2018 NFL Trade Mock

1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
   I'm going to project 10 trades in this special mock draft, but this won't be one of the picks that will be dealt. I think the Browns will stay put and select Josh Allen. From what I understand, Cleveland hasn't made a firm decision yet on whom it'll select, but the team is heavily leaning toward Allen. I would estimate it's probably 70-30 Allen right now, and I don't think the Browns will be able to entice the Giants to swap picks with them.
   
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2. Denver Broncos: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
   *** Trade 1: Broncos acquire No. 2 overall from Giants for No. 5, second- and third-round picks (Nos. 40, 71) and RB C.J. Anderson ***
   
   The Giants will likely select Sam Darnold if they stay put at No. 2. However, they would like to auction off the pick. If they can secure two second-day selections and a starting running back for moving down just three spots, I think they'll do it.
   
   By the way, you can read more about this proposed NFL Draft trade via the link.
   
   
3. New York Jets: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
   The Jets traded up, so it would be strange to have them move down. I'm going to stick with what I have in my real 2018 NFL Mock Draft and slot Baker Mayfield to them.
   
   




4. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
   The Browns will get plenty of calls for the fourth pick, but they want Saquon Barkley more than any other player in the draft. I'll be surprised if they move out of this selection, as they'll be able to obtain the best prospect in the entire class here.
   
   
5. New York Giants: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
   The Giants' plan apparently is to trade down and acquire one of Bradley Chubb or Quenton Nelson. Both make a ton of sense. I'd say they're more likely to select Nelson to fix their offensive line woes, but Chubb would be a great choice as well.
   
   




6. Indianapolis Colts: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C.State
   The Colts have three second-round picks. They don't need to move down again. Besides, if they can get the best defensive player in the entire class, they need to stay put and select that prospect at No. 6 overall. Bradley Chubb would do wonders for their pathetic defense.
   
   
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
   I don't think the Buccaneers are trading down either. They need to win now, or everyone will be fired. It's imperative that they obtain a stud in the first round to help them get into the playoffs. There's a great chance one of Quenton Nelson or Derwin James will fall to them. Assuming that occurs, Tampa can stay put and secure one of those players.
   
   




8. Buffalo Bills: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
   *** Trade 2: Bills acquire No. 8 overall from Bears for No. 12 overall and third- and fifth-round picks (Nos. 96, 166) ***
   
   Like the Eagles a couple of years ago, the Bills may double trade to obtain their franchise quarterback. In this scenario, Josh Rosen falls because of character concerns, allowing Buffalo to acquire him for just third- and fifth-round selections. It's a sweet deal if the Bills can keep No. 22!
   
   
9. San Francisco 49ers: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
   John Lynch will be upset that he can't make a trade, but perhaps the ability to obtain the highly athletic Tremaine Edmunds will serve as a nice consolation prize. The 49ers need linebacker help badly in the wake of Reuben Foster's horrible off-the-field problems.
   
   




10. Green Bay Packers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S/CB, Alabama
    *** Trade 3: Packers acquire No. 10 overall from Raiders for No. 14 overall and a third-round pick (No. 76) ***
    
    The Packers have colossal needs in their secondary, and it's unlikely that any of the top three defensive backs in this class - Derwin James, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Denzel Ward - will fall to No. 14. Green Bay is armed with two fourth- and three fifth-round selections, so it can make this happen. Minkah Fitzpatrick would be a great replacement for the departed Morgan Burnett.
    
    
11. New Orleans Saints: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
    *** Trade 4: Saints acquire No. 11 overall from Dolphins for No. 27 overall and 2019 first-round pick ***
    
    The Saints wanted to take Patrick Mahomes with the 11th-overall pick last year, but the Chiefs jumped in front of them. This April, I expect the Saints to be more proactive in their quest to find a successor for Drew Brees. Perhaps they'll have better luck in doing so at No. 11 this time.
    
    
12. Chicago Bears: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
    The Bears are in a good spot to trade down, as they'll likely miss out on the top three non-quarterbacks in this class. Luckily, they can obtain the top cornerback in this draft, as Denzel Ward is a prospect Chicago has lots of interest in, according to Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com.
    
    
13. New England Patriots: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
    *** Trade 5: Patriots acquire No. 13 overall from Redskins for No. 23 overall and second- and third-round picks (Nos. 63, 95) ***
    
    The Patriots move up, but not for a quarterback. They lost Nate Solder this offseason, so acquiring a new franchise left tackle makes sense. Mike McGlinchey is the top prospect at the position, and it's not very close. New England would have to leap Arizona to obtain McGlinchey, in all likelihood.
    
    
14. Oakland Raiders: Vita Vea, NT, Washington
    The Raiders moved down four spots, acquired a third-round pick, and yet still obtained the player I mocked to them in my real 2018 NFL Mock Draft. They'd get an A+ for this in my live draft grades.
    
    
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
    *** Trade 6: Steelers acquire No. 15 overall from Cardinals for No. 28 overall, third- and fifth-round picks (No. 92, 165) and WR Martavis Bryant ***
    
    The Steelers have to be utterly shocked that Roquan Smith is still available at No. 15 overall. To obtain him, they'd have to move ahead of the Chargers and Cowboys. Trading with the arch-rival Ravens would be impossible, so moving up to the 15th spot makes sense. It would allow them to get Smith, who would be a perfect replacement for Ryan Shazier. To do so, they'd surrender their third- and fifth-round picks (they have two of the latter) as well as Martavis Bryant, who would fill a need for Arizona.
    
    
16. Dallas Cowboys: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
    *** Trade 7: Cowboys acquire No. 16 overall from Ravens for No. 19 overall and two fourth-round picks (No. 116, 137) ***
    
    With Roquan Smith gone, the Cowboys might be worried that the Chargers would pluck Leighton Vander Esch off the board. In response, they could move ahead of the Chargers for the price of just two fourth-round selections. I considered a scenario in which Dallas trades Dez Bryant to someone, but I don't think anyone wants him at his current salary.
    
    

Go to 2018 NFL Trade Mock: 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.

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