Here’s a look at projected first-round picks for each team.
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1) Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold (QB – USC)
With the John Dorsey era officially starting, the Browns desperately need a QB. DeShone Kizer has been up and down but hasn’t shown enough to keep the team from drafting the best QB in the entire draft. Darnold will be just 20 years old on Draft Day and has the most tools and upside to become the best franchise caliber quarterback of the group in five years. The bigger question is can the Browns coaching staff finally develop a young signal caller?
2) New York Giants: Josh Allen (QB – Wyoming)
Put yourself in the Giants shoes. A pumped up front office loaded with big egos will tell you their 3-13 record was an anomaly and won’t ever happen again. Knowing that, they don’t ever plan on picking inside the top-5 for a long time. This front office has to go get their quarterback of the future and start to develop behind Eli Manning right now. Allen has the best size, arm strength and build of any of his peers without the red flags of a Josh Rosen in the big city. He’s nowhere near his potential right now but, but landing in New York gives both parties the luxury to sit back and learn the nuances of the NFL behind one of the league’s best pure pocket passers. Allen failed to live up to the preseason hype that many would say was unfair. However, you can’t argue with Allen’s prototypical build at 6’5″ 225 pounds with a big-time NFL arm that can make all the throws. Yes, his small school background will scare away some, but after seeing Carson Wentz‘s immediate impact some team will pull the trigger on Allen’s upside in a league that’s starved for quality quarterback play.
3) Indianapolis Colts: Saquon Barkley (RB – Penn State)
This is where we find the Colts stance on the running back position. The Colts have a lot of holes on their roster, however, none more critical than surrounding their young franchise quarterback with help. While an offensive lineman or a fun defensive playmaker would be more than understandable, if the best player in the draft falls in their lap you have to pull the trigger. History shows us you get what you pay for at running back in the top-10 with guys like Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette all playing at Pro Bowl and even MVP levels. Barkley is a home-run hitter on every touch and a guy Andrew Luck can feed the rock to 25 times a game in both the run and passing game.
4) Cleveland Browns (From Houston): Bradley Chubb (DL – NC State)
Some will make a case for Chubb at No. 1 overall. He’s a guy who will help change the locker room and culture of a franchise with unstoppable effort and energy he brings to work everyday. The Browns get their new franchise quarterback and now they get to pair this year’s best defensive lineman with Myles Garrett. In a game won in the trenches, on paper the Browns are building a roster you could only create in a video game.
5) Denver Broncos: Josh Rosen (QB – UCLA)
The Broncos QB situation is a circus. None of Paxton Lynch, Trevor Siemian, or Brock Osweiler panned out like the team planned and it is time to once again hit the reset button as the team keeps searching for a signal-caller post-Peyton Manning. While it’s known they are falling for Josh Allen, they have a great gift fall in their lap with the most pro-ready QB of them all.
6) New York Jets: Baker Mayfield (QB – Oklahoma)
Did the Jets win too many games? They’re just on the outside looking in after watching three quarterbacks fly off the board in five picks. Luckily for them, Mayfield and his Heisman trophy gets pushed down because of his short stature. Make no mistake, however, Mayfield has that special “IT” factor that can change a franchise. He’s just what the doctor ordered in New York. Mayfield’s charisma and Phillip Rivers-like passion and enthusiasm for the game are great fits. Like him or hate him, get used to Mayfield, as he will be the most polarizing prospect throughout the entire 2018 pre-draft process with his Russel Wilson-like qualities on the field.
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick (DB – Alabama)
Nick Saban really knows how to prime these secondary players for the NFL. In a league that craves versatility, Fitzpatrick is the ultimate tool that could thrive at a Pro Bowl-caliber level at both safety positions, cornerback, nickel, and even the “Joker” position. Pairing his ball-hawking skills and versatility with Vernon Hargreaves and Justin Evans gives the defense a talented young core of to build around.
8) Chicago Bears: Orlando Brown (OT – Oklahoma)
You can’t build them any bigger than this. 6’8″ 345 pounds, Brown is the son of the late Orlando Brown Sr who stood out for the Browns over a decade ago. The Bears found their quarterback for the next 10 years. Now, it’s time to build a team around him. There’s no better place to start than to build in the trenches while keeping him upright in a clean pocket.
9) San Francisco 49ers: Quinton Nelson (OG – Notre Dame)
John Lynch got his GM career off to a blazing start with a great first draft and then nabbing their new franchise quarterback for just a second-round pick in Jimmy Garoppolo. Now, Lynch keeps the home runs coming with the second best player in the entire draft. Forget about his position, Nelson is a plug and play Pro Bowl player in year one.
10) Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith (LB – Georgia)
Jon Gruden comes in with a splash and targets the best pure linebacker in the entire draft. Turn on the SEC Championship game and you’ll see an absolute animal that is set to shred opposing ball carriers in the NFL. Smith is on that CJ Mosley and Reuben Foster type level of talent, instincts, and production.
11) Miami Dolphins: Connor Williams (OT – Texas)
The Dolphins are stuck in quarterback purgatory with Ryan Tannehill and must quickly decide if they are pushing their chips all in or folding. Adding one more top offensive line prospect will complete this young and talented unit, helping set the stage for whatever signal caller is under center and to generate a physical running game for years to come.
12) Cincinnati Bengals: Mike McGlinchey (OT – Notre Dame)
You’ll maximize his potential back over on the right side of the offensive line, however, McGlinchey might be the one we’re all talking about from this class three years from now. He’s a safe and secure pick to help regenerate the Bengals porous offensive line unit. Some will say this is too high for McGlinchey, but with a thin pool of talent it’s now or never when it comes to upgrading the Bengals’ trenches.
13) Washington Redskins: Calvin Ridley (WR – Alabama)
The Redskins are in a huge offseason as the status of Kirk Cousins remains up in the air. Regardless of Cousins, the offense is in need of another consistent playmaker. Ridley is hands down the best wideout of the class with outstanding route running.
14) Green Bay Packers: Denzel Ward (CB – Ohio State)
No one would have thought the Packers would be picking this early, but here we are. It’s time to finally find a real cornerback that can grow and develop into a true shut-down player. Ward has some of the best feet and quick-twitch to stay with any wideout at the next level. The pick gives the Packers’ secondary outstanding versatility now allowing younger picks like Kevin King to move to their best-suited playing positions.
15) Arizona Cardinals: Lamar Jackson (QB – Louisville)
The dream was for Bruce Arians to get one more chance to develop his own franchise signal caller, similar to his time with the Colts and Andrew Luck. Whichever coach takes over will have to take a shot on a young signal-caller. Ignore the critics who tell you Jackson needs to move to a different position. He’s shown far and away more promise and development from the pocket and decision making to blend with his off-the-charts athleticism.
16) Baltimore Ravens: Da’Ron Payne (DT – Alabama)
Ozzie Newsome loves his Crimson Tide players, and for good reason. Payne was unblockable during the playoffs and showed off superb movement skills for his raw power. While wide receiver is an option here, adding a premium talent into John Harbaugh’s trenches makes an already great unit elite.
17) LA Chargers: Vita Vea (NT – Washington)
A monster of a human, Vita was a clog and a major reason other teammates were able to fly around the field and make plays. The Chargers are able to team up a clog in the middle next to superstar Joey Bosa.
18) Seattle Seahawks: Derrius Guice (RB – LSU)
The Seahawks really aren’t that far away from getting deep in the playoffs. However, they need to get back to what they do best, playing physical and running the football. The offensive lineman went quick, so adding Guice with his powerful engine is an outstanding consolation prize. He’s the early offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
19) Dallas Cowboys: Maurice Hurst (DT – Michigan)
To be honest, Hurst should go much higher than this, however, this is how the chips fell. The Cowboys make out like bandits and now form the youngest and most talented front seven in the NFC.
20) Detroit Lions: Arden Key (Edge – LSU)
He’s a massive wildcard that could set your franchise back or elevate their pass rush to an elite level. Key will have to answer those questions during the pre draft process, however, if he can do that he will hear his name called in the top 10 picks. Adding a playmaker off the edge to help Ziggy Ansah has been a priority for years. It’s time.
21) Buffalo Bills (From Chiefs): Taven Bryan (DT – Florida)
I’m begging you, get to know this name now before it’s too late. Bryan showed flashes of brilliance against big-name schools like Michigan and Texas A&M earlier in the season. He was unblockable at times with outstanding first step off the ball as well as the power to anchor in the running game. It’s a great start to rebuild this defensive front seven back to physical Bills football.
22) Buffalo Bills: Derwin James (S – FSU)
The steal of the draft thus far, James should be long gone by now. Adding his ball-hawking ability and versatility next to budding cornerback Tre White is a match made in heaven.
23) LA Rams: Josh Jackson (CB – Iowa)
The Rams catapulted into legitimacy thanks to Sean McVay’s offensive mind. Now, it’s time to build a rock on the defensive side of the ball. With Jackson’s talent as a man and press cover corner the Rams can finally use different schematic designs to take advantage of their other playmakers.
24) Carolina Panthers: Chukwuma Okafor (OT – Western Michigan)
The thing I love about Ron Rivera is how much he cares about his trenches, constantly upgrading and adding talent when he can. Learn the name now, because soon he will be a household name after the Senior Bowl. The addition gives Norv Turner some flexibility and options in his new offense.
25) Tennessee Titans: Rashaan Evans (LB – Alabama)
The Titans overachieved making it to the Divisional Round in large part to do with some great drafting last year. The trend continues adding a possible Pro Bowl talent in Evans at a position that is desperate for youth and talent. If they play defense for Alabama, odds are they’re pretty good.
26) Atlanta Falcons: Jaire Alexander (CB – Louisville)
The Falcons have very few glaring weaknesses up and down the roster. Rather than reaching on an average offensive lineman, they take the best talent available and make a strength even stronger. Alexander is the real deal, and in a pass-happy league you just can’t have enough guys that can run down the field and cover.
27) New Orleans Saints: Harold Landry (Edge – Boston College)
I for one love Landry with his outstanding bend and ability to explode off the edge. His testing and combine numbers could push him into the top-15 picks, but this is a much more realistic landing spot. The Saints arguably had the best draft class of anyone last season and look to continue the trend getting Cam Jordan a playmate to get after the quarterback.
28) Pittsburgh Steelers: Trumaine Edmunds (ILB – Virginia Tech)
You just don’t find 6’5″ inside linebackers with the range, football IQ, and tackling ability of Edmunds. Edmunds has football genes as his father was a tight end, and he will immediately fit the mold of what a Pittsburgh linebacker looks like. What could be a rare talent also helps fill a major hole of the linebacking unit with the sad uncertainty Ryan Shazier may never play again.
29) Jacksonville Jaguars: Courtland Sutton (WR – SMU)
Outside of the question marks at quarterback, it’s a crapshoot when assuming what position the Jaguars will target. Unfortunately, they have some huge names hitting free agency at the wideout position. Adding the monster Sutton and his huge catch radius could help the progression of Blake Bortles giving him a 50-50 jump ball receiver.
30) Minnesota Vikings: Billy Price (OG – Ohio State)
The Vikings did an outstanding job rebuilding their offensive line last year. Now, it’s time to finish the job. Price’s resume is as clean as a whistle starting over 50 straight games while winning the Remington Award. Minnesota can pair him up next to his old teammate Pat Elflein for some serious chemistry on the interior line.
31) Philadelphia Eagles: Isaiah Oliver (CB – Colorado)
Like the teams before them, offensive line remains a big need, but reaching at the position just doesn’t make sense. Oliver could be one of the best of the bunch five years from now and gives the Eagles an insane amount of starter-type cornerbacks to the mix. This is now the best Dime Package in the league, and it’s not particularly close.
32) New England Patriots: Marcus Davenport (Edge – UTSA)
Leave it to the Patriots to draft the first small school defensive player. Bill Belichick doesn’t care where you come from. Instead, he looks for balls of clay to mold. Davenport is a lot of clay at 6’7″ with long arms and a ferocious motor. If anyone is going to turn Davenport into the next Chandler Jones, it’s Bill.
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Luke Inman is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Luke, follow him @luke_spinman.
