2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sean Dyer’s First-Round Mock 2.0

We are now less than three weeks away from the NFL Draft, so here’s another shot at a full first-round NFL mock draft.

Every NFL team’s needs change throughout the offseason. Teams fill certain needs and have other needs open up as they cut players to make cap room for others. This year, NFL trade season was more active than in year’s past and the free agent market has also been busy. As needs change, so do NFL mock drafts.

The NFL Draft is less than three weeks away and certain teams’ needs are getting clearer while others are getting harder to pinpoint. As such, we take another stab at a full first-round NFL mock draft!

Previous pick: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Tyrod Taylor is more than capable of starting for the Cleveland Browns in 2018 but they must look beyond this upcoming season. Is Tyrod the long-term option? Most likely not. Sam Darnold is the most talented passer in this year’s class and could even push Taylor for playing time this season. Darnold can also spend his rookie season learning not to turn the ball over from one of the best in the game at limiting turnovers in Tyrod. If Darnold lives up to his potential, the list of names on the back of the Browns quarterback jersey will finally come to an end.

Previous pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State (New York Giants)

We have ourselves a trade! After shipping Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland and giving AJ McCarron backup quarterback money, it was clear that the Buffalo Bills would be all-in on drafting their future franchise quarterback. Earlier in the offseason, the Bills traded Cordy Glenn and the No. 21 pick to the Bengals for the No. 12 pick. They now send the No. 12 pick as well as the No. 22 pick and a future first-rounder to the New York Giants to get their future signal caller. Josh Allen has about as much arm talent as any prospect in recent memory. He had issues with accuracy and a concerningly low completion percentage in college, but he has great size and can throw the ball further than just about anyone. He could also sit behind McCarron to start the year if needed. After ending the longest playoff drought in North American sports last season, the Bills make sure they find their way back sooner rather than later.

Previous pick: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

After trading three second-round picks to the Colts to move up from No. 6 to No. 3, it’s fairly obvious the New York Jets will be using this pick on a quarterback. With Darnold and Allen off the board, the Jets have their choice of Josh Rosen and Baker Mayfield. Both have “character issues” of different varieties and there’s concern if either could handle the New York media. In my opinion, both prospects are misunderstood and won’t be problems in NFL locker rooms. The Jets take Rosen because he’s the more ready NFL prospect. He can spin the ball better than anyone in the class and throws a beautiful deep ball. Although he’s NFL-ready, Rosen won’t have to start for New York with Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater both in town on one-year deals.

Previous pick: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Saquon Barkley is the most talented football player in this year’s class. Period. However, the quarterback frenzy causes him to fall to No. 4 where the Cleveland Browns will be more than happy to draft him. Barkley can do it all. He can run inside and outside of the tackles, catch the ball out of the backfield, and return kicks. He’s even a great leader and high character guy. The Browns may have Carlos Hyde in place but he’s not a player who causes you to pass on Barkley. Coming away with Darnold and Barkley should set the Browns up for a bright offensive future. Yes, you read that right, a bright future in Cleveland.