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MOCK DRAFT: Cleveland Browns take QB at one, trade out of No. 4

Here is a mock draft of the first round and early part of the second of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Credit: Brian Losness
Wyoming Cowboys quarterback Josh Allen drops back to throw a pass against the Boise State Broncos.

CLEVELAND -- The 2018 NFL Draft is just hours away, and it is the biggest day of the year as it pertains to changing the course of franchise across the league.

Here is a mock draft of the first round and early part of the second of the 2018 NFL Draft:

1. Cleveland Browns-Quarterback Josh Allen (Wyoming)

In three years at Wyoming, the 6-foot-5, 233-pound Allen completed only 335 of his 649 attempts (51.67 percent) for 5,066 yards and 44 touchdowns against 21 interceptions, and his touchdown-to-interception ratio was more than two-to-one.

Josh Allen let it fly at his pro day today in Wyoming. pic.twitter.com/U0AyMiNRlv

— ESPN (@espn) March 23, 2018

2. New York Giants-Defensive lineman Bradley Chubb (North Carolina State)

With the trading of veteran defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul, edge rusher is a key need for the Giants as they undergo an overhaul on the defensive front, and the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Chubb brings the kind of havoc-wreaking abilities New York will need.

Of Chubb’s 198 total tackles, including 100 solo stops, he registered 54.5 tackles for lost yardage and 25 sacks with six forced fumbles on his resume in four years at North Carolina State. Chubb had double-digit sack seasons in each of his last two years and three consecutive double-digit tackles-for-loss totals to end his collegiate career.

3. New York Jets-Quarterback Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma)

Although the Jets re-signed veteran quarterback Josh McCown and reached an agreement with Teddy Bridgewater in free agency, one does not trade up to No. 3 in the NFL Draft unless they are eyeing a franchise quarterback.

With Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, the competitive spirit is what teams would like out of their quarterback, but he has made questionable off-the-field decisions that have resulted in an arrest, as well as vulgar actions toward opposing fans.

Despite the off-field concerns, Mayfield put together a Heisman Trophy-winning campaign where he completed 285 of his 404 throws (70.5 percent) for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns against six interceptions to cap off a four-year career that featured 131 scoring passes and 14,607 yards on 1,026 completions.

🏃💨💨💨

Heisman Trophy winner @bakermayfield runs a 4.81s 40-yard dash 👀#NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/Nhs6sRib0t

— NFL UK (@NFLUK) March 3, 2018

TRADE: Browns send No. 4 to Buffalo Bills for Nos. 12 and 22

4. Buffalo Bills-Quarterback Sam Darnold (USC)

In two years as a starter at the University of Southern California, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Darnold completed 549 of his 846 attempts (64.9 percent) for 7,229 yards and 57 touchdowns against 22 interceptions.

Additionally, Darnold fumbled 21 times in just 27 games as a starter, and lost 14 of those miscues.

In a 24-7 loss to Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl Classic, Darnold fumbled twice, both of which were recovered by the Buckeyes, and threw an interception that was returned by defender Damon Webb 23 yards for a touchdown.

The youngest quarterback prospect in the 2018 NFL Draft, Darnold will not turn 21 until June and figures to need a year behind a veteran signal-caller to learn the game, while at the same time, working on his mechanics to improve his security of the football.

5. Denver Broncos-Quarterback Josh Rosen (UCLA)

Despite taking 26 sacks and missing time because of injuries, including a concussion at the end of the regular season, Rosen set career highs with 3,756 passing yards and 26 touchdowns and rushed for two scores in 2017. In three years at UCLA, Rosen threw for 9,341 yards with 59 touchdowns against 26 interceptions.

6. Indianapolis Colts-Cornerback Denzel Ward (Ohio State)

A 5-foot-10, 191-pound Nordonia High School graduate, Ward certainly would fit the bill of a team needing to bolster its defense. Over 26 career games for the Buckeyes, Ward registered 47 solo tackles, 20 assists, two stops for lost yardage, two interceptions and 24 passes defended.

Ohio State’s Damon Webb, Erick Smith, Denzel Ward, Elijaah Goins and Trevon Forte doing defensive back drills at pro day. pic.twitter.com/a0dCcAyBVM

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 22, 2018

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Running back Saquon Barkley (Penn State)

When what many consider to be the top-ranked player in the 2018 NFL Draft falls this far because of a rush on quarterbacks, the Buccaneers become the beneficiary, and they will not miss on the opportunity to select Barkley.

The 5-foot-11, 229-pound Barkley declared for the NFL Draft after a standout junior season with Penn State.

On 217 carries, Barkley ran for 1,271 yards and matched a career best with 18 rushing scores. Additionally, Barkley turned 54 catches out of the backfield into 632 yards and three touchdowns, and despite being an impact player on offense, was utilized on special teams, too.

Barkley returned 15 kickoffs for 426 yards and two touchdowns, including a 98-yard score against the Ohio State Buckeyes in mid-October.

8. Chicago Bears- Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama)

The Bears have plenty of needs on the defensive side of the football, and they address that here with the selection of Fitzpatrick.

Although the 6-foot-1, 202-pound Fitzpatrick is a swing defensive back, meaning he could play either cornerback or safety, with the expectation that the latter is his ideal position at the NFL level, he is a multi-faceted impact player in the secondary.

In just three years at Alabama, Fitzpatrick registered 171 total tackles, including 110 solo stops and 61 assists, with 16.5 tackles for lost yardage, five sacks, nine interceptions, which he returned for 274 yards and four touchdowns, 24 passes defended and two forced fumbles.

#Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick...Love watching the top prospects make effort plays. Run to the ball. And always compete. That jumps on the film. pic.twitter.com/WJfXxOxzIG

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 26, 2018

9. San Francisco 49ers-Guard Quenton Nelson (Notre Dame)

The 49ers got their franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in a deal with the New England Patriots at the NFL Trade Deadline last fall, and then, gave him a lucrative contract extension this offseason, which enhances the need to protect him.

In Nelson, the 49ers would not only get the top-rated guard, but also, an interior blocker with a nasty streak, something that could go a long way to bolster the protection of the franchise quarterback while clearing holes for the running backs at the same time.

Iron sharpens iron. Quenton Nelson working with Mike McGlinchey at Notre Dame pro day. pic.twitter.com/SOqRBK6l3w

— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) March 22, 2018

10. Oakland Raiders-Linebacker Roquan Smith (Georgia)

Smith was one of the leaders of the Bulldogs’ defense throughout the regular season, but when it mattered most, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound native of Montezuma, Georgia, stepped up his game and made enough plays to clinch an appearance in the National Championship Game.

Winner of the 2017 Dick Butkus Award, given annually to the best linebacker in the country, Smith registered 13 tackles, including 10 solo stops, and one sack on the way to MVP honors against Auburn in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship Game.

Against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl Semifinal, Smith registered 11 stops, including a memorable hit late in the come-from-behind victory, and he followed it up with 13 total tackles, nine solo stops and one sack, versus Alabama.

11. Miami Dolphins-Defensive tackle Vita Vea (Washington)

After releasing Ndamukong Suh at the start of the new league year, the Dolphins have a hole in the middle of their defensive line, and they pass on overdrafting a quarterback to select one of the highest-rated tackles in the draft in Vea.

The 6-foot-5, 340-pound Vea put on a display at the NFL Combine, pumping out 41 repetitions on the bench press, and that was after registering 99 total tackles, including 15.0 stops for lost yardage and 9.5 sacks in three years at Washington.

12. Browns (from Bills)-Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey (Notre Dame)

If there was one position the Browns did not have to worry about for the last decade, it was the left tackle, but after the retirement of 10-time Pro Bowl blocker Joe Thomas on the first day of the new league year, that has become a prime need.

McGlinchey is much like Thomas in terms of size, as he stands 6-foot-8, but is a slender 312 pounds by NFL tackle standards. Known for his athleticism, McGlinchey has quick feet and can leverage his frame to play a lot stronger than would be expected.

Two 🔝 #NFLDraft OL prospects, one @NDFootball #ProDay.

👀 how Quenton Nelson & Mike McGlinchey performed in front of @NFL scouts pic.twitter.com/0anareazP7

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) March 23, 2018

13. Washington football team-Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (Virginia Tech)

Defense. Defense. Defense.

Washington needs help on the defensive side of the ball, and address that by selecting Edmunds. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Edmunds was a difference maker for the Hokies, registering 213 total tackles, including 112 solo stops, 101 assists, 33 tackles for lost yards and 10 sacks in his three-year career.

14. Green Bay Packers-Safety Derwin James (Florida State)

By this point, the Packers have seen the top two cornerbacks and best safety prospect come off the board, and they are going to address their need for help in the secondary with this middle-of-the-round selection.

The 6-foot-3, 211-pound James is a hard-hitting safety that new coordinator Mike Pettine can mold into a leader on the back end of the defense. In three years at Florida State, James registered 186 total tackles, including 110 solo stops, with 15 hits for lost yardage and 5.5 sacks to go along with three interceptions and 15 passes defended.

Derwin James three-cone. pic.twitter.com/jRkPjdAq7a

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 20, 2018

15. Arizona Cardinals-Quarterback Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State)

Unlike other teams, the Cardinals were not able to move up in the draft order, but it may have worked to their advantage, as they will still be able to select a top-five quarterback at this spot.

At 6-foot-5, 230-pound, Rudolph has the prototypical size to play the quarterback position and has plenty of gaudy statistics after completing 915 of his 1,447 attempts for 13,618 yards and 92 touchdowns against 26 interceptions.

However, questions exist about Rudolph’s ability to read a defense because of the lack of traditional offensive and defensive schemes in the Big 12 Conference.

16. Baltimore Ravens-Center James Daniels (Iowa)

The Ravens lost stalwart center Ryan Jansen to the Buccaneers in free agency, and they will fill that spot with Daniels.

Despite questions of his weight being too low for the NFL level, the 6-foot-3, 295-pound Daniels has plenty of athleticism that will allow him to fluidity snap the ball to quarterback Joe Flacco and stay in the pocket or pull to either side of the field and make downfield blocks for running backs.

17. Los Angeles Chargers-Offensive tackle Orlando Brown (Oklahoma)

The Chargers are looking to upgrade their tackle productivity, and selecting Brown allows them to do that.

Although Brown did not have the best performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in terms of speed, the 6-foot-8, 360-pounder has football in his bloodline, as he is the son of former pro Orlando Brown, known by the nickname, “Zeus.”

Brown has good arm length, a huge frame and a bit of a mean streak that he uses to play through the whistle.

Orlando Brown running the 40. Unofficial time 5.66. pic.twitter.com/EC08uMsuaZ

— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) March 14, 2018

18. Seattle Seahawks-Guard Isaiah Wynn (Georgia)

The Seahawks have plenty of needs on the defensive side of the ball because of free-agent departures and other roster moves, but they go offense in the first round and select Wynn.

The 6-foot-3, 313-pound Wynn was a tackle for the Bulldogs in 2017, but figures to be a guard at the NFL level, where his stature, quick burst off the line of scrimmage and solid footwork will allow him to be a finishing blocker for the Seahawks.

19. Dallas Cowboys-Wide receiver Calvin Ridley (Alabama)

The top-ranked wide receiver finally comes off the board, and he is going to a place in need of help on the outside. While the Cowboy are set on the offensive line, at running back (Ezekiel Elliott), quarterback (Dak Prescott) and slot receiver, the outside spot remains a question, and the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Ridley will give them an answer.

During his career at Alabama, Ridley was on the receiving end of 224 passes for 2,781 yards and 19 touchdowns, but questions remain about his productivity, as his receptions and touchdowns decreased as his career progressed.

Jalen Hurts, Calvin Ridley, Robert Foster... touchdowns all around #CSUvsBAMA #RollTide https://t.co/5SrN4bbLww pic.twitter.com/9o4AML00iU

— #WVTM13 (@WVTM13) September 17, 2017

20. Detroit Lions-Defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne (Alabama)

Former Crimson Tide standouts go back-to-back as the Lions address the need for an interior defensive lineman with the selection of Payne. The 6-foot-2, 308-pound Payne registered 102 total tackles, including five stops for lost yards and three sacks in three seasons at Alabama.

#94 was everywhere! Da’Ron Payne didn’t get enough credit. No sacks but frequent pressure, incl twice resulting in INTs pic.twitter.com/660RUNvN0M

— Todd McShay (@McShay13) January 14, 2018

21. Cincinnati Bengals-Guard Will Hernandez (University of Texas-El Paso)

The Bengals bolstered the tackle spot when they traded for Cordy Glenn, and continued to address the offensive line by selecting Hernandez.

The 6-foot-2, 348-pound Hernandez has a strong base and is both flexible and agile, which will allow him to both protect quarterback Andy Dalton and clear running lanes for Cincinnati’s stable of ball carriers.

For #fbf we go back to Pro Day from earlier this week. Will Hernandez worked out for scouts along with some of his teammates. Hernandez is projected to be a 1st or 2nd round draft pick in the NFL Draft. #WeAreMiners #PicksUp #NFLDraft 🤙🏼🏈 pic.twitter.com/SBrHJRNKvD

— UTEP News (@utepnews) March 22, 2018

22. Browns-Cornerback Josh Jackson (Iowa)

Despite additions in free agency and through a trade with the Packers, the Browns need help in the secondary, and they address the back end of the defense with the selection of Jackson.

The 6-foot-1, 192-pound Jackson entered the NFL Draft after a career year at Iowa. In 13 games for the Hawkeyes in 2017, Jackson registered 48 total tackles, including 34 solo stops and 14 assists, with 18 passes defended and eight interceptions, which he returned for 168 yards and two touchdowns.

That Josh Jackson pick vs. Ohio State? It looks even better on film...Check out the jam. Stay square. Physical. And then make the highlight grab. #Iowa pic.twitter.com/EJwRSX7F1C

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) January 5, 2018

23. Rams-Leighton Vander Esch (Boise State)

With the two top interior linebackers already off the board, the Rams waste no time running up the card with Vander Esch’s name on it.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Vander Esch registered 188 total tackles, including 128 solo stops and 13.0 for lost yardage with five sacks in three years at Boise State. During his final season at Boise State, Vander Esch collected two interceptions, defended five passes and forced four fumbles to go along with 91 solo stops and 141 total tackles.

24. Carolina Panthers-Wide receiver Christian Kirk (Texas A&M)

With Cam Newton at quarterback and stout corps of ball carriers behind him, the Panthers will add a talented target at wide receiver in Kirk.

In three years at Texas A&M, Kirk was on the receiving end of 234 passes, which he turned into 2,856 yards and 26 touchdowns, including a career-high 10 scoring receptions in 2017.

Christian Kirk just delivered this nasty stiffarm en route to a 9-yard TD catch. Aggies now trail 38-35 with 12:51 left. pic.twitter.com/AFSylkIPnw

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 29, 2017

25. Tennessee Titans-Edge rusher Marcus Davenport (University of Texas-San Antonio)

The Titans entered the offseason looking to shore up their defensive front, and they do that with Davenport’s selection.

In four years at USTA, Davenport registered 185 total tackles, including 95 solo stops and 90 assists. Of those 185 total tackles, 37.5 went for lost yardage, and 21.5 were sacks of opposing quarterbacks. Additionally, Davenport registered six forced fumbles.

Davenport had a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, running the fastest 40-yard dash among edge rushers (4.58 seconds), posting the second-best broad jump (124.0 inches), the third-quickest three-cone drill (7.20 seconds) and tied for fourth in the 20-yard shuttle run (4.41 seconds).

26. Atlanta Falcons-Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (Michigan)

With Dontari Poe leaving the Falcons in free agency, Atlanta’s decision-makers are not going to pass up on the opportunity to select an interior lineman.

The Falcons select the 6-foot-2, 280-pound Hurst after a standout four-year career for the Wolverines, where he registered 13.5 sacks, 32 tackles for lost yards and 130 total stops, including 67 solo efforts and 63 assists.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Hurst was not cleared to compete because of a heart condition, but by Michigan’s Pro Day, he was cleared to compete.

Check out the easy change of direction skills here from Maurice Hurst as he turns this angle to finish the sack. Impressive flexibility pic.twitter.com/m6v6m3MHbY

— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) August 19, 2017

27. New Orleans Saints-Tight end Mike Gesicki (Penn State)

The Saints need help at the tight end position, and Gesicki will give them another playmaker for newly re-signed quarterback Drew Brees.

Despite not having a game-breaking quarterback throwing him the ball, Gesicki turned 129 receptions into 1,481 yards and 15 touchdowns over his four-year career at Penn State.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers-Running back Derrius Guice (LSU)

With Leonard Fournette rushing over, around and through opposing defenses at the NFL level in 2017, Guice saw his workload increase significantly last fall, and he had another standout season for the LSU Tigers.

Guice rushed for 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns on a career-high 237 carries in 2017.

Overall, Guice’s best season with the Tigers came in 2016, when he rushed for 1,387 yards, 15 touchdowns and 7.6 yards per carry.

In three years at LSU, Guice netted 3,054 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on 471 carries.

Derrius Guice in Midnight Green?? 😮pic.twitter.com/u4V6ehBVMK

— Jon Marks & Ike Reese on 94WIP (@MarksReeseWIP) April 23, 2018

29. Jacksonville Jaguars-Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (USC)

The Jaguars have a big void to fill in the middle of their defense after the retirement of Paul Posluszny, and they attempt to take that first step with Nwosu’s selection.

Projected as more of an interior linebacker, the 6-foot-3, 251-pound Nwosu plays fast and loose in terms of his movement, which allows him to make good directional changes in start-stop situations that always keeps him in the play.

In four years at USC, Nwosu registered 169 total tackles with 94 solo stops and 75 assists, along with 20.5 tackles for lost yardage and 12.5 sacks. Additionally, Nwosu showed a good ability to drop back into coverage, as he defended 19 passes.

New @titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel at @USC_Athletics pro day working out OLB Uchenna Nwosu pic.twitter.com/jEonYuHmdW

— Dan Hellie (@DanHellie) March 21, 2018

30. Minnesota Vikings-Offensive tackle Connor Williams (Texas)

Arguably, tackle is the biggest need for the Vikings, and that is why they select the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Williams from Texas.

Considered a “good locker room guy,” Williams has become known for his ferocious work in the weight room, and while does not have the ideal arm length for the prototypical NFL tackle, he has good technique that could allow him to find success at the professional level.

Connor Williams is back. #Hookem pic.twitter.com/Oa82SKIZEU

— Hookem Football (@hornsfootball) November 18, 2017

31. New England Patriots-Defensive back Mike Hughes (University of Central Florida)

After losing Malcolm Butler in free agency, the Patriots go in search of someone to fill the void.

Hughes registered 60 total tackles, including 47 solo stops with four interceptions, which he returned for 92 yards and one touchdown in his two-year career, which started at the University of North Carolina in 2015 and concluded at Central Florida last fall.

32. Philadelphia Eagles-Wide receiver Courtland Sutton (Southern Methodist University)

Regardless of who starts the regular season at quarterback for the Eagles, they will be in need of playmakers, and that is why the Eagles go with Sutton here.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Sutton gives the Eagles plenty of size on the outside of the offense, as well as playmaking ability. Over four years with the Mustangs, Sutton caught 195 passes for 3,220 yards and 31 touchdowns.

In his final season at SMU, Sutton turned 68 receptions into 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns. He finished his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving and a pair of 10-plus touchdown seasons.

Courtland Sutton gauntlet pic.twitter.com/Go79TJAnnb

— Ty Wurth (@WurthDraft) March 3, 2018

SECOND ROUND

33. Browns-Running back Sony Michel (Georgia)

Michel built an impressive resume through his first three years with the Bulldogs, but he saved the best for last.

Against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, Michel rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries, while turning four receptions into 41 yards and a fourth score. He finished his collegiate career with 98 yards on 14 carries against Alabama in the National Championship Game.

On 156 carries during the 2017 season, Michel rushed for 1,227 yards and 16 touchdowns. Michel’s yards, 7.9 yards-per-carry average and touchdowns were single-season career highs, better than the 1,161 yards and eight scores he had during his sophomore season.

In four years at Georgia, Michel rushed for 3,638 yards and 33 touchdowns on 591 carries.

34. Giants-Running back Rashaad Penny (San Diego State)

For Penny, it was not so much about improving his draft stock as much as it was validating his collegiate production, and the 5-foot-11, 220-pounder lived up to the hype with a standout performance in a losing effort against the Army Black Knights in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.

On just 14 carries, Penny rushed for 221 yards and four touchdowns against Army. It was Penny’s fifth straight 200-yard performance, and his four touchdowns were a single-game season high.

Penny rushed for 2,248 yards and 23 touchdowns on 289 carries in 2017, all of which were single-season career bests. Prior to 2017, Penny’s previous single-season bests were 135 carries, 1,005 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2016.

35. Browns-Defensive end Sam Hubbard (Ohio State)

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound Hubbard burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2015 and was a mainstay on the defensive front for his entire career.

Darnold was considered a lock for a top-five pick in the 2018 NFL Draft entering the Cotton Bowl Classic, but had to get through a tough test from the Buckeyes before taking his game to the next level, and Ohio State had something for him.

The Buckeyes registered eight sacks against Darnold, and Hubbard had 2.5 of them, and when he did not get to the quarterback, the junior still found a way to wreak havoc in the backfield.

Over his three years with the Buckeyes, Hubbard registered 17 sacks for 121 lost yards and 29.5 tackles for lost yardage. Additionally, Hubbard forced three fumbles, recovered two more, defended three passes, corralled one interception and made 116 total tackles.

Hubbard caught national attention against Penn State when he tackled both Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley on a second-half stop that helped spur the Buckeyes to a come-from-behind win over the Nittany Lions.

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