CHDraftScouting Chase Hammes’ Full 2018 NFL 7 Round Mock Draft: Day 1
Chase Hammes with CHDraftScouting brings us his projections for all 7 rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft with his last 2018 mock.
Each of the three days of the draft will be published in an individual article to make it easier to read, so be sure to check back each day here at SCU for another update.
Proposed Trade: Bills trade their 12th, 21st, 65th, and 96th a future first for the Broncos 5th pick Dolphins trade their 11th, 73rd and 123rd and a future first for the Colts 6th pick
Pick 1. Browns – Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Browns have made several great moves this offseason but still, need a franchise quarterback.
There have been several rumors about Josh Allen being the pick here but I think ultimately Darnold will be their man. Darnold and Allen both need time but sitting behind Tyrod would be great for whoever the pick is here. Dorsey isn’t a huge arm quarterback kind of guy, which is another reason I think this pick favors Darnold.
Pick 2. Giants- Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
I’ve had the Giants trading back in every one of my mocks since November. The G men should really take a quarterback but I think Dave Gettleman will stick with Eli at least another season. Barkley has LaDainian Tomlinson abilities and pairing him with OBJ and Engram could set up their future quarterback for success. Barkley has been rumored to have a workout with Beckham and it seems like a great fit.
Pick 3. Jets – Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The Jets gave up a load of picks to move up for a quarterback. Mayfield is my top quarterback and would be a great fit in Jeremy Bates offense. Mayfield has a high floor and would finally give the Jets a quarterback to build around. His personality paired with that Jets defense could be lethal in a few years, the AFC needs to watch out.
Pick 4. Browns – Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
You can never have too many pass rushers. Chubb was a great player the last two years and being paired with Garrett could be lethal for teams to block. Chubb has been a bit overrated through this whole process, some people have said he is better than Garrett, but he’s a player who will go to a few pro bowls.
Pick 5. Bills – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
I’ve had Allen to the Bills dating back all the way to December and it looks like its a great chance of happening. He can sit behind McCarron for some time to learn and work with NFL coaches. He is a cold weather quarterback and Buffalo is a tough place for a quarterback to play. I think Allen can be an elite quarterback if he gets time and the coaches don’t rush it.
Pick 6. Dolphins – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
I saw this in Daniel Jeremiah’s mock and it made a ton of sense. The Dolphins got rid of so many quality players that truly I have no clue what they’re trying to do. Rosen doesn’t seem like a Gase quarterback due to his immobility, but the Dolphins have to get their franchise guy. Tannehill is already 30 and is coming off an ACL tear. If Gase builds his offense around Rosen it could be a great pairing.
Pick 7. Buccaneers – Derwin James, SS, Florida State
You may be thinking this is a little too high for James but he is a great player who struggled a little bit at the beginning. He flies all over the field and could give the Bucs a great defensive back to build around. He is an amazing athlete and will change the attitude of their locker room.
Pick 8. Bears – Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame
Nelson is the best player available and it also fits a need for the Bears. Nelson is a freak and will provide protection for Trubisky and clear running lanes for Howard and Cohen. He has little to no weaknesses and could be an All-Pro very soon in the league. The Bears offense would be an instant upgrade over last season.
Pick 9. 49ers – Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
This pick seems to be set in stone unless something surprising happens. Edmunds can play any linebacker position and is a crazy athlete and is crazy long. He is rangy and with the Reuben Foster stuff going on they need a plan in case he gets into more trouble. If Foster does stop getting into trouble it would be the best young linebacker core in the league.
Pick 10. Raiders – Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS, Alabama
The Raiders have made some questionable moves this offseason but I think Fitzpatrick is the guy here. Gruden needs a true leader on his defense and Fitzpatrick would bring a winning mentality to Oakland. Fitzpatrick has been rumored to fall a little bit but Oakland won’t pass up the chance at 10. He could have an Eric Berry like impact in the league.
Pick 11. Colts – Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The Colts need help everywhere and that’s why I think they’re a trade down option. The Colts need help at linebacker and Smith would be a great option at 11. He was all over the field this year for Georgia and the Colts could use a sideline to sideline guy like Roquan on their team. He would give Indy a piece to build around on defense.
Pick 12. Broncos – Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
I have the Broncos trading with the Bills and picking up Ward. They got rid of Talib and Ward would be a good replacement for him and a good pairing with Harris Jr. Ward is a quick but smaller corner who may have to play slot due to his size. The Broncos need to get younger everywhere.
At worst Ward is a very good nickel corner.
Pick 13. Redskins – Vita Vea, NT, Washington
The Skins need some talent on the Defensive line. Vea is a huge but athletic tackle who would be great next to Johnathan Allen, their first pick last year. I personally like Payne more but I think teams like Vea more right now and see Payne as a project. I think Vea can have a Haloti Ngata type impact in the league.
Pick 14. Packers – Marcus Davenport, EDGE, UTSA
The Packers showed how weak their team is without Aaron Rodgers. They really need edge help and Davenport is a project but he has a very high ceiling. He is long and athletic but he needs more bend in his pass rush. If the coaching is right Davenport will be very very good, and that’s exactly what this Packer team needs.
Pick 15. Cardinals – Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Teams around the league have seemed to like Jackson more then the media has. I think Jackson is a top 20 lock now and would be a great fit in Arizona. He needs some time to develop behind someone and I think Bradford would be a perfect guy to learn from. Jackson is one of the most dynamic players to play the quarterback position ever and the Cardinals need someone to excite their franchise. If he gets time he could be a Pro Bowl quarterback.
Pick 16. Ravens – Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Ravens offense is weak and they need some talent to help out the below average play of QB Joe Flacco. Ridley can be a number one receiver if given the chance, and Baltimore desperately needs that. The Ravens have made some questionable moves at receiver this offseason and Ridley would instantly be their best offensive weapon. Ridley could have a Reggie Wayne type impact in the league.
Pick 17. Chargers – Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
LVE has helped his stock tremendously over this season. He wasn’t a big named guy and he has been a hot commodity this draft season. He has a very high ceiling and would be great on a young defense with Bosa, Ingram, and others. With his length, he can play inside or on the edge and that’s huge for this Chargers who are lacking in the middle of their defense.
Pick 18. Seahawks – Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia
The Seahawks are in rebuild mode and they have a lot of positions to fill. I think they could go corner but I think they need to address their offensive line. Wynn is one of my top players in the class and I think he could help protect Russell Wilson and clear running lanes for whoever they put at running back. He is a little small to play tackle but it could be possible depending on the offense.
Pick 19. Cowboys – Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
I wouldn’t take Sutton here but I think the Cowboys could take a hard look at him. Ronald Leary was greatly missed last year and their run game wasn’t the same even without Zeke. Hernandez is a beast and would make that offensive line dominate again. He is also very athletic for his size and could deal with interior pressure very well.
Pick 20. Lions – Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College
Even with the Lions keeping Ziggy Ansah they need more of a pass rush. Landry is a pass rushing demon similar to Vic Beasley, and should instantly improve the Lions defense. He will help out Ansah on the other side who didn’t have a great year last year. Landry was a top 10 player at the beginning of the season who fell a bit due to quarterbacks and injuries.
Pick 21. Bengals – James Daniels, OC, Iowa
The Bengals need offensive line help badly. Daniels has helped his stock a lot and would be a dominant force inside for Joe Mixon. I don’t think he’s a guard at the next level but either way, Daniels is a great player and would be an upgrade at center. It isn’t the sexiest pick but it will help the Bengals get back to their winning ways.
Pick 22. Broncos – Connor Williams, OT, Texas
The Broncos added Jared Veldheer and they have Garrett Bolles on the other side but i think they could improve on the offensive line. Williams could play right tackle or move inside to guard for his first few years in the league. I love Williams and actually have him as my top tackle. He was fantastic in 2016 but dealt with injuries in 2018. I think he has franchise left tackle potential in the league.
Pick 23. Patriots- Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
JJ just seems like such a Patriots pick here. He rose from nowhere last year after switching back and forth between receiver and corner. He was a ball hawk last year and would replace Malcolm Butler. I had him slotted as high as 10 in one of my mocks but I think he will slip a little bit. I think Jackson can be a very good outside corner for the Patriots.
Pick 24. Panthers – Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The Panthers need help at receiver but they also need a corner upgrade. Injuries aside, Alexander is debatably the best corner in the class. Our secondary hasn’t been the same since the loss of Josh Norman and Alexander would be the guy to come and change that. He’s a little small but he should be able to play outside and thrive. I love his swag and he should pair well with Newton.
Pick 25. Titans – Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The Titans need to address the middle of their defense. Evans is a great linebacker and would add another good young piece to their defense. He is good in the run game and is also a solid athlete. He can be a beast from day one and make the Titans even more dangerous. The Titans will be a team to watch out for next year in the AFC.
Pick 26. Falcons – Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
This seems like a lock if Bryan is still available. He’s a super athlete and has some tools that you can teach. He disappeared too much at Florida but I think it can be corrected with good coaching. The Falcons need another solid defensive lineman to pair with Grady Jarrett.
Pick 27. Saints – Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
The Saints need more interior help and I think Payne would be a blessing if he fell here. He’s my top-rated defensive tackle and has a very high ceiling. He was overshadowed by all the stars on that Alabama defense but he could be a better pro then he was a college player. His CFP games looked great and he could turn into a pro bowl player with the right coaching.
Pick 28. Steelers – Justin Reid, FS, Stanford
Here you go Steelers Nation!
The Steelers need safety help and Reid has been linked to them the most and he’s a solid player. He is great in coverage and can also play up and make plays in the run game.Reid is a better prospect than his brother and should be a very good player.
The Steelers could solidify their defense with this pick and be one of the teams to beat in the AFC.
Pick 29. Jaguars – Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
The Jaguars lost Allen Robinson in free agency and Sutton could be better then he was. Sutton had a better combine then I expected and would give them another good young receiver for Bortles. Sutton is a high upside guy and if used correctly could be an elite receiver.
Pick 30. Vikings – Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
The Vikings could use a center or a guard, but you can never have too many corners. I love Hughes as he’s a long athletic corner with some off the field issues. The corner trio of Rhodes, Waynes, and Hughes would be one of the best in the league. Hughes has elite cornerback potential and would be a steal here.
I believe his addition could make the Vikings a Super Bowl contender next season.
Pick 31. Patriots – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Patriots lost Nate Solder in free agency, so McGlinchey is a pick out of necessity. He’s a solid player who can play left or right tackle. His stock has come full circle as he was a top 10 player at the beginning of the year who fell during the season but has gained steam again. He probably will go higher but I see him as a great fit here.
Pick 32. Eagles – Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
The Eagles could use another corner. Oliver is long and athletic and could be their top corner with Sidney Jones. He had a very good year and saw his stock rise a lot over the season. Oliver has a Richard Sherman type of game and the Eagles could make him into a pro bowl caliber player. The Eagles are the team to beat next year.
