[dt_divider style=”thick” /]In our final mock draft of the 2018 NFL Draft season, we at Inside the Pylon created two mock drafts in one. Based on Jeff Feyerer’s team need evaluation, Dan Hatman worked the ITP board to make first round selections for every team in the first round in a “What ITP Would Do” format. At the same time, Jeff provided a more predictive mock draft based on what we believe the NFL teams are actually likely to do Thursday night. For a full breakdown of all the picks Jeff’s mock draft, check it out here!
And be sure to purchase your copy of the 2018 ITP Draft Guide, available now!
| Pick | Team | Starter Needs | Competition Needs | Top 100 Picks | ITP Selection (Hatman) | NFL Selection (Feyerer) | Thoughts (from Hatman) |
| 1 | CLE | QB, CB, DT, OT, WR | EDGE, TE, S, RB, LB | 1, 15, 33, 35, 47, 64 | QB Josh Rosen (CALA) | QB Sam Darnold (CASC) |
CLE has made it clear they want a QB and since we’re working off our board, we’d take Josh Rosen #1 overall.
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| 2 | NYG | QB, EDGE, CB, DT, C, OG, OT, S, LB | RB, TE, WR | 2, 34, 66, 69 | QB Sam Darnold (CASC) | RB Saquon Barkley (PAST) |
NYG should capitalize on this QB market and their draft stock if they aren’t trading the pick away.
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| 3 | NYJ | QB, EDGE, WR, OT, TE, DT | IOL, CB, S, LB | 3, 72 | QB Baker Mayfield (OKUN) | QB Josh Rosen (CALA) |
NYJ positioned themselves to come away with a QB from their top tier. With CLE and NYG taking a QB, we stretch a bit outside our top band for a QB.
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| 4 | CLE | QB, CB, DT, OT, WR | EDGE, TE, S, RB, LB | 1, 4, 33, 35, 64 | CB Denzel Ward (OHST) | EDGE Bradley Chubb (NCST) |
CLE is one of the few teams that can pass on Nelson. They need more pieces in the backend to put their DEF together. The top CB in the class gets them closer.
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| 5 | DEN | QB, WR, CB, OG, S, RB | EDGE, TE, OT, LB, DT | 5, 40, 71, 99 | RB Saquon Barkley (PAST) | QB Josh Allen (WY) – trade w/BUF |
DEN watches a run of QBs, and hopes McGovern takes the next step, as they pass on Nelson for the top OFF skill player in the draft.
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| 6 | IND | EDGE, CB, DT, WR, LB, OT, OG, S, RB | TE, WR | 6, 36, 37, 49, 67 | OG Quenton Nelson (INND) | Slot/Sub Derwin James (FLST) – trade w/GB |
There was a thought for Chubb, but IND builds inside out, strengthening their OL with the top player in the draft, and protecting Andrew Luck is the priority.
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| 7 | TB | CB, S, RB, OT, DT | TE, WR, OG | 7, 38 | Slot/Sub Derwin James (FLST) | OG Quenton Nelson (INND) |
James went above Fitzpatrick as a unique piece to pair with Evans behind an improved pass rush group.
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| 8 | CHI | EDGE, ILB, WR, OT, CB, OG | S, DT | 8, 39 | EDGE Bradley Chubb (NCST) | QB Baker Mayfield (OKUN) – trade w/ARZ |
CHI has a number of good options on the board and secures the top EDGE defender in the class to pair with ’16 1st rounder Leonard Floyd.
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| 9 | SF | EDGE, WR, ILB, CB, S | DT, RB, OT, WR, TE | 9, 59, 70, 74 | ILB Roquan Smith (GAUN) | Slot/Sub Minkah Fitzpatrick (ALUN) |
It’s a bit early for T.Edmunds on our board. Adding Roquan to Foster gives SF 2 impactful 3 down stacked LBs.
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| 10 | OAK | CB, DT, ILB, OT, WR | EDGE, TE, IOL | 10, 41, 75 | 3Tech Maurice Hurst (MIUN) | OT Mike McGlinchey (INND) |
The OAK DEF can really take the next step with an interior penetrator. Since we don’t factor in medical, as we lack that info on every prospect, Hurst goes Top 10.
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| 11 | MIA | QB, CB, DT, LB, C, OG, TE, OT | S, RB | 11, 42, 73 | OT/OG Isaiah Wynn (GAUN) | ILB Roquan Smith (GAUN) |
MIA has uncertainty across the OL and adds a player that was the best practioner of LT in the draft class, who may end up at OG.
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| 12 | BUF | QB, DT, WR, LB, C, OG, Nickel | CB, OT, EDGE, TE, CB | 12, 22, 53, 56, 65, 96 | Slot/Sub Minkah Fitzpatrick (ALUN) | CB Jaire Alexander (KYLO) -trade w/DEN |
Too early for a QB on our board. BUF adds a premium coverage defender to go with White, Hyde, Poyer, and Davis.
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| 13 | WAS | WR, ILB, C, CB, OG, S, RB, DT | TE | 13, 44 | C James Daniels (IAUN) | DT/NT Vita Vea (WAUN) |
This was a back and forth between Guice and IOL. Ultimately, the positional value of Center won.
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| 14 | GB | EDGE, CB, IOL, Nickel, S, WR | ILB, TE | 14, 45, 76 | EDGE Harold Landry (MABC) | OLB Tremaine Edmunds (VAPI) – trade w/IND |
Will Hernandez was ranked just above Landry, but you can’t have enough pass rushers, especially in a deep IOL class.
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| 15 | ARZ | QB, DT, WR, C, CB, OT, S | LB, EDGE, OG, RB | 15, 47, 79, 97 | CB Josh Jackson (IAUN) | CB Denzel Ward (OHST) – trade w/CHI |
The move to the Wilks/Holcomb DEF adds an emphasis on CBs who can function in Zone.
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| 16 | BLT | EDGE, DT, WR, C, OG, TE, ILB, QB | OT, S | 16, 52, 83 | OLB Tremaine Edmunds (VAPI) | QB Lamar Jackson (KYLO) |
Edmunds gives BLT the flexibility to see if he addresses their front better stacked or on the edge.
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| 17 | LAC | S, OT, QB, DT | WR, OG | 17, 48, 84 | DT/NT Vita Vea (WAUN) | OT/OG Isaiah Wynn (GAUN) |
Vea adds an interior piece, when coupled with Ingram and Bosa, he will make life tough on opposing OLs.
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| 18 | SEA | EDGE, CB, DT, OG, TE, WR, OT, RB | S, LB | 18 | OG Will Hernandez (TXEP) | RB Derrius Guice (LAST) – trade w/CLE |
With only 1 pick in the Top 100 selections, the Seahawks improve the OL.
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| 19 | DAL | CB, DT, WR, S, EDGE, TE, OL, ILB | RB | 19, 50, 81 | WR DJ Moore (MDUN) | WR Calvin Ridley (ALUN) |
The Bryant move pre-draft helps grease the skids for a WR at 19 and the first one goes off our board to DAL.
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| 20 | DET | EDGE, DT, IOL, TE, CB, RB, S | LB, WR | 20, 51, 82 | RB Derrius Guice (LAST) | EDGE Harold Landry (MABC) |
Absolute beast of a RB who would be the top RB in any other draft.
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| 21 | CIN | OL, LB, WR | 21, 46, 77, 100 | OC Billy Price (OHST) | C James Daniels (IAUN) |
Day 1 starter at Center for CIN who can solidify the interior of their OL.
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| 22 | BUF | QB, DT, WR, LB, C, OG, Nickel | CB, OT, EDGE, TE, CB | 12, 22, 53, 56, 65, 96 | OT/OG Connor Williams (TXUN) | C/G Frank Ragnow (ARK) |
BUF has needs all across their OL. Williams can compete at OT and shift to OG if needed.
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| 23 | NE | 23, 31, 43, 63, 95 | EDGE Lorenzo Carter (GAUN) | WR DJ Moore (MDUN) |
Just the type of versatile player that Belichick can leverage in many ways.
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| 24 | CAR | 24, 55, 85, 88 | CB Jaire Alexander (KYLO) | EDGE Marcus Davenport (TXSA) |
CAR adds a coverage piece that should immediately compete for playing time.
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| 25 | TEN | EDGE, OL, ILB | 25, 57, 89 | LB Rashaan Evans (ALUN) | LB Rashaan Evans (ALUN) |
Vrabel dips into the Alabama talent pool for a stacked LB who will increase the physicality of the unit.
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| 26 | ATL | 26, 58, 90 | DT/NT Da’Ron Payne (ALUN) | DT/NT Da’Ron Payne (ALUN) |
Another physical element inside will help the Falcons maximize their speedy ILBs and EDGE players.
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| 27 | NO | 27, 91 | QB Lamar Jackson (KYLO) | EDGE Josh Sweat (FSU) |
Sean Payton is the right kind of play caller to maximize a unique weapon like Lamar, who can learn from Brees.
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| 28 | PIT | ILB, DB, OLB, DL | 28, 60, 92 | QB Josh Allen (WYUN) | CB Mike Hughes (FLCE) |
Big Ben has danced around retirement. Allen would benefit from the stable of weapons compiled in PIT if/when he needs to play.
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| 29 | JAX | QB, Slot DB, OL, ILB | 29, 61, 93 | WR Calvin Ridley (ALUN) | WR Courtland Sutton (SMU) |
The WRs in JAX did a great job of stepping up last year, but a refined product like Ridley makes everything easier on the OFF.
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| 30 | MIN | EDGE, Slot DB, OL, LB | 30, 62, 94 | EDGE Marcus Davenport (TXSA) | OG Will Hernandez (TXEP) |
MIN has Griffen and receives production from Hunter, but more pass rushers is never a bad thing.
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| 31 | NE | OT, LB, CB, QB | 23, 31, 43, 63, 95 | OT Mike McGlinchey (INND) | OT/OG Connor Williams (TXUN) |
NE has OTs in Cannon, Waddle, and Garcia who can compete for the starting roles, but adding a stable OT can’t hurt.
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| 32 | PHI | RB, TE, CB | 32 | CB Mike Hughes (FLCE) | TE Dallas Goedert (SDST) |
PHI has invested in CBs through the draft and elsewhere, but until some lock in, having more players who can cover is an asset.
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