Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, marks the first official day of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. For many professional and amateur football talent evaluators, it's the equivalent to baseball's “is this heaven?” quote from a classic sports film set in Iowa.
It's where dreams come true for so many young ones ready to make their mark in the league that plays for pay.
All considered, this precious anchor point in the offseason still comes prior to free agency, the catalyst for so much of what happens in the draft—especially the first round of the draft.
But hey, why not get in on the fun? Part of mocking at this time also means predicting what'll go down in free agency, knocking down those very first puzzle pieces.
Here's ClutchPoints' 2018 NFL Top 10 Mock Draft, version 1.0.
1. Josh Allen, QB-Wyoming
At this very moment, the Cleveland Browns are probably still undecided about what to do.
In the end, they'll go with the kid with the highest ceiling. It'll come down to Sam Darnold and Josh Allen. Both come with prototypes that have all decision-makers drooling, but Allen's upside is clearly a notch above.
First and foremost, the kid's arm is legend. It's a Jeff George, Dan Marino type arm coupled with a release that's perfect for this matchup ladened read-and-react league. Accuracy is the real concern here, but the Carson Wentz route to the league—big prototype out of a smaller school while facing and playing lesser competition—will be too much for the new Browns regime to pass up.
There's an off-chance the organization decides to go with an impact positional player and allow the league to decide for them (by selecting their QB at No. 4), but we'll hedge our bets on Allen No. 1 overall. The kid oozes NFL talent from every angle: arm stretch, throw-on-the-run ability, pocket awareness, and even an underrated athletic ability on the field.
2. Saquon Barkley, RB-Penn State
New York Giants new general manager Dave Gettleman is an old-school decision-maker. We all know he wants and needs to build that Jints O-line. But I believe his big heavies are going to look really solid heading into the draft.
With just enough cap space to work with, expect former Carolina Panthers guard Andrew Norwell to be the Giants top target in free agency. Gettleman is familiar with the 2018 First-Team All-Pro due to his days in Carolina and should New York snag the kid, suddenly, the drafting of Saquon Barkley looks a lot smoother at No. 2.
Should the Giants miss on Norwell, expect O-line in this slot.
Just imagine Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr. on the field together.
3. Bradley Chubb, EDGE-NC State
The edge extraordinaire will first impress in Indy prior to heading there full-time. NC State's Bradley Chubb may be, pound-for-pound, the most talented player in the entire pool.
Andrew Luck is still employed and despite injury concerns, his money just cannot be moved. They don't and probably can't even think about drafting a QB.
Ranking 31st in the NFL in sacks a year ago with just 25, Chubb will fit nicely with the Colts.
4. Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB-Alabama
The greatest defensive back talent in the pool heads to Cleveland at No. 4. Coming off a season in which Michigan's Jabril Peppers was added to the secondary, Minkah Fitzpatrick's presence will make for a dangerous complementary piece.
This is a prime “trade back” spot, especially for a team needing a quarterback. We'll opt for the Browns sticking to their guns here and taking Minkah.
He'll most likely be that do-everything safety and defensive quarterback Cleveland desperately needs, similar to Jamal Adams in New York. With QBs feasting on matchups pre-snap these days, it's just as important to possess that defensive quarterback who can neutralize vertical-threat tight ends and pass-catching backs.
5. Quenton Nelson, G-Notre Dame
Other than No. 3, this is the other “trade up” slot of the 2018 NFL Draft and the entire reason comes down to free agency. We have Quenton Nelson of Notre Dame going to John Elway here for two distinct reasons:
- It's tough to move up into the top five of the NFL Draft.
- Kirk Cousins will choose to play a mile-high beginning in 2018.
Do to Cousins choosing Denver, the Broncos are free to choose an impact positional player at No. 5. Nelson fits like a glove as he and Garrett Bolles make for a dangerous one-two punch on the line in front of the highest-paid NFL player of all-time.
6. Sam Darnold, QB-USC
In an ironic twist of fate, the team that came into the 2017 season with the “Suck for Sam” slogan fully in tow will wind up with the very same kid on the end of that phrase even after surprising the world to the tune of five victories.
Actually, a year ago, nobody thought any arm could surpass the mighty attributes of Sam Darnold, edging him as the top QB and even top pick in the draft. Yet here we are. The Jets slip to six while Darnold does the same.
A month ago, nobody thought the second quarterback off the board could possibly slip to six. Perhaps many believe is still a stretch now. But look at the top five carefully.
The Giants don't seem interested whatsoever in selecting a guy to place behind Eli Manning. We know the Colts won't. The Browns—unless they decide to shock even themselves—will only take one QB. It literally comes down to the Broncos at four and the Kirk Cousins situation.
Even if the second quarterback goes in the No. 5 hole, the Jets are still looking at Josh Rosen or Baker Mayfield. It's Cousins or a young quarterback for the Jets this offseason. After two failed arms in Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty, Mike Maccagnan has no desire to get into the mid-round QB game anytime soon.
7. Denzel Ward, CB-Ohio State
Is Denzel Ward the top cornerback in the draft? We honestly don't know. Joshua Jackson brings a lot to the table and while Minkah Fitzpatrick is the top defensive back, he's going to make his money as a dynamic do-it-all safety.
At 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, Ward's a smaller corner who possesses everything needed to represent a shutdown NFL corner. He'll likely land at the back end of the top 10 and to Tampa here—if Saquon Barkley is off the board—makes all the sense in the world.
8. Calvin Ridley, WR-Alabama
The Chicago Bears can go in a myriad of directions at No. 8. The hot name, especially in terms of mocks, is Calvin Ridley out of Alabama.
A corner in the form of Joshua Jackson or captain on the defensive side of the football in Tremaine Edmunds are absolutely on the table here, but Ridley should be the man for one gigantic reason. Mitchell Trubisky needs weapons.
Chicago may possess the worst crop of weapons in the league at the moment. Ridley can do wonders for the young UNC signal-caller.
9. Josh Rosen, QB-UCLA (Trade via the 49ers)
For our only top 10 trade, the Buffalo Bills—who hold two first-round picks (No. 21 and 22)—scramble and potentially overpay for the No. 9 spot to snag Josh Rosen. As a UCLA product, Rosen will have to get used to the cold nature of Orchard Park, New York quickly.
Hardly anybody has Rosen to Buffalo. In fact, most mocks see three of the top four QB going within the first six selections (and this is the case whether Rosen or Baker Mayfield represents the third guy).
I still don't buy Rosen falling too drastically.
If Cousins does go to Denver and no trade happens in the top six, only two of the young arms will be taken. Suddenly, the Bills, Arizona Cardinals and a couple other QB-hungry organizations will be on those phones looking to move up. The Bills have the advantage with two consecutive first-rounders later on and can afford to give up a little something extra to swap with the San Francisco 49ers at No. 9.
And yes, this means Baker Mayfield falls out of the top 10. The best top 10 chance Mayfield has is if Darnold and Allen are gone prior to No. 6. He could be chosen over Rosen at six to the Jets.
10. Tremaine Edmunds, LB-Virginia Tech
Though speculated to go seven to the Bucs, Tremaine Edmunds will land with the Oakland Raiders at No. 10. This means the No. 2 inside linebacker, Roquan Smith out of Georgia, will be pushed out of the top 10.
Jon Gruden's new club is in desperate need of a leader on the defensive side of the ball. With Khalil Mack tearing up the edge and Derek Carr running the offense, Edmunds is a decade-long pick set to stabilize an entire unit.
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