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Way-too-early 2018 NFL Mock Draft
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Way-too-early 2018 NFL Mock Draft

With half of the NFL season in the books, the draft order and team needs for next year's draft are becoming clearer. There is the usual crop of teams looking for signal callers, along with a bevy of teams looking elsewhere to upgrade their rosters.

With November underway and the college football season winding down, here is where we believe the top prospects will go in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft right now.

 
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1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

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

Darnold isn't having the type of year many expected, but the Trojans also lost significant talent from last year's roster. He remains a huge playmaker for USC, and the Browns seem unconvinced second-round pick DeShone Kizer is their future. There are reports Darnold could stay in school if the Browns are in a position to take him, but he comes out, Cleveland seems like it would still select the USC QB.

 
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2. San Francisco 49ers: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

San Francisco 49ers: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

The 49ers seem to have added their long-term quarterback at the trade deadline by acquiring Jimmy Garoppolo from New England. They haven't seemed enamored with Carlos Hyde this season, and the temptation of adding the dynamic Barkley could be too good to pass up.

 
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3. New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

New York Giants: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Kelvin Kuo / USA Today Sports Images

Rosen has rebounded from injury to throw for more than 2,700 yards so far this season. He still throws too many interceptions, but he remains a top prospect. Eli Manning is approaching the end of the road.

 
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4. Indianapolis Colts: Arden Key, DE/LB, LSU

Indianapolis Colts: Arden Key, DE/LB, LSU
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Colts GM Chris Ballard has stated he wants players who are able to create turnovers. The Indy offensive line needs help, but Ballard will be hesitant to overdraft a lineman. The pass rush is just as big of a need, and Key is an elite talent.

 
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5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James, S, Florida State

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
Melina Vastola / USA Today Sports Images

After missing most of last season, James has returned healthy from a knee injury and been a playmaker in the secondary. He has more than 50 tackles this season and would give the Bucs another FSU connection.

 
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6. New York Jets: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

New York Jets: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Brian Losness / USA Today Sports Images

Allen's draft stock is controversial, but it's likely he will go in the first round with the desperation of NFL teams looking for their own quarterback of the future. The Jets did nothing to address the position last offseason, and it will certainly be a need with Josh McCown closer to the end of his career at age 38.

 
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7. Oakland Raiders: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson

Oakland Raiders: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
Joshua S. Kelly / USA Today Sports Images

The Oakland defense has been exposed again this season, and the team has major needs at all three levels. Wilkins has the ability to impact both the run and pass and make an immediate impact for Oakland's defense.

 
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8: Los Angeles Chargers: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

8: Los Angeles Chargers: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Erich Schlegel / USA Today Sports Images

Another controversial quarterback option, Rudolph has shown his accuracy in his senior season for the Cowboys, completing more than 63 percent of his passes. The Chargers need to address the long term at quarterback with Philip Rivers nearing the end of his career.

 
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9. Chicago Bears: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Chicago Bears: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

The Chicago defense is making progress, but it still has its share of talent issues. Fitzpatrick has the talent and experience to help immediately, and he had six picks for the Crimson Tide last season.

 
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10. Arizona Cardinals: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Arizona Cardinals: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Mark D. Smith / USA Today Sports Images

Is Carson Palmer's career over? He struggled this season before fracturing his left arm. Mayfield has shown incredible accuracy for the third straight year, completing more than 71 percent of his passes, and he can make plays with his legs.

 
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11. Denver Broncos: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Denver Broncos: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

Denver addressed tackle in the first round of this year's draft, but it's clear that the Broncos need more help on the line. McGlinchey could slide in at right tackle for them.

 
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12. Cincinnati Bengals: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Cincinnati Bengals: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Cincinnati is becoming long in the tooth in several areas, particularly on defense. After addressing the offense with their early picks this year, the Bengals should switch back to the defensive side of the ball.

 
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13. Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

Kenny Britt has been a gigantic bust for the Browns this season, and 2016 first-round pick Corey Coleman also injured his hand for the second straight year. David Njoku shows potential at tight end, but the Browns need to add more weapons if they're going to address quarterback.

 
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14. Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

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

Detroit trusted that Ameer Abdullah could fix its running woes, but he's been subpar this season with only 3.7 yards per carry. Guice is a playmaker whom some scouts like more than Leonard Fournette, his former Tigers teammate.

 
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15. Washington Redskins: Harold Landry, OLB/DE, Boston College

Washington Redskins: Harold Landry, OLB/DE, Boston College
Brian Fluharty / USA Today Sports Images

Washington's defense has done a solid job with 22 sacks and only 226 passing yards allowed per game, but it could still use some help in pass rush at the second level. Landry's college production is almost unmatched with 16.5 sacks last year and five sacks in eight games this season.

 
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16. Baltimore Ravens: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Baltimore Ravens: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

The entire Baltimore offense desperately needs addressing. Joe Flacco has struggled this season, along with his receivers. Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace are past their primes, while former first-round pick Breshad Perriman continues to disappoint. Kirk is a speedy receiver who could help the offense and on special teams.

 
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17. Dallas Cowboys: M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina

Dallas Cowboys: M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

The Cowboys have tried to get by with a young secondary, and their strong pass rush has certainly helped in that effort. They could still use some help, and Stewart has the ability despite failing to get an interception last season or this year. He can also return punts.

 
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18. Tennessee Titans: Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas

Tennessee Titans: Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas
Scott Sewell / USA Today Sports Images

The Texas defense has been excellent this season due in large part to Jefferson's contributions. He's been a tackling machine, something the Titans could use in the immediate future.

 
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19. Atlanta Falcons: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

Atlanta Falcons: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Rob Kinnan / USA Today Sports Images

Chubb has a chance to help the Atlanta defensive line both as a run stopper and pass rusher. The pass rush has struggled somewhat when Vic Beasley has been hurt.

 
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20. Green Bay Packers: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan

Green Bay Packers: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

This could turn into a lost year for the Packers with Aaron Rodgers sidelined. It's an opportunity to improve their run defense in the draft next season, allowing 4.2 yards per carry and the fourth most rush yards per game in football this season.

 
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21. Miami Dolphins: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

Miami Dolphins: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Chubb was an elite prospect in his freshman season, but a knee injury the following year has made it tough for him to get back to speed. He's made progress this year with 6.2 yards per carry. Miami will apparently be in the market for a starting running back after trading Jay Ajayi.

 
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22. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Grier, QB, West Virginia

Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
Ben Queen / USA Today Sports Images

The Jacksonville defense is developing into an elite unit. Obviously, the team's weakness this year has been the passing game, and it will likely address quarterback in the offseason if Blake Bortles doesn't improve quickly. Grier has been a playmaker at Florida and West Virginia, with 30 touchdown passes in only nine games this season.

 
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23. Carolina Panthers: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

Carolina Panthers: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Cam Newton continues to get knocked around, even as the Panthers tried to address the offensive line in the offseason. Brown has the pedigree, as his father played nine NFL seasons for the Browns and Ravens.

 
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24. Seattle Seahawks: Connor Williams, OT, Texas

Seattle Seahawks: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

The fact that Seattle's offensive line has struggled again is no mystery. The team lost George Fant in the offseason, but that's not the only need on the line that needs addressing. Williams could help immediately.

 
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25. Los Angeles Rams: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Los Angeles Rams: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams' defense has been hit or miss under new coordinator Wade Phillips. There is significant talent in the secondary, but the Rams lack the lockdown corners that Phillips had in Denver. After heavily addressing the offense over their last three drafts, it's time for the Rams to turn back to the defense with a corner like Ward.

 
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26. Buffalo Bills: Auden Tate, WR, Florida State

Buffalo Bills: Auden Tate, WR, Florida State
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

Buffalo drafted Zay Jones this year, but Jordan Matthews is a pending free agent. The Bills have had trouble throwing the ball down the field this season, which isn't all on Tyrod Taylor. Despite shaky quarterback play, Tate is having a solid junior season with 26 receptions and five touchdowns. The 6-5 wideout could be a major red zone threat.

 
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27. New Orleans Saints: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

New Orleans Saints: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Jeremy Brevard / USA Today Sports Images

The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner is a controversial prospect because of his lack of size and accuracy. However, he has a big arm and the wheels to play almost any offensive skill position. Sean Payton could develop Jackson as a weapon off the bench next year and eventual successor to Drew Brees.

 
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28. Minnesota Vikings: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State

Minnesota Vikings: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

The athletic Hubbard has shown the speed and quickness to play all over the field, and he's one of the key parts of an incredible Buckeyes defensive line. He has 12 sacks in three seasons with Ohio State, while the Vikes need to develop young pass rushers.

 
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29. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

Ben Roethlisberger requested help at tight end in the draft last offseason but didn't get it. The team is still getting by with Jesse James and Vance McDonald, but Andrews has a much higher ceiling. Of course, Big Ben's retirement status could play a big role in this pick.

 
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30. New England Patriots: Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia

New England Patriots: Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

Georgia's elite defense has been spurred by Smith's great contribution, with 70 tackles and 2.5 sacks in nine games. The New England defense has been gashed repeatedly this season and exposed at linebacker when Dont'a Hightower has been out of the lineup.

 
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31. Philadelphia Eagles: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Philadelphia Eagles: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

The Eagles are building impressive talent to surround Carson Wentz. While they do have a strong offensive line, adding depth in the interior to protect Wentz could be a priority in the offseason. Nelson has the ability to develop into a strong starter.

 
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32. Buffalo Bills (via Chiefs): Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State

Buffalo Bills (via Chiefs): Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
Melina Vastola / USA Today Sports Images

The Buffalo defense has held up this season at cornerback despite losing its top two corners from last season, as Tre'Davious White and E.J. Gaines have made great contributions. The oft-injured Gaines is still a concern, so addressing the spot again in the draft wouldn't be a surprise.

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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