2018 NFL Mock Draft – Mid-Season Edition

1. Cleveland Browns – QB Sam Darnold (USC)

The Browns have drafted four quarterbacks since 1999, only one of them was in the top-20. Throughout the 2017 season, the Browns have rotated three different starters, all of which have not been a viable solution. Rookie DeShone Kizer has only thrown four touchdowns and twelve interceptions. The Browns need to make a franchise quarterback their first priority.

2. San Francisco 49ers – S/CB Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama)

With the 49ers now having a potential franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, the defense will be their next biggest issue to address. The 49ers are ranked 24^th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (246). Fitzpatrick is one of the most versatile and most efficient coverage players in the past few drafts.

3. New York Giants – QB Josh Rosen (UCLA)

The Giants certainly have more pressing areas to address in this draft after a massive collapse from last season to this season so far. A lack of efficient blocking at the offensive tackle and a defensive playmaker at linebackers are both huge needs. The organization feels that it is time to move on from Eli Manning and find a new leader on offense at the quarterback position.

4. Indianapolis Colts – OT Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame)

The offensive line for the Colts is by far the worst o-line unit in the NFL excluding center Ryan Kelly (when he is healthy). Indianapolis has allowed the most sacks in the NFL so far this season with 39 allowed sacks.

5. Denver Broncos – S Derwin James (Florida State)

Guard would be the best position for Denver to draft right now, however it would not be optimal for them to take a guard at the No.5 pick. Their quarterback situation is a mess due to the lack of commitment from the front office for the players on the roster. Derwin James is a great steal and one of the best players in the Draft. James’ talent provides a huge boost for the Broncos defense.

6. Chicago Bears – WR Calvin Ridley (Alabama)

Kevin White is having a hard time staying healthy as the Bears #1 Receiver. It will be very likely that the Bears will continue to support White but they cannot gamble with the fact that they were 31^st in the league in passing yards per game (169.8 yards). Rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is continuing to show promise, adding a talented receiver like Ridley will be a huge benefit.

7. Los Angeles Chargers – OT Orlando Brown (Oklahoma)

The Chargers have not been the same since let a number of their talented offensive linemen walk in free agency. While quarterback Phillip Rivers still has a little left in the tank, they will need to protect him better. Los Angeles will also need more progressive blockers for Melvin Gordon and the run game.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – RB Saquon Barkley (Penn State)

The Bucs could use more life in their offense. Despite having quarterback Jameis Winston, receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson and tight end O.J. Howard, their offense has been sluggish this season. Tampa Bay is currently ranked 28^th in the league in rushing yards per game (82.8 yards). Barkley will make a dream team scenario with the Bucs offense.

9. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Bradley Chubb (NC State)

So far this season, Bengals starting defensive end Michael Johnson has accounted for three sacks and two tackles for loss and Carlos Dunlap has accounted for two sacks and four tackles for loss. Bradley Chubb is fourth in the FBS in total sacks so far this season with ten. Chubb will be a consistent playmaker for the Bengals defense for years.

10. Cleveland Browns (from Houston) – DE/OLB Arden Key (LSU)

Having Arden Key opposite of 2017 first overall pick Myles Garrett will make the Browns defense more efficient. Arden is more prone to be a run-stopper and Garrett is a great pass rusher, which will be a good balance in the defensive line unit.

11. New York Jets – QB Josh Allen (Wyoming)

If you are the Jets, you do not hesitate anymore on acquiring a potential franchise quarterback. Despite Allen’s struggles this season, he has shown to be a great deep ball passer and a poised leader, something that the Jets desperately need.

12. Arizona Cardinals – QB Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State)

Once again, injuries have plagued the Arizona Cardinals with multiple key injuries including running back David Johnson and offensive tackle D.J. Humphries. Injuries have also come upon quarterback Carson Palmer and his backup Drew Stanton. Palmer will be 38 years old in December and will need a younger quarterback as their leader.

13. Washington Redskins – WR James Washington (Oklahoma State)

Terrelle Pryor was brought to the Redskins to be their #1 Receiver but has greatly underachieved so far this season. The leading Receiver for the Redskins is their starting Running Back in Chris Thompson with 494 receiving yards. If QB Kirk Cousins is back with the Redskins next year, he will a dominant and (most of all) a more reliable target.

14. Oakland Raiders – ILB Kendall Joseph (Clemson)

The Raiders were supposed to be one of the best teams in the NFL this season but are underperforming on defense. The defense will need a more consistent player in the middle of the Linebacker corps to make consistent plays.

15. Baltimore Ravens – RB Derrius Guice (LSU)

Baltimore can pick from multiple areas of offenses as to why their offense is not scoring with Joe Flacco as their Quarterback. Wide Receiver is a huge area of concern for Baltimore but they just missed out on Ridley and Washington. Although Alex Collins is a good back, the Ravens cannot miss out on acquiring a star player like Guice.

16. Miami Dolphins – DE/OLB Harold Landry (Boston College)

The quarterback situation has been a mess with Jay Cutler and Matt Moore as the starters for the injured Ryan Tannehill. Outside of DT Ndamukong Suh (3.5 sacks), DE Cameron Wake (6 sacks) and DE Andre Branch (3 sacks), no one else on the team has more than 1 sack. Last year, Landry led the FBS in total sacks with 16.5 sacks in 2016.

17. Dallas Cowboys – DT Christian Wilkins (Clemson)

Defensive Tackle has been one of the biggest yet most forgotten issues for the Cowboys defense for years. They cannot afford to miss out on a talented Wilkins especially when they allow an average of 4.3 yards per rush (25^th most in the league).

18. Green Bay Packers – OT Martinas Rankin (Mississippi State)

The Packers have avoided addressing the need for a consistent Offensive Tackle the past couple of drafts. What can go wrong went wrong for Green Bay when QB Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone. The Packers are currently tied for 5^th in the league in most allowed sacks (30).

19. Detroit Lions – DE Sam Hubbard (Ohio State)

A reliable and consistent pass rusher is deeply needed at the Detroit Lions. Someone who can not only set the edge but also be on the field to put forth more pressure in a division with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, rising Bears rookie QB Mitchell Trubiksy and Vikings QB Terry Bridgewater.

20. Atlanta Falcons – S Ronnie Harrison (Alabama)

While the Falcons have gotten better in their pass coverage, the Safety position is a key issue to address the team. The Falcons are 31^st (second to last) in accounting for interceptions with 2 total interceptions accounted for in the season. Acquiring a Safety like Harrison who reacts quickly to the ball during a pass will be a big boost for the Falcons defense.

21. Buffalo Bills – DT Da’Ron Payne (Alabama)

Losing an all-around Defensive Tackle (1-technique) like Darius will create a negative impact in the Bills’ first line of defense. Luckily they can quickly fix this issue with another former Alabama Defensive Line to crowd up the running holes of the opponents.

22. Carolina Panthers – OT Chukwuma Okorafor (Western Michigan)

The Offensive Line, especially at the Tackle position, continues to be one of the most troubled positions for the Panthers for years. So far this season, the Panthers are 26^th in the league in passing yards per game (204), 15^th in rushing yards per game (109.1), and 22^nd in points per game (18.7). 3-year starter in Okorafor is one of the most talented and consistent Tackles.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Lamar Jackson (Louisville)

The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the most surprising teams in the AFC conference and the NFL overall. What is not surprising is the continuing lack of progress from QB Blake Bortles. The Jaguars are currently 22^nd in the league in passing yards per game (207.8 yards). NFL teams are usually hesitant on dual-threat Quarterbacks like Lamar but he is a very special and efficient passer.

24. Seattle Seahawks – CB Ken Webster (Ole Miss)

The Seahawks have suffered a big loss with CB Richard Sherman out for the season. Regardless of how well Sherman comes back with his injury, Seattle will need more help in coverage from the opposite side of the field. Webster will have a chance to learn from the best Secondary unit in the NFL.

25. Tennessee Titans – DE Clelin Ferrell (Clemson)

The Titans are probably one of the best teams in the NFL that has the fewest amount of sacks. They are tied for 3^rd in the fewest amount of sacks accounted for throughout the season with 14. Ferrell is a consistent pass rusher and will be the most reliable with Tennessee.

26. Los Angeles Rams – G Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame)

Los Angeles has gone from one of the worst offensive teams last season to one of the best this year. The Rams are currently 6^th in passing yards per game (260.1), 5^th in rushing yards per game (128.8), and 1^st in points per game (32.9). The Interior Offensive Line needs more great blockers and the Rams could be in perfect possible for one in Nelson.

27. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City) – LB Roquan Davis (Georgia)

Defensive adjustments will continue to be added especially in defending the run as last week against the Saints, the Bills defense gave up 6 rushing touchdowns. Leadership and talent are needed at the Middle Linebacker position.

28. New Orleans Saints – TE Hayden Hurst (South Carolina)

The Saints are another team who is one of the biggest surprise teams in the league as they are currently on a 7-game winning streak. If there is any weakness in the Saints offense, it would be the lack of depth and overall talent at Tight End. They just missed out on Davis, which would desperately fill their ILB need.

29. New England Patriots – CB Carlton Davis (Auburn)

Despite being currently ranked 14^th in the league in points allowed per game (21.7), the Patriots are 32^nd (last) in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game (287). The two areas that will cover the concern will be a reliable coverage Cornerback and a solid Edge Rusher. A consistent and speedy Corner like Davis will be a great addition to the Patriots defense.

30. Minnesota Vikings – DT/DE Maurice Hurst (Michigan)

Vikings are lacking depth and talent all across the Defensive Line. Hurst will more likely address the run defensive issues than pass rush but will help his fellow D-Line in games. Even though Minnesota is 3^rd in rushing yards allowed per game (81.3), the Vikings need more strength at D-Line.

31. Pittsburgh Steelers – G/C Billy Price (Ohio State)

There is a huge need for depth at the Guard position in Pittsburgh. Even with the late season start for RB Le’Veon Bell due to his suspension, the Steelers are currently ranked 18^th in the league in rushing yards per game (106.6 yards).

32. Philadelphia Eagles – CB Levi Wallace (Alabama)

The Philadelphia Eagles are the top-ranked rushing defense in the NFL by allowing an average of 66.4 rushing yards per game. Defending the pass, however, the Eagles are 26^th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (249 yards). The addition of a lockdown Corner like Wallace will be efficient for their already superior defense.

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