Apr 26, 20183 min read

NFL: Mock Draft Vol. 4

1. Browns: Baker Mayfield QB/Oklahoma (+11): Mayfield, the 2017-18 Heisman Trophy winner, was tremendous in his senior season for the Oklahoma Sooners. He threw for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns on 70.5 percent passing. According to Adam Schefter, the Cleveland Browns have narrowed down their selection to Mayfield and Josh Allen, and Mayfield is the likely choice.

2. Giants: Saquon Barkley HB/Penn State (+0): After declaring that they are going to bring back Eli Manning, it seems like the Giants are going to go after a non-QB with this spot. The best player available has to be Barkley. He dominated the college game with the ability to catch, run, and return. His agility and speed will be greatly appreciated in New York.

3. Jets (via Colts): Sam Darnold QB/USC (-2): Darnold looked fine in his pro day, but it wasn’t the mind-blowing performance that some people - namely the Browns - expected and hoped for. So they’re probably going to go in another direction with the top spot. Which means the New York Jets will get to pick between Allen, Darnold, and Josh Rosen. We say they land on the former-USC QB to come in.

4. Browns (via Texans): Bradley Chubb DE/N.C. State (+0): With their second selection in the top four picks, the Browns would be smart to grab a player on the opposite side of the ball. Bradley Chubb is a stud on the defensive line and would be a nightmare for a ton of teams, joining the former No. 1 overall pick Myles Garrett, and creating a successful First Round for the winless Browns.

5. Broncos: Quenton Nelson G/Notre Dame (+1): The Broncos seemed like they were in need of a quarterback and the consensus was that they were going to get a signal caller for much of the offseason. But then they signed former Minnesota Vikings QB Case Keenum and everything we thought we knew was thrown out the window. So it seems possible that Denver will instead get someone to protect Keenum.

6. Colts: Denzel Ward CB/Ohio State (+4): The Colts traded down with the Jets for the third overall pick and it seems likely that Indianapolis will target an offensive lineman or a defensive back - there two biggest weaknesses, so we'll say they take the best available player between those two positions, which equates to Denzel Ward joining fellow Ohio State alum Malik Hooker in Indy.

7. Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick CB/Alabama (+7): Fitzpatrick was once considered to be a lock for a top five pick, and then he dropped on most mock drafts. But over the last month or two, his stock has seemed to rise up a bit and could go as high as seven to Tampa Bay. The Bucs need all the help they can get on the defensive side of the ball and Fitzpatrick is an athletic and intelligent defender.

8. Bears: Derwin James S/Florida State (-1): A year ago, many people were thinking that James was going to be the top pick in this draft, but because of an influx of quarterbacks, he has slid a bit. But James is still one of the best defenders in the 2018 class and shouldn't slip any further than the 10th pick in the draft. He could go to Tampa Bay a spot ahead of our projection, but Chicago seems like a realistic landing spot.

9. 49ers: Roquan Smith LB/Georgia (+10): Smith really impressed viewers this past season en route to taking the Georgia Bulldogs to the CFP national title game, before losing to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Smith was the best player on Georgia's team for much of the year, and should be the first Bulldog taken tonight. The 49ers need defensive studs to match their offensive prowess and Smith is a good step.

10. Raiders: Mike McGlinchy T/Notre Dame (+8): Even though Notre Dame wasn't a legitimate title contender this past season, they had one heck of an offensive line, and McGlinchy was a big part of that. If he gets taken in the top 10 then he'd likely be the second Fighting Irish product to be drafted. Jon Gruden will try to stress importance on the line, and taking a big offensive tackle will help Oakland.