Matt McKinnie 2018 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

This Mock takes into account what happened during the NFL Scouting Combine. You’ll see players move around based on their individual performances. Some players will fall out of the first round, and some will make their way into my list for the first time.

Pick 1: Cleveland Browns select Sam Darnold- QB, USC

I previously had Mayfield going first overall, but his overall performance leaves some to be desired. Plus, reports coming up that Baker is overly cocky could force the Browns to have Johnny Football deja vu, and go instead with the safer option at Quarterback with Darnold. (Note: I also say that they’ll go QB despite the team trading for Tyrod Taylor from the Bills. The trade happened before I finished making this mock. Taylor is clearly a stop gap option, and they’ll want to have the option to develop a passer for a year or two. All that being said, Barkley has a much bigger chance of going at this spot now. (Don’t be shocked to see me having him number one on my next Mock))

Previous pick: Baker Mayfield- QB, Oklahoma

Pick 2: New York Giants select Saquon Barkley- RB, Penn State

His great Combine solidifies my opinion that he will be paired with Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. As mentioned before, the team will have to effectively get help on the Offensive Line in Free Agency to see a stellar impact in Barkley’s first season.

Previous pick: Same

Pick 3: Indianapolis Colts select Bradley Chubb- Edge Rusher, N.C. State

Another player that had himself a good outing at the Combine, Chubb is the most logical pick still. Even if Indy gets some help in Free Agency with their pass rush, I don’t see them passing on a prospect like this. Unless, Barkley manages to drop down to them.

Previous pick: Same

Pick 4: Cleveland Browns select Derwin James- Safety, Florida State

If Barkley and Chubb had a great Combine, James had an excellent showing. This skyrockets him up draft boards. Now, why go with James over Fitzpatrick? Well, I find with James you know he is going to be a Safety at the next level, while Fitzpatrick could end up anywhere. Sound familiar? Yes, another Jabrill Peppers guessing game type thing (Yes, I’m a professional) isn’t something a team rebuilding needs in another draft.

Previous pick: Minkah Fitzpatrick- Safety, Alabama

Pick 5: Denver Broncos select Josh Rosen- QB, UCLA

The Broncos are also scared off from selecting Mayfield, and go with my original selection of Josh Rosen. Forced throws are still a big concern, but the team finds that he is much more ready to play then when they selected Paxton Lynch.

Previous pick: Same

Pick 6: New York Jets select Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

If the top 5 of the draft goes like I just described, then I could see the Jets potentially trading down a couple of spots if they feel like Mayfield is there guy, as I don’t see any teams in the top 15 or so trading up for him. While I mentioned the potential headache he could be for a head coach, he is the type of player who will sell tickets. Plus, let’s be real, Broadway Baker? Yeah, I don’t see them passing on Mayfield.

Previous pick: Sam Darnold- QB, USC

Pick 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Quenton Nelson- OG, Notre Dame

While I realize the temptation of Fitzpatrick to help their secondary, I think this would be a real case of best player available. I mentioned in the last Mock that I thought he was a top 3 prospect in this draft, and I still stand by that post Combine. (His interviews left me VERY impressed)

Previous pick: Same

Pick 8: Chicago Bears select Courtland Sutton- WR, SMU

I personally feel the combine showed that Sutton is the best Wide Receiver prospect coming out of this draft in front of Ridley. I just feel like he has such more of a ceiling in comparison to the WR from Alabama.

Previous pick: Calvin Ridley- WR, Alabama

Pick 9: San Francisco 49ers select Denzel Ward- CB, Ohio State

I still feel like this is a perfect pairing, and him showcasing his speed at the Combine only helped this potentially happening. Surprised Fitzpatrick isn’t being picked here? I’m not. I feel Ward is the better fit for their defense.

Previous pick: Same

Pick 10: Oakland Raiders select Roquan Smith- LB, Georgia

I’m shocked to see Fitzpatrick fall out of the top 10, but the Raiders have a lot of young players invested in their secondary. That being said, they need a lot more help in their front 7. Smith is still the best selection for them.

Previous pick: Same

Pick 11: Miami Dolphins select Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

I previously had Edge Rusher Davenport at this selection on my previous Mock Draft. However, after giving it some thought, I think the middle linebacker position needs more help. I don’t see Lawrence Timmons being back this next season, and Kiko Alonso is a cut candidate in a year or so. Edmunds doesn’t fall in this Mock nearly as he did before and rightfully so! Secondary should also be fine for the time being, with young players with potential on the roster. (Note: I made this mock before the Jarvis Landry trade. Luckily, I made this pick with the mentality that Landry was going to be traded eventually anyway.)

Previous pick: Marcus Davenport- Edge Rusher, UTSA

Pick 12: Cincinnati Bengals select Connor Williams- OT, Texas

Same pick as before. Bengals still need a lot of help at the bookends, and while Fitzpatrick is still on the board, that would be more of a luxury pick that Andy Dalton just can’t afford.

Previous pick: Same

Pick 13: Washington Redskins select Derrius Guice- RB, LSU

Reach. Reach. This is a reach. BUT, how many times have we seen a team with a fresh need at a position and pull the trigger on a prospect? Don’t be shocked if they trade down in order to get this same player, but for now this is my prediction.

Previous pick: Courtland Sutton- WR, SMU

Pick 14: Green Bay Packers select Minkah Fitzpatrick – S, Alabama

The big slide of the first round finally comes to a halt, and the Pack couldn’t be happier. With Morgan Burnett becoming a free agent, this fills a big need. Plus, they could honestly use help at all secondary positions minus Clinton-Dix. (Though, we have seen rumors of a possible trade in regards to him, haven’t we?)

Previous pick: Josh Jackson- CB, Iowa

Pick 15: Arizona Cardinals select Josh Allen- QB, Wyoming

On my previous Mock, I attempted to make a big assumption that Allen would slip out of the first round due to him needing work. However, after his big Combine performance, I just don’t see that realistically happening. The Cardinals are still going to need to sign a stop gap veteran QB in order for Allen to sit a year or two, but this is still a pick that makes sense.

Previous pick: Orlando Brown- OT, Oklahoma

Pick 16: Baltimore Ravens select Orlando Brown- OT, Oklahoma

As I mentioned before, the Ravens top needs in the draft are WR, OL, and OLB. I previously had Key here to add to their pass rush, but his poor (Or lack there of) performance at the combine will make him drop. So, this is a case of best player available for what they are specifically looking for.

Previous pick: Arden Key- Edge Rusher, LSU

Pick 17: Los Angeles Chargers select Mike McGlinchey- OT, Notre Dame

The Chargers got super lucky in my last Mock when Edmunds fell to them, but that obviously isn’t the case this time around. Still, McGlinchey is a good consolation prize. Los Angeles has pieces in place as far as the Left Tackle and two Guard spots go, but bringing in a player like Mike to go to the Right Tackle spot would really solidify their group. Don’t be shocked if they go QB if one happens to fall to them, or if they decide to trade up.

Previous pick: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Pick 18: Seattle Seahawks select Josh Jackson- CB, Iowa

As I’m working on the draft for this Mock, I’ve learned the news that Michael Bennett has been traded in principle, and Richard Sherman is rumored to be saying goodbye to his teammates. So, this opens up some need on defense. So, in this scenario, would the Seahawks rather go DE or CB? As far as what player fits best in their scheme, Josh Jackson makes the most sense to me.

Previous pick: Mike McGlinchey- OT, Notre Dame

Pick 19: Dallas Cowboys select Calvin Ridley- WR, Alabama

This is really going to depend on what happens with Dez Bryant. Personally, I think the team holds on to him for one more season. That being said, there could still be pressure for them to go WR here, and in this scenario they do. Ridley is a solid fit here.

Previous pick: Vita Vea- DT, Washington

Pick 20: Detroit Lions select Vita Vea- DT, Washington

The Lions were hopeful in this scenario for the LSU RB to fall to them, but instead they get a player who I would give an overall higher draft grade. They could use an upgrade on the inside of their Defensive Line, and this guy would certainly be that upgrade.

Previous pick: Derrius Guice- RB, LSU

Pick 21: Buffalo Bills select Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

Same pick as before, regardless if Tyrod Taylor stays or not. I liked what I saw from him in the combine, and still believe this to be a good fit.

Previous pick: Same

Pick 22: Buffalo Bills select James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

Once again, same as before. Keep the BFFs together, yada yada. (Read my previous mock for a more in depth look)

Previous pick: Same

Pick 23: Los Angeles Rams select Arden Key, Edge Rusher, LSU

Part of me still thinks that they could go WR here, especially with Sammy Watkins heading to Free Agency. That being said, with Robert Quinn now being traded to the Dolphins, I think putting Key in that OLB that Quinn was out of position for makes the most sense. Yes, he had a questionable combine, but I don’t see him not going in the first round.

Previous pick: Christian Kirk- WR, Texas A&M

Pick 24: Carolina Panthers select Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

I personally still have Anthony Miller as the better prospect over Kirk. That being said, I know what NFL scouts are thinking, and a good bit of them have Kirk over Miller. Not a bad pick, but I’d personally draft Miller.

Previous pick: Anthony Miller- WR, Memphis

Pick 25: Tennessee Titans select Isaiah Wynn- OG, Georgia

It’s a shame that Billy Price got injured at the Combine, as I still would have had him going here regardless of how he had performed. That being said, Price’s injury could force him out of the first round. So, the Titans go with Wynn instead, who is a more natural Offensive Guard then Price anyway.

Previous pick: Billy Price- C, Ohio State

Pick 26: Atlanta Falcons select Da’Ron Payne- DT, Alabama

The Defensive line needs to be restocked with players heading to Free Agency, and Payne is the best player available when it comes to D-linemen.

Previous pick: Isaiah Wynn- OG, Georgia

Pick 27: New Orleans Saints select Dallas Goedert- TE, South Dakota State

The Saints met with Goedert at the combine, and I’ve got a feeling they came away impressed with this small school prospect. Coby Fleener hasn’t been a DISASTER, but he sure hasn’t impressed, especially in the End Zone. I also don’t buy into the Jimmy Graham reunion tour happening. Drew Brees comes away happy with a new target. (Assuming they get a new deal worked out for the QB, which I fully expect)

Previous pick: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Pick 28: Pittsburgh Steelers select Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

As horrible as the Ryan Shazier injury is, they still need to replace his production. While Evans might not be as fast, but he has great skills overall. He also has the potential to play inside or outside in the 3-4 scheme, so it’s possible to move him around in the future.

Previous pick: Derwin James, S, Florida State

Pick 29: Jacksonville Jaguars select Anthony Miller- WR, Memphis

Allen Robinson avoided the Franchise Tag and will head to Free Agency, while Allen Hurns has disappointed. Blake Bortles will need a restocking of targets, and Miller would be a great replacement. I’ve expressed before how much I like him, and fully believe this would be a good fit.

Previous pick: Dallas Goedert- TE, South Dakota State

Pick 30: Minnesota Vikings select Maurice Hurst- DT, Michigan

I’m nervous to put Hurst here, given his heart condition that was revealed at the Combine. That being said, if he ends up getting the all clear, he would be a steal at this point of the draft. Let’s hope Hurst can show everything is alright at his Pro Day.

Previous pick: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Pick 31: New England Patriots select Jaire Alexander- CB, Louisville

I still wouldn’t mind my previous selection of Linebacker, but with Alexander’s great performance at the Combine, he is steadily moving up draft boards. A good cover Corner is as big of a need for the Pats as LB, so the move makes sense here.

Previous pick: Harold Landry- LB, Boston College

Pick 32: Philadelphia Eagles select DJ Moore- WR, Maryland

The last pick of this first round Mock Draft is yet another prospect who benefited from a strong showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. I expect Torrey Smith to leave in Free Agency, so finding his replacement only makes sense here. (Despite the fact that Smith recently said he expects to be back with the team)

Previous pick: Malik Jefferson- LB, Texas

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So, let me know your guys’ thoughts in the comment section! Do you see a possibility Fitzpatrick dropping that low? Were there any big reaches? Perhaps another prospect fell way too low? Share your thoughts! I expect to have my third Mock Draft out after Free Agency gets under way.

Cheers!