BILL WUNKLE’S 2018 NFL MOCK DRAFT VERSION 3.0

Greetings again from “The Padded Cell” all you Browns fans. More trades are happening, as the New England Patriots just received the Los Angeles Rams first round pick (23rd overall) plus their 6th round pick in exchange for Brandin Cooks and the Pats 4th round pick.  So all this means basically one thing; which is the fact that Wunkle needs to come up with another mock before his final. All rules apply from the previous mock, so let’s get this party started.

 Josh Allen – QB – Wyoming

There’s a new leader in the Browns clubhouse  as the decision makers compare notes from various pro days. I thought about a possible scenario where the Browns might trade out of the first overall pick, but why should Cleveland allow another team or teams to dictate your quarterback of the future? The 56% completion percentage has been discussed ad nauseam. His footwork has vastly improved  since the end of the regular season, which has shown up at the Senior Bowl, the combine and his pro day.

Saquon Barkley – RB – Penn State

The G-men are loading up for one last Super Bowl run with Eli Manning. There’s also the possibility that they could even trade out of the pick and load up on draft stock. The least sexy move (but perhaps the wisest when you look at impact and likely longevity of positions) here would be to select Notre Dame OG Quenton Nelson.

Josh Rosen – QB – UCLA

Pre-draft trade with Indianapolis: The Jets land the quarterback that is most NFL ready now and the most polished pocket passer in the draft in terms of in structure and timing. Attitude and injury concerns still cling to Rosen, though.

Sam Darnold – QB – USC

Trade with Cleveland: To move up one slot and select their next franchise quarterback of the future, Denver gives up their second round pick (40th overall).

 Bradley Chubb – DE – North Carolina State

Trade with Denver: While there’s quality along the Browns starting D-line, the depth is lacking; as was witnessed when people started going down with injuries. This selection increases competition among the DE group and depth as well by inserting another playmaker into the starting lineup.

Tremaine Edmunds – LB – Virginia Tech

Pre-draft trade with NY Jets: When the Colts traded out of the third overall pick, it effectively reduced their chances of landing a premier pass rusher. Sticking to their board, they get the best defensive player left on the board.

Minkah Ftizpratick – CB/S – Alabama

Whether his destination is cornerback or safety, Fitzpatrick is up to the task.

Quenton Nelson – OG – Notre Dame

The only way that ‘Da-Bears don’t draft Nelson is if the Cleveland Browns decide that he can be a starting NFL LT from day one.

Calvin Ridley – WR – Alabama

Give Jimmy Garoppolo another weapon.

Roquan Smith – LB – Georgia

Linebacker is their top need, and they just got a good one.

Vita Vea – DT – Washington

I’m guessing that the Fins are going to stay with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback for the time being and address the defensive front seven – particularly after the loss of Ndamukong Suh to free agency.

Baker Mayfield – QB – Oklahoma

Pre-draft trade with Cincinnati: While the Bills basically replaced Tyrod Taylor with AJ McCarron, that does not preclude them from drafting a quarterback early. I can hear the late broadcasting legend Keith Jackson saying, “Whoa Nellie” from the grave.

Da’Ron Payne – DT – Alabama

The Skins need a run stuffer.

James Derwin – S – Florida State

It seems like the Packers are always needing help in the defensive backfield, so there you go.

Denzel Ward – CB – Ohio State

While I’ve heard and seen other mocks where Ward is taken earlier, I try not to let my homer-ism for Ohio State football affect where their players are drafted. I try to be as objective as I can.

Darrius Guice – RB – LSU

I hate it when I have to give the Rat Birds a good player.

Taven Bryan -DT – Florida

This is a classic BPA in a position of need pick.

Josh Jackson – CB – Iowa

The departure of Richard Sherman pretty much makes this pick a no-brainer.

Will Hernandez – OG – Texas-El Paso

No surprises here. The cowboys have a tradition of drafting O-linemen.

Ronald Jones – RB – USC

I wanted to give the Lions a pass rusher, but they also need a feature running back . . . so there you go.

Rashaan Evans – LB – Alabama

Pre-draft trade with Buffalo: I wanted to give them an O-lineman here, but Evans is a play making linebacker that will immediately impact their front seven.

Orlando Brown – OT – Oklahoma

From Kansas City: Buffalo traded away their starting LT in order to move up to 12th overall. This is as good a place as any to get a replacement.

Ronnie Harrison – S – Alabama

Pre-draft trade with LA Rams: The way the Pats are losing players this offseason, they can just keep taking the BPA regardless of position – with the possible exception being at quarterback.

Harold Landry – DE – Boston College

I could’ve been justified giving them a guard, but Landry is a better value pick.

Deion Cain – WR – Clemson

Give Marcus Mariota another target besides Corey Davis.

Leighton Vander Esch – ILB – Boise State

Trade with Atlanta: The Jags sense that their guy is about to be selected by Pittsburgh, so they make a preemptive strike to jump ahead of them. In doing do, the Jags give up their fourth round pick this year (#129 overall) and a sixth in 2019. The retirement of Paul Posluszny makes this selection necessary.

Mike Gesicki – TE – Penn State

Colby Fleener isn’t the answer at TE and Drew Brees needs one that can run a seam rout and catch the football.

Justin Reid – S – Stanford

I can’t stand it when I give the Steelers a good player either, but I’ve got to be impartial. It seems that the Steelers are always in need of help in the defensive backfield.

Tim Settle – DT – Virginia

Trade with Jacksonville: D-line is a primary need in Atlanta, and this kid’s size alone should fill a hole.

Isaiah Wynn – OG – Georgia

Certainly not a sexy pick, but a sold one all the same.

Connor Williams – OT – Texas

We knew that the Pats would have to address protecting Tom Brady’s blind side in some form or another after the loss of Nate Solder to the Giants via free agency.

Marcus Davenport – DE – Texas San Antonio

There’s not really a linebacker worthy of the pick. However, his size/speed/strength numbers indicate that he could convert to the outside linebacker position.

ADDITIONAL BROWNS PICKS . . .

33) Mike McGlinchey – OT – Notre Dame

35) Sony Michel – RB – Georgia

40) Isaiah Oliver – CB – Colorado (from Denver)

114) Mike White – QB – Western Kentucky

150) Tre’Quan Smith – WR – Central Florida

175) Tony Brown – CB – Alabama

188) Roc Thomas – RB – Jacksonville State

So there it is. Perhaps I’ll make my final mock longer than one round. If I do, I doubt that I’ll make it more than three, but you never know until we see the final product.

Some may ask, “Why two quarterbacks?” Well, I like Mike White’s numbers and I think we might be able to hide him on the practice squad for a year to give him time to develop there.

I also wanted to see where it made sense for the Browns to draft a left tackle. I also understand that a center to develop is also a want, but I also thought that two corners would help – particularly Isaiah Oliver at #40.

This wraps up Bill Wunkle’s latest mock draft for 2018. I hope that you found it at least a little entertaining. Please let me know what you think and we’ll see how things go next time. This is Bill Wunkle signing off for now. Have a good night, everybody!