NFL 2018 Draft- Post Week 9 Mock Draft
1. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- SAQUON BARKLEY | RB | PENN STATE
2. CLEVELAND BROWNS- SAM DARNOLD | QB | USC
The Browns showed their hand during the trade deadline when they attempted to trade for AJ McCarron, essentially telling us DeShone Kizer is not their future at QB. There are some rumblings that Darnold may return to USC but until that is official, he is still my top QB and the first QB off the board.
3. NEW YORK GIANTS- JOSH ROSEN | QB | UCLA
HC Ben McAdoo did not shoot down the possibility of starting rookie QB Davis Webb this year which end signal the end of the Manning era in New York. Considering this may be their best chance at finding his replacement, they do just that with Josh Rosen here at #3.
4. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- BRADLEY CHUBB | EDGE | NC STATE
5. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- MIKE MCGLINCHEY | OT | NOTRE DAME
6. CINCINNATI BENGALS- CONNOR WILLIAMS | OT | TEXAS
7. CLEVELAND BROWNS (VIA HOU)- MINKAH FITZPATRICK | CB/S | ALABAMA
8. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS- MASON RUDOLPH | QB | OKLAHOMA STATE
Just like Manning in New York, Philip Rivers looks to be on his last legs in Los Angeles and if he intends to retire in the next few years, why not follow the Giants plans and draft his placement. Rudolph may not be the most polished QB in this draft, but he has the size and arm strength to be a good QB with proper development and some mentoring from the future Hall of Famer in Rivers.
9. DENVER BRONCOS- DERRIUS GUICE | RB | LSU
BREAKING NEWS! The Denver Broncos need a QB. If you didn't know by now, Trevor Siemian and Brock Osweiler are not the answer for Denver at QB and with Paxton Lynch still trying to get healthy, it may be time for GM John Elway to find another one this off-season. The Broncos could conider a QB here at #9 but it may be safer for them to consider a veteran option like Kirk Cousins (assuming he leaves Washington) or Alex Smith.
10. CHICAGO BEARS- ARDEN KEY | EDGE | LSU
11. BALTIMORE RAVENS- CALVIN RIDLEY | WR | ALABAMA
12. NEW YORK JETS- HAROLD LANDRY | EDGE | BOSTON COLLEGE
The New York Jets were a team considered by many (myself included) to be a team fighting for a draft pick but instead are playing with some fire behind veteran QB Josh McCown. New York could look for a QB here but might find a better choice much like Denver in the free agency/trade market or could even consider resigning McCown for one more year and draft a developmental QB in the second round.
13. OAKLAND RAIDERS- DERWIN JAMES | S | FLORIDA STATE
14. ARIZONA CARDINALS- JOSH ALLEN | QB | WYOMING
Both QB Carson Palmer and HC Bruce Arians could be on their way out after this season and if that's the case, Arizona could look to rebuild on offense with RB David Johnson. Now let me start by saying that I think this is a bit of a reach but considering the importance of QB in the NFL, I think a team like Arizona could take that chance with Allen. The Wyoming product has not had a good season this year but considering his size (6-5, 230 lbs.) and his impressive arm strength, Arizona may look the other way and see a "ball of clay" that they hope to mold into a productive NFL QB.
15. MIAMI DOLPHINS- DENZEL WARD | CB | OHIO STATE
16. ATLANTA FALCONS- CHRISTIAN WILKINS | DL | CLEMSON
17. GREEN BAY PACKERS- QUENTON NELSON | OG | NOTRE DAME
18. DETROIT LIONS- TAVARUS MCFADDEN | CB | FLORIDA STATE
19. WASHINGTON REDSKINS- COURTLAND SUTTON | WR | SMU
Washington could be another team looking for a QB if Kirk Cousins does plan to sign elsewhere but if he intends to stay, Washington needs to surround him with better talent. Terrelle Pryor has not panned out at WR and Josh Doctson is still progressing so why not get him another get weapon in Sutton. No better way to entice Cousins to say then to get him for targets on offense.
20. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- CLELIN FERRELL | EDGE | CLEMSON
21. TENNESSEE TITANS- DA'RON PAYNE | DL | ALABAMA
22. DALLAS COWBOYS- RONNIE HARRISON | S | ALABAMA
23. BUFFALO BILLS- MALIK JEFFERSON | LB | TEXAS
24. CAROLINA PANTHERS- DEON CAIN | WR | CLEMSON
25. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- LAMAR JACKSON | QB | LOUISVILLE
Jacksonville is back in the playoff picture thanks to their impressive defense and potential Rookie of the Year candidate in RB Leonard Fournette. With that being said, QB Blake Bortles has still looked average and may be a definitive factor in whether or not the Jaguars are legitimate threat for a playoff spot. If Bortles continues to look average, Jacksonville may need to find a better QB which may fall in their laps in Lamar Jackson. While there are some questions about Jackson's playing style as a duel threat QB and his less than ideal frame, there should be no questions about his talent and potential which is exactly why the Jaguars should consider this move if Jackson does indeed fall to them in the draft.
26. BUFFALO BILLS (VIA KC)- MARK ANDREWS | TE | OKLAHOMA
27. LOS ANGELES RAMS- JOSH SWEAT | EDGE | FLORIDA STATE
28. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- BILLY PRICE | OG/C | OHIO STATE
29. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- JAIRE ALEXANDER | CB | LOUISVILLE
30. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- BAKER MAYFIELD | QB | OKLAHOMA
Last year the Saints lost out on both Patrick Mahomes and DeShaun Watson which leads them to find their next Drew Brees in Baker Mayfield. Whenever I watch Mayfield I can't help but draw comparisons to two QBs, Russell Wilson and Drew Brees. Sean Payton has the Saints in the playoff hunt this year and with Drew Brees nearing the end of his career, this opens up the perfect opportunity to find his replacement and hopefully bring in the next Drew Brees in Baker Mayfield.
31. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- AUSTIN BRYANT | EDGE | CLEMSON
32. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- ORLANDO BROWN | OT | OKLAHOMA
(Draft order from walterfootball.com)