2018 NFL Mock Draft: Ninth 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 thought out by some to be 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)- Roquan Smith, Linebacker, Georgia: This would be a
somewhat of a reach pick, but the Colts need play makers on defense. Smith brings speed and athleticism to the field and that's good for a defense that's desperate for talent.

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- Quenton Nelson, Guard, Notre Dame: The Bears get a steal here with Nelson, who is 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.

9. San Francisco 49ers- Tremaine Edmunds, Linebacker, Virginia Tech: 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. Edmunds will only be twenty years old once the season gets going and his athleticism and play making will give the Niners defense another look.

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- 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.

12. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati Bengals)- Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Louisville: With the Cards lurking a few spots back, the Bills snag Jackson to be their quarterback of the future. He's a a good decision maker and passer and does he start opening day or is he red shirted learning behind AJ McCarron?

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: 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- Josh Jackson, Cornerback, Iowa: Jackson could be picked in the top 15-20 or he can fall completely out of the first round. With a quarterback off the board, the Cards take Jackson here to pair in the secondary with Patrick Peterson. He has size and speed and led the FBS in interceptions last year.

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- Da'Ron Payne, Defensive Tackle, Alabama: The Chargers pose what is arguably the best edge rushing duo in the league with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Adding someone like Payne would only make that defensive line better.

18. Seattle Seahawks- Harold Landry, Defensive End/Outside 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.

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- Marcus Davenport, Defensive End, UTSA: The Lions need pass rushing help to go along with Ziggy Ansah. He is athletic, moves very well, and has physicality, which Matt Patricia would like.

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)- 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.

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- 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 and would be a nice fit in Mike Vabrel's defense.

26. Atlanta Falcons- Taven Bryan, Defensive End, Florida: The Falcons don't have any major needs, but bolstering the defensive line is necessary since Dontari Poe departed 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- DJ Moore, Wide Receiver, Maryland: Moore is a fast riser on many peoples draft boards and the Jags snag him to help replace Allen Robinson. There are people that think Moore could end up being the best receiver in this draft class.

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- Isaiah Wynn, Guard, Georgia: The Pats bolster their offensive line by selecting Wynn, who could be a possible steal. He can play tackle if needed but will succeed as a guard instantly and plays with outstanding leverage and has the athleticism to mirror pass-rushers.

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.