NFL MOCK DRAFT

Yes, it’s early. The NFL Draft is two months away, with the scouting combine this week providing the first extended glimpse into the best players in the college game. That will be followed by a free- agency period in mid- March that will help determine ex

1. BROWNS SAMDARNOLD USC QB

Despite an uneven 2017 — with a mere two- to- one touchdowns- to- interceptions ratio— Darnold is still the most NFL- ready of the quarterback crop. A look at USC’s boom- orbust quarterback history in the first round makes this a very Browns- y pick, indeed.

2. GIANTS JOSH ROSEN UCLA QB

Rosen has impressive footwork and mechanics but struggled last season after a wave of preseason hype. The outspoken quarterback would be a fun fit in the Big Apple after a year backing up Eli Manning.

3. COLTS BRADLEY CHUBB N. C. STATE DE/ LB

He’s the best edge rusher in the draft by a mile and a godsend to the Colts, who finished secondtolast in the league in sacks last season.

4. BROWNS ( FROM TEXANS) SAQUON BARKLEY PENN STATE RB Don’t overthink this, Browns. 5. BRONCOS JOSH ALLEN WYOMING QB

Broncos boss John Elway has praised Allen’s arm strength— he should know— but teams are right to be worried about his accuracy. If they end up pouncing on Kirk Cousins, though, the Broncos might draft someone to protect him.

6. JETS BAKER MAYFIELD OKLAHOMA QB

Mayfield, the Heisman Trophy winner, is the anti- Christian Hackenberg: What he lacks in size, he makes up for in actual collegiate success. He’d make for some fun New York Post back pages, too.

7. BUCCANEERS • Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama DB

Fitzpatrick replaced future Bear Eddie Jackson at safety when Jackson got hurt in 2016 and might be a gamechanger at that position in the pros. His coverage skills add versatility. He had four pick- sixes with the Crimson Tide.

8. BEARS • Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame G

In January, coach Matt Nagy hired Nelson’s college coach, offensive line guru Harry Hiestand, for the same role on his staff. Last week, general manager Ryan Pace decided he wouldn’t pick up the $ 8 million option on four- time Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton’s contract, making him a free agent and creating a gaping hole on the line.

9. 49ERS* • DenzelWard, Ohio State CB

The Bears were among the teams who attended the Cotton Bowl in hopes of scoutingWard before he decided to sit out the game to protect his health.

10. RAIDERS* • Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech LB

Edmunds’ length means he can play inside or outside. He’d fit in the former with the Raiders, who have Khalil Mack as one of the most dangerous defensive chess pieces in the game.

11. DOLPHINS • Roquan Smith, Georgia LB

Adam Gase might only be as loyal to Ryan Tannehill as his options dictate. In our mock, the best quarterbacks don’t fall this far.

12. BENGALS • Kolton Miller, UCLA OT

Searching for their replacement for Andrew Whitworth a year late, the Bengals take the first offensive tackle.

13. REDSKINS • Vita Vea, Washington DT

Pairing the beefy Vea, whom the Huskies listed at 6- 5 and 340 pounds, with 2017 first- round pick Jonathan Allen makes for an imposing D- line.

14. PACKERS • Marcus Davenport, UTSA DE/ LB

Clay Matthews will be 32 and Nick Perry 28 next season. Time for some young blood.

15. CARDINALS • Calvin Ridley, AlabamaWR

Larry Fitzgerald flirts with retirement every year, but he won’t be there forever. Mentoring Ridley, the best receiver in the draft, makes too much sense. The Cardinals might look to trade up for a quarterback, too. If one of the big four falls to No. 8, the Bears should have the Cardinals on speed dial.

16. RAVENS • Orlando Brown, Oklahoma OT

We’re giving Brown to the Ravens, for whom his late father, Orlando Sr., played right tackle for six seasons. The Sun- Times loves a good story.

17. CHARGERS • Da’Ron Payne, Alabama DT

The Bolts desperately need some beef to pair with their stud edge rushers. With Vea gone, they turn to Tuscaloosa.

18. SEAHAWKS • Derwin James, Florida State S

ESPN analystMel Kiper Jr. called James ‘‘ a perfect fit as a Kam Chancellor- type player.’’ Chancellor is battling a career- threatening nerve and neck issue.

19. COWBOYS • Harold Landry, Boston College DE/ LB

Landry led the nation with 16.5 sacks in 2016.

20. LIONS • MoHurst, MichiganDT

The Lions give defensive- minded coach Matt Patricia aWolverine to groom.

21. BILLS • Rashaan Evans, Alabama LB

I don’t see the Bills being able to cash in their two first- round chips for a topfour quarterback, so let’s give them Evans, who had 13 sacks last season.

22. BILLS ( FROM CHIEFS) • Josh Jackson, Iowa CB

He had eight interceptions last season, but he needs a strong combine to assuage any concerns.

23. RAMS • Billy Price, Ohio State C/ G

There’s no denying Price’s raw strength. The Rams might include this pick in the deal for Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters.

24. PANTHERS • Courtland Sutton, SMUWR

The Panthers and offensive coordinator Norv Turner need a receiver after trading Kelvin Benjamin last season.

25. TITANS • IsaiahWynn, Georgia G

Teaming a first- round guard with tackles Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin would be killer.

26. FALCONS • Taven Bryan, Florida DT

He makes sense as a developmental project if the Falcons, as expected, shake up their defensive interior.

27. SAINTS • Hayden Hurst, South Carolina TE

The Saints are in win- now mode, and Hurst, a former baseball draftee who will be 25 when the season starts, fills one of their few offensive holes.

28. STEELERS • Mike Hughes, UCF CB

He only spent one season as a college starter, but someone will fall in love with him during the predraft process.

29. JAGUARS • JamesWashington, Oklahoma StateWR

He looks more like a running back, but Washington showed just how great a receiver he could be with a strong Senior Bowl week.

30. VIKINGS • ConnorWilliams, Texas OT

Whoever is playing quarterback for the Vikings would appreciate the protection offered by Williams, whose stock could rise this week.

31. PATRIOTS • Lamar Jackson, Louisville QB

Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels won’t wait until the second round to draft Jimmy Garoppolo’s replacement.

32. EAGLES • Brian O’Neill, Pittsburgh OT

Call this Jason Peters insurance. The 36- year- old tackle tore his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in the middle of last season.

*— The Raiders and 49ers, who had identical records and strengths of schedule, will flip a coin Friday to determine who will pick ninth and 10th.