One NFL mock draft is never good enough, especially if it comes before free agency. While the results and rumors from the NFL Combine provided a little more clarity on the 2018 NFL Draft board, now that teams have made their biggest moves to address needs in March, it's a little easier to know what they might be thinking for late April.
Just like in free agency, the tone of the NFL Draft will be set by how several teams choose to address quarterback. Since the first mock, there also have been multiple trades that will have big ripple effects for the top dozen picks.
Although there will be more such deals to come, and it's not a mock draft without taking those into account, here's going through the first round as it stands now.
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NFL Mock Draft 2018
1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Browns traded for Tyrod Taylor as their best stopgap in years, but the team also will go after its long-term franchise solution in advance of Taylor becoming a 29-year-old free agent in 2019. Although Darnold has his flaws like every talented QB in this rich class, he's the most well-rounded prospect at the position with his arm, accuracy and athleticism.
2. New York Giants: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
The Giants should be listening to all trade offers from teams that want to jump the Jets to get their preferred QB, but in the wake of the Jason Pierre-Paul trade, their pass rush becomes even more of a glaring weakness. Chubb would thrive in New York's new defense as a sack artist with a variety of moves; the next Chandler Jones for coordinator James Bettcher.
3. New York Jets (from Colts): Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Jets' move to No. 3 cost them a lot, so let's hope they feel good about the quarterback they want to get. Rosen proved at the Combine he can be the face of a big-market franchise to go along with his immense potential as a pocket passer.
4. Cleveland Browns (from Texans): Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Saquon Barkley will be tempting, but with Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson Jr. in the fold, the Browns should think more about continuing their overhaul of the defensive backfield, instead. Jamar Taylor is a rising young corner, but free-agent addition T.J. Carrie is better suited for the slot, Damarious Randall is tabbed for safety and Terrance Mitchell is a depth player. Fitzpatrick can start anywhere in the secondary and make plays from Day 1.
5. Denver Broncos: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
The Broncos will think about quarterback, for sure, but Barkley would fill their more pressing offensive skill need and would be the best player available. Should a team such the Bills or Cardinals trade up ahead of them to draft Josh Allen, the Broncos won't force the issue with Baker Mayfield. Allen's availability would make things more tempting, but Barkley is the more logical choice as a player can help John Elway's team win now with Case Keenum getting a lot of money to start at QB the next two years.
6. Indianapolis Colts (from Jets): Quenton Nelson, G/OT, Notre Dame
The Colts knew the risk of trading back from No. 3 would be losing out on both Chubb and Barkley. Good thing they can stay in-state and look to South Bend for a stud at a position of need. It doesn't matter whether Nelson plays inside or outside — the Colts could use his athletic, mauling presence to boost both the running game and the Andrew Luck-led passing game.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
The Bucs went to work on their defensive line via free agency and trades (JPP, Vinny Curry, Beau Allen and Mitch Unrein), and they also got a much-needed rock for the middle of their offensive line (Ryan Jensen). But Tampa Bay's secondary still needs to be addressed after the re-signing of Brent Grimes for one year. Ward has shutdown potential as the best pure cover man in the draft, and he would represent the best player available, too.
8. Chicago Bears: Trumaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
The Bears were wise to keep Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator and retain starting cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Kyle Fuller. But at the second level of their base 3-4, they could use a dynamic, versatile playmaker who can thrive inside or outside. Fangio, formerly of San Francisco, can get his Patrick Willis/NaVorro Bowman-type here.
9. San Francisco 49ers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
Speaking of San Francisco, Robert Saleh, its defensive coordinator formerly of Seattle, can get his Earl Thomas-type here for the secondary. Richard Sherman and Akhello Witherspoon will hold down the corners, and Jacquiski Tartt has a bright future at one safety spot. James would allow Sherman to shepherd a sequel to the Legion of Boom for the Seahawks' biggest rivals.
MORE: Breaking down Sherman's contract
10. Oakland Raiders: Roquan Smith, OLB, Georgia
The Raiders have been busy upgrading their defensive back seven with top free agents in linebacker Tahir Whitehead and cornerback Rashaan Melvin. Now defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, formerly of Cincinnati, can go after someone to flank Whitehead and Bruce Irvin on the weak side. Strictly playing-style speaking, Smith is a ferocious, relentless pursuit player in the vein of the Bengals' Vontaze Burfict.
11. Miami Dolphins: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
The Dolphins could go in many directions defensively, but the release of Ndamukong Suh makes tackle a monster need and lines up perfectly with Vea's value. He's an explosive player who can be a fixture in Miami's line rotation for years.
12. Buffalo Bills (from Bengals): Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
The Bills paying AJ McCarron backup-type money and trading into this spot while also holding the No. 22 overall pick suggests they are making a strong play for franchise quarterback early, either by trading up again or staying put. Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott from their days in Carolina should be well aware of how far a defense, a running game and a dual-threat QB can take a team. Mayfield has the "it" factor to finally give Buffalo a long-term solution.
13. Washington Redskins: James Daniels, C/G, Iowa
The Redskins' interior line took a hit with Spencer Long leaving in free agency (Jets), and guard Shawn Lauvao is unsigned. They should think defense with this pick if the player is right (Smith or Vea), but Daniels would be a fine player to line up in front of Alex Smith and also upgrade the run-blocking.
14. Green Bay Packers: Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College
The Packers must revamp their edge pass rush as they flip their base 3-4 defense to Mike Pettine's watch. Either Landry or Marcus Davenport makes sense for their scheme as freakish athletes who can wreak havoc in the backfield.
15. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Cardinals are a team to watch to make a move for a QB in the top five, but with the way things have shaken out in this mock, we still can attach them to Allen at No. 15. Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon were signed in free agency, but neither can be trusted as a solution beyond 2018. Allen needs a little time to hone his accuracy and mechanics to match his arm and athleticism. Arizona's situation allows for that.
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16. Baltimore Ravens: Marcus Davenport, OLB, Texas-San Antonio
The Ravens will be thinking about wide receiver and offensive line with this pick, but like the Packers, they could use some rebooting in their 3-4 with Wink Martindale taking over the scheme and Terrell Suggs turning 36 in October. Davenport can turn into a Suggs-like dynamo while learning from the veteran in a situational role at first.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
The Chargers are nasty on the edges with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, but they could use more explosiveness inside to round out what has the makings of an elite defense in 2018. Payne has Bosa-like short-area speed and can add to opponents' backfield nightmares.
18. Seattle Seahawks: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Seahawks, even with all the changes to their defense, still need plenty of offensive line help as even more of the burden falls on Russell Wilson. McGlinchey dominated with Nelson in South Bend and would immediately become a rock of a right tackle in Seattle opposite Duane Brown. That would allow Germain Ifedi to slide back to guard, his better position.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Cowboys cut Dez Bryant, and even while they had him, they were lacking a true outside No. 2 who can do everything as a good-hands possession receiver. Ridley would be an upgrade over Terrance Williams and give Dak Prescott a new go-to guy.
20. Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
The Lions have vowed to field a more legitimate running game in 2018. That should also mean they're thinking about another offensive line upgrade with this pick, but it would not be shocking if Guice were to be selected this high. He would allow Detroit to officially give up on Ameer Abdullah and would be the workhorse ahead of new veteran backup LeGarrette Blount and pass-catching Theo Riddick.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (from Bills): Connor Williams, G/OT Texas
The Bengals last year paid the price after letting both Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeiter walk in free agency. The offensive line needs to be addressed further after the addition of Cordy Glenn for left tackle. Williams is viewed more as an inside blocker and could start right away at either guard spot.
22. Buffalo Bills (from Chiefs): Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State
The Bills can continue their Panthers copycatting with this pick after getting their Heisman-winning QB earlier in the draft. McDermott needs someone to fly to the ball in the Luke Kuechly/Thomas Davis vein, as Lorenzo Alexander, who turns 35 in May, is their best linebacker.
23. New England Patriots (from Rams): Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
The Patriots look good at four offensive line positions, but they currently have no good ways to replace left tackle Nate Solder at the most important position. They used a first-rounder on Solder as Matt Light's replacement seven years ago. Based on where they are picking now, a little earlier thanks to the surprise Brandin Cooks trade, Miller is a viable solution.
24. Carolina Panthers: Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia
The Panthers also have an immediate need at cornerback following the Daryl Worley trade and the Bashaud Breeland free-agency fail. But Wynn and/or UTEP's Will Hernandez need to be play with this pick as potential replacements for left guard Andrew Norwell, who left for the Jaguars. Wynn is the better overall prospect.
25. Tennessee Titans: Sam Hubbard, DE/OLB, Ohio State
The Titans were busy in NFL free agency, adding running back Dion Lewis and cornerback Malcolm Butler. As yet another team handing its base 3-4 defense over to a new coordinator in Dean Pees, Tennessee with this pick has a chance to pile on the pass rush behind Derrick Morgan (29) and Brian Orakpo (31), both of whom become free agents in 2019. Hubbard has a nose for the QB no matter how he's aligned.
NFL DRAFT 2018:
Optimum Scouting's latest Mock Draft
26. Atlanta Falcons: Taven Bryan, DT/DE, Florida
Dontari Poe is gone, and Athyba Rubin and Courtney Upshaw are not under contract, either. So the Falcons need a versatile, explosive option for their defensive line rotation to support tackle Grady Jarrett. Payne is the best fit for Atlanta should he slip this far, but Bryan would be a nice consolation prize.
27. New Orleans Saints: Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU
The Saints were a good pass-rushing team last season in terms of sacks (42), but it was pretty much done by committee beyond the dominance of Cameron Jordan. They need another dangerous edge rusher and have looked closely at the versatile Key right in their own backyard. With Key available, he becomes an easy pick over a tight end.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama
The Steelers already put some of their Ryan Shazier fallback plan in place by signing former Colts and Bears inside linebacker Jon Bostic, but Evans would be a tremendous fit for their system. Like Shazier, Evans is a natural leader and a stat-sheet stuffer.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
You can't spell Jacksonville without Jackson — not in this mock draft, at least. The Jaguars extended Blake Bortles, but even with the notable investment, he's signed through only 2020. Unless Jackson lands with an offense catered to his running ability in which he could start as a rookie, he will be best off in a developmental situation like this — a team that has the NFL's top rushing attack and an established West Coast passing game.
30. Minnesota Vikings: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Kyle Rudolph continues to produce and has two years left on his contract, but he also is coming off ankle surgery and turns 29 in November. Minnesota lacks another athletic pass-catching option behind him, and new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo saw what the Zach Ertz-Trey Burton combination did for Philadelphia last season. Kirk Cousins already is loaded with targets on his new team, but in Washington, he thrived most when two tight ends (Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis) were key threats.
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31. New England Patriots: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
There's some anticipation building that the Patriots, especially after the Cooks deal, might pull off another shocker and go after Odell Beckham Jr. But the extra first-rounder allows them to land Tom Brady's successor however they want, even over QB-needy rivals like the Jets and Bills, if necessary. For now, if New England stays at this pick, Rudolph is an ideal prospect.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
Moore has been getting more buzz as a first-round pick, and there's a chance his stock rises even higher. Moore could help Philadelphia replace Torrey Smith with his ability to make big plays both before and after the catch.