking a QB will not help them in 2018 win games, but they need to start building for the future. A trade makes a lot of sense but they need to find the value in trading away the 2nd pick in the draft. I am sure teams would like to move ahead of the Jets to position themselves with their choice of the best QBs available on the board and the Giants could have some trade partners. If the Giants want to build for the long term they take a QB with this pick. If they want to add the best player in the draft they take Chubb or Barkley. Can Manning regain any of his Hall of Fame career and play consistently enough for the Giants to take the best player available? The Giants select: Saquon Barkley RB Penn St. Manning will have to get it done during the rebuild. The Giants want Barkley to be the focal point of their offense and take the pressure off of Manning. Barkley seems not only the safest pick but filling a position of need with the BPA strategy.

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: Josh Rosen QB UCLA. Rosen hasn't done much as a college QB. His skill level is at a premium but played on a UCLA team that was never capable of getting the National attention that would allow him to showcase his talent. Some say he is the most ready to start day one. This means that Allen will drop, teams are demonstrating their concern over his 2017 statistics and his accuracy.

4. Browns: They have the option to take the best ranked player in the draft with Chubb. He could make a a big difference on the defensive side of the ball. The Browns still have a very shallow roster and they take the opportunity to add another first round pick by trading with the Bills. The Browns get the 12th pick, the 22nd pick. Bills Select: Josh Allen QB Wyoming. Allen can wait a year or two behind AJ McCarron if all goes to plan. Allen needs to mature at the next level before teams can depend on him to win football games. The tools are their for Allen to be great, all he hopefully needs is time.


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. Broncos select: Bake Mayfield QB Oklahoma. Mayfield could be the gem of this QB class as he has all the intangibles but lack of height could hold teams back from making him the top pick in the draft.

6. Colts: They traded down and they miss on Barkley. They have holes on the defense and also need help on the offensive line. The Colts have a selection of talented players to choose from both on offense and defense. Their best option might be to trade back in this draft to team like Buffalo and acquire more picks. The Colts select: Bradley Chubb Edge NC St. The Colts are only going to go as far as an up right Andrew Luck is going to take them, but Bradley Chubb is still the best player available and is the perfect fit for their new 4-3 defense

7. Tampa Bay Buc: Their defense needs help. Their best option at this point is a defensive back. They can take Fitzpatrick or James. Fitzpatrick offers more flexibility playing either corner or safety. Bucs select: Minkah Fitzpatrick DB Alabama.

8. Bears: they got holes like the rest of these teams. The Bears really wanted to get the hands on Fitzpatrick. D. James is the next best DB on the list but they don't need a safety. They also have needs on the offensive line. Quentin Nelson OL ND. Nelson is just too good of a prospect for the Bears to pass up. If he was a left tackle teams would trade up to get him in the top 5.

9. 49ers: They need sack production. The Niners need to find the best option in this draft to pressure the QB from the edge. The 49ers select Marcus Davenport Edge UTSA. Davenport is the next best pass rusher listed on the big board. He is a small school kid that played against some big Texas schools and held his own. He had a very good combine and finds himself as a top ten player. I don't think he plays as fluid as the combine numbers would say. He is far from a finished player, but he has the raw talent to develop. The 49ers might want to trade up when they see that Chubb is falling. They could make a deal with the Colts.

10. Raiders: Holes on the defense. Easy fill at this spot is Denzel Ward. Ward is the best corner in the draft, and the Raiders are thrilled that he drops to the 10th pick in the draft. They have options as James is available, Smith is Available, and Edmunds is also available. Raiders select: Denzel Ward CB Ohio St .

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. Browns: They trade back to fill more spots on their roster. The Browns select: Derwin James S FSU. One of the best athletes in this draft and one of the better defenders in this draft. James can be played all over the field, he can line up in the slot, in center field or in the middle as a nickle linebacker. He might not have an exact fit but he upgrades this defense in a big way.

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 Packers select: Raquon Smith LB Georgia. Linebacker has never exactly been a priority for the Packers especially in the middle. The Packers have had some success with Blake Martinez in the middle and the combination of Martinez and Smith could be the strongest duo at inside linebacker in the NFL.

[Deputy Nutz]

15. Arizona Cardinals: The have one option left at QB and that is Lamar Jackson. He is a terrific and dynamic athlete that put on a show for Louisville. The question about Jackson is if his decision making ability will get better in the NFL. He can make all the throws and get out of trouble with his feet, but he will force passes and not read the defense. The Cardinals are taking a risk with handing over the keys to the franchise to Jackson but that is what they will do. Cardinals select: Lamar Jackson QB Louisville

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. The Ravens select Coutland Sutton WR SMU. Sutton is a tall rangy receiver that isn't quite polished but will provide a big target early in his rookie year.

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 just doesn't seem to be a good fit at 16 for the position. The next best offensive lineman is Will Hernandez but he is strictly a guard. They will look at improving their defense with this pick and the Chargers select Rashaan Evans LB Alabama. Evans is a good athlete, not great, he has the ability to run to the football. He may be a bit undersized but he does a nice job of reading and reacting. He has a quick first step and can escape blocks, he is better inside linebacker than the previous Alabama inside linebackers.

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: Calvin Ridley WR Alabama. Back to back Alabama players selected. Ridley had a poor combine but made up for it at his pro day. Ridley could easily be the top receiver in the draft class. He runs very good routes and usually has solid hands. His slight frame and strength is a question mark, but the Cowboys have to get more athletic at receiver. Ridley might not have the size to play on the line but could make a very good slot receiver.

20. Detroit: The lions still need some help along the the defensive line and putting pressure on the QB. The Lions select: Harold Landry Edge Boston College . In a draft that doesn't have top end talent at the pass rushing position the Lions snag the 3rd best prospect in this draft. 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. Browns: The get their third pick in the 1st round of the draft. There is still plenty of talent and they are in position to match their pick with the best available player. The Browns 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. Also the guy is huge and has fantastic feet for a man his size. If he can stay under control and not get over aggressive which causes him to get off balance he should be able to at least contribute at right tackle if not fill in for the retired Joe Thomas at left tackle.

23. Patriots: They move up to the 23rd pick. They need defensive help in the back end and some pass rushers. The Patriots have options at corner in this draft, Mike Hughes, Jaire Alexander, and Isaiah Oliver. Anyone would deserve the 23rd pick in this draft but the Pats want some one that can play in their defense and keep receivers in front of them. The Patriots select: Mike Hughes CB UCF.

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 DJ Moore WR Maryland. Moore 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! In a bold move the Saints look for a talented pass catcher at the tight end position and select Mike Gesicki TE Penn St. Gesicki isn't going to block people on the interior but he can offer a deep threat. His frame and jumping ability makes him a talented threat in the passing game.

28. The Steelers have wants but not really any needs. They lock up their safety position by signing Morgan Burnett from the Packers. The contract with Bell might force the Steelers to take the upper hand in the situation and select a running back. The Steelers would like to upgrade the ILB position but no first rounders are available at this point. The Steelers select Darius Guice RB, LSU. Guice is offering great value here and it gives the Steelers some bargaining room with Bell. Guice can be a three down back in the NFL and if things work with Bell, he and Bell can make a great 1-2 punch.

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: Mike McGlichey OT ND. McGlichey offers the most all around talent at the tackle position. He may never be a left tackle, but he could be the standard as a right tackle. He is more physical than the other higher ranked tackles in this draft.

30. Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings need to improve the depth on their offensive line and in their secondary. The Vikings are looking for value with this pick and although their are several offensive linemen to choose from the look to improve their secondary. The Vikings select Jaire Alexander CB, Louisville. Alexander has the best combination of size and athleticism at the position, but needs to address some of his skill sets and polishing his back pedal. The Vikings get great value here.

31. PATS: The Patriots need work on their defense, and offensive line. They addressed their defense in the first pick of round one and now with the second pick in this round they look to rebuild their depth on the offensive line. Pats select: Will Hernandez OG, UTEP. Hernandez has the size and technique that could make him a lock for the Pro Bowl each and every year. The Patriots get a day one starter with the 31st pick in the draft. The Pats really wanted to find a QB with these two picks in the first round, and they could trade both of them to move up and to try and get a Baker Mayfield or a Lamar Jackson.

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.

[Harlan Huckleby]

tldr;

That's like 500 tweets for christ's sake.

[woodbuck27]

27. Saints: They need a TE but is there one that offers value in the first round? Sure! In a bold move the Saints look for a talented pass catcher at the tight end position and select Mike Gesicki TE Penn St. Gesicki isn't going to block people on the interior but he can offer a deep threat. His frame and jumping ability makes him a talented threat in the passing game.

I wouldn't be too shocked if 'in fact' this is the Saints Pick at NO. 27; but I believe their going to add another young CB and either Joshua Jackson or Mike Hughes or Jaire Alexander and one of the other two will land in Minnesota at Pick NO. 30.