2018 NFL Mock Draft: Eighth Edition

Here is my eighth edition of my 2018 NFL Draft.

1. Cleveland Browns- Josh Allen, Quarterback, Wyoming: After pegging Sam Darnold in the top spot in all of the mock drafts I did, I finally decided to go with Allen here as many are speculating that the Browns may take Allen over Darnold. Allen has the most upside among the quarterbacks due to his athleticism, arm strength, and size and draws comparisons to Carson Wentz.

2. New York Giants- Sam Darnold, Quarterback, USC: I was told recently that if Darnold is at the board at 2, the Giants will take him to be their future quarterback. If not, the pick will be traded. Darnold has the highest floor of all the quarterbacks in this draft and he has the athleticism, the leadership, good throwing arm, and clutch play as he's shown at the collegiate level.

3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts)- Baker Mayfield, Quarterback, Oklahoma: There is a lot of speculation that the Jets will take Mayfield here unless Darnold is still on the board. Mayfield has a ton of potential with his gunslinger mentality although due to his height and off the court antics, is compared to Johnny Manziel.

4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans)- Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, North Carolina State: There is a lot of speculation now that the Browns will take Chubb here to pair with Myles Garrett. Chubb a three-down back that would help them pressure opposing quarterbacks and having him and Garrett together would be a nice start.

5. Denver Broncos- Josh Rosen, Quarterback, UCLA: Rosen's stock is dropping due to his concussion issues and his former coach Jim Mora throwing him under the bus. Rosen is perhaps the safest bet in this draft (in terms of quarterbacks) due to his accuracy and refined throwing mechanics.

6. Indianapolis Colts (from New York Jets)- Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame: The most important thing for the Colts going forward is keeping Andrew Luck healthy. A good start is a better offensive line and why not pick the best offensive lineman in this draft? Nelson seems like a sure thing and worthy of a top-ten pick and could go as high as fourth overall.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Saquon Barkley, Running Back, Penn State: What a steal this would be for a team that needs a running back upgrade. Barkley is the drafts best player perhaps as he could do pretty much everything that a running back can do. He could be Jameis Winston's security blanket for years to come.

8. Chicago Bears- Tremaine Edmunds, Linebacker, Virginia Tech: Edmunds's stock has risen recently and this would be a solid pick for the Bears, who need playmakers on defense. Edmunds will only be twenty years old once the season gets going and he will give the Bears defense another look.

9. San Francisco 49ers- Roquan Smith, Linebacker, Georgia: With Reuben Foster's future with the team suddenly in doubt after his arrest, the Niners almost have to take a linebacker here if either Smith or Edmunds is available. Smith brings speed and athleticism to the field and that's good for a young defense.

10. Oakland Raiders- Minkah Fitzpatrick, Safety, Alabama: This would be a steal here for the Raiders, who have a bigger need for a linebacker, 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.

11. Miami Dolphins- 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.

12. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati Bengals)- Mike McGlinchey, Offensive Tackle, Notre Dame: After the trading of Cody Glenn, the Bills have a need on the offensive line. McGlinchey isn't that strong, but he's athletic and brings stability.

13. Washington Redskins- Vita Vea, Denfensive Tackle, Washington: Vea, a massive presence in the middle of a defensive line, will go a long way toward fixing that deficiency, while also providing enough quickness to penetrate into the backfield on some third downs. He also has quick feet and good movement skill for a big defensive lineman.

14. Green Bay Packers- Denzel Ward, Cornerback, Ohio State: Ward dropping this far would be a massive steal for the Packers and it would be a no brainer for them to pick him here. 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- Leighton Vander Esch, Linebacker, Boise State: Vander Esch is rising up many peoples mocks drafts of late. He's a stellar athlete that could patrol sideline to sideline as the Chargers’ three-man line in front of him eats up blockers.

18. Seattle Seahawks- Marcus Davenport, Defensive End, UTSA: The Seahawks lost so many of their key pieces of their defensive line lately which makes Davenport a nice selection here. He is athletic, moves very well, and has physicality, which Pete Carroll would like.

19. Dallas Cowboys- Courtland Sutton, Wide Receiver, SMU: With the Cowboys releasing Dez Bryant, they replace him with Sutton, who could be a possible steal. 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- Maurice Hurst, Defensive Tackle, Michigan: Hurst had a heart condition at the combine and that shouldn't drop him out of the first round. 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.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (from Buffalo Bills)- James Daniels, Center, Iowa: Daniels is trending up many peoples mock boards and a ton of people have Daniels linked to Cincinnati. He's a good athlete and good technician for a center.

22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs)- 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.

23. New England Patriots (from Los Angeles Rams)- Kolton Miller, Offensive Tackle, UCLA: Miller put together a great final season at the collegiate level and he would fit right away replacing Nate Solder on the Pats O-line. Miller is big and strong and would help protect Tom Brady during his twilight years.

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- Harold Landry, Linebacker, Boston College: Landry is all over the map in terms of where people have him mocked in these mock drafts. Landry didn't have a great final season in college, but has the tools to be a solid pro.

26. Atlanta Falcons- Taven Bryan, Defensive End, Florida: The Falcons don't have any major needs, but bolstering the defensive line could be necessary if Dontari Poe leaves in free agency. Bryan has drawn comparisons to JJ Watt and will bring depth to the Falcons defensive line.

27. New Orleans Saints- Dallas Goedert, Tight End, South Dakota State: Goedert's draft stock is trending up although there are some concerns due to injury. Goedert would be a nice weapon for Drew Brees.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers- Rashaan Evans, Linebacker, Alabama: 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.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars- Isaiah Wynn, Guard, Georgia: Wynn would bring another nice upgrade to a Jags offensive line to take pressure off Blake Bortles and Leonard Fournette. can play tackle if needed but will succeed as a guard instantly. He plays with outstanding leverage and has the athleticism to mirror pass-rushers.

30. Minnesota Vikings- Connor Williams, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Texas: The Vikes have options here, so they take Williams to improve their offensive line. Williams provides versatility and would start at one of the tackle spots on this Vikings team.

31. New England Patriots- Josh Jackson, Cornerback, Iowa: Jackson's stock is dropping and the Pats could land a steal here with a guy that led the FBS in interceptions last year. Jackson has size and speed and would be a nice fit in the Pats secondary with Malcolm Butler gone.

32. Philadelphia Eagles- Jaire Alexander, Cornerback, Louisville: Alexander is a fast riser on many peoples mock boards and the Eagles can use another corner after losing Patrick Robinson in free agency. He is great in man-to-man coverage and could be drafted higher than this.