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2018 first-round NFL Mock Draft (March 20, 2018 edition)
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

2018 first-round NFL Mock Draft (March 20, 2018 edition)

With the combine finished and free agency in full swing, the 2018 draft picture is become more clear. Several big-name players have found new homes, while one team already moved up in the draft to get its man.

Here's our latest predictions for how the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft will turn out as of March 20, 2018.

 
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1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
John Hefti / USA Today Sports Images

Cleveland acquired Tyrod Taylor, but he's likely just a stopgap for another arm. Darnold showed incredible vision while at USC, but some don't feel he's ready to play in the NFL. While Cleveland isn't an optimal situation for any quarterback, he would get time to develop.

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

New York Giants: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
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The Giants' decision at No. 2 overall will be interesting, but even if they retain Eli Manning — as it appears — it would make sense to use this opportunity on a long-term successor. Allen has as much versatility as any of the top four quarterbacks, but he's also a big risk after facing inferior competition at Wyoming.

 
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3. New York Jets (via Colts): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

New York Jets (via Colts): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Mark D. Smith / USA Today Sports Images

New York brought back Josh McCown and added former first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater, but the Jets didn't trade up with the Colts to take a running back or defensive lineman. This pick will almost certainly be a quarterback, and Mayfield has the Joe Namath-like swagger that could work in the Big Apple. With four years of college under his belt, he could also be the most ready of the 2018 class.

 
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4. Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Chubb is the top defensive player on the board and would be quite helpful, even after Cleveland spent the first overall pick on Myles Garrett last year. The possibility of Chubb and Garrett for years to come is a scary thought.

 
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5. Denver Broncos: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Denver Broncos: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
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There are major questions at the running back position for the Broncos going into the draft, as C.J. Anderson is a trade candidate and Devontae Booker might not be starting back material. If Barkley somehow falls to fifth in the draft, Broncos fans would dance in the streets. He's arguably the best running back prospect the draft has seen in the current generation, and he's coming off a terrific combine. After signing Case Keenum, the team hopes it doesn't have to reach for a quarterback for the second time in three years.

 
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6. Indiananapolis Colts (via Jets): Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

Indiananapolis Colts (via Jets): Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
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Colts GM Chris Ballard did well trading back in the draft without quarterback as a need, and he has plenty of holes to fill. Even after drafting Malik Hooker in the first round last year, the Colts desperately need help in the secondary. Fitzpatrick proved himself to be a playmaker at Bama, though the Colts might opt to address the offensive line instead.

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

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
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James could reunite with former FSU quarterback Jameis Winston, helping address a Tampa back end that had its share of issues last season. He rebounded last season after missing almost all of 2016.

 
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8. Chicago Bears: Tremaine Edmunds, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech

Chicago Bears: Tremaine Edmunds, DE/OLB, Virginia Tech
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Finding receivers for Mitchell Trubisky was a desperate need coming into the offseason, but the Bears did something about that in free agency by signing Allen Robinson and Trey Burton. They can now try to do something about the defense, and Edmunds has a high ceiling as a pass rusher.

 
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9. San Francisco 49ers: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

San Francisco 49ers: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
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Kyle Shanahan got a new running back, gushing over Jerick McKinnon, but the team could use upside at receiver for Jimmy Garoppolo. Ridley certainly has that and, even with inconsistent play in a run-first Alabama offense, shows the most upside at the position. 

 
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10. Oakland Raiders: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Oakland Raiders: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

It's been a very weird offseason for Oakland so far, adding older players to fill holes. Cornerback remains a need even after signing Rashaan Melvin, as the team lacks ability beyond its top two corners. Ward is the best option on the board.

 
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11. Miami Dolphins: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Miami Dolphins: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
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Ryan Tannehill is coming back from knee surgery, and the Dolphins have been mentioned as lurkers in the quarterback draft market. If a talent like Rosen drops to them, the opportunity could be too good to pass up.

 
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12. Buffalo Bills (via Bengals): Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Buffalo Bills (via Bengals): Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
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Linebacker currently looks like a strong area of need for the Bills. Evans was a playmaker at Alabama and could be a good fit for Sean McDermott's defense. He had 74 tackles and six sacks in 12 games this past season.

 
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13. Washington Redskins: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

Washington Redskins: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
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After trading away young cornerback Kendall Fuller in the Alex Smith trade, cornerback remains a need for Washington. Jackson is arguably the best cornerback in this year's class and would certainly fill the need.

 
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14. Green Bay Packers: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

Green Bay Packers: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

The Packers have done a solid job addressing holes in free agency so far, but adding cornerback depth is still on the agenda, as it was last year. Kevin King showed solid ability in his rookie season when he was on the field, and Hughes would be another weapon, also adding ability as a returner.

 
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15. Arizona Cardinals: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

Arizona Cardinals: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
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While Larry Fitzgerald is returning for at least another season, Arizona is again in the market for a wideout. Fitzgerald will retire sooner or later, and the team lost John Brown in free agency. Sutton has big-play ability, and the team will be looking to complement new quarterback Sam Bradford with more weapons.

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

Baltimore Ravens: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Charles Morgan Engel / USA Today Sports Images

Not many teams have a bigger need than that of the Ravens at wideout. The team added Michael Crabtree and John Brown, but neither show No. 1 receiver potential anymore. That's something Kirk certainly has after a great college career, as well as the ability to return kicks.

 
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17. Los Angeles Chargers: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Los Angeles Chargers: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Smith would be a great fit for a San Diego defense that is already very strong rushing the passer and on the back end. He's a top 10 talent as a run stopper and playmaker who could drop in the draft solely because of teams filling other needs.

 
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18. Seattle Seahawks: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Seattle Seahawks: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Seattle spent a high draft choice on Malik McDowell last year, but it's possible he might not take the field due to an off-field injury. Payne is extremely athletic and has the ability to replace Sheldon Richardson immediately.

 
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19. Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

The Dallas pass rush improved last season, but the team could still use some help on the interior. Vea is a load on the inside and 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
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Detroit has struggled to find an answer at running back, as Ameer Abdullah's lack of development has been a massive disappointment. Guice averaged only 5.3 yards per carry as the primary ball carrier in his junior season — his third straight year declining in that department — but he's still an outstanding prospect after rushing for more than 2,600 yards combined over the last two seasons. The team signed LeGarrette Blount, but he's more likely to serve as a short-yardage back.

 
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21. Cincinnati Bengals (via Bills): Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Cincinnati Bengals (via Bills): Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Cincinnati desperately needs to address the offensive line after a subpar 2017 season. The acquisition of Cordy Glenn certainly helps at left tackle, but the Bengals still have a guard spot to address. Nelson could be the best offensive lineman on the board.

 
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22. Buffalo Bills (via Chiefs): Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Buffalo Bills (via Chiefs): Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
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After trading Cordy Glenn, the Bills have a strong need on the offensive line. McGlinchey is arguably the best offensive lineman on the board. He has played both tackle spots and could step in immediately.

 
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23. Los Angeles Rams: Harold Landry, OLB/DE, Boston College

Los Angeles Rams: Harold Landry, OLB/DE, Boston College
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Landry struggled due to injuries in 2017 but could fly up draft boards after recording 16.5 sacks in 2016. After moving Robert Quinn, the Rams are in the market for a pass rusher.

 
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24. Carolina Panthers: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

Carolina Panthers: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Rob Ferguson / USA Today Sports Images

After trading Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina will be in the market for a wide receiver. Washington had yet another incredible year while playing hurt, finishing 2017 with 1,549 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns.

 
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25. Tennessee Titans: Billy Price, OC/OG, Ohio State

Tennessee Titans: Billy Price, OC/OG, Ohio State
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Tennessee is set at tackle but has some major needs on the offensive line interior. Price can play either center or guard at a high level.

 
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26. Atlanta Falcons: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

Atlanta Falcons: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
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Atlanta could be looking to pair another young safety with Keanu Neal. Harrison was highly productive in college at Alabama and would be a strong fit.

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

New Orleans Saints: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Brian Spurlock / USA Today Sports Images

Drew Brees is officially back in New Orleans, but the Saints still strongly need a developmental quarterback behind him. Jackson couldn't be more different, but perhaps that gives Sean Payton incentive to work him into games in the short term. It's become clear that Jackson isn't moving to wideout.

 
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28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State

Pittsburgh Steelers: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

Jesse James as done a solid job stepping up as Pittsburgh's starting tight end, but the Steelers would love to have additional upside at the position. Goedert is a unicorn with the potential to do that for the Steelers.

 
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29. Jacksonville Jaguars: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland

Jacksonville Jaguars: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Mike Carter / USA Today Sports Images

Jacksonville allowed Allen Robinson to get away in free agency and released Allen Hurns. While the Jags proved last season they can get by with their current crop of wideouts, adding another option wouldn't be a bad idea. Moore is coming off a 1,000-yard season at Maryland.

 
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30. Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA

Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
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Minnesota is in a great spot with one of the more stacked rosters on paper. Of course, you can never have enough pass rushers, and Davenport's draft stock has been rising since the Senior Bowl.

 
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31. New England Patriots, Connor Williams, OT, Texas

New England Patriots, Connor Williams, OT, Texas
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The Patriots let longtime starting left tackle Nate Solder walk in free agency, creating a massive hold to fill in order to protect Tom Brady's blindside. Williams was considered a top pick heading into 2017 before an injury-riddled junior campaign, but he has the tools to step in and play right away.

 
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32. Philadelphia Eagles: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

Philadelphia Eagles: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

There aren't many tight ends better than Zach Ertz in the league, but the Eagles lost their tight end depth with Trey Burton leaving in free agency and Brent Celek getting cut. The organization has continuously shown that getting weapons for Carson Wentz is its highest priority, and Hurst would add yet another.

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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