[BillWunkle]

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!

 

Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!

[mike barnes]

Nice work the round 2 picks would be awesome!

[Ice]

I like the positions you targeted and the players (except for the 1st overall pick). No way McGlinchey lasts into round 2.

IMO if the Giants go for the fools gold instead of drafting a QB at 2 we can trade out of 4 with the Broncos moving down 1 spot, getting the exact same player we’d have gotten at 4, and netting a goldmine of picks. There are 3 QB’s worthy of a top 5 pick in this draft. Hint: None of them are named Josh Allen. 🙂

[Shooter]

There are 3 QB’s worthy of a top 5 pick in this draft. Hint: None of them are named Josh Allen.

You might want to watch this draft alone.

Away from your home, and family.

You’re going to yell a lot, swear like an imprisoned murderer, and unless you find a way to gain your composure (which I doubt) will be engaging in riotous, maniacal destruction of property on a scale that would probably make it into a movie starring the Rock that’s directed by Michael Bay.

[BillWunkle]

With all due respect, Ice, I think it’s entirely plausible that the Browns draft Josh Allen first overall. What gets me is how certain “pundits” are looking at Sam Darnold as the “safe” pick. I fail to see the “logic” that a quarterback who does not work well within the framework of structure and timing inside the pocket and would rather escape the pocket to try and make something happen should be the first overall pick. I also fail to see the “logic” when the same player in question has trouble seeing the entire field and is prone to turning over the football, whether by way of an interception or by fumble on numerous occasions. Ball security is of the utmost importance in football – and even more so at the NFL level. One thing that Allen did far better than Sam Darnold is take care of the football. Allen’s physical skills are also by far and away better than those of Darnold. Now, if you want to present the argument that either Josh Rosen or Baker Mayfield would be a better NFL quarterback; then I’d at least be willing to listen to your case.

Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!

[Ice]

Shooter wrote:

You might want to watch this draft alone.
Away from your home, and family.
You’re going to yell a lot, swear like an imprisoned murderer, and unless you find a way to gain your composure (which I doubt) will be engaging in riotous, maniacal destruction of property on a scale that would probably make it into a movie starring the Rock that’s directed by Michael Bay.

I’ll be in live chat during the draft so everyone can witness the mayhem (or genius) first hand!

[Shooter]

I’ll be in live chat during the draft so everyone can witness the mayhem (or genius) first hand!

I appreciate you recognizing my genius for what it is (Barkley/Allen combo in a Ruth points to the fences pose) but I hope that you’ll be online from a Holiday Inn. Outside of Florida.

It’s going to be difficult to accept the full brunt of my mind melting awesomeness in such a large capacity. I don’t want any loss of life or collateral damage to your property.

[Ice]

BillWunkle wrote:

With all due respect, Ice, I think it’s entirely plausible that the Browns draft Josh Allen first overall. What gets me is how certain “pundits” are looking at Sam Darnold as the “safe” pick. I fail to see the “logic” that a quarterback who does not work well within the framework of structure and timing inside the pocket and would rather escape the pocket to try and make something happen should be the first overall pick. I also fail to see the “logic” when the same player in question has trouble seeing the entire field and is prone to turning over the football, whether by way of an interception or by fumble on numerous occasions. Ball security is of the utmost importance in football – and even more so at the NFL level. One thing that Allen did far better than Sam Darnold is take care of the football. Allen’s physical skills are also by far and away better than those of Darnold. Now, if you want to present the argument that either Josh Rosen or Baker Mayfield would be a better NFL quarterback; then I’d at least be willing to listen to your case.

I don’t have your pedigree Wunkle, such as nailing exact picks including trades from previous drafts. So unlike when I disagree with Shooter or Soup, when I disagree with you I do so at my own risk. But no one will ever be able to convince me that Josh Allen is worthy of a top 20 pick in the draft except for Josh Allen, and he can only do it by being amazing on the NFL field. He’s an inaccurate QB with a cannon arm and no touch on the ball. Playing against the Fighting Cross-stitchers of the East Westbury College of Textiles he can get away with it. Playing against the Steelers he won’t. He only has one thing going for him; he can throw the ball 80 yards. Aside from that he’s a 5-6th round QB.

[BillWunkle]

Pedigree, schmedigree . . . I’m just a Joe-Bag-O-Donuts like the rest of the guys on this thread. Thanks for the compliment all the same.

As for Josh Allen . . . I see the growth he’s achieved since injuring his shoulder and missed 2 games this season:

* Great Idaho Potato Bowl: 11/19 (57.89%) 154 yds. 3 TD 0 INT
* Senior Bowl: 9/13 (69.23%) 158 yds. 2 TD 0 INT

Most importantly, I saw at least a handful of passes in the Senior Bowl where he dropped the ball right into the bucket. His footwork – which has been much of the reason for his previous issues with accuracy – has been cleaned up. He’s gotten to the point with his footwork that he’s able to correct himself because he knows what the right footwork feels like now. Not only that, but I’ve heard through multiple reliable sources that his whiteboard work with X’s and O’s is outstanding. Some people are calling him the “Johnny Bravo” of the draft because he “fits the suit”. Yes, he’s big. Yes, he’s strong. Yes, he has a cannon. But there’s more to him than just the long ball. Granted, he LOVES the long ball. This kid’s WOW factor is off the charts. Most importantly, this kid is a moldable piece of clay that can transform into something special. If he does exactly that, then hopefully, it’ll be in Cleveland.

Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!

[Shooter]

Playing against the Fighting Cross-stitchers of the East Westbury College of Textiles

Hey that’s a tough program. Let’s not school-shame here.

I’m just a Joe-Bag-O-Donuts like the rest of the guys on this thread.

Don’t lump me in with the rest of you, I know what the hell I’m talking about at all times. I’m pretty snappy about it too. Snarky. Snappy. Whatever, you know what I mean.

[BillWunkle]

We also forgot to mention that Shooter is both modest and humble for someone so young. 😉

Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!

[Shooter]

I don’t…………youn…..oh yes. Yes young.

I Am YOUNG!!!!!!

Pardon my youthful exuberance.

[BillWunkle]

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!

[Ice]

Hey shooter, you nail another board to that tree in your backyard yet? I notified OSHA of your child labor.

[Shooter]

I notified OSHA of your child labor.

No see this is where attention to detail is important. I didn’t make them work on it, I’m making them play on it. One is far more dangerous than the other. I’ll let you decide which one.

[Author]

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