USA TODAY US Edition

One last 2018 NFL mock draft

How will dominoes fall after No. 1 selection?

- Nate Davis

We’ve reached the proverbial twominute warning for what promises to be one of the most intriguing NFL drafts in recent memory. Here is our “final” firstround projection:

1. Browns — Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming: New Cleveland general manager John Dorsey’s history suggests he favors passers with high-caliber arms (also very useful in AFC North environmen­ts), underrated athleticis­m and scads of upside — think Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes, Dorsey’s final first-round pick in Kansas City a year ago. In a quarterbac­k-laden draft, Allen is probably closest to that mold. He’ll also surely need time to reach that kind of potential — if he indeed has such a ceiling given an uneven collegiate career — and veteran Tyrod Taylor’s presence would enable Allen to redshirt.

2. Giants — Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State: It’s always fun to reference GM Dave Gettleman’s self-proclaimed affinity for “hog mollies.” But he also took two running backs (Christian McCaffrey, Curtis Samuel) atop his final draft with Carolina in 2017. Barkley is an infinitely superior prospect to either of them and possesses the kind of transforma­tive, every-down talent that should make him a foundation­al superstar over the long run while also helping Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. return to contender status immediatel­y. That said, Gettleman has a multitude of tempting options here, and his decision is bound to have a massive trickledow­n effect.

3. Jets (from Colts) — Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California: A year ago, many J-E-T-S fans presumed (and hoped) their team would go 0-16 to get into position for Darnold. New York was more competitiv­e than expected at 5-11 but might still reel in the man many regard as the best passing prospect in this draft.

4. Browns (from Texans) — Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State: A quarterbac­k/Barkley combo might be the ideal win-win for Dorsey, but it doesn’t seem likely he’ll take the back No. 1 and wait to see which passer drops to him here. Still, Chubb is no consolatio­n prize and might even be a superior prospect to Myles Garrett, whom Cleveland took atop the 2017 draft. As good a pass rusher as Chubb is, he doesn’t get enough credit for the hustle and effectiven­ess he also brings against the run.

5. Broncos — Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma: Do they trade out? Do they take G Quenton Nelson or maybe CB Denzel Ward? All distinct possibilit­ies. But despite signing Case Keenum to a two-year deal, GM John Elway is on record saying, “I’m not done swinging and missing” on quarterbac­ks. In many ways — physical stature, fiery dispositio­n, accuracy — Mayfield, who impressed Denver brass at the Senior Bowl, seems like a younger version of Keenum but with more upside.

6. Colts (from Jets) — Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame: GM Chris Ballard’s phone is also likely to be ringing, and he might be inclined to answer with Barkley and Chubb gone in this scenario. Yet is there a better way to support Andrew Luck’s recovery than by providing a guard who will clean up the pocket (Indianapol­is allowed a league-worst 56 sacks in 2017) while adding a serious boost to a ground game in need of major help?

7. Buccaneers — Derwin James, S, Florida State: Safety, slot corner, dime linebacker — however his estimable skill set is employed, it would obviously help the NFL’s leakiest pass defense.

8. Bears — Minkah Fitzpatric­k, DB, Alabama: A similar player to James, Fitzpatric­k is slightly less imposing but also offers more in a coverage role. He could be a nice nickel between CBs Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara and perhaps a starting safety in short order.

9. 49ers — Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia: San Francisco had a need at linebacker before Reuben Foster’s troubles surfaced. Smith is a galvanizin­g leader, an accomplish­ed blitzer and, most important from a schematic standpoint, a deadeye tackler who can roam the large areas this defense would require him to patrol.

10. Raiders — Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State: He reunites with former Buckeyes teammate Gareon Conley, Oakland’s first-rounder last year but a player not as well suited to cover the slot as smaller but still ferocious Ward. Depth at corner is as big a concern as some of this defense’s other holes.

11. Dolphins — Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville: During a short but accomplish­ed coaching career, Adam Gase has extracted maximum performanc­e from a highly varied group of quarterbac­ks, running the gamut from Peyton Manning and Jay Cutler to Tim Tebow and Ryan Tannehill — who might have peaked after a series of knee injuries. Gase might be able to do something truly extraordin­ary given the time to build an offense around Jackson while Tannehill theoretica­lly holds down the fort.

12. Bills (from Bengals) — Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA: Will Rosen, widely regarded as one of the draft’s top four passers, fall this far? Maybe. However, it seems even more likely that Buffalo will trade into striking distance to ensure the acquisitio­n of a player who offers far more long-term hope than AJ McCarron. One way or another, it seems almost certain one of this year’s ballyhooed quarterbac­ks is headed to western New York — though Jackson doesn’t seem like a fit given the front office’s decision to jettison Taylor.

13. Redskins — Vita Vea, DT, Washington: What more could the NFL’s worst run defense ask for than a surprising­ly athletic 6-4, 347-pounder who can take over at nose tackle for a defense that runs a base three-man front?

14. Packers — Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama: Jordy Nelson is gone. Randall Cobb can be a free agent next year. Ridley can replace the former’s secondarys­tretching speed while also providing some of the latter’s moves out of the slot. A much better route runner than most receivers coming out of college, Ridley is uniquely equipped to quickly earn Aaron Rodgers’ trust.

15. Cardinals — Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio: No quarterbac­k worth taking here. Arizona’s Chandler Jones led the league with 17 sacks last year, but his teammates combined for just 20 more. Davenport would be a nice pickup in a draft short on blue-chip edge players and would give the Cards a needed weapon given the trio of formidable NFC West quarterbac­ks they must suppress.

16. Ravens — Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech: This represents one of those cases where the value would be too good for outgoing GM Ozzie New- some to pass. Edmunds (6-5, 253) boasts Terrell Suggs’ size yet has C.J. Mosley’s range, tantalizin­g versatilit­y from a 19-year-old who could develop into something really special.

17. Chargers — Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama: The Bolts were gashed for a league-worst 4.9 yards per rush last season, and no AFC team surrendere­d more real estate on the ground.

18. Seahawks — Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida: He isn’t built like departed Seattle CB Richard Sherman, but Hughes offers a comparable mix of physicalit­y and ball skills. His impact return ability could also allow WR Tyler Lockett to focus on offense.

19. Cowboys — DJ Moore, WR, Maryland: At 6 feet, 210 pounds, he’s definitely not a Dez Bryant clone. However, Moore would add an explosive element to the Dallas offense and can attack in a larger variety of ways than Bryant.

20. Lions — Taven Bryan, DT, Florida: He’s received unwarrante­d comparison­s to J.J. Watt, which is nice. It’s probably more realistic to hope Bryan could replicate some of the havoc and versatilit­y of ex-Patriot Richard Seymour, a player whose abilities would resonate with new Detroit coach Matt Patricia.

21. Bengals (from Bills) — Will Hernandez, G, Texas El-Paso: Cincinnati’s O-line reboot began with March’s trade for T Cordy Glenn. It should continue by adding some significan­t interior muscle who can unleash a talent like Joe Mixon, who too often had nowhere to run as a rookie in 2017.

22. Bills (from Chiefs) — Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama: Preston Brown left Buffalo for Cincinnati after tying for the league lead in tackles last year. Evans would be an upgrade while filling a gaping void for a defense that relies heavily on linebacker­s who can eat up cushions.

23. Patriots (from Rams) — Harold Landry, DE-OLB, Boston College: If only New England had a player who could have consistent­ly applied pressure in Super Bowl LII. Landry, who led the nation with 161⁄ sacks when he was

2 fully healthy 2016, could be the answer ... and also might not be around when the Patriots pick later in the round.

24. Panthers — James Daniels, C, Iowa: He’d immediatel­y plug the vacancy left by all-pro G Andrew Norwell’s free agent defection. Daniels could slide back to the pivot in 2019, when longtime Carolina C Ryan Kalil is expected to retire.

25. Titans — Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State: He is 6-4, 256 pounds, runs like a deer and has more potential to tap. Vander Esch could take over inside for erstwhile starter Avery Williamson and possibly augment the pass rush in sub packages. Regardless, Vander Esch should get nice tutorials from his new head coach, Mike Vrabel, a 6-4, 261pound multifacet­ed linebacker in his heyday.

26. Falcons — Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M: This roster has very few holes, and there probably isn’t a defensive lineman left who’s worthy of this selection. But if GM Thomas Dimitroff stays put, Kirk could more than capably replace slot receiver Taylor Gabriel (and eventually Mohamed Sanu as the No. 2 wideout) while also giving Atlanta’s return game new juice.

27. Saints — Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina: New Orleans couldn’t entice Jimmy Graham to re-sign, and Coby Fleener no longer cracks the starting lineup. Hurst could step in to work the middle of the field, exploiting Michael Thomas’ double teams while opening things up in the flat for Alvin Kamara. And, yes, Hurst will turn 25 in August, but ask Drew Brees if he cares.

28. Steelers — Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville: It probably wouldn’t take him long to push either Joe Haden or Artie Burns into the nickel role. But it’s clear Pittsburgh needs another cover guy ... if only to mount a successful AFC coup against Tom Brady and the Patriots.

29. Jaguars — Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame: This former tight end would give Jacksonvil­le a better option at left tackle while allowing Cam Robinson to make what would be a beneficial move to guard.

30. Vikings — Connor Williams, OL, Texas: Pick him, put him in a battle with Mike Remmers for the right tackle job, and then plug the “loser” into one of the guard spots.

31. Patriots — Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA: They have to get Brady a new bouncer at left tackle. At 6-9, 309 pounds, Miller is built like Nate Solder, who’s now a Giant, and could similarly blossom under the watch of O-line guru Dante Scarnecchi­a.

32. Eagles — Sony Michel, RB, Georgia: This doesn’t feel like a move GM Howie Roseman would typically make in Round 1. But the Kamara-esque splash Michel promises might be too good to pass up, especially since Jay Ajayi is under contract for only one more year and doesn’t have Michel’s evasivenes­s or ability to gain consistent chunks as a receiver. One more short-area option might also help Carson Wentz get his sea legs back.

 ?? DAVID J. PHILLIP/AP ?? If things fall just right, Josh Rosen could take a major tumble in the first round of the NFL draft.
DAVID J. PHILLIP/AP If things fall just right, Josh Rosen could take a major tumble in the first round of the NFL draft.

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