2018 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 17-32

Last update: Monday, April 23, 2018. Round 7 added.
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.

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2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
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Los Angeles Chargers: Vita Vea, NT, Washington
The Chargers have a great defense, but their one area of weakness is in the interior of the defensive line. Corey Liuget is a talented interior pass-rusher, but the Chargers lack a monstrous run-stuffing presence. That would change with this selection.

Vita Vea is a freak athlete, as few man can do what he’s able to at his size. He could easily be chosen in the top 15, so this is a solid value pick.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Da’Ron Payne, NT – The other top-end nose tackle is an option at this juncture as well.

2. Leighton Vander Esch, LB – I’ve had Vander Esch slotted here before, and I still think he makes sense for a Charger team that needs an upgrade at linebacker.

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Seattle Seahawks: Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State
The Seahawks will almost certainly trade down. After this selection, they don’t pick again until No. 120! Considering the amount of holes they have, they desperately need to acquire more resources.

Billy Price is someone the Seahawks could move down for. Price would be a legitimate option at this spot had he not torn his pectoral at the combine. However, he could slip a bit, and Seattle might be able to acquire him via a trade. Price, once healthy, would be a nice boost for Seattle’s poor offensive line.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Christian Kirk, WR – I could see the Seahawks trading down into the late 20s or early 30s and then grabbing Kirk to replace Paul Richardson.

2. Maurice Hurst, DT – Here’s another trade-down target, as Hurst would replace the departed Sheldon Richardson.

Pick change; previously Marcus Davenport, DE
Dallas Cowboys: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
The Cowboys’ defense has fallen apart in recent years when Sean Lee has been out of the lineup. Anthony Hitchens was developing into a solid second linebacker, but he signed with the Chiefs this offseason. Dallas needs help at linebacker.

We published a report that one NFL team medically flunked Leighton Vander Esch. While this is 100-percent true, it’s also true that other teams really like Vander Esch and would consider taking him in the first round. I believe the Cowboys to be one of those teams.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. D.J. Moore, WR – If the Cowboys opt for a receiver in the first round, I believe it’ll be Moore.

2. Taven Bryan, DT – A sleeper pick if the Cowboys really want to focus on improving their interior pressure.

Detroit Lions: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
The Lions desperately need help on their defensive line. A’Shawn Robinson is a promising player, but he’s the only viable starter Detroit has in the interior.

Taven Bryan is a rising player who could be chosen in the top 20. Charlie Campbell reported earlier that the Falcons like Bryan, but he may not make it to their pick.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Marcus Davenport/Harold Landry, DE – I like the Lions-Bryan fit, but Davenport would be a serious option here if he were available. Landry is also a very logical choice.

2. Jaire Alexander, CB – The Lions pursued Malcolm Butler in free agency, but failed to sign him.
Cincinnati Bengals: James Daniels, C, Iowa
I have to think someone like James Daniels is Cincinnati’s target. The Bengals are desperate for offensive linemen, but all of them would be reaches at No. 12, with the exception of Quenton Nelson, who wouldn’t be available. It’s too early for a big center upgrade like Daniels at No. 12, but he’s much more reasonable at No. 21 overall.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Isaiah Wynn/Billy Price, OL – Cincinnati should probably take the best offensive lineman on its board after what transpired last year.

2. Justin Reid/Ronnie Harrison, S – I think it’s too early for one of these safeties, but the Bengals may not agree with that sentiment.

Buffalo Bills: Isaiah Wynn, G/C, Georgia
Eric Wood retired this offseason. Cordy Glenn was traded. Now, Richie Incognito has opted to hang up the cleats as well. Buffalo’s offensive line is in shambles, so the team needs to spend multiple resources fixing it. Taking the best blocker available makes a lot of sense, and that could be Isaiah Wynn.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. James Daniels/Billy Price, C – If the Bills keep this pick, and use their other first-rounder to move up for a quarterback, they’ll have to select some sort of offensive lineman at this spot.

2. Courtland Sutton/D.J. Moore, WR – Finding help for the rookie quarterback could come in the form of drafting a receiver to replace the troubled Zay Jones.
New England Patriots: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Multiple reporters, including NESN’s Doug Kyed, have reported that the Patriots are very high on Josh Rosen. It remains to be seen if New England’s information would become public like that, but if this is true, the Patriots would have to move up for Rosen. Perhaps a swap with the 49ers for the ninth pick would make sense.

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. Rosen was prolific in some big games last year, so that could push him into the top five, but as Charlie Campbell reported, two NFL general managers have expressed major concern about Rosen.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Courtland Sutton/D.J. Moore, WR – The Patriots acquired this pick in the Brandin Cooks trade, so they might use this opportunity to find a replacement for the new Ram receiver.

2. Taven Bryan, DT – New England must improve its pedestrian pass rush.

Pick change; previously Joshua Jackson, CB

Carolina Panthers: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The Panthers like Hayden Hurst, whom they could pick here. However, their secondary absolutely must be addressed, and Jaire Alexander certainly has to be considered one of the top players available. Alexander could go in the teens, so this is a nice value selection.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Hayden Hurst, TE – The Panthers like Hurst a lot. Enough to take him at 24? Perhaps, if all the defensive backs they prefer are off the board.

2. D.J. Moore, WR – Carolina needs to find a weapon for Cam Newton, and Moore could be the best option.

Pick change; previously D.J. Moore, WR
Tennessee Titans: Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College
The Titans have Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan as their starting edge rushers, but the former will turn 32 in July. He’ll also be a free agent next March. Tennessee needs to look toward the future, and that would mean acquiring a long-term edge rusher who can hound Deshaun Watson and Andrew Luck.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Leighton Vander Esch, LB – If Vander Esch slips a bit, the Titans could scoop him up as a replacement for Avery Williamson.

2. Sam Hubbard, DE/OLB – Here’s another edge-rushing option.

Atlanta Falcons: Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio
This is quite the slide for Marcus Davenport, but I can’t say that there’s any reason behind it. I just couldn’t find a logical spot for him earlier. I’m sure the Falcons won’t complain, as they’ll get a talented edge player to replace Adrian Clayborn, who signed with the Patriots.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Taven Bryan, DT – Charlie Campbell reported back in January that the Falcons like Taven Bryan. He fits what they look for in a prospect, and he happens to fill a big need.

2. Will Hernandez, G – The Falcons could take a guard at this spot, and Hernadez would be a good fit.

Pick change; previously Jaire Alexander, CB
New Orleans Saints: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The Saints were going to pick Patrick Mahomes last year before the Chiefs jumped in front of them. They need a successor for Drew Brees, so it would make sense for them to take Lamar Jackson. Like Mahomes, Jackson has a big arm, and he’s also extremely athletic. Jackson needs a lot of work, as he’s very inconsistent with his accuracy and mechanics, but Sean Payton might believe that he can coach him up and have him ready to start in 2019 or 2020.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Rashaan Evans, LB – It feels weird to consider other players here because I’ve slotted Jackson to the Saints for so long. But New Orleans needs linebacker help, so Evans would be a logical fit.

2. Hayden Hurst, TE – The Saints attempted to sign Jimmy Graham a month ago, but failed. Here’s their tight end of the future.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
I’ve had the Steelers taking Lamar Jackson in my previous updates, but with Ben Roethlisberger saying that he wants to play for three more years, it makes sense for the front office to look elsewhere.

Pittsburgh obviously needs to replace Ryan Shazier, who won’t play in 2018. Rashaan Evans’ stock has slipped of late, but he could still be chosen in the opening round.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Leighton Vander Esch, LB – Here’s another possibility if Vander Esch slips. The Steelers reportedly like him.

2. Lamar Jackson, QB – Pittsburgh is another team that could trade up for Jackson. I had the Steelers doing so in some of my early mock drafts.
Jacksonville Jaguars: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Jacksonville’s receivers did a good job this past season in the wake of Allen Robinson’s injury, but none of them projects as a true No. 1. Robinson signed with the Bears, so I suspect the Jaguars will consider a replacement in the first couple of rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Christian Kirk, WR – Some might think it’s too early for Kirk, but given how quickly receivers have been plucked in recent drafts, and how much wideouts have been paid in free agency the past two springs, this is a possibility..

2. Jaire Alexander, CB – Maurice Jones-Drew mocked Alexander to his former team, and I think the pick makes sense. Someone will need to replace the departed Aaron Colvin.

Pick change; previously Christian Kirk, WR
Minnesota Vikings: Will Hernandez, G, UTEP
The Vikings just gave Kirk Cousins a fully guaranteed $84 million contract. They would be foolish not to protect their new quarterback as well as possible, and they currently have a hole at one of the guard spots. Will Hernandez, if available, would be a terrific solution to that problem.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Isaiah Wynn/James Daniels/Billy Price, OL – Name a first-round interior lineman not named Quenton Nelson, and I’ll tell you that he makes sense for the Vikings at No. 30.

2. Mike Hughes/Donte Jackson, CB – The Vikings must replace the ancient Terence Newman, and either Hughes or Jackson could take his spot as a nickel.
New England Patriots: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
Nate Solder signed with the Giants. It wasn’t a surprise that the Patriots opted not to keep him. Solder is obviously very talented, but he’s had severe injury problems over the past several seasons, so he was too risky to give a big contract to, despite what the Giants just did. Regardless, the Patriots need a new blind-side protector.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Rashaan Evans, LB – New England’s linebacking corps is in shambles, and Evans would be a nice fit.

2. Isaiah Oliver, CB – The Patriots lost Malcolm Butler. They managed to replace him with Jason McCourty, but he’s just a short-term solution.

Philadelphia Eagles: Maurice Hurst, DE/DT, Michigan
Doug Pederson comes from the Andy Reid school of thought where bolstering the trenches is paramount. He spent last year’s first-round pick on Derek Barnett despite already having Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry, so I don’t think it’s out of the question that he could opt for a talented defensive tackle to play in a rotation with Fletcher Cox and Timmy Jernigan. Both of those players stayed healthy in 2017, but what if that doesn’t happen in 2018? It would be great to have a terrific insurance policy like Maurice Hurst, especially if Michael Bennett can’t play because of his legal issues.

Hurst, as you may have heard, was sent home from the combine because of a heart condition. Reports indicate that it doesn’t seem too serious, so the Eagles could take him here, as they seem to be in a great position to gamble. We saw them do this with Sidney Jones last year, so I believe they’d try their luck with Hurst.

Having said all of this, I expect the Eagles to trade down, as they don’t pick again until No. 130 after this selection.

*** OTHER 2018 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***

1. Derrius Guice/Ronald Jones, RB – If the Eagles move down, they can target the running back they prefer in the second round, as Jay Ajayi is heading for free agency next spring.

2. Mike Gesicki, TE – Another trade-down option for the Eagles, who need to replace Brent Celek.