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2018 SquaredCircle Community Mock Draft

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2018 SquaredCircle Community Mock Draft

Postby The Legend » Mar 29, '18, 3:45 pm

Let's get this party started!

Here's the Top 10 picks:

1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Cleveland Browns have gone 18 straight drafts avoiding an attempt to attack the most important question in their sport with their most valuable asset. The Patriots (93, Bledsoe), Seahawks (93, Mirer) and Saints (71, Archie Manning) are the only teams that have gone longer not using a top pick on a QB. For me the question comes down to Darnold and Rosen, both have their draw backs, but Rosen’s inability to stay healthy through college scares me the most. The first step of stabilizing the position is having a guy that will be there week after week and Darnold has shown that ability at USC and also has a proclivity for playmaking that should make him successful at the next level.

2. New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Rosen might just be the most talented quarterback in this class and despite the injury concerns shows the traits to be a pocket passer that can help a team at the next level. The fact that he’ll get to learn from Eli Manning for a year or two should help his development and maturation process as he readies to take the reins of the Giants.

3. New York Jets: Josh Allen QB, Wyoming
The Jets trade up to third more than a month before the draft is one of the stranger draft trades. With it incredibly likely that at least one and probably two quarterbacks off the board in the first two picks, do the Jets really like three QB’s enough to make this move? Is there a chance they made this jump to take someone outside of QB? I doubt they’ll take another player, so who would they be more likely to draft in this scenario? I think it’s Allen, many teams fall in love with a strong-armed quarterback, which Allen definitely is and will he fix his accuracy issues? Lots of coaches buy into their ability to fix accuracy problems.

4. Cleveland Browns: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
If the draft breaks down this way, Cleveland would have to consider itself pretty lucky. Not only do they get the QB they want, but now the Browns get their pick of all other positions as well. John Dorsey has done a good job of filling holes through a very busy start of the league year. There’s not many significant holes in the starting lineup that haven’t been addressed, and now they get to add the best player regardless of position. They’ll figure out how to shuffle things, replace Joe Thomas and get the 5 best OL on the field.

5. Denver Broncos: Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State
Chubb is the best defender in the draft and his impact in the pass rush should help a Bronco defense that ranked in the bottom third of the league in sacks. Chubb is an instant improvement over Shane Ray and a guy that should be a perennial pro bowler for Denver if he reaches his potential.

6. Indianapolis Colts: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Running back isn’t exactly a top need for the Colts, but outside of the quarterbacks, I believe Chubb, Nelson and Barkley are in a class by themselves as prospects and the fact that Indy can add one of those three guys after trading down and adding three second round picks is a great opportunity. Barkley will give the Colts an upgrade that allows them to stick to the running game and help in the pass game, two things that should keep Andrew Luck healthy.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
Fitzpatrick is a versatile defensive back that can help the Buccs secondary in different ways. I think his best position in the NFL will be at safety, but with the different packages NFL teams run these days a scenario where he slides in as a nickel at times is possible as well. Either way Fitzpatrick is one of the higher end prospects in this class and should fit in Tampa’s defense.

8. Chicago Bears: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
After acquiring their quarterback last season the Bears now have to address the numerous holes on one of the lesser rosters in the NFL. Edmunds is the kind of player that can fit in the middle of a defense and be a leader for a decade. He’s got everything you want from a size, speed and strength standpoint. The key to unlocking his ability will be Chicago’s ability to develop the mental side of the game and take a player that relies on athleticism and turn him into a complete football player.

9. San Francisco 49ers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Niners have been another one of the more active teams in free agency attempting to add pieces that can help in short order. With Jimmy Garoppolo taking a leading role in helping change the culture on the bay, adding James to the defense with Richard Sherman will re-make that secondary and help take the ball away from San Fran’s opponents. James showcased the traits of a leader for the Seminoles and should only grow from there.

10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The Raiders have a large hole at inside linebacker and Smith can fill the void in a major way. Pairing Smith with Khalil Mack would give Oakland a jumpstart on building one of the most feared linebacking corps in the NFL. They could also address cornerback at this spot, but I think Smith is a better prospect than the corner options at this spot.
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