Bob Glauber’s NFL mock draft 2018
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley runs the ball against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 30, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. Credit: AP / Rick Scuteri
1. Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Browns finally get a franchise quarterback. They hope he’ll be more like the next Peyton Manning, not the next Tim Couch.
2. Giants: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Dave Gettleman covets this fine all-around running back. But is he making a mistake not taking a quarterback or pass-rusher instead?
3. Jets: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
The Jets hope Rosen is the answer to their prayers at quarterback.
4. Browns: Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
They already have a top pass rusher in Myles Garrett, but Chubb is too good to resist here.
5. Broncos: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
John Elway loves this feisty, if undersized, quarterback.
6. Colts: Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
Andrew Luck can’t have enough good pass protectors.
7. Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
The Bucs had the NFL’s worst pass defense last year. Fitzpatrick is an immediate upgrade.
8. Bears: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
You can’t have enough good cornerbacks in a division with Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Kirk Cousins.
9. 49ers: Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
The 49ers may be without linebacker Rueben Foster, who faces potential jail time for domestic violence. Smith is a capable player with no background issues.
10. Raiders: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
The son of former Dolphins tight end Ferrell Edmunds can help the Raiders address a major weakness on defense.
11. Dolphins: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Out goes Ndamukong Suh. In comes Vita Vea.
12. Bills: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Bills might have to trade up to get him, but Allen would make the deal worthwhile.
13. Redskins: Derwin James, S, Florida State
The Redskins need big-time help in the secondary.
14. Packers: Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio
Clay Matthews can use some help in the pass rush.
15. Cardinals: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama.
Cardinals may want to consider QB Lamar Jackson here, but if not, they get a potentially dominant interior presence in Payne.
16. Ravens: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Joe Flacco gets some much-needed help for the passing game.
17. Chargers: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Chargers eventually need to replace Philip Rivers, but with all the top quarterbacks gone, they go for a top pass protector.
18. Seahawks: Harold Landry, OLB/DE, Boston College
Rebuilding the Seahawks’ defense gets a terrific pass rusher to replace the departed Michael Bennett.
19. Cowboys: Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State
Cowboys have expressed plenty of interest in the athletic Vander Esch.
20. Lions: Will Hernandez, G, Texas-El Paso
Matthew Stafford gets another capable bodyguard.
21. Bengals: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
The Bengals find their replacement for Andrew Whitworth.
22. Bills: Rashaan Evans, OLB, Alabama
Sean McDermott gets a terrific talent to upgrade his defense.
23. Patriots: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville.
Bill Belichick has studied him very closely. Jackson could be the successor to Tom Brady.
24. Panthers: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Josh Norman out, Josh Jackson in.
25. Titans: James Daniels, C, Iowa
Daniels is a terrific inside presence who can only help Marcus Mariota stay upright.
26. Falcons: Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State
Goedert is a natural talent who can provide the Falcons their best tight end since the Tony Gonzalez era.
27. Saints: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
The Saints’ offense could use a boost at tight end. Hasn’t been the same time Jimmy Graham left.
28. Steelers: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
The Steelers’ pass defense has long been an issue.
29. Jaguars: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU.
Sutton can add a new dimension to the Jaguars’ offense.
30. Vikings: Mike Hughes, CB, Central Florida
Mike Zimmer cherishes good cover corners.
31. Patriots: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida.
The Patriots’ biggest problem last year was lack of an adequate push from the defensive front.
32. Eagles: Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Oklahoma
Brown had an awful combine, but it’s tough for the Eagles to pass up on his talent.
Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”
