In this Dec. 29, 2017, file photo, Southern California quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass with teammates providing blocking against Ohio State during the first half of the Cotton Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. AP NEWSWIRE
With potentially 6-8 quarterbacks going in the first round and plenty of QB-needy teams, I was forced to break my own rule of not projecting trades. I believe that this will be the year of the quarterback, and the messiest and most unpredictable first round we have seen this decade … and that is not me being hyperbolic.
As always, these things are a crapshoot. As excited as I always am to start a mock draft, years like this make me just as excited to finish one. Enjoy what should be an entertaining event, as this is perhaps the most talented draft class ever.
1. Cleveland: Sam Darnold (QB, USC) — Although their interest in Josh Allen is legit, GM John Dorsey makes the safest pick at QB with Darnold.
2. New York Giants: Saquon Barkley (RB, Penn State) — If the Browns go in another direction at 1, the Giants will pick Darnold. If not, they’ll take the best offensive prospect in Barkley.
3. New York Jets: Baker Mayfield (QB, Oklahoma) — It’ll be between Mayfield and Josh Rosen, but the Jets go with the flashier Mayfield.
4. Cleveland: Bradley Chubb (DE, NC State) — The Browns will scoop up the best defensive player in the draft in Chubb, who will give them the best young pass rushing duo in the league with last year’s first overall pick Myles Garrett.
5. Buffalo (PROJECTED TRADE WITH DENVER): Josh Allen (QB, Wyoming) — Allen is not a polished product, passing for 56 percent in the last two seasons, but has the physical makeup to survive the cold Buffalo weather and has a high enough ceiling to entice the Bills to make the jump.
6. Indianapolis: Quenton Nelson (OG, Notre Dame) — The Colts will field tempting trade offers but will go with the best lineman in the draft in Nelson. The Colts gave up a league-leading 56 sacks last season so Nelson will be an immediate upgrade.
7. Tampa Bay: Derwin James (S, Florida State) — Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick is a better overall player, but the Bucs grabbed their free safety last year in Justin Evans, who had a solid rookie campaign. James will be their hard-hitting strong safety and will help provide the Bucs with a promising backfield pair.
8. Chicago: Tremaine Edmunds (LB, Virginia Tech) — Fitzpatrick is certainly a possibility, but Edmunds is the best linebacker in the draft and can contribute to the pass rush and run defense which was a weakness for Chicago last year.
9. Arizona (PROJECTED TRADE WITH SAN FRANCISCO): Josh Rosen (QB, UCLA) — The Cards move up to grab their quarterback of the future in Rosen. The former UCLA signal caller is the best technical QB in the draft but is slender with injury history. Playing in a dome for eight games a year makes Rosen a solid fit.
10. Oakland: Denzel Ward (CB, Ohio State) — Oakland is desperate for cornerback help and will get the best cover corner in the draft.
11. Miami: Minkah Fitzpatrick (S, Alabama) — Safety is not necessarily a big need for the Dolphins, but the fact that Fitzpatrick is still on the board is too good an opportunity to pass up.
12. Denver (FROM BUFFALO): Roquan Smith (LB, Georgia) — Similar to Miami at 11, the Broncos will take the best player available although its not too much of a need. Smith is a versatile linebacker that should immediately compete for a starting role.
13. Washington: Vita Vea (DT, Washington) — The Redskins had the worst rush defense in the league last season, so they select the best run stuffer available.
14. Green Bay: Mike Hughes (CB, UCF) — A pass rusher is possible here, but the Packers bolster their secondary with Hughes. He’s not an elite prospect, but a tough cover corner that can be a day 1 starter.
15. San Francisco (FROM ARIZONA): Marcus Davenport (DE, UTSA) — San Fran’s biggest need is a pass rusher, and they lock up one of the top ends in the draft despite trading down to 15. Davenport has all the tools to be a Pro Bowler, but will need a little more seasoning to get there.
16. Baltimore: Lamar Jackson (QB, Louisville) — In a surprise move, the Ravens get their QB of the future in the ultra-athletic Jackson. Joe Flacco’s contract is nearing its end, and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg has had success grooming athletic QBs in the past.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Da’Ron Payne (DT, Alabama) — The Chargers had one of the worst rush defenses in the league last season. With Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram on the end, Payne will be an immediate starter in the middle and can stuff the run.
18. Seattle: Josh Jackson (CB, Iowa) — The departure of Richard Sherman leaves a big hole at the cornerback position. Jackson is the top prospect available.
19. Dallas: Calvin Ridley (WR, Alabama) — DJ Moore and Courtland Sutton have been linked to Dallas, but Ridley is ready to start and can replace Dez Bryant.
20. Detroit: Taven Bryan (DT, Florida) — Even with Ezekiel Ansah returning, the Lions’ defensive front lacks depth. Bryan is a nice choice and will be an impact rookie.
21. Cincinnati: Mike McGlinchey (OT, Notre Dame) — The Bengals traded for left tackle Cordy Glenn from Buffalo. Although they need help on the interior, they will take the best tackle in the draft in McGlinchey who can fill in on the right and provide Cincy with a bookend for Glenn.
22. Denver (FROM BUFFALO): Mason Rudolph (QB, Oklahoma State) — In the biggest surprise of the first round, John Elway takes the big-bodied Rudolph who can develop behind Case Keenum for the next two seasons.
23. New England: Rashaan Evans (LB, Alabama) — This pick makes too much sense. Evans has been groomed by Bill Belichick’s close friend Nick Saban and will fill a big-time need at linebacker for the Patriots.
24. Carolina: Jaire Alexander (CB, Louisville) — The Panthers take perhaps the most athletic cornerback in the draft in Alexander, who is from Charlotte. An offensive guard is a possibility here too.
25. Tennessee: Harold Landry (DE, Boston College) — The Titans need help on the offensive line, but Landry will be too explosive a player to pass on, especially when both Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan are entering their final years of their contracts.
26. Atlanta: Maurice Hurst (DT, Michigan) — The Falcons lost Dontari Poe and Adrian Clayborn on the defensive line. Hurst has a high ceiling and can start right off the bat.
27. New Orleans: Hayden Hurst (TE, South Carolina) — After failing to bring back Jimmy Graham, the Saints add the top tight end in the draft.
28. Pittsburgh: Leighton Vander Esch (LB, Boise State) — Ryan Shazier’s injury leaves a big hole in the defense. Vander Esch has many of the same qualities in terms of speed and toughness.
29. Jacksonville: DJ Moore (WR, Maryland) — Moore will give Blake Bortles another viable option in the passing game after losing Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns.
30. Minnesota: Will Hernandez (OG, UTEP) — Hernandez flew under the radar until recently but is now regarded as perhaps the best guard in the draft and is a great locker room leader. The Vikings could use the depth on the interior.
31. New England: Kolton Miller (OT, UCLA) — Nate Solder’s departure leaves the Patriots in desperate need for help at left tackle. Miller has been compared to Solder in terms of build and style.
32. Philadelphia: Isaiah Oliver (CB, Colorado) — The Super Bowl champs are the deepest team in the league so trading out is possible. If they stay, they could likely go with Oliver who is a long and rangy corner who can replace what recently-released Daryl Worley was supposed to provide.
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