2018 NFL Mock Draft: Fourth Edition

Here is my fourth edition of my 2018 NFL Draft.

1. Cleveland Browns- Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC: Although they did trade for Tyrod Taylor, he's not the long term answer for a team that needs a long term/possible franchise quarterback for the future. Darnold could be that due to his leadership, good throwing arm, clutch play as he's shown at the collegiate level, and his athleticism.

2. New York Giants- Josh Rosen, Quarterback, UCLA: Some mock drafts (including my previous one) had Big Blue taking Saquon Barkley here, but after the blockbuster Jets-Colts trade, something tells me Dave Gettleman plans on taking Eli Manning's successor. Rosen is perhaps the safest bet in this draft (in terms of quarterbacks) due to his accuracy and refined throwing mechanics, but he does have concussion problems though.

3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts)- Josh Allen, Quarterback, Wyoming: After missing out on Kirk Cousins, the Jets pivot and make a blockbuster trade to move up to 3. With Darnold and Rosen off the board, Allen is the choice. Allen has the most upside among the quarterbacks due to his athleticism, arm strength, and size and draws comparisons to Carson Wentz.

4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans)-Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State: The Browns did sign Carlos Hyde in free agency, but there is still talk of the Browns taking Barkley first and a quarterback fourth. Barkley is the drafts best player and he can do pretty much everything.

5. Denver Broncos- Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Oklahoma: Although they did sign Case Keenum, he's not the long-term answer at quarterback. The Broncos love Mayfield and he has a ton of potential with his gunslinger mentality although due to his height and off the court antics, is compared to Johnny Manziel.

6. Indianapolis Colts (via New York Jets)- Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State: This was a home run trade for the Colts and it would become a grand slam if they land either Chubb or Barkley here. Chubb will be a great fit in the Colts 4-3 defense and he's a three-down back that would help them stop the likes of DeShaun Watson and Marcus Mariota within their division.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Minkah Fitzpatrick, Safety, Alabama: This would be a steal here for the Bucs, who have a bigger need for a pass-rusher, so instead take Fitzpatrick to bolster their secondary. Fitzpatrick's versatility makes him special and he's perhaps the best defensive player in this draft.

8. Chicago Bears- Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame: The Bears have a need at edge rusher and with Chubb off the board, they address their need at left guard and Nelson fits the bill. Nelson seems like a sure thing and worthy of a top-ten pick and will help the Bears on the interior of the offensive line and will serve good for Mitch Trubisky.

9. San Francisco 49ers- Roquan Smith, Linebacker, Georgia: The Niners could use another linebacker to go with Reuben Foster and Smith would be a great addition. Smith brings speed and athleticism and that would be another dimension to a this defense.

10. Oakland Raiders- Tremaine Edmunds, Linebacker, Virginia Tech: The Raiders biggest need is at linebacker and Edmunds would be a solid pick. Edmunds is nineteen years old and his athleticism would give the Silver And Black's defense a different look.

11. Miami Dolphins- Vita Vea, Denfensive Tackle, Washington: Taking Vea here is a stretch, but the Dolphins have a major need at the position now with the releasing of Ndamukong Suh. Vea provides a massive presence in the middle and enough quickness to penetrate into the backfield on some third downs.

12. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati Bengals)- Mason Rudolph, Quarterback, Oklahoma State: The Bills are a strong candidate to trade up for a quarterback, but I don't do trades in my mock drafts so here I have them selecting Rudolph. He's an experienced pocket passer with nice downfield touch.

13. Washington Redskins- Derwin James, Strong Safety, Florida State: Perhaps the best defensive playmaker in the draft, James is the new NFL prototype as a safety capable of producing against the run or in both man and zone coverage. Florida State also used him as a pure edge rusher, where he regularly pressured the quarterback.

14. Green Bay Packers- Denzel Ward, Cornerback, Ohio State: This would be a steal for the Packers, who have a need in the secondary. Ward isn't the biggest cornerback in the draft but he can cover skills that are hard to come by in the league.

15. Arizona Cardinals- Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Louisville: The Cards are another trade up candidate, but here I have them selecting Jackson, who's a good decision maker and passer. The Cards know that Mike Glennon and Sam Bradford are not the long-term answers and Jackson would in theory be in a red-shirt situation here and a long-term foundation of Jackson and David Johnson is tough to pass up on.

16. Baltimore Ravens- Calvin Ridley, Wide Receiver, Alabama: The Ravens have lacked a big-threat receiver for years now and they get one here with Ridley, although they did sign John Brown and Michael Crabtree. Ridley brings a downfield, speedy option on the outside that would bring a different look to the Ravens offense.

17. Los Angeles Chargers- Mike McGlinchey, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame: This would be a great pick for the Chargers, who have can use a boost to their offensive line. McGlinchey isn't that strong, but he's athletic and brings stability.

18. Seattle Seahawks- Josh Jackson, Cornerback, Iowa: The Legion of Boom is dead. The Seahawks need youth and athleticism in their secondary and Jackson can provide that. Jackson is excellent in man-to-man coverage and comes off a season in which he led the nation in interceptions.

19. Dallas Cowboys- Courtland Sutton, Wide Receiver, SMU: After a reported failed pursuit of Sammy Watkins, they Cowboys decide to take Sutton here. Sutton put together back-to-back seasons of 1,000 yards and 10 TDs, and he scored 32 times in all in his three seasons with the Mustangs.

20. Detroit Lions- Taven Bryan, Defensive Tackle, Florida: The Lions have a need in their pass rush so they take Bryan to pair with Ziggy Ansah. Bryan has drawn comparisons to JJ Watt and can create havoc all around the defensive line.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (from Buffalo Bills)- Rashaan Evans, Linebacker, Alabama: The Bengals can use a linebacker now with Vontaze Burfict's suspension to start the season amid trade rumors. Evans brings an athletic presence who can fill multiple roles. He was more of an edge defender early in his career, and he pressured the quarterback on 67 of his 284 career rushes. However, he also showed well in a more traditional role over the last two years.

22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs)- Connor Williams, Offensive Tackle, Texas: After the trading of Cody Glenn, the Bills have a need on the offensive line. Williams is coming off a knee injury, but he has a ton of upside and provides versatility.

23. Los Angeles Rams- Harold Landry, Linebacker, Boston College: After trading away Robert Quinn, the Rams can use this pick to replace Quinn and improve their pass rush. Landry had a good, but not great of a final season of college as he was a projected top-10 pick not that long ago.

24. Carolina Panthers- Will Hernandez, Guard, UTEP: No brainer pick here as the Panthers find their replacement for Andrew Norwell. Hernandez is big and powerful and he provides mobility.

25. Tennessee Titans- Leighton Vander Esch, Linebacker, Boise State: Vander Esch is rising up many peoples mocks drafts of late. The Titans have a need at linebacker with Avery Williamson departing in free agency and Vander Esch would be a nice replacement, who brings great athleticism, speed, and has incredible size and length.

26. Atlanta Falcons- Maurice Hurst, Defensive Tackle, Michigan: Hurst had a heart condition at the combine and that shouldn't drop him out of the first round as the Falcons find a replacement for Dontari Poe. Hurst doesn't have the size that teams are generally looking for in an interior defensive lineman, but his quickness more than makes up for that deficiency and makes him in particular a great threat rushing the passer on third downs.

27. New Orleans Saints- Da'Ron Payne, Defensive Tackle, Alabama: Nabbing Payne here would be a steal for a Saints team who's defense took a big step forward last season. Payne isn't a great pass rusher but he's a great athlete who can be disruptive in the backfield.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Isaiah Oliver, Cornerback, Colorado: Oliver has some good size and has the potential to be a solid pro. The Steelers don't necessarily have a need in the secondary, but Oliver would be a nice fit along with Artie Burns.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Christian Kirk, Wide Receiver, Texas A&M: Even after bringing back Marquise Lee and signing Donte Moncrief, the Jags have a need at receiver after losing Allen Robinson. Kirk provides stability for long plays although he is short, he would be a nice weapon for Blake Bortles.

30. Minnesota Vikings- Kolton Miller, Offensive Tackle, UCLA: Miller put together a great final season at the collegiate level and could end up becoming a starting tackle on this Vikings team protecting Kirk Cousins. Miller is raw, but has the length and athleticism to succeed in the league.

31. New England Patriots- Orlando Brown, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma: The Pats have a huge need at tackle now with Nate Solder's departure in free agency. Brown could be a steal here and it would be a very Belichick of him to take Brown here to protect Brady in his last few seasons in the league.

32. Philadelphia Eagles- James Washington, Wide Reciever, Oklahoma State: The Eagles have options here and lets put Washington here. Washington is a big threat down field that would give Carson Wentz another option along with Alshon Jeffery.