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NFL mock draft: Feb. 12 edition
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NFL mock draft: Feb. 12 edition

Now one week past Super Bowl LII, all teams are looking toward the offseason, and the dust is starting to settle. The NFL Draft is still months away, but there is plenty of reason for excitement now.

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. 12, 2018.

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

Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

The draft is Cleveland's oyster with the No. 1 and No. 4 overall picks. If the Browns decide to take Barkley here, a quarterback is still very much a possibility with their next pick. Barkley's 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, not to mention his kick return prowess.

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

New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants' decision at No. 2 overall will be interesting, but even if they retain Eli Manning, it would make sense to use this opportunity on a long-term successor. Former Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur will be able to take his time teaching Darnold or another quarterback. Darnold's vision is impossible to teach, even if he struggled at times in 2017.

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

Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Matt Cashore / 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
Glenn Andrews / 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 Rosen, QB, UCLA

Denver Broncos: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Rosen has been a top NFL prospect ever since he committed to UCLA, and his status really hasn't changed despite a rocky college career. If Denver gives up on former first-round pick Paxton Lynch, it can't afford to strike out again, so front office leader John Elway could opt for a free agent. Regardless, Rosen has all the physical gifts but has had trouble staying healthy at UCLA.

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

New York Jets: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Glenn Andrews / USA Today Sports Images

It's time for the Jets to address quarterback for good, either via free agency or the draft. Allen is considered a developmental project, but he has the versatility and talent to be a franchise player down the line.

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

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

The Bucs need secondary help and could appease Florida State alumnus Jameis Winston by taking James. James is certainly deserving of the seventh overall pick, as he bounced back after missing nearly all of 2016 with a knee injury.

 
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8. Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

To say the Bears lacked 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 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
Jeffrey Becker / 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
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Miami had issues at linebacker in 2017, and Smith should be able to make a huge impact immediately. 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
Jerome Miron / 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: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

Washington Redskins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Washington was already able to replace Kirk Cousins by acquiring Alex Smith (becoming official in March), but that move created a huge void in the secondary with cornerback Kendall Fuller sent back to the Chiefs. Fitzpatrick is a fit at either safety or cornerback for a secondary that is now in desperate need of help.

 
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14. Green Bay Packers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Green Bay Packers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Evans was a playmaker at Alabama, and that's something the Packers really need. They've aged on defense and finally turned the page by firing Dom Capers as defensive coordinator. Evans had 74 tackles and six sacks in 12 games this past season.

 
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15. Arizona Cardinals: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU

Arizona Cardinals: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Justin Ford / USA Today Sports Images

Whether Larry Fitzgerald retires or not, Arizona is again in the market for a wideout. Fitz will likely retire after 2018 if he does return, and John Brown has struggled to get over his health issues. Standing at 6-4, Sutton has all the physical gifts and produced last season with 68 receptions for 1,085 yards and 12 touchdowns.

 
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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

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. Kirk can contribute in multiple facets and brings huge upside for a team that desperately needs playmakers.

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

Los Angeles Chargers: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas / 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

Secondary help is a clear need for the Seahawks with an aging group and injuries piling up. Hughes has been rising and could help the team quickly, while also contributing as a returner.

 
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19. Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Mark J. Rebilas / 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 interior 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
Randy Sartin / 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, 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: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech

Buffalo Bills: Tremaine Edmunds, OLB, Virginia Tech
James Guillory / USA Today Sports Images

Buffalo shed plenty of talent on defense in 2017 in an attempt to find players that fit Sean McDermott's system. Edmunds is certainly a playmaker, totaling 108 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his junior year.

 
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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
Jamie Rhodes / USA Today Sports Images

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 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: Arden Key, DE, LSU

Tennessee Titans: Arden Key, DE, LSU
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

The Titans would love to surround Jurrell Casey with some more defensive line talent, and Key has plenty of upside. He struggled in 2017, which could push him down from what was initially a top 10 projection.

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

Atlanta Falcons: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
Chuck Cook / 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: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

New Orleans Saints: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Drew Brees could have a few years left, but it's likely that Sean Payton would pounce if he found a quarterback he likes. After vastly improving the defense in the draft last year, the Saints could look at a bigger long-term need with Rudolph.

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

Pittsburgh Steelers: Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State
Isaiah J. Downing / 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
Glenn Andrews / 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: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Minnesota Vikings: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

The Vikings could lose both of their starting guards this offseason, so it's very possible they will take a guard with an early pick. Nelson is the consensus top option on the board.

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

New England Patriots: Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

There are many offseason questions for the Patriots, as they have a long list of pending free agents that includes Nate Solder and Cameron Fleming. If they let either lineman walk, they will certainly need to add at the position. Williams has huge upside at tackle.

 
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32. Philadelphia Eagles: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC

Philadelphia Eagles: Uchenna Nwosu, OLB, USC
Mark J. Rebilas / 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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