A lot has changed in the NFL since we published our first 2018 mock draft in mid-December. The deadline for underclassmen to declare has officially passed, and the full draft order is nearly set after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII on Sunday.
With NFL evaluators digging more into college tape -- and several players having breakout performances at the Senior Bowl a few weeks ago -- our Mock Draft 2.0 has a very different look.
Here is our second projection of the 32 first-round picks in the 2018 NFL draft.
Note: All underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.
** The 49ers and Raiders are tied at Nos. 9 and 10, and the picks will be decided by a coin flip at the combine. For the purposes of this projection, we'll say San Francisco wins the toss.
Quick links: McShay's Mock 1.0 | McShay's Top 32 | Kiper's Mock 1.0
1. Cleveland Browns
Sam Darnold, QB, USC*
I still believe the Browns need to address the QB position here, and any of the top four quarterbacks are in play now that Darnold and Josh Rosen have officially declared for the draft. This pick obviously changes (or is up for grabs via trade) if Cleveland lands Kirk Cousins in free agency. Between off-field issues for Rosen and his tools and intangibles on the field, Darnold should be the pick. I understand why Kiper went with Josh Allen in his first mock, but Darnold is a little safer. He's the best of the bunch at this point.
