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2018 NFL Mock Draft
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2018 NFL Mock Draft

With the NFL regular season now finished, most of the draft order for 2018 has been determined. Just eight teams are left to be sorted out, which means it's never too early to take a stab at which players will be taken where.

In addition, it's becoming more clear which of the eligible underclassmen will be actually available in the 2018 NFL Draft. With all that, here's an early look at the 2018 draft.

 
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1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

A consensus top quarterback hasn't emerged yet, but Darnold seems to get most of the top votes. Quarterback is certainly an area of dire need for the Browns, but former Chiefs GM John Dorsey could opt to make an immediate impact by trading for Alex Smith if he's not enamored with the draft pool.

 
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2. New York Giants: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

New York Giants: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Troy Babbitt / USA Today Sports Images

The versatile Allen is a polarizing prospect because he faced mostly inferior competition, but we've seen that workout plenty in the past with quarterbacks like Joe Flacco and Carson Wentz. Even if the Giants keep Eli Manning around, the opportunity to get a top young quarterback prospect could be too good to pass up.

 
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3. Indianapolis Colts: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Indianapolis Colts: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Colts GM Chris Ballard is looking for playmakers, and Smith was certainly that at Georgia. He finished with 137 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his junior season. He'd be a piece for the defense to build around, as Malik Hooker was last year.

 
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4. Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

While Cleveland has talent at running back with Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson, Barkley's talent is on another level. His versatility could immediately transform a mediocre Cleveland offense after gaining more than 3,800 yards from scrimmage and 43 touchdowns over the last two seasons for Penn State.

 
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5. Denver Broncos: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Denver Broncos: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Kelvin Kuo / USA Today Sports Images

Is John Elway ready to admit that 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch was a mistake? Lynch hasn't shown anything yet, and the Broncos desperately need to improve at quarterback to get out of the AFC West cellar. The opinions on Rosen are mixed, but he'd be the best quarterback prospect left if Darnold and Allen go earlier.

 
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6. New York Jets: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

New York Jets: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

Chubb's stock has skyrocketed this season with 10 sacks for the second straight year. The Jets still have a strong defensive line, but they could use more pass rush.

 
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7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Arden Key, DE, LSU

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Arden Key, DE, LSU
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

The Bucs had an embarrassing 22 sacks in 2017, and Gerald McCoy started to show his age. They desperately need more help rushing the passer, and Key can deliver despite a subpar junior season.

 
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8. Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

To say the Bears were lacking receiving weapons in 2017 would be an underestimate, and it's clear they want to help young quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. They already hired former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to lead the team, and Ridley would be another step forward despite declining production in Alabama's offense.

 
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9. San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

San Francisco 49ers: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

The 49ers' defense actually made some progress after a pitiful 2016 season, but there's much more work to be done. The offense looks to be in decent shape after adding Jimmy Garoppolo, but the secondary struggled for much of last season. Cornerback isn't nearly as deep as last year's draft class, but Ward looks like a great addition to any team.

 
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10. Oakland Raiders: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

Oakland Raiders: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Rob Ferguson / USA Today Sports Images

Michael Crabtree is rumored to be an offseason cut candidate, which would put Jon Gruden's team in the market for a wideout. Washington had yet another credible year while playing hurt, finishing 2017 with 1,549 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.

 
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11. Miami Dolphins: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Miami Dolphins: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

McGlinchey has the potential to be a dominant All-Pro, and Miami could use help across the entire offensive line. With Ryan Tannehill returning from injury, protecting him will be a priority.

 
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12. Cincinnati Bengals: Connor Williams, OT, Texas

Cincinnati Bengals: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Cincinnati struggled in several areas this season, but offensive tackle was one of them. Williams has the ability to step in and start immediately.

 
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13. Washington Redskins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Washington Redskins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

Fitzpatrick would be a major bargain if he drops this far. A strong playmaker, he had six interceptions and two touchdowns in his sophomore season before declining to only one pick this year, but his play was still solid.

 
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14. Green Bay Packers: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Green Bay Packers: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Charles Morgan Engel / USA Today Sports Images

Even when Aaron Rodgers was healthy, the Packers were lacking playmakers this season. Jordy Nelson had a down year, while Davante Adams suffered multiple concussions. Kirk has the ability to get behind the defense and contribute in the return game, and he was consistent during his college career.

 
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15. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

Arizona Cardinals: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports Images

Patrick Peterson continues to be a lockdown cornerback for the Cardinals, but they've struggled to find consistent held alongside him. Jackson could be the cornerback the organization has been trying to find.

 
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16. Baltimore Ravens: Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College

Baltimore Ravens: Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
Bob DeChiara / USA Today Sports Images

Baltimore's pass rush had another solid year, but every year the Terrell Suggs retirement whispers get louder. Landry had 16.5 sacks in his junior season, though he wasn't on the field as much in his senior year. That could make him a bargain.

 
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17. Los Angeles Chargers: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Los Angeles Chargers: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

There are major questions about Mayfield's lack of size and attitude, but there's no questioning his incredible production. His fiery demeanor resembles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who will turn 37 next December.

 
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18. Seattle Seahawks: Derwin James, S, Florida State

Seattle Seahawks: Derwin James, S, Florida State
Melina Vastola / USA Today Sports Images

James rebounded after missing most of 2016 due to injury, finishing with 84 tackles and two interceptions. Safety Kam Chancellor could retire due to injury, so James would be a great replacement candidate.

 
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19. Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Dallas developed a formidable pass rush in 2017, but Vea would be able to plug up the middle. Standing at 6-5, 340 pounds, Vea had 43 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his junior season.

 
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20. Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Matt Starney / USA Today Sports Images

Detroit has struggled to find an answer at running back, as Ameer Abdullah's development has been a massive disappointment. Guice averaged only 5.3 yards per carry as the primary ball carrier in his junior season, but he's still an outstanding prospect after rushing for more than 2,600 yards combined over the last two seasons.

 
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21. Buffalo Bills: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

Buffalo Bills: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Joshua S. Kelly / USA Today Sports Images

The Bills struggled to stop the run after trading Marcell Dareus. That's a problem that the 310-pound Wilkins has the potential to solve after finishing with 60 tackles and five sacks as a junior in 2017.

 
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22. Buffalo Bills (via Chiefs): Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama

Buffalo Bills (via Chiefs): Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama
Marvin Gentry / USA Today Sports Images

With two picks in a row, the Bills could reinforce their run defense twice or opt to package the picks and move up for a quarterback. If they opt for the former, Evans shows plenty of potential as both a run stopper and pass rusher, as he displayed with 74 tackles and six sacks in 12 games at Alabama.

 
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23. Los Angeles Rams: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Los Angeles Rams: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

Nelson will be the second Notre Dame offensive lineman taken in the draft, and the Rams could certainly use some help on the interior blocking for Jared Goff and Todd Gurley.

 
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24. Carolina Panthers: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

Carolina Panthers: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Andrew Dieb / USA Today Sports Images

Sutton was the catalyst of an SMU offense that improved rapidly over the last two seasons. He had 76 receptions for 1,246 yards and 10 scores in his sophomore year, followed by 68 receptions for 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior season. Standing at 6-4, he's an excellent replacement for Kelvin Benjamin.

 
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25. Tennessee Titans: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech

Tennessee Titans: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

Edmunds has been a tackling machine over the last two seasons for the Aggies. He had 94 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2016, followed by 108 tackles and 5.5 sacks this year. After addressing their secondary last offseason, the Titans could use help at the second level.

 
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26. Jacksonville Jaguars: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

Jacksonville Jaguars: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Orlando Brown's father was one of the biggest offensive linemen the NFL has ever seen, and junior is of similar stature. A dominant tackle, Brown has the pedigree to have a long career.

 
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27. Atlanta Falcons: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

Atlanta Falcons: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Safety Keanu Neal's development hasn't been seamless, and the Falcons could still use more help in the secondary. Harrison has been a constant playmaker at Alabama, finishing his junior year with 74 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three interceptions.

 
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28. Philadelphia Eagles: Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State

Philadelphia Eagles: Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

The Eagles have a dominant offensive line, but Jason Peters's football future is very much in doubt after a knee injury. Rankin could be a viable replacement.

 
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29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Reese Strickland / USA Today Sports Images

The opinions on Rudolph are vast, but Pittsburgh is due to address the quarterback position with an early pick given Ben Roethlisberger's annual flirtation with retirement. Rudolph has been incredibly productive at Oklahoma State, capping off his career with 4,904 yards and 37 touchdowns in his senior season.

 
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30. Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama

Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

What do you give the team that has everything on defense? Minnesota has an excellent secondary with Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes at corner, and Averett would have a chance to develop as a nickel corner.

 
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31. New England Patriots: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State

New England Patriots: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Jim Cowsert / USA Today Sports Images

The Patriots have struggled to find a mainstay as their No. 2 tight end after losing Aaron Hernandez, and Rob Gronkowski's past injuries are always a concern. The hype surrounding Goedert has been growing all year.

 
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32. New Orleans Saints: Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State

New Orleans Saints: Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
Melina Vastola / USA Today Sports Images

The Saints' defense made huge strides in 2017, due in large part to improvements at linebacker and the secondary. The run defense has still been exposed at times, allowing 4.4 yards per carry. Nnadi had a productive senior season on a mediocre Seminoles team with 53 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 13 games.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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