Way-too-early NFL mock draft for 2018

Darnold came on strong for USC last season, and his performance in the Rose Bowl vs. Penn State was nothing short of unbelievable. The 49ers signed Brian Hoyer as a bridge quarterback and drafted C.J. Beathard in the third round. Neither quarterback should prevent the 49ers from taking Darnold if he leaves and they're in this position.

New York opted to live with what they have at running back in this year's draft, with plenty of other needs to address. There's no escaping the fact that Matt Forte is approaching the end of his career, and Guice was spectacular filling in for Leonard Fournette last season.

Is Joe Thomas willing to stick it out in Cleveland for the rest of his career? Even if so, the Browns haven't found a viable replacement for Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle yet. McGlinchey has the potential to be that replacement.

Buffalo's front seven is getting long in the tooth, and Jefferson showed great potential in his sophomore season for the Longhorns. The Bills will potentially have two first-round picks to play with after acquiring Kansas City's first rounder.

The interior of Chicago's offensive line is one of their strengths, but they'll likely continue to invest in protecting 2017 first-round pick Mitchell Trubisky. Brown has the potential to be a strong left tackle, listed at 6-8, 340 pounds.

The Rams focused on pass catchers for Jared Goff in the 2017 draft, but the ceilings are limited. After taking Cooper Kupp and Texas A&M wideout Josh Reynolds this year, the need for a No. 1 wideout is still apparent. Kirk has 163 receptions through two seasons.

It's no mystery that this is a make-or-break season for Blake Bortles. If he doesn't improve substantially, the Jaguars will address quarterback next offseason. Falk has the tools to be more than just a Mike Leach offense product, and he's completed about 70 percent of his passes in consecutive seasons.

Payne has the potential to be the next dominant Crimson Tide defensive lineman after getting somewhat limited work in his sophomore season. The Chargers went offense-heavy early in 2017 and could turn the tide next season.

Washington has long been searching for a bell cow back, with Matt Jones failing and Rob Kelley likely to do the same. They invested a fourth rounder on Samaje Perine this year, but Barkley brings much more upside.

Baker had a huge sophomore season, with 83 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Buckeyes. He has a chance to step up as one of their defensive leaders after they lost significant talent, and the Bengals could be in the market for his position next season.

Apparently satisfied with the possibility of Ameer Abdullah and Zach Zenner next season, the Lions didn't take a running back early in 2017. If those runners struggles, addressing the position could be mandatory next year. Chubb has durability concerns and struggled last season, but he looked like a top prospect in his freshman season while replacing Todd Gurley.

Getting a young pass rusher will be important for the Vikes soon, with Brian Robison on his last leg. Key had 11 sacks in his sophomore season.

Two offensive tackles in the first round in two years? It's very possible that the Broncos draft the same position twice, with needs at both positions this offseason. Garett Bolles was their first-round pick this year.

Ohio State is becoming Defensive Back U, and Ward is their next exciting prospect. He played a limited amount in 2016 with so much talent ahead of him, but has a chance to emerge this season.

Allen showed big potential when he found the field last season, while Arizona failed to find a long-term replacement for Carson Palmer in this year's draft. They won't be able to push back that need much longer.

DeShone Kizer's practice field development could ultimately determine what the Browns do with their first-round picks next year. If they believe in him, addressing cornerback is a strong possibility after waiting until the fourth round to do so this year. Brown is a breakout candidate with more playing time this year after making two picks last season.

Tennessee focused on wide recover and cornerback in this year's draft, after adding size last season. They could be due for an inside linebacker next season, and USC defensive leader Smith has 161 tackles in two seasons.

Campbell's ridiculous speed allowed him to gain 584 yards on only 21 receptions in 2016, and he's set for a much bigger role this year. Baltimore is still hoping Breshad Perriman can develop, but the clock is ticking.

Brees turns 39 in January, so there probably isn't much juice left in his arm. Surprisingly, the Saints didn't address a replacement in the draft this year. Rosen has had ups and downs as a young starter at UCLA, but his upside is huge.

A highly productive pass rusher over the last three seasons at Ole Miss, Haynes has 24.5 sacks for his career. The Dolphins selected Charles Harris in the first round this year, but could need another pass rusher with Cameron Wake approaching the end of his career.

The Giants have prioritized weapons for Eli Manning with Sterling Shepard last season, and Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram this year. Marshall signed a one-year contract and started to slow last season, so the need for a wideout could still be there in 2018.

The Bucs still lack the blue chip edge rusher that Lewis has the potential to become. He had eight sacks in each of the last two seasons, but saw his tackle production fall off last season.

Atlanta has Desmond Trufant signed long term, but you can never have too many quality cornerbacks in the NFL. Averett found the field regularly last season, and will be asked to play even more this season.

Philadelphia signed Rodney McLeod in the offseason, but fellow safety Malcolm Jenkins turns 30 in 2017. Webb picked up playing time last season, and will get regular snaps this year as a thumper.

Edwards has an impressive 173 tackles in his first two seasons at Wisconsin, and will be even more important for the Badgers this year after some key defensive losses. Inside linebacker is clearly one of Indy's weaker spots.

Ridley looked like an all-world prospect in his freshman year, before regressing somewhat last season. He still has 1,814 receiving yards in two seasons, and should raise his stock with another big year. Seattle has yet to establish a clear No. 2 wideout behind Doug Baldwin.

Oakland is putting a lot on the shoulders of Marshawn Lynch this year at age 31. Regardless of his success, they'll be in a position to take a young running back next season, and Scarbrough broke out late last season.

The Steelers took Joshua Dobbs in the fourth round this year, and it remains to be seen if he's a long-term replacement for Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben's retirement talk is become a yearly event, and could be enough of a concern to invest more next year. Rudolph threw for more than 4,000 yards in his junior season, with only four picks.

Pass defense was the priority for Dallas in this year's draft. It could circle back to run defense next season, with Lotulelei showing huge potential as a run stuffer, both literally and figuratively.

Hamilton has gradually received more playing time at Hamilton, and is set to take on a full workload this season. He showed ability as a playmaker last season with two sacks and two interceptions.

LeSean McCoy is coming off one of his best season, but he's quickly approaching age 30. Buffalo will need to find a long-term replacement at running back, and Gaskin has consecutive 1,300 yard rushing seasons.

Green Bay spent their first pick this year (a second rounder) on Washington cornerback Kevin King. They could still use more defensive back depth, which Fitzpatrick can provide as an absolute playmaker. He had 66 tackles and six interceptions in his sophomore season.