NFL Draft: 2018 Round 1 mock after flurry of NFL trade deadline deals

2018 NFL Draft: Round 1 mock after flurry of NFL trade deadline deals

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /

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USC. Sam Darnold. 2. player. 30. . Quarterback

Yes! A trade alert.

The 49ers are slated to own the No. 2 pick in the draft, but landing quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has negated the need to draft a quarterback high here. Instead, general manager John Lynch moves down with the New York Jets.

Here’s the transaction:

Before we get into the pick itself, here’s how the Jets make out by moving up. Such a pick isn’t unlike what the Philadelphia Eagles gave up to acquire quarterback Carson Wentz back in 2016. The package is relatively similar, and the Niners need all the draft capital they can get. Both in 2018 and beyond.

With the No. 2 pick, the Jets select USC quarterback Sam Darnold.

I know what you’re thinking, rumors have Darnold staying one more year at college. But until that’s confirmed, let’s assume he enters the draft. Quarterbacks always see their stock levels rise between the end of the season and draft day, right?

Current Jets quarterback Josh McCown is on a one-year deal. Even if the Jets re-sign the 38-year-old veteran, they need someone to build around and soon. Considering how feisty the Jets have been this season, gambling on the future here is a solid idea.