2018 NFL Draft - Sam and Ben Mock the First Round

It is not a stretch to say that the 2018 NFL Draft will be the most important draft in the league for many years. There are six quarterbacks who could legitimately be drafted in the first round this year, and many teams could use them on their team. Not to mention if your team does not need a quarterback, you won't have a hard time finding elite talent on the board. Game changers like Saquon Barkley, pocket passers like Josh Rosen, shutdown corners like Denzel Ward, and game wreckers like Bradley Chubb. 
With the draft looming, our experts have compiled their own mock drafts to predict what will transpire in Dallas on Thursday, April 26 in the first round. Trades are allowed, because trades actually happen in the draft.

1. Cleveland Browns

Sam says: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Browns get their signal caller with the first pick in the draft.

Ben says: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The media seems to think it's a foregone conclusion Sam Darnold will be the pick, and if Sashi Brown was still calling the shots, he probably would be. Dorsey, though, sees the ceiling of Allen and can't pass it up.

2. New York Giants

Sam says: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
The Giants would ask for a king's ransom to trade down, and there is franchise-altering talent on the board for them if they choose to stay. Barkley gives the Giants a dimension on offense they haven't had at the position since Tiki Barber.

Ben says: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
The Giants seem committed to riding it out with Eli Manning and going for the playoffs this year. So, instead of taking the quarterback of the future (or trading back and letting someone else), the Giants take the best player on everyone's draft boards while simultaneously filling a need.

3. New York Jets

Sam says: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma 
The Jets did not trade up for anybody but a quarterback. Mayfield is the best on the board at 3.

Ben says: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Mayfield has seemed to be the Jets' guy all along. Just imagine his leadership and crotch-grabbing in the Big Apple.

4. Cleveland Browns

Sam says: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
The Browns could easily trade back, but picking Chubb would give Cleveland a ferocious pass rush on the edges with him and Garrett on the other side.

Ben says: TRADE WITH THE BUFFALO BILLS, Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Bills trade up to four and still get one of the top QBs, all while giving up far less than the rumored six picks they would offer the Giants. The Browns trade back because even with new management they're still the Browns.

5. Denver Broncos

Sam says: TRADE WITH THE BUFFALO BILLS, Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The NFL's worst kept secret is that Buffalo wants a quarterback. Denver has made the #5 pick available, and with Darnold on the board, it would be a dream come true for the Bills' front office.

Ben says: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Denver reportedly loves Denzel Ward. An undersized corner in the mold of Chris Harris Jr., Ward could be Denver's replacement for their star corner.

6. Indianapolis Colts

Sam says: TRADE WITH THE MIAMI DOLPHINS, Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Say what you want about his supposed character flaws, Rosen is the best pure passer in the draft. Bar none. Ryan Tannehill hasn't cut the mustard for Miami, and Rosen has superstar potential.

Ben says: Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Indy's trade back with the Jets will look so much better if they still get the guy they seem to have wanted all along.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sam says: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama
Dirk Koetter gets another defensive back to solidify Tampa's secondary.

Ben says: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
The Bucs still need talent if they want to make it back into the playoffs, and Nelson is right there with Barkley for the most surefire talent in the draft.

8. Chicago Bears

Sam says: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Nelson is the best guard the draft has seen in years, which would make this fall even more of a steal for Chicago. They get Nelson to shore up the offensive line, and protect their sophomore quarterback.

Ben says: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
The Bears could use an athletic linebacker to take their front seven from good to great, and Edmunds is one of the freakiest human beings in the world.

9. San Francisco 49ers

Sam says: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
San Francisco could use Denzel Ward in an otherwise weak secondary, and strengthen the defense at the back end.

Ben says: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
If truly guilty, Rueben Foster is a disgusting human being and the 49ers get a ready replacement in Smith.

10.  Oakland Raiders

Sam says: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Jon Gruden gets an athletic linebacker for his defense in Edwards at 10.

Ben says: TRADE WITH ARIZONA CARDINALS, Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Rosen falls due to the NFL being full of old people afraid of young hooligans speaking out, but the Cardinals recognize his value as probably the best passer in the draft. They make sure they can get him before Miami does because no one wants their future to hinge on Sam Bradford's knees.

11. Miami Dolphins

Sam says: TRADE WITH INDIANAPOLIS COLTS, Derwin James, S, FSU
The Colts will have a lot of picks in this year's draft, and good thing, because they have plenty of roster holes. Picking two safeties in as many years is unlikely, but James is one of the top players left on the board.

Ben says: Connor Williams, T, Texas
Miami, unlikely to get Rosen and unwilling to take Lamar Jackson, takes arguably the best tackle in the draft. Williams might be a better guard in the NFL, but Miami will be happy with him at either.

12. Buffalo Bills

Sam says: TRADE WITH DENVER BRONCOS, Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The hey-day of the great Denver defense has long passed. Smith gives the Broncos a leader in the middle of the field.

Ben says: TRADE WITH CLEVELAND BROWNS, Mike McGlinchey, T, Notre Dame
Joe Thomas is gone and the Browns need a new tackle. Enter McGlinchey, the other great tackle in the draft.

13. Washington Redskins

Sam says: Vita Dea, DT, Washington
Vea is the best interior lineman in the draft, and he gives the Redskins defense a completely different element.

Ben says: Derwin James, S, FSU
Washington has been linked to James and Minkah Fitzpatrick throughout the entire draft process. I think they go for James due to his more natural transition to the NFL.

14. Green Bay Packers

Sam says: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
To put it lightly, the Packers suck at defense. Grabbing Mike Hughes immediately upgrades the secondary for them.

Ben says: TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES CHARGERS, Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The Chargers want to get in front of Baltimore in the Jackson sweepstakes, and striking a deal with a division rival is illegal, so they work something out with Green Bay.

15. Arizona Cardinals

Sam says: Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
Arizona still needs to replace Calais Campbell. Davenport provides the same game-wrecking ability Campbell did.

Ben says: TRADE WITH OAKLAND RAIDERS, Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
Oakland trades back, a staple of the Reggie McKenzie era, and takes a sleeper corner to fix their pathetic secondary. A Hughes and Gareon Conley tandem could be dominant in a few years.

16. Baltimore Ravens

Sam says: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Ravens always pick the best player available. Unless they love one of the quarterbacks sitting there at 16, receiver is their biggest need.

Ben says: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama
No one knows where Minkah Fitzpatrick will play in the NFL. No one knows where Minkah Fitzpatrick will play in the NFL. Unfortunately for Fitzpatrick, one of those is true for every player in the draft and the other is the reason he falls. Ozzie Newsome also gets one last Bama player before he goes.

17. Los Angeles Chargers

Sam says: Connor Williams, T, Texas
With Rivers closer to the end of his career, the Chargers give him as much support as possible by adding a guard to protect the face of the franchise.

Ben says: TRADE WITH GREEN BAY PACKERS, Marcus Davenport, DE, UTSA
Clay Matthews game is no longer on the level of his hair and he has little help rushing the passer. Davenport is a project, but has everything you look for in a pass rusher.

18. Seattle Seahawks

Sam says: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Seattle needs to replace Richard Sherman. Jackson is the top corner left on the board, and has the opportunity to shine in Seattle’s defense.

Ben says: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Josh Jackson is one of the most popular corner prospects in the draft, but he might be scheme-specific. Luckily, Seattle’s is one of the schemes he is specific to.

19. Dallas Cowboys

Sam says: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama 
Sean Lee is 31 years old, but his health has let Dallas down time and time again. Evans gives the Cowboys defense youth and physicality in the middle of the field.

Ben says: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
With Dez Bryant gone, the Cowboys have to be doing their homework on the top wide receivers in the draft. Ridley is the top prospect for his mix of skills and high floor.

20. Detroit Lions

Sam says: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
Possibly the most versatile defender in the draft, Matt Patricia would salivate at the opportunity to use Vander Esch in his first defense as Lions coach.

Ben says: Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
Many people like Derrius Guice to the Lions, but Matt Patricia is a Belichick pupil. That means he won’t value running backs and as a defensive mind, he’ll love Landry’s pass-rushing potential.

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Sam says: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Cincinnati could use a corner like Jaire Alexander, with a hole left by Pacman Jones.

Ben says: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
The Bengals can’t be happy with their receiver depth beyond A.J. Green and with an overall solid roster, they like Sutton’s potential as a physical wideout.

22. Buffalo Bills

Sam says: TRADE WITH DENVER BRONCOS, Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
Denver has plenty of glaring weaknesses, but one of them is up the middle. Payne solidifies the inside of the defensive line for them.

Ben says: TRADE WITH CLEVELAND BROWNS, Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville 
The Browns could use some corner help with Jason McCourty joining his brother in New England and Damarious Randall likely to move to safety. Alexander has number one corner potential.

23. New England Patriots

Sam says: Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
Bill Belichick loves versatility from his linebackers. The Boston College alum would be a perfect fit for New England.

Ben says: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama 
New England could use help all over its defense and linebacker is a great place to start.

24. Carolina Panthers

Sam says: Mike McGlinchey, T, Notre Dame
Carolina needs to give protection to Cam Newton, and McGlinchey can certainly provide that.

Ben says: DJ Moore, WR, Maryland
As a Panthers fan, I’m not a fan of this pick, but as a future Maryland commit, I already ordered a jersey.

25. Tennessee Titans

Sam says: James Daniels, C, Iowa
Tennessee gets help at the offensive line by picking Daniels at center.

Ben says: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Every good defensive coach knows stopping the run is a top priority. Vea is massive and shockingly explosive. He falls this far because some teams may see him as only a two-down player.

26. Atlanta Falcons

Sam says: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia
Wynn makes the Falcons front line younger and more physical.

Ben says: Taven Bryan, DL, Florida
Most don’t see Bryan as a first round player, but the Falcons have made it blatantly obvious they love him.

27. New Orleans Saints

Sam says: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
This would be quite a storyline, but the Saints know that Drew Brees is not getting any younger. If he falls this far down the draft, the Saints should seriously consider what Jackson brings.

Ben says: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
Ever since Jimmy Graham left, the Saints haven’t had that dominant tight end. Hurst is old for a prospect, but projects to be a receiving threat at tight end.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers

Sam says: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Same as the Saints, Pittsburgh has an aging veteran at quarterback. Rudolph is not as prolific as Rosen or Darnold, but he’s a quality signal caller to come out of college.

Ben says: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
The Steelers clearly don’t want to pay Le'veon Bell and what better negotiating tool than drafting a running back round one. Who knows, maybe Guice impresses and the Steelers flip Bell for picks. It wouldn’t be the most cold-blooded move in NFL history.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

Sam says: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Jacksonville has almost no weaknesses (I know, but the next best quarterback is Mike White). Goedert is the draft’s best tight end, and he gives the passing attack another weapon.

Ben says: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
The Jaguars have the luxury of a hole-less roster, so they opt for one of the highest-ceiling players remaining. Linebacker is worth a look here with Paul Posluszny retiring, but not everyone loves Leighton Vander Esch.

30. Minnesota Vikings

Sam says: Maurice Hurst, DL, Michigan
Minnesota gets another toy for their defensive line to use in rotation with the explosiveness they already have at the position.

Ben says: Billy Price, C, Ohio State
The Vikings have a stacked roster and just revolutionized the NFL signing process, so they take Price, who can step in right away as a starter.

31. New England Patriots

Sam says: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
New England switches out running backs every year, and Guice adds to what Dion Lewis gave them last season: a shifty back good in space, and can make plays in the passing game.

Ben says: Kolton Miller, T, UCLA
Nate Solder is gone to a ridiculously high contract and the Patriots desperately need a tackle. Miller should be a good fit as the eventual replacement.

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Sam says: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
They’re the champs for a reason. No true weaknesses on the Eagles’ roster, but adding a receiver gives the receiver room more competition.

Ben says: James Daniels, C, Iowa
Jason Kelce is awesome, but a lack of team needs could lead the team to look ahead for his replacement.

Works Cited

Warren, Matt, et al. “Josh Rosen 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report.” Buffalo Rumblings, Buffalo Rumblings, 22 Apr. 2018, www.buffalorumblings.com/2018/4/22/17267996/josh-rosen-2018-nfl-draft-scouting-report-film-analysis-statistics-background-strengths-weaknesses.
Lourim, Jake. “Lamar Jackson Is Leaving the University of Louisville to Declare for the NFL Draft.” The Courier-Journal, Courier Journal, 5 Jan. 2018, www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/louisville/2018/01/05/lamar-jackson-leave-louisville-declare-nfl-draft/996716001/.