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4 The Record Mock Draft 4.0

Author: Michael Weitzner

(http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news/top-prospects-for-2018-nfl-draft-quarterbacks-rosen-darnold-allen-jackson/182rsrhyr56gi169i3w1p8obcq)

Welcome to 4TR’s fourth mock draft! In our last mock draft, we made a bunch of hypothetical trades that were a lot of fun. But apparently the “real” NFL teams want to make their own trades. So sit back and enjoy the mock!

The Picks!

1. Cleveland Browns – Sam Darnold, QB, USC

2. NY Giants – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA1

3. NY Jets – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

4. Cleveland Browns – Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

5. Denver Broncos – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

6. Indianapolis Colts – Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

8. Chicago Bears – Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

9. San Francisco 49ers – Tremaine Edmunds, LB, VT

10. Oakland Raiders – Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

11. Miami Dolphins – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

12. Buffalo Bills – Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville2

13. Washington football team – Derwin James, S, FSU

14. Green Bay Packers – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

15. Arizona Cardinals – Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

16. Baltimore Ravens – Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

17. LA Chargers – Vita Vea, DT, Washington

18. Seattle Seahawks – Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

19. Dallas Cowboys – Da’Ron Payne, DT Alabama

20. Detroit Lions – Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

21. Cincinnati Bengals – Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State3

22. Cleveland Browns – Connor Williams, OT, Texas

23. New England Patriots – Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

24. Carolina Panthers – Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama4

25. Tennessee Titans – Harold Landry, DE, Boston College

26. Atlanta Falcons – Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State

27. New Orleans Saints – Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

28. Pittsburg Steelers – Derrius Guice, RB, LSU5

29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

30. Minnesota Vikings – Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia

31. New England Patriots – Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State

32. Philadelphia Eagles – Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan



Discussion!  

1 The Giants need to get serious about where they are going. Eli isn’t going to be playing two years from now and the team isn’t doing anything worth a damn any time soon. This quarterback class is one of the best in years! The Giants need to take their shot and find the next Eli Manning who will start for them for the next 15 years.

2 Even though we have the Bills taking Lamar and can realistically see them drafting him, it doesn’t make much sense. The Bills just got rid of a similar (maybe less talented) player when they traded Tyrod Taylor to the Browns. This would be another example of NFL executives making a bad decision (trading Tyrod) and trying to make up for it.

3 Bengals HC Marvin Lewis has somehow kept his job yet again. But he has to know that his time is ticking. More than that, Lewis has to know that Andy Dalton isn’t “the guy.” By drafting another quarterback, Lewis gives himself more time because there are always growing pains with young QBs. Rudolph shouldn’t be drafted this high but the Bengals may be desperate.

4 With Kelvin Benjamin getting trade and Greg Olsen possibly leaving football for the TV booth, Panthers need another weapon for Cam Newton to throw to. Devin Funchess seemed to grow into a good starting wide receiver but he is not enough. Calvin Ridley is a talent wide receiver that won’t be heavily relied on early in his career and has time to develop.

5 Whether it’s this offseason or the next, Le’Veon Bell will be leaving the Steelers. Even if Bell stays this season, it’s been proven that having a one-two punch at running back helps alleviate the stress on older QBs (see Saints RB combo). Guice, at a minimum, can be a very productive 2nd option alongside Bell and gives the Steelers flexibly moving forward.

Sources:
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/03/07/nfl-draft-top-prospects-big-board-top-100

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000923539/article/2018-nfl-free-agency-key-offseason-signings-for-all-32-teams

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000855915/article/2018-nfl-draft-order-and-team-needs-nos-2132