Similar to last year, I will post my Way-Too-Early Mock Draft one year prior to the start of the actual draft. I think its fun to look back and see how well I predicted the draft from 365 days ago. Looking at this draft, it seems to be a very solid QB class. Right now, it looks like a 3-man race between Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen to be the top quarterback selected. Like always, the team positions were thrown together quickly based off how I think each team will do. Enjoy!
Way-Too-Early 2018 NFL Mock Draft
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
| 1. | Los Angeles Rams | Sam Darnold | QB | USC |
| 2. | Cleveland Browns | Josh Rosen | QB | UCLA |
| 3. | San Francisco 49ers | Josh Allen | QB | Wyoming |
| 4. | New York Jets | Arden Key | DE | LSU |
| 5. | Denver Broncos | Mike McGlinchey | OT | Notre Dame |
| 6. | Jacksonville Jaguars | Mitch Hyatt | OT | Clemson |
| 7. | Buffalo Bills | Derwin James | SS | Florida State |
| 8. | Minnesota Vikings | Christian Kirk | WR | Texas A&M |
| 9. | Chicago Bears | Calvin Ridley | WR | Alabama |
| 10. | Arizona Cardinals | Minkah Fitzpatrick | CB | Alabama |
| 11. | Washington Redskins | Saquon Barkley | RB | Penn State |
| 12. | Cincinnati Bengals | Malik Jefferson | DE | Texas |
| 13. | Miami Dolphins | Tarvarus McFadden | CB | Florida State |
| 14. | Detroit Lions | Denzel Ward | CB | Ohio State |
| 15 | Baltimore Ravens | Christian Wilkins | DT | Clemson |
| 16. | Los Angeles Chargers | Adonis Alexander | CB | Virginia Tech |
| 17. | Philadelphia Eagles | Derrius Guice | RB | LSU |
| 18. | Carolina Panthers | Sam Hubbard | DE | Ohio State |
| 19. | New York Giants | Cameron Smith | LB | USC |
| 20. | Indianapolis Colts | Connor Williams | OT | Texas |
| 21. | New Orleans Saints | Bradley Chubb | DE | North Carolina State |
| 22. | Buffalo Bills (from KC) | Shaun Dion Hamilton | LB | Alabama |
| 23. | Cleveland Browns (from HOU) | Tyquan Lewis | DE | Ohio State |
| 24. | Atlanta Falcons | Derrick Nnadi | DT | Florida State |
| 25. | Tennessee Titans | Harold Landry | DE | Boston College |
| 26. | Seattle Seahawks | Orlando Brown | OT | Oklahoma |
| 27. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Trey Adams | OT | Washington |
| 28. | Pittsburgh Steelers | Iman Marshall | CB | USC |
| 29. | Dallas Cowboys | Jaire Alexander | CB | Louisville |
| 30. | Oakland Raiders | Courtland Sutton | WR | SMU |
| 31. | Green Bay Packers | Quenton Nelson | OL | Notre Dame |
| 32. | New England Patriots | Mason Rudolph | QB | Oklahoma State |
Breakdown of the Top 5:
1.) LOS ANGELES RAMS – Sam Darnold, QB, USC
I think the Jared Goff experiment comes to a close after the 2017 season as the Rams finish with the worst record in the NFL. With the first pick, I think the select Sam Darnold, my top QB heading into this season. Darnold has the size and arm talent to be a very good QB in the NFL.
2.) CLEVELAND BROWNS – Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Like Darnold, Rosen has a tremendous arm. I think the Browns finally get their franchise QB in this draft. Rosen could easily be in contention for the number one pick come April.
3.) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
There’s little doubt in my mind that the first three picks of this draft will all be quarterbacks, regardless if it is by team finish or trades. Josh Allen could have been the top QB selected in the 2017 draft, but he decided to return to school. Similar to Rosen/Darnold, he very well could be the number one overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
4.) NEW YORK JETS – Arden Key, DE, LSU
With the departure of Myles Garrett, Arden Key is arguably the most explosive pass rusher in college football. He has tremendous size and speed off the edge. Expect Key to be one of the first defensive players to come off the board.
5.) DENVER BRONCOS – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Denver very well could take a fall this upcoming season with poor QB play and an aging defense. If a QB prospect is not available, expect Denver to solidify their left tackle position and select Mike McGlinchey. He could be their starter for the next 8-10 years at the position.
Josh and Tom Mock Central 