DraftGeek’s NFL Mock Draft

Updated April 26

UPDATE: DraftBlaster will be doing live pick by pick analysis during the draft! DraftBlaster Draft Tracker

NFL Mock Draft, By: “DraftGeek” (not be confused with nfldraftgeek.com that does a great job!) is the Data Mining (that is pretty much what non-sports people call Analytics) nerd that has been an NFL draft junkie, and covering the NFL Draft since doing an undergrad paper on it for a Prob and Stats course. A medical industry executive, she (yes, she) secretly would like to give it all up and be Cynthia Frelund. DraftGeek’s 2018 NFL Mock Draft is published bi-weekly until the NFL season concludes.





Last Year’s First Round Picks: (1) Myles Garrett DE TEXAS A&M, (25) Jabrill Peppers S MICHIGAN, (29) David Njoku TE MIAMI

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Sigh. The poor Browns. Another year, another top need at QB. Darnold has some of the best mechanics of any of the QBs coming out, but what really gives him the edge for the top pick, especially with the Browns sitting here, is his (at least at the time of this writing) impeachable character. Josh Allen made a strong play for this pick at the Combine with some monster throws, but the edge is still to Darnold, who played against better competition and had a higher completion percentage.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (23) Evan Engram TE OLE MISS

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Giants: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

In this draft, if you keep your pick at 2, it’s got to be a QB. Plus, Eli is not getting any younger (or better). Josh Allen has had a perfect draft process; he looks better and better as time goes on, especially with respect to his footwork, maybe his only question mark.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (6) Jamal Adams S LSU

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Jets: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

QBs going 1, 2 and 3? Every year we say “couldn’t be.” Every year… well… Josh Rosen seems to be maturing as the draft process goes on. The Jets would be a good place for him.

Last Year’s First Round Picks: (1) Myles Garrett DE TEXAS A&M, (25) Jabrill Peppers S MICHIGAN, (29) David Njoku TE MIAMI

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Browns: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State

How fun for the Browns to get 2 top 5 picks? I think they try to trade this one down, but Chubb is an elite talent and getting the best DE at 4 is a bargain. He is the prototypical 4-3 DE and a perfect fit for the Browns.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (20) Garett Bolles OT UTAH

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Broncos: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Broncos took care of their (lack of a) QB problem through free agency and I can’t see them drafting another sitting here at 5 (maybe a project in the later rounds, though). Barkley’s out of this world combine stats (Superman in real life) makes him worthy of a top 5 look.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (15) Malik Hooker S OHIO STATE

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Colts: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

The Offensive Line needs to get better if Luck is going to have a chance. Nelson could be a day 1 starter. He is arguably the top talent overall in the draft, and his run blocking / protection skills could balance out the Colts offensive for the first time in years.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (19) O.J. Howard TE ALABAMA

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Buccaneers: Roquan Smith, ILB, Georgia

TB made a lot of moves in FA to beef up the DL to stop the run, but the linebacker core still needs work. Smith makes tackles all over the field.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (2) Mitchell Trubisky QB NORTH CAROLINA

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Bears: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S/CB, Alabama

When you play in a division with Aaron Rogers, Matthew Stafford and now, Kirk Cousins, beefing up the secondary is never a bad idea. Fitzpatrick is versatile and could play at either S or CB.

Last Year’s First Round Picks: (3) Solomon Thomas DT STANFORD, (31) Reuben Foster ILB ALABAMA

2018 NFL Mock Draft, 49ers: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Tall and long, just try to throw the ball over this guy’s head. He also has the speed to come off the edge.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (24) Gareon Conley CB OHIO STATE

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Raiders: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Denzel Ward will thrive outside and is the best CB in this draft. He has everything; speed, coverage skills, tackling skills and awareness.





Last Year’s First Round Pick: (22) Charles Harris OLB MISSOURI

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Dolphins: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

The Dolphins dropped Suh, probably more for character and “fit” issues than for talent. Vita Vea is Suh plus 30lbs and also has the 1-gap penetrating skills of a smaller guy, and the 2-gap run stuffing skills of a nose tackle.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (27) Tre’Davious White CB LSU

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Bills: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

The Bills traded away their left tackle during free agency, and need to find a replacement. Of course, they are probably going to trade up from here anyway.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (17) Jonathan Allen DT ALABAMA

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Redskins: Marcus Davenport, DE, UT San Antonio

He didn’t play against the greatest competition, so his tape is a little over-hyped. But his physical attributes and athleticism make him worthy of a top-15 spot, and the Skins could definitely need some future help setting the edge.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: None

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Packers: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

He zoomed up the boards after the Combine, and a review of the tape showed we must have all been sleeping through the first viewing. A new defensive coordinator might want this type of talent to start building his future on.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (13) Haason Reddick ILB TEMPLE

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Cardinals: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

The jury is still out on Mayfield. Is he a fierce competitor, or a jerk? Is he an elite talent or did he just play in the right system? Can he fix the release that will be a problem at the next level given his height? With so many teams needing a QB, he won’t slip farther than this and at 15, the Cards probably have to make this pick is he is still there.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (16) Marlon Humphrey CB ALABAMA

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Ravens: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

I like Guice. Guice is nice. While not the most flashy of RBs, his acceleration off the first cut is among the elite, and he has decent enough pass-catching skills to be a match-up problem. The Ravens desperately need offensive weapons and talent at WR is deeper than at RB in this draft.

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Last Year’s First Round Pick: (7) Mike Williams WR CLEMSON

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Chargers: Derwin James, S, Florida State

Big, physical safety that can cover those big tight ends. James got a little lost in the draft process because Florida sort of fell apart in the 2017 season, and he missed most of 2016 with injuries, but don’t miss his 2015 tape.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: None

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Seahawks: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida

Not a big guy, but speedy and will keep up with anyone. Had some off-field issues early in college but has kept his nose clean since. Also a major threat in the return game.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (28) Taco Charlton DE MICHIGAN

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Cowboys: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Dallas has a major need at WR, and will probably be needing to take two in this draft.

Last Year’s First Round Pick: (21) Jarrad Davis ILB FLORIDA

2018 NFL Mock Draft, Lions: Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama

Alabama sure does turn out these talented defensive players. As the Lions convert to Matt Patricia’s 3-4 scheme, they are going to need lots of versatile linebackers.