With the NFL trade deadline in the rear-view mirror, it’s never a bad time to dish out a mock NFL Draft for 2018 taking into account what teams need and how recent trades shake up April’s draft.
Who said the NFL trade deadline is boring?
2017 might be an exception, although there were more than enough moves to shake up what teams will be doing in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft.
More on that in a second, but a number of teams made blockbuster deals in advance of Tuesday’s cutoff point.
The San Francisco 49ers landed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, the Carolina Panthers shipped off wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills. Running back Jay Ajayi is no longer a member of the Miami Dolphins, rather now the Philadelphia Eagles. The Seattle Seahawks upgraded their offensive line by adding Duane Brown.
#Eagles, #49ers and #Seahawks all filled their biggest needs via trades based on my 2018 team needs lists.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 1, 2017
And the Cleveland Browns? Well, they almost had quarterback A.J. McCarron. Sorry, Cleveland. The joke is on you this time.
So how do these recent transactions shake up what all 32 teams will be doing in the upcoming 2018 NFL Draft this April? Teams like the 49ers, who were likely going to need a top pick to land a quarterback, won’t have to go that route anymore.
In this slideshow, we’ll mock out Round 1 based off specific team needs and using the order provided by NFL.com prior to Week 9 (win/loss record, strength of schedule).
Speaking of those Browns…
The Browns’ failed attempt to land Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron just before the deadline doesn’t speak well about how the franchise feels about it’s current young QB, DeShone Kizer.
Rather than giving up on Kizer after just one season, though, Cleveland would do a better service by surrounding him with playmaking weapons on offense.
With little doubt, Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is the best offensive centerpiece in this year’s NFL Draft. Game-changing tailbacks like these don’t come around too often, and adding him to the picture would take a lot of pressure off Kizer to perform.
The Browns have some talent on defense, but too often their offense has fallen flat. Barkley would change all that.
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.
Even with top collegiate quarterbacking prospects struggling a bit in 2017, that won’t stop teams from taking shots at franchise-changers early in the NFL Draft.
The New York Giants have a plethora of problems on both sides of the ball, but drafting in the top five allows them to secure an heir apparent to veteran QB Eli Manning.
Manning is 36 years old right now, and New York wouldn’t be in a position to push UCLA’s Josh Rosen into a starter’s role right away. Perhaps a year or two, but the added time developing should ensure the Giants’ quarterbacking situation doesn’t hit dire straits.
Rosen is, perhaps, the most NFL-ready quarterback out of the top prospects, though, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see him push Manning out of the job sooner than later.
The Giants have plenty of needs, especially along the offensive line, but this is a situation where the team can’t pass on its quarterback of the future.
The Indianapolis Colts still need a lot of work on defense even after making some nice additions last offseason.
Offensive line help should be a priority, but the Colts pass rush would get a nice boost by adding Boston College EDGE Harold Landry. He’s a good fit as either a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker, giving Indy some flexibility in creating a scheme up front.
With the Colts tied for 20th in sacks this season (16), ensuring they have some pressure up front is about as wise a move the team could make.
Like quarterbacks, elite edge rushers are hard to find in the NFL Draft. There are plenty of OK ones, but the top-level edge players are commodities successful teams need to have.
Like the Colts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ pass rush has been bad. In fact, much worse. Through Week 8, the Bucs have a league-low seven sacks.
Yes, you read that right.
And while there are number of good pieces in place on both offense and defense, lacking a true pass-rushing threat is a major reason why Tampa Bay is 2-5 right now.
With the Colts grabbing Harold Landry, the Buccaneers follow up a brief run on pass-rushers by taking North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb at No. 5. Chubb is one of those elite-level prospects with game-changing abilities — a perfect fit for what the Bucs need.
The 49ers moved back from No. 2 to No. 6 in this mock NFL Draft, which adds another high pick in Round 2 (San Francisco’s own second-round pick was used in the trade for Jimmy Garoppolo).
San Francisco 49ers
General manager John Lynch has plenty of needs to fill, and one could argue he goes with an elite edge rusher here, following the run on pass-rushers. Or, perhaps, he looks to upgrade at cornerback.
But one of the biggest issues has been along the offensive line, especially the interior positions. Veteran left tackle Joe Staley has been serviceable, and right tackle Trent Brown is developing nicely. The problem is in between. Right guard Brandon Fusco has been an OK fill-in player but little more. And without 2016 first-round pick, Joshua Garnett, the team has been forced to rely on players like Zane Beadles and Laken Tomlinson.
Neither have worked out well.
Gambling on Garoppolo means the 49ers have to protect their investment. Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson is the top-ranked interior lineman this draft, according to the Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling. Nelson has seen his stock rise this season and isn’t out of the picture for top-10 consideration.
As Easterling notes, he should be starting right away at the NFL level.
San Francisco can then address its other pressing needs with two picks in Round 2 (the Niners own the Saints pick in the second round).
The past two seasons have revealed the Oakland Raiders’ offensive line isn’t quite as good as we initially thought. Two serious injuries to quarterback Derek Carr (leg, back) in back-to-back years mandates a serious need to protect Oakand’s quarterback in coming years.
The Raiders’ 2017 campaign has been a disappointment, and one might think general manager Reggie McKenzie uses a top pick to address a number of concerns on the defensive side of the ball.
But bringing in a player like Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey is a move too good to pass up. He’s easily the best outside blocker in the NFL Draft and is a cornerstone O-line piece to replace veteran tackle Donald Penn in the near future.
Worry about the defense with later picks. McGlinchey is too good to pass up.
The Los Angeles Chargers could use some help in their secondary to help bolster an already solid defensive front. But with a top-10 pick and questions concerning quarterback Philip Rivers’ age — 36 years old — the time might be now to take advantage of a still-deep QB prospect class.
Wyoming’s Josh Allen hasn’t helped his NFL Draft stock much this season, although the traits and abilities shown over the past two years have certainly made him worth considering in Round 1.
Much like the Kansas City Chiefs did with rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes this year, the Chargers can afford to take Allen early and let him sit behind an established veteran. Hopefully this gives the Chargers a franchise spark plug in coming years and all those L.A. fans (not so much) something to get excited about in the team’s near future.
And remember, prospective quarterback stock values only rise leading up to draft day.
It might be wise to target one of the high-ranked wide receivers in this year’s draft, as the Chicago Bears look to get consistent weapons to help out rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
Someone like Washington State’s James Washington would fit the bill, but the Bears simply can’t pass up on the opportunity to take Alabama free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick here.
Fitzpatrick is the No. 2-ranked prospect, according to CBS Sports, and he already has a polished collegiate career playing under head coach Nick Saban. Chicago certainly needs a boost in its secondary, and a rangy playmaking defensive back like Fitzpatrick would be a valuable commodity in coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense.
I thought the Arizona Cardinals would look for a player like Patrick Mahomes in last year’s NFL Draft.
The Kansas City Chiefs beat them to it, though, which left head coach Bruce Arians and Co. hoping veteran QB Carson Palmer could survive the season fully healthy. He didn’t, breaking his arm in Week 7 and landing on injured reserve. Any hopes the Cardinals could bounce back towards the playoffs this season followed Palmer to the IR list.
Palmer, 37 years old, needs to be replaced. So does veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, although this year’s crop of wideouts isn’t as talented or deep as last year.
With many of the second-tier quarterbacking prospects still available, the Cardinals take a flier on Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph.
Rudolph has been bailed out by a QB-friendly offense at Oklahoma State, but the raw skill set is something Arians and Co. could work with, especially if they’re able to find some young receivers to surround the raw quarterback.
The Cincinnati Bengals have a solid crop of young talent on both sides of the ball, so it’s going to be interesting to see where they go with a pick just outside the top 10.
Interior offensive line help is needed, although taking one of the guards behind Notre Dame’s Quenton Nelson is too much of a reach. Help at the back end of the secondary would be nice, although I suspect Cincinnati to address some needs within the front seven.
WILL linebacker Vincent Ray is aging and probably doesn’t fit into the team’s long-term plans. A clear upgrade would be Clemson’s Kendall Joseph, who is easily to top-ranked interior linebacker in this year’s NFL Draft.
Joseph is rangy, has great coverage skills and always is seen around the ball. That’s the type of impact player the Bengals need right here.
Arguably the biggest need the Denver Broncos have this offseason is their offensive line. Quarterback is probably a need, but we’ve reached the point where QB value is too low to take a flier in the first half of Round 1.
Oklahoma offensive tackle Orlando Brown might be a bit of a reach here, as I’ve seen him tabbed anywhere from Rounds 1 to 4. But with CBS Sports listing him as the No. 8 overall prospect this deep into the season, let’s go with Denver making this selection here.
The Broncos have one tackle spot settled with Garett Bolles, but right tackle Menelik Watson has been a major disappointment.
Brown, 6-foot-8 and 360 pounds, is a massive specimen with great abilities in pass protection. He needs to work on his run blocking, but finding someone to anchor against the right-side pass rush should make whichever quarterback Denver rolls with year a bit happier under center.
The Browns’ second of two first-round draft picks should focus on the defense.
Cleveland let go of veteran cornerback Joe Haden earlier this season, which has created a notable void in the secondary. Up front, the Browns have shown some improvement, but the back end needs an established playmaker capable of shutting down opponents’ No. 1 receiving targets.
Ohio State’s Denzel Ward has the talent to be a true cover corner. The 5-foot-10, 191-pound prospect has the ability to operate either in nickel or in two-wide packages to the outside.
That kind of flexibility is something Cleveland needs right now.
Whether or not the Detroit Lions want to go this route is entirely contingent on whether or not they’re able to re-sign pass-rusher Ziggy Ansah — a pending free agent likely to cash in on a lucrative deal in 2018.
Even if Ansah re-signs, though, it would still be wise for Detroit to make this move. After all, Ansah has had some inconsistencies to his game the past two years and might not be the elite-level pass-rusher we thought he was back in 2015 when he recorded 14.5 sacks.
LSU’s Arden Key is both talented and controversial.
Minus the injuries and red flags, Key could easily be a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. When healthy, he’s an elite-level pass-rusher and a player who could make a possible Ansah departure not seem as bad.
Detroit takes the risk.
Whatever the Washington Redskins do this offseason is entirely predicated on the situation with quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Cousins, who is on his third franchise tag, won’t be heading for a reunion with Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers in 2018, not after the Niners traded for Jimmy Garoppolo. On one hand, that’s great news for Washington. On the other, inking Cousins to a lucrative free-agent deal could still be the goal of many other quarterback-needy teams with some open cap space.
Let’s assume Cousins stays, though, and the Redskins use this pick to address a serious need — safety.
Strong safety D.J. Swearinger hasn’t been good this season, and a player like Florida State’s Derwin James would provide a substantial upgrade and long-term back-end piece to Washington’s secondary.
The Baltimore Ravens could use some help along the interior of their offensive line, but the lack of offensive playmakers has made for some serious problems for quarterback Joe Flacco, who is going through a career-low year in 2017.
In a way, the Ravens haven’t overcome the retirement loss of Steve Smith and free-agent departure of Torrey Smith a few years ago. Veterans Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin have been OK options, but neither has offered the dynamic playmaking impact Baltimore needs.
Oklahoma State’s James Washington is that kind of player.
The 6-foot-0, 205-pound target has both speed and physicality to match, and drafting him would ensure Flacco has some weapons to work with as his career begins to wind down.
The Dallas Cowboys addressed some pressing needs in their secondary last offseason, replacing a ton of departing veterans, and it’s likely they’ll let some of the pickups marinate a bit before deciding whether or not they’ll need upgrades there.
On the good side of things, the front seven looks to be pretty solid, especially with EDGE DeMarcus Lawrence living up to his pass-rushing potential.
But the Cowboys could use an upgrade over nose tackle Maliek Collins, which would be provided by Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. He has a nice blend of run-stopping and pass-rushing abilities, which could make Dallas’ front seven truly elite in coming years.
The Dolphins elected to send top running back Jay Ajayi to the Eagles at the NFL trade deadline, all but guaranteeing Miami is folding the season and retooling for 2018.
Ajayi was, perhaps, the best offensive weapon head coach Adam Gase had in his arsenal. Replacing him won’t be easy, although LSU’s Derrius Guice could be that kind of talent.
Sure, Guice has some injury concerns from earlier this year, but the 5-foot-11, 212-pound tailback has the right combination of vision, elusiveness, breakaway speed and agility NFL scouts covet and want to see thrive.
The Dolphins still have plenty of other question marks, including what to do at quarterback, as injured QB Ryan Tannehill (ACL) may no longer factor into the team’s long-term plans. Offensive line is an issue, as is the mid level of the defense.
But Guice is a game changer and would make Ajayi’s departure not hurt as bad.
The Atlanta Falcons might be underachieving a bit this season, but that provides an opportunity to get a much higher pick in the NFL Draft in 2018 and add to an already young-and-talented roster.
Especially on defense.
Safety is probably a need here, although there isn’t a lot of value between this point and the second round. But head coach Dan Quinn loves pass-rushers, and Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell is about the best one available at this point.
Yes, Atlanta already has EDGE Vic Beasley and the interior pass-rushing presence of Takkarist McKinley. But tabbing a player like Ferrell would make Atlanta’s defensive strength that much better, easing the pressure on a secondary needing improvement.
The Green Bay Packers have defensive needs both within the secondary and the front seven, and it would be smart if this first pick was used to simply grab the best defensive player available.
One area of concern is linebacker, where the Packers could use an upgrade to pair with inside linebacker Blake Martinez.
Texas’ Malik Jefferson is currently slotted as an outside linebacker, who has the abilities to operate in both the pass rush and in coverage. But at 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, Jefferson probably projects to more of a traditional 3-4 inside linebacker at the NFL level.
This would ease some of the coverage issues Green Bay has experienced this season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars started to realize they can win games without their quarterback, Blake Bortles, shouldering the load. Moving forward, they want to have a signal-caller capable of operating the defense.
Bortles is going to be around next season, meaning whichever quarterback the Jags select in the NFL Draft won’t have to be rushed into the fray. But with Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph already off the board, the next plausible target would be Rudolph’s rival, Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma.
Mayfield is a polarizing prospect. At 6-foot-1 and 218 pounds, he’s short. And Oklahoma’s offense isn’t quite what you’d want for an NFL-ready scheme. But the tangibles are there for a solid pro talent. Just ask Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller.
There are some character concerns with Mayfield, and going at No. 21 might be a reach. But it’s likely the Jaguars want to find a quarterback fitting a play-action, run-heavy offense.
Mayfield can do that.
The Panthers have some serious needs along the offensive line and within the secondary, although trading off wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin has opened up a new issue.
True, Benjamin was one of the most frustrating players on Carolina’s roster. Talent-wise, he had the ability to put up 1,200 receiving yards a year and double-digit touchdowns. But his work ethic and weight issues have spoiled what could have been an amazing start to his pro career.
Alas, the Panthers have moved on, leaving fellow wideout Devin Funchess as quarterback Cam Newton’s new best target.
That’s not bad, although Carolina certainly would benefit from adding another big-bodied, rangy receiver. That’s where Southern Methodist’s Courtland Sutton comes in.
At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Sutton has that kind of talent the Panthers wanted to see when they drafted Benjamin.
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson, playing on a franchise tag, is likely headed elsewhere this offseason, meaning the upstart Los Angeles Rams are going to need another defensive back early.
Florida State’s Tarvarus McFadden is a perfect fit in the NFC West. At 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, the ballhawking corner has the range to keep up with big-bodied receivers at the pro level. With some work, he shouldn’t have any issue developing into a shutdown corner, which would allow L.A.’s potent front seven to do its work.
Getting McFadden at this point in the NFL Draft would be an absolute steal for the Rams.
Adding wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin at the trade deadline took off a major position of need for the Bills this season and beyond. With quarterback Tyrod Taylor doing all he can do, and running back LeSean McCoy playing well, both of Buffalo’s first two NFL Draft picks should be used on the defensive side of the ball.
Georgia’s Roquan Smith is a playmaking linebacker probably best suited to play on the inside. Both rangy and with a knack for getting to the ball carrier, Smith’s 6-foot-1, 225-pound frame would be a nice upgrade over the incumbent, Preston Brown.
Smith is also the prototypical linebacker head coach Sean McDermott would love to have since boasting Luke Kuechly during McDermott’s days with the Panthers.
The Tennessee Titans need to find some presence along the edge, especially a long-term replacement for veteran pass-rusher Brian Orakpo.
At 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Clemson linebacker Dorian O’Daniel isn’t a prototypical pass-rusher off the edge. But he’s versatile enough to give head coach Mike Mularkey an option to rush some of his other linebackers often used in coverage.
O’Daniel’s stock wasn’t that high entering 2017, and I’ve seen some reports tabbing him as a Round 4 prospect in the NFL Draft.
But strong play in recent weeks has pushed O’Daniel up a number of draft charts, and getting a versatile player at No. 25 would be a smart move for Tennessee’s defense.
The Seattle Seahawks trading for offensive tackle Duane Brown solves one major need along the offensive line. But Seattle’s O-line is filled with problems, and it would be idiotic to think the team is content with what it has heading into the offseason.
With Brown likely locking down the left side for the foreseeable future, adding a player like Western Michigan’s Chukwuma Okorafor would help solve the issues on the right side of the line.
Okorafor is solid enough in pass protection, although he could use a little bit of work in run support.
The good side, though, is he’s not quite as touted as Mike McGlinchey, which would make Seattle’s chance for nabbing him that much easier late in Round 1.
There are some serious questions whether or not the New Orleans Saints will try to find a replacement for 38-year-old future Hall of Famer Drew Brees soon, who will also be a free agent this offseason.
But a hunch states Brees returns for a bit longer — he is still playing at a high level — and the Saints draw their attention to their defensive rebuild.
New Orleans’ secondary has improved with the addition of cornerback Marshon Lattimore, but adding an interior presence within the front seven could help even more. Enter Ohio State linebacker Jerome Baker.
Baker has played both inside and at outside linebacker, although his 6-foot-1, 225-pound frame likely keeps him in the middle. He has excellent coverage skills, though, which would make this pick solid for the Saints, who failed to land now-49ers linebacker Reuben Foster in last year’s NFL Draft.
Top Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler hits free agency this offseason, and it’s likely head coach Bill Belichick lets him walk. Rarely do you see the crafty head coach overpay for a player he’s likely able to replace during the offseason.
Texas’ Holton Hill is the perfect replacement here. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Hill’s body type is more than capable of matching up against elite-level receivers. He has both ballhawking traits and solid speed to keep up with any receiver at the NFL level.
New England’s defense has settled a bit after a rough start to 2017. But with a key piece like Butler about to leave, this pick makes a lot of sense.
Much of what happens with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason will hinge on the situation under center.
Sam Bradford (still injured) is a pending free agent. And while head coach Mike Zimmer has expressed some hope Teddy Bridgewater (knee) could come back sooner than later, the situation at quarterback remains precarious.
Even if the Vikings are winning with Case Keenum.
Assuming Minnesota figures this out, addressing needs at tackle would be wise. Texas’ Connor Williams is someone worth looking at. A knee injury could be a concern, but there’s tremendous upside here.
The Bills already used their first of two first-round picks in the NFL Draft to grab a linebacker, and this pick needs to be used on the defensive line.
With defensive tackle Marcell Dareus now off to the Jaguars, defensive tackle is a serious position of need.
Ohio State’s Dre’Mont Jones is a nice fit here. At 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, Jones is a prototypical fit over the top for head coach Sean McDermott. Jones needs some work, but the raw skill set is simply too good to pass up, as the Bills try to find Dareus’ replacement.
Few other teams covet elite-level inside linebackers than the Pittsburgh Steelers, and this is clearly a pressing need heading into 2018.
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans has come about after being overshadowed by Reuben Foster a year ago, and it wouldn’t be a shock at all to see him land at the tail end of Round 1. The sturdy 6-foot-3, 234 pounder is displaying the same kind of tenacity Foster had at Alabama a year ago, which would fit perfectly into the system head coach Mike Tomlin wants.
Pair Evans with linebacker Ryan Shazier, and the Steelers already-improved defense would get back to being scary.
There are a number of different directions the Eagles could go on draft day, but it’s not likely running back will be one of them. Even with LeGarrette Blount turning out tough yards, picking up former Dolphins tailback Jay Ajayi makes the ground game all the more potent.
Philly seemingly solved its problems at wide receiver by picking up Alshon Jeffery last offseason, and fellow wideout Nelson Agholor is finally living up to his first-round NFL Draft status.
Cornerback could be a target, but the bigger issue might be youth and depth along the offensive line.
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All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters’ season-ending knee injury raises some serious long-term concerns. At 35 years old, his recovery from both an MCL and ACL tear is going to be tough, likely pointing towards the Eagles using their first pick to fill the void.
Mississippi State’s Martinas Rankin is the best-ranked tackle left in the draft. At 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, he might be better off starting his pro career on the right side of the line, eventually moving over to the left after improving his footwork. He does have some versatility, though, which makes him a unique tool for head coach Doug Pederson.
Next: Week 8 college football quarterback stock report
As always, stay tuned to Niner Noise for ongoing coverage and analysis leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft.