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2018 NFL first-round mock draft
USA TODAY Sports

2018 NFL first-round mock draft

The NFL Combine starts this week, so draft boards are in for a shakeup.

Every team will look to boost its roster through the draft, whether we're talking a rebuilding squad or the powerhouses looking to remain on top. Here's the latest NFL mock draft for the 2018 NFL Draft as of Feb. 26, 2018.

 
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1. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Mike Carter / USA Today Sports Images

With the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks, the 2018 draft is Cleveland's oyster. If the Browns decide to take Barkley here, a quarterback is still very much a possibility with their next pick. Barkley's gained more than 3,800 yards from scrimmage and 43 touchdowns over the last two seasons for Penn State, not to mention his kick return prowess so his versatility could immediately transform a mediocre Cleveland offense into something more respectable.

 
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2. New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants' decision at No. 2 will be interesting, but even if they retain Eli Manning, it would make sense to use this opportunity to draft his long-term successor. Darnold ran into some hiccups in 2017, but his vision isn't teachable.

 
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3. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Rob Kinnan / USA Today Sports Images

The Colts need to address every position other than quarterback, and premium pass rushers are impossible to pass up. Chubb's pass-rush ability could be difficult for the organization to overlook.

 
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4. Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Cleveland Browns (via Texans): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

Former Redskins GM Scot McCloughan has been hired as a consultant in Cleveland, and he revealed in October that Mayfield was his top quarterback in the upcoming draft class. Mayfield has his shortcomings, but it's hard to overlook the production. He could be the most NFL-ready quarterback on the board, but his lack of size and non-game issues could scare teams away.

 
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5. Denver Broncos: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Denver Broncos: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

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. It's become clear that the Broncos will address quarterback in one form or another this offseason despite spending their 2016 first-round pick on Paxton Lynch.

 
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6. New York Jets: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

New York Jets: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

It's time for the Jets to address quarterback for good, either via free agency or the draft. Rosen could be ready quickly, but there are major concerns about his durability.

 
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7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

The Bucs could use some help at safety and cornerback. Fortunately, Fitzpatrick has the versatility to play either position and should be an impact player immediately upon his arrival.

 
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8. Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

To say the Bears lacked receiving weapons in 2017 would be an understatement, 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
Trevor Ruszkowski / USA Today Sports Images

The 49ers' defense made strides last season, but cornerback is still a major need heading into the offseason. After fixing the offense with Jimmy Garoppolo, Ward would be a welcome addition to spur the defense in 2018 and further the development for the future.

 
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10. Oakland Raiders: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa

Oakland Raiders: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Sean Smith has been a bust since coming over from the Chiefs two years ago, and David Amerson was recently released. Adding a cornerback — possibly multiple CBs — will be a top priority of Jon Gruden's team this offseason, and Jackson fits the bill as one of the top available.

 
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11. Miami Dolphins: Roquan Smith, OLB, Georgia

Miami Dolphins: Roquan Smith, OLB, Georgia
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Smith is arguably the best defensive playmaker on the board, and Miami certainly needs help at linebacker. He finished with 137 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in his junior season.

 
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12. Cincinnati Bengals: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

Cincinnati Bengals: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

The Bengals have plenty of holes but none bigger than the offensive line. A dominant tackle, Brown has the pedigree to have a long career, following in the footsteps of his father, the late Orlando Claude "Zeus" Brown.

 
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13. Washington Redskins: Derwin James, S, Florida State

Washington Redskins: Derwin James, S, Florida State
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

Washington was already able to replace Kirk Cousins by acquiring Alex Smith (which becomes official in March), but that move created a huge void in the secondary as cornerback Kendall Fuller was sent back to the Chiefs and Bashaud Breeland elected free agency. If the team doesn't see a corner it likes, James is a possibility to be added at safety.

 
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14. Green Back Packers: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech

Green Back Packers: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

The Packers lacked a premium pass rusher in 2017 as Nick Perry's sack production declined. Edmunds is certainly a playmaker, totaling 108 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his junior year.

 
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15. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Arizona Cardinals: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
John Glaser / USA Today Sports Images

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 John Brown has struggled to get over his health issues. Kirk can contribute in multiple facets and brings huge upside for a team that desperately needs playmakers.

 
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16. Baltimore Ravens: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

Baltimore Ravens: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

Standing at 6-4, Sutton has all the physical gifts and produced last season with 68 receptions for 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns.Baltimore has struggled to find adequate help for Joe Flacco. Jeremy Maclin was a huge disappointment last season, and former first-round pick Breshad Perriman still hasn't developed.

 
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17. Los Angeles Chargers: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama

Los Angeles Chargers: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
John Reed / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers have plenty of talent in their front seven but could use more help in the secondary. Harrison has been a playmaker at Alabama, finishing his junior year with 74 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three interceptions.

 
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18. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF

Seattle Seahawks: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Secondary help is a clear need for the Seahawks with an aging group and injuries piling up, not to mention trade rumors once again surrounding Richard Sherman. Hughes has been rising and could help the team quickly, while also contributing as a returner.

 
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19. Dallas Cowboys: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Dallas Cowboys:  Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Marvin Gentry / USA Today Sports Images

Evans was a playmaker at Alabama and a potential replacement for Anthony Hitchens. He had 74 tackles and six sacks in 12 games this past season.

 
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20. Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Stephen Lew / 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.

 
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21. Buffalo Bills: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Buffalo Bills: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Buffalo traded Marcell Dareus last season when he was deemed a poor fit for Sean McDermott's defensive scheme, and Kyle Williams is getting close to retirement. Vea is a load on the inside and had 43 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his junior season.

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

Buffalo Bills (via Chiefs): Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

The Bills could move on from the oft-injured Cordy Glenn this offseason, opening up a 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
Greg M. Cooper / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams addressed one of their potentially massive cornerback holes already by acquiring an elite playmaker in Marcus Peters from the Chiefs. That move allows them to address the front seven. Landry struggled due to injuries in 2017 but could fly up draft boards after recording 16.5 sacks in 2016. He'd be a welcome addition for a defense that is already potent with Aaron Donald and Robert Quinn.

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

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

After trading Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina is again 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: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Tennessee Titans: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

The Titans are set at tackle for the long term, but their status on the interior of the offensive line is becoming more questionable. Nelson is the best guard on the board.

 
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26. Atlanta Falcons: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Atlanta Falcons: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
John Reed / USA Today Sports Images

A huge load in the middle, Payne's athleticism resembles that of Dontari Poe's, who is a pending free agent. He has the ability to help plug up the run immediately for one of the league's fastest-improving defenses.

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

New Orleans Saints: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Mark Zerof / USA Today Sports Images

Amazingly, the Saints have not drafted a QB in the first round since 1971, the year they selected Archie Manning. Drew Brees is getting closer to 40, so the Saints will be in line for a replacement in the very near future. Sean Payton certainly knows how to use his offensive weapons, and Jackson would make for an intriguing project. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner is a future wideout in the eyes of some evaluators, but his college production is undeniable. He could contribute in the short term as a receiver and/or returner while he learns the nuances of the quarterback position from Brees.

 
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28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State

Pittsburgh Steelers: Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State
Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA Today Sports Images

The sad reality is that the Steelers will probably have to find a replacement for Ryan Shazier, who suffered a scary spinal injury late in 2017. Vander Esch was all over the field in 2017, finishing the season with 141 tackles and four sacks.

 
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29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State

Jacksonville Jaguars: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Jim Cowsert / USA Today Sports Images

A reliable tight end would be a great security blanket for Blake Bortles, but the Jags have struggled to find a solution there recently. The hype surrounding Goedert has been growing all year, and he'd be a nice fit in Jacksonville.

 
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30. Minnesota Vikings: Billy Price, OG/C, Ohio State

Minnesota Vikings: Billy Price, OG/C, Ohio State
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

The Vikings are in need of interior offensive line help as they enter free agency, and Price has the ability to play immediately. He also has the versatility to play either guard or center.

 
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31. New England Patriots: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

New England Patriots: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
Shanna Lockwood / USA Today Sports Images

There seems to be some traction with the Rob Gronkowski retirement rumors, though the Patriots will have a better understanding of Gronk's plans by the draft. If Gronk does hang up his cleats for cruises, acting, the WWE, or who knows what else, tight end will be at the top of the list for the Pats. Hurst produced 559 receiving yards for the Gamecocks last season.

 
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32. Philadelphia Eagles: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC

Philadelphia Eagles: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Nwosu really helped himself late in the year with eight sacks over his last six games. The Eagles saw very nice flashes from Derek Barnett in his rookie season, and Nwosu would give them another potent pass rusher.

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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