2018 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. Major changes.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2018 NFL Mock Draft is based on the real 2018 NFL Draft Order.

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 3/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/25)
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


    *** 2018 NFL MOCK DRAFT (4 rounds) updated Dec. 7. This mock draft will be updated occasionally. Check out old versions of this 2018 NFL Mock Draft in the archived mock section. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***


  1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
    The Browns attempted to trade for A.J. McCarron and failed because they forgot to submit the paperwork. This secretly saved them, as I discussed in the NFL Disaster Grades. Cleveland could try to obtain McCarron again, but it really depends on what the new regime will want to do.

    DeShone Kizer showed promise during the preseason, but he hasn’t shown many signs that he can be a viable NFL quarterback. Despite getting good protection, Kizer has made lots of mistakes and has held on to the ball too long in the pocket. He played somewhat well versus the Lions, but that was just one game. Kizer was only a second-round pick, anyway, and we saw the Panthers give up on Jimmy Clausen, another second-rounder, after one year when they selected Cam Newton first overall.

    I’ve had Sam Darnold as the top quarterback for a while, but he has struggled so much this season that I’m wondering if he returns to USC for 2018 in an attempt to rebuild his draft stock. Lamar Jackson occupied this top spot for about a month, but I’m moving to Josh Rosen following his terrific performance against USC.

    NFL coaches and owners are wary of the sort of things Rosen has discussed to the media, and his open views could hurt him. Scouts have told us that his teammates don’t like him either, so that’s a major strike against him. And for the cherry on top, even if his high school coach criticized him. However, Rosen has been prolific in some big games this year, so that could push him into the top spot.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, you can Support Us on Patreon here!

  2. New York Giants: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
    I had the Giants trade up for a quarterback earlier in the season. They no longer have to do that, as they can pick the top signal-caller the Browns don’t want.

    Eli Manning turns 37 in January, and he’s in obvious decline. The Giants will likely have a new front office, so they’ll want their own franchise quarterback.

    The battle to be the top quarterback could be between Lamar Jackson and Josh Rosen if Sam Darnold returns to school, which is what I have happening in my 2019 NFL Mock Draft. If so, Jackson may ultimately win out, as he has higher upside and better intangibles. He needs to improve his ball placement, but coaches are going to fall in love with his skill set.

  3. San Francisco 49ers: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
    The 49ers have to be thrilled with what they’ve seen from Jimmy Garoppolo thus far. They have the luxury of being able to obtain the best non-quarterback in this draft to give him some support.

    Saquan Barkley is certainly a candidate to go No. 1 overall. If the Browns get the top pick and pass on him, the 49ers will definitely consider taking him. Carlos Hyde is having a solid year thus far, but he’s an impending free agent, and San Francisco could deem him too injury-prone to sign to a big contract.

    Saquon Barkley ran a 4.33 at the Penn State pro day in March and happens to be an even better prospect than Ezekiel Elliott. It’s quite possible that he could be the first-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.



  4. Denver Broncos: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S/CB, Alabama
    The poor Broncos missed out on the top two quarterbacks. If they don’t get a top-two selection, they’ll either have to trade up for find a quarterback earlier in the offseason. Perhaps they’ll be able to acquire Kirk Cousins somehow, or maybe Peyton Manning will talk John Elway into going after his younger brother. I discussed other NFL teams that could trade for Eli Manning.

    As for this pick, the Broncos have a couple of liabilities in their secondary. Bradley Roby has been torched this year, while Darian Stewart hasn’t lived up to his new contract. Denver could shore up the “No Fly Zone,” which has been weak to deep passes this year.

  5. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C.State
    Indianapolis has some nice edge rushers in Jabaal Sheard and John Simon, but neither is the elite talent Bradley Chubb happens to be. Some will want the Colts to select an offensive tackle, but Chubb is one of the two best players available, and they don’t need a safety (Derwin James), so he makes the most sense at No. 5 overall. Chubb has been steadily moving up my mock drafts. At 6-4, 275, Chubb has a great blend of size and speed, and he’s been dominant this season. There’s some talk that Chubb is viewed as the top defensive prospect in NFL circles.



  6. Chicago Bears: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
    I think the Bears would jump all over the top wide receiver prospect in the class if they have the ability to obtain him. Kevin White has been a bust thus far, while Cameron Meredith’s long-term status is unclear because of the brutal injury he suffered in the preseason. The Bears need to give Mitchell Trubisky a viable No. 1 receiver.

  7. Cleveland Browns: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
    The Browns have the foundation for a great defensive front, but they need another talent next to Danny Shelton. Da’Ron Payne would certainly qualify.

    Payne, a freak athlete, has a chance to be chose in the top five – I considered him to Cincinnati at No. 5 a couple of weeks ago – so he makes sense with the seventh pick.



  8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
    The Buccaneers thought they may have fixed their safety woes when they signed T.J. Ward. However, Ward has just been mediocre, and he expressed his frustration with the coaching staff. Chris Conte, meanwhile, may not return either, as the Buccaneers have a team option on him. Tampa Bay is in desperate need of better safety play.

  9. Cincinnati Bengals: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
    The Bengals have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. Their only viable starter is left guard Clint Boling. They need two new tackles, a better center, and a second talented guard.

    NFL teams and scouts absolutely love Quenton Nelson. He’s viewed as an elite prospect. He’s a guard, so he may have trouble being chosen in the top five, though it’s not completely impossible. He’s viewed as the next Logan Mankins, so I’ll be surprised if he’s not taken in the initial 10 selections.

    Pick change; previously Ken Webster, CB



  10. Arizona Cardinals: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
    The Cardinals have been dying for competent play across from Patrick Peterson for years. If they can find a shutdown cornerback to pair with Peterson, it would really take their defense to another level. Perhaps that could be Denzel Ward, who has enjoyed a terrific finish to his 2017 campaign. Ward was exceptional in the Big Ten Championship.

    Pick change; previously Courtland Sutton, WR

  11. New York Jets: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU
    The Jets have gotten a lot out of Kony Ealy, who has been tremendous for them despite the Patriots cutting him during the preseason. However, Ealy is an impending free agent and may command a high price tag. If heads elsewhere, the Jets will need another new edge rusher. Arden Key is a special talent, and he happens to be the best player available.

  12. Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, NT, Washington
    The Redskins looked completely helpless trying to stop Alfred Morris in a must-win game the week after Thanksgiving. They need to bolster their defensive front, and Vita Vea, who is having a monstrous campaign, would be the perfect solution.

  13. Miami Dolphins: Ken Webster, CB, Ole Miss
    A quarterback will be debated here if there is a worthy one available, but I think the Dolphins will continue to start Ryan Tannehill next year. They’ll focus on another position, and perhaps that’ll be cornerback. Byron Maxwell was released, so Miami will need to find a replacement.

    Pick change; previously Quenton Nelson, G

  14. Los Angeles Chargers: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
    It never hurts to strengthen a team’s offensive line, and that’s what the Chargers could do with this pick. Russell Okung is not going to be around much longer, while Joe Barksdale has been a disaster. Mike McGlinchey can start at right tackle immediately and then shift to the blind side once Okung moves on.

  15. Dallas Cowboys: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
    Roquan Smith is too talented to fall out of the top half of the opening round, so the Cowboys would definitely consider him with this selection. Anthony Hitchens is an impending free agent, while Jaylon Smith hasn’t played up to his billing quite yet.



  16. Oakland Raiders: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
    The Raiders are tied for the seventh-fewest sacks in the NFL as of this writing – helped by their recent game against the Giants – so they could definitely use a potent edge rusher to bolster their defense. Clelin Ferrell is a talented edge rusher who could be chosen in the top 10, so this is nice value for Oakland.


  17. Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

    Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.



Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3


Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4 | Go to 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie Campbell







2024 NFL Mock Draft - March 26


NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12






NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2003 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/8/08)
My 2004 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2004 NFL Draft Prospects/ 2004 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/6/08)
My 2005 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2005 NFL Draft Prospects
2005 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/4/08)
My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2006 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/28)
2006 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded on 7/3)
My 2007 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/ Round 4/ Round 5/ Round 6/ Round 7
Other 2007 Mock Drafts:April Fools
2007 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/24)/Kenny Ortiz's Top 40 Prospects
2007 NFL Combine and Pro Day Results
2007 NFL Draft Grades
2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/Round 4/Round 5/Round 6/Round 7
Alternative 2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/7): Round 1 /Round 2
2008 NFL Re-Draft - Round 3 (UPDATED 4/27)
2008 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 8/5)
Other 2008 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/25)/ Craig Smith (4/22)/ Emmitt Smith (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Shocker (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Backwards (4/19)/ Forum Mock (4/15)/ April Fools (4/1)
2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 2 (4/23): Round 2 (Walt's) / Round 3 (Walt's) / Round 2 (Matt's) / Round 3 (Matt's)
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2012 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Pick History (4/23) /Emmitt Mock (4/19) /Not Mock (4/19) /Backward Mock (4/17) /Celebrity (4/15) /Goals (4/10) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2013 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /GM Mock (4/21) /Charlie's Trade Mock (4/20) /Goals (4/19) /Rapid Reader Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/14) /Not Mock (4/13) /Pick History (4/5) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Archived 2013 NFL Mock Drafts
2014 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATE 5/8): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2014 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/10): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2014 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/8) /Goals (5/3) /Not Mock (4/27) /Emmitt Mock (4/20) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Celebrity Mock (4/11) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2015 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2015 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/2): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2015 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/30) /Goals (4/25) /Not Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/3) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/5) /Overreaction Mock (12/29)
2016 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2016 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2016 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Combo (5/8) /Goals (4/23) /Not Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2017 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2017 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2017 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Combo (5/7) /Goals (4/22) /Not Mock (4/21) /Emmitt Mock (4/16) /Backward Mock (4/9) /Celebrity Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Overreaction Mock (1/2)
2018 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2018 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2018 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Combo (5/6) /Goals (4/21) /Not Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Backward Mock (4/8) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/11) /Senior Bowl (1/27)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2019 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /Combo (5/5) /Goals (4/20) /Not Mock (4/18) /Witten Mock (4/14) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Emmitt Mock (4/7) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/26) /Video Mock (1/8) /Overreaction Mock (12/31)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2020 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2021 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/1): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/17) /Goals (4/23) /Backward Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/11) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/30) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2022 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2022 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2022 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Goals (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/5) /Overreaction Mock (1/10)
2023 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2023 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2023 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Backward Mock (4/19) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/4) /Overreaction Mock (1/9)
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 3/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/25)
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
2018 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2017 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2016 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2015 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2014 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2013 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2012 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2011 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2010 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2009 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2008 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock