2018 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Thursday, Dec. 28, 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. 28. 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
    Josh Rosen doesn’t want to go to the Browns, and the Browns, according to Tony Pauline, don’t want Rosen either. However, he’s currently the favorite to be chosen first overall – that could still change – so there might be some sort of trade. Perhaps the Giants will strike another draft-day deal involving a quarterback. I could see the Browns holding this pick for ransom, and the Giants moving up for a discounted price just in case another team like the Broncos or Jets decides to do so.

    Perhaps Cleveland will move down and take either Lamar Jackson or Baker Mayfield. Sam Darnold is the other option, but I have him going back to USC (he’s listed in my 2019 NFL Mock Draft.) DeShone Kizer displayed 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 and Packers, but he’s had many worse moments. 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.

    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.

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  2. New York Giants: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
    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. One high-ranking personnel man in the NFC believes Jackson will be the top pick in the draft.

    As mentioned earlier, there’s a strong possibility that the Giants move up to No. 1 to take Josh Rosen at a discount, just to make sure the Broncos, Jets, Cardinals, etc. don’t do the same thing.

  3. Indianapolis Colts: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
    I’ve had the Colts selecting either Bradley Chubb or Arden Key for a while, but they’ve never been in position to pick Saquon Barkley. I have to believe he’d be the pick here. Frank Gore is going to retire soon, and Marlon Mack doesn’t seem like the long-term answer. Indianapolis needs to give Andrew Luck lots of help, and while the offensive line needs to improve, a dynamic running back would help as well.

    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. Cleveland Browns: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S/CB, Alabama
    Any team that can’t stop Brett Hundley in the fourth quarter and overtime to achieve its first victory of the season desperately needs defensive back help. The Browns are desperate at both cornerback and safety, and Minkah Fitzpatrick can play both positions extremely well. Plus, he’s arguably the best player available.

  5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C.State
    Robert Ayers is just a temporary solution for the Buccaneers at defensive end; he’ll be a 33-year-old impending free agent in 2018. They’ll need a long-term starter across from Noah Spence to help put pressure on Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Drew Brees. And speaking of Spence, I don’t know how much longer Tampa can wait on him to remain healthy. When will his shoulder issues go away?

    Bradley Chubb is the best player available, so the Buccaneers would be thrilled to land him at No. 5 overall.

    Pick change; previously Derwin James, S



  6. Denver Broncos: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
    I feel as though this will be a very polarizing pick. There are some ardent fans of Baker Mayfield who will believe that I have the Oklahoma quarterback in the correct spot. There are others who dislike Mayfield as a prospect. We spoken to team sources that have him as a second- or third-round player.

    However, team sources pegged Deshaun Watson as a second- or third-round prospect last year as well, and he went No. 12 overall. If a quarterback is considered a Round 2-3 player, he will likely be chosen in the opening frame, and Mayfield, like Watson, could win teams over with his leadership ability and upside. He certainly has his flaws, but a team desperate for a franchise quarterback – i.e. the Broncos – could pull the trigger much earlier than some expect.

  7. 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.

    Pick change; previously Calvin Ridley, WR



  8. San Francisco 49ers: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
    Jimmy Garoppolo looks like he’s going to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in the near future, but the 49ers will need to add talent around him. This includes a No. 1 receiver, so Calvin Ridley is a possibility. However, Garoppolo needs better protection as well. The 49ers have a pair of great tackles, but they need to bolster the interior of the offensive line.

    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 Bradley Chubb, DE

  9. 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.

    Pick change; previously Arden Key, DE



  10. Cincinnati Bengals: Derwin James, S, Florida State
    Tackle Mike McGlinchey is a strong possibility, but Derwin James seems more like the sort of pick the Bengals would make. Besides, it’s not like James wouldn’t fill a need. Cincinnati’s defense has not been the same since losing Reggie Nelson, so an upgrade at safety would take the stop unit back to a playoff-caliber level.

    Pick change; previously Quenton Nelson, G

  11. Oakland Raiders: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
    The Raiders need to upgrade every area of their defense. Cornerback, linebacker and safety are seen as the big problem areas, but defensive tackle will be as well if Justin Ellis departs via free agency.

    Da’Ron Payne, a freak athlete, has a chance to be chose in the top five – I considered him to Cincinnati at No. 5 a few weeks ago – so he’s a great value pick at No. 11.

  12. Miami Dolphins: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
    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 Donte Jackson, CB

  13. Arizona Cardinals: Joshua Jackson, CB, Iowa
    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 Denzel Ward, CB

  14. 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 happens to be one of the best players available.

  15. Green Bay Packers: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
    The Packers had a big need at outside linebacker entering the draft. They didn’t address the position aside from selecting Vince Biegel in the fourth round, however, so that’s something they could target early in the 2018 NFL Draft. Clay Matthews is a famous star because of the commercials, but he really hasn’t played consistently in several years, as it appears as though all of the injuries have taken a toll on him.



  16. 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.


  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


Go to 2019 NFL Mock Draft







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