College football is around the corner and soon NFL Draft analysts and NFL front offices will begin building their 2018 NFL Draft big boards as college football's best and brightest show their wares on the gridiron.
RELATED: Ranking the Top 100 College Football Teams for 2017
MORE: The Best College Football Teams by State, Regardless of Division (2017)
The 2018 NFL Draft class has already been lauded as a quarterback-heavy group, giving QB-starved NFL teams a chance at their potential quarterback of the future.
So how will the 2018 NFL Draft shake out? It's obviously way too early to say, but we'll take a stab at it anyway. Plenty of college football players will work their way up rankings or come crashing down, and unknown gems will be unearthed as the season progresses.
But this mock draft will give you a good idea of what the general consensus is on current college football stars, as well as what current NFL teams need heading into the season.
(Draft order is the reverse order of OddShark's Super Bowl 52 odds.)
[divider]
1. Cleveland Browns — Sam Darnold, QB, USC
If Deshone Kizer shows promise the Browns may hold off on drafting a quarterback and try to trade down instead. In a quarterback-rich draft, many teams could be itching to move up the board, giving Cleveland even more ammunition after trading down once last year. If Cleveland does decide to go with a QB, they have their pick of the litter.
MORE: Sam Darnold, Lamar Jackson Favorites In Updated 2018 Heisman Trophy Odds
[divider]
2. San Francisco 49ers — Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
San Francisco will definitely be looking for quarterback help come 2018. Brian Hoyer is not a long term option. Matt Barkley and C.J. Beathard likely won't be long term options, either. Unless San Francisco lands Kirk Cousins or another QB in free agency, it feels like quarterback is the pick here.
MORE: Group of 5 Quarterbacks With Best Shot of Winning Heisman Trophy
[divider]
3. New York Jets — Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Just as in San Francisco, New York is desperate for quarterback help. Unless Christian Hackenberg grows by leaps and bounds this year or a free agent quarterback is handed a huge contract, New York will lso be looking for quarterback help next spring.
MORE: Josh Rosen: 'Football and School Don't Go Together'
[divider]
4. Buffalo Bills — Derwin James, S, Florida State
Buffalo may also be looking for quarterback help, but with pick No. 4 they might need to trade up to get their guy. At pick No. 4 they should be able to select one of the best defensive players in the draft at this point, Florida State safety Derwin James.
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Derwin James Among Top Defensive Backs
[divider]
5. Los Angeles Rams — Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
The Rams are probably still another year away from giving up on Jared Goff, and can help him out by strengthening the defense with what looks like the best defensive lineman in the draft, Clemson's Christian Wilkins. Some early mock drafts suggest he could be the No. 1 overall selection.
MORE: Move Over SEC, The ACC Is The Elite Conference For Defensive Tackles In College Football
[divider]
6. Chicago Bears — Connor Williams, OT, Texas
The Bears drafted their quarterback of the future in Mitchell Trubisky in 2017, so in 2018 they make a move to keep him protected by drafting Connor Williams out of Texas, who many suggest is the best lineman in the draft.
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Connor Williams Among Top Offensive Line Prospects
[divider]
7. Jacksonville Jaguars — Luke Falk, QB, Washington State
The Jaguars finally concede that Blake Bortles won't be the man in Jacksonville moving forward and take a chance on Luke Falk out of Washington State. He has a huge arm and could make use of the many targets in the Jaguars receiving room — like Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee.
MORE: The Legacy of Washington State QB Luke Falk Goes Beyond the Palouse
[divider]
8. Miami Dolphins — Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
After two straight seasons of a running back taken in the top 5, we still see a top 10 RB in Saquon Barkley out of Penn State. Barkley is the kind of versatile back the Dolphins could pair with Jay Ajayi as they hope to bring Ryan Tannehill back from an ACL tear.
MORE: Saquon Barkley or Derrius Guice: Who's the Best RB in College Football?
[divider]
9. Detroit Lions — Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas
Jefferson has had two very strong seasons for the Longhorns and a third could solidify his spot as a top 10 pick. You can never have enough pass rushing on a defense and the Lions would benefit from Jefferson's abilities on the outside.
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Linebackers Led by Malik Jefferson
[divider]
10. Cincinnati Bengals — Da'Shawn Hand, DL, Alabama
Hand is about to see his playing time go up after Alabama had four front seven players drafted in 2017. The increased exposure could help Hand leap up draft boards.
MORE: Da'Shawn Hand Among Top SEC West NFL Draft Prospects
[divider]
11. Washington Redskins — Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Washington could be without quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2018 if they can't reach a deal, but whoever the quarterback is, they could have a shiny new toy in SMU receiver Courtland Sutton. For the second straight season a non-power-five receiver is the first WR off of the board.
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Courtland Sutton Leads Wide Receivers
[divider]
12. Los Angeles Chargers — Minkah FitzPatrick, CB, Alabama
The Chargers continue to strengthen their defense with a big-play defensive back out of Alabama. He has four defensive touchdowns, eight interceptions, 17 passes defended and a forced fumble through his first two seasons.
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Minkah Fitzpatrick Among Top Defensive Backs
[divider]
13. Baltimore Ravens — Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
A burner at wide receiver, Kirk adds another dimension to the offense and doubles as a punt returner. He is a huge weapon when utilized properly.
MORE: Top 5 SEC Wide Receivers Include Texas A&M's Christian Kirk
[divider]
14. Indianapolis Colts — Arden Key, EDGE, LSU
The Colts still have a lot of holes all over the roster, but getting Arden Key — often tabbed a top-10 player in the draft — at No. 14 would be a steal.
MORE: Potential No. 1 Overall Pick Arden Key Back On LSU Campus
[divider]
15. New Orleans Saints — Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Saints are closing in on the final years of Drew Brees. This would mark the second straight yer drafting an offensive linemen in the first round, proving they want to solidify their line as they transition to the next QB.
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Mike McGlinchey Among Top Offensive Line Prospects
[divider]
16. Minnesota Vikings — Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
The Vikings grabbed Dalvin Cook in 2017, and will hopefully have Teddy Bridgewater back in the mix if he can get healthy. Drafting a solid offensive linemen early would help the team build for the future.
MORE: Top 2018 NFL Draft Prospects in the Big 12
[divider]
17. Philadelphia Eagles — Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
LeGarrette Blount signed a one-year deal before the 2017 season to become the Eagles featured back, and behind him on the depth chart are the aging Darren Sproles and Wendell Smallwood. Not a lot to inspire hope for the future. Insert Derrius Guice.
MORE: Saquon Barkley or Derrius Guice: Who's the Best RB in College Football?
[divider]
18. Tennessee Titans — Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
The Titans have overhauled the roster in the past few seasons and drafted well in the process. Landry would be another win with the 18th overall pick.
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Harold Landry Among Best Defensive Line Prospects
[divider]
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson
Tampa Bay has tons of weapons on offense, but keeping Jameis Winston upright is priority No. 1. Hyatt helps achieve that goal.
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Mitch Hyatt Among Top Offensive Line Prospects
[divider]
20. Arizona Cardinals — Deon Cain, WR, Clemson
Back-to-back Clemson offensive picks lands Deon Cain in Arizona. Larry Fitzgerald isn't going to play for ever (we assume) and the Cards need to think about the future.
MORE: ACC's Top 30 Players Includes Deon Cain
[divider]
21. Buffalo Bills* — Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
Buffalo spent a first round pick in 2017 on defensive back Tre'Davious White and they add another to continue the rebuild of the position.
*Pick acquired in a trade with the Chiefs
MORE: Tarvarus McFadden One of ACC's Best
[divider]
22. Carolina Panthers — Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
After back-to-back offensive players from Clemson, we have back-to-back defensive players from Florida State selected as the ACC shows its strength. The Panthers could lose Star Lotulelei in free agency, and FSU's monster Derrick Nnadi could step in.
MORE: Compare Derrick Nnadi to Other Top D-Linemen
[divider]
23. Cleveland Browns** — James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
With their second pick in the first round — thanks to Houston trading up to select Deshaun Watson last spring — Cleveland adds a big-play wide receiver in Oklahoma State receiver James Washington.
**Pick acquired in a trade with the Texans
MORE: OK State's James Washington and Jalen McCleskey Form Nation's Premier Deep-Threat Duo
[divider]
24. Denver Broncos — Josh Sweat, EDGE, Florida State
Denver already has one of the best pass rushers in the past decade in Von Miller, and they add another young rusher to the mix in Florida State edge defender Josh Sweat.
MORE: Top ACC 2018 NFL Draft Prospects
[divider]
25. New York Giants — Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
Ferrell was a wrecking ball for the Tigers in the 2016 College Football Playoff run and with another strong season should definitely be a first-round selection. The Giants could use some fresh blood on the edge.
MORE: Clelin Ferrell One of the Best in the ACC
[divider]
26. Dallas Cowboys — Da'Ron Payne, DL, Alabama
The Cowboys defensive line could use an extra body, and Da'Ron Payne provides one in a 6-foot-2, 309-pound box. He's going to get a lot of opportunities this year after Alabama saw a bunch of front seven players drafted.
MORE: How Does Da'Ron Payne Stack up to Other Top DL's?
[divider]
27. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Heading into the 2017 season the Steelers have questions at corner. It stands to reason they'll still be looking for help come 2018.
MORE: Jaire Alexander a Top Defensive Back in ACC
[divider]
28. Atlanta Falcons — Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Putting more weapons around Julio Jones is always a good thing. Would another former Alabama receiver pair nicely with the Falcons' stud?
MORE: Calvin Ridley Among Best SEC Receivers
[divider]
29. Seattle Seahawks — Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
The Seahawks are built around a strong defensive unit, and Bradley Chubb and his 6-foot-4, 276-pound pass-rushing frame should fit nicely on the defensive line.
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Bradley Chubb a Top 5 Defensive Lineman
[divider]
30. Oakland Raiders — Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
Oakland likely won't get more than a year out of Marshawn Lynch, and if they do, don't expect him to be a game changer. Bo Scarbrough can work his way into the rotation early.
MORE: Bo Scarbrough is Only the Beginning of Alabama's Embarrassment of Riches at Running Back
[divider]
31. Green Bay Packers — Vita Vea, DL, Washington
The Packers have depth concerns at defensive tackle. Vea is a monster (6-foot-5, 340 pounds) like Green Bay hasn't had since B.J. Raji (6-foot-2, 337 pounds).
MORE: 2018 NFL Draft Rankings: Vita Vea a Top 5 Defensive Lineman
[divider]
32. New England Patriots — Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State
The Patriots haven't drafted in the first round since 2015, so there's a very realistic chance they trade out of this selection. But they could use help on the edge, and Tyquan Lewis is a versatile rusher.
MORE: Tyquan Lewis One of Big Ten's Top NFL Draft Prospects in 2018
