2018 Mock Drafts

Orion

@tour2ma said:

I love how every QB prospect in this draft is a "sit and learn" prospect... except one.

I'll take "the one."

...and make him sit at learn.

tiamat63

Learn what? What they should already know? I don't want my QB to sit and learn, I want my QB to sit and perfect what he should at least have a basic grasp of.

Sadly I see posters advocating for QB's that don't fit what I'm saying.

@orion said:

...and make him sit at learn.

Orion

@tiamat63 said:

I want my QB to sit and perfect what he should at least have a basic grasp of.

...the thing is, QB's coming out of college are usually not prepared to play NFL football. YES, I know it's just tackle football...but as far as the QB goes, college is waaaay different then the NFL. The current way that QB's are used in college does the NFL teams drafting them absolutely NO favors. I think NFL teams need to PLAN to have their newly drafted QB watch from the sidelines while they learn (in practice & in meeting rooms) the NFL QB position.

...and THAT'S just to play the position. Many times mechanics need to be tweaked on the rookie QB's. - Having said that, you cannot make a starting pitcher (Tim Tebow's) into a quick release Dan Marino.

mjp28

@orion said:

...the thing is, QB's coming out of college are usually not prepared to play NFL football. YES, I know it's just tackle football...but as far as the QB goes, college is waaaay different then the NFL. The current way that QB's are used in college does the NFL teams drafting them absolutely NO favors. I think NFL teams need to PLAN to have their newly drafted QB watch from the sidelines while they learn (in practice & in meeting rooms) the NFL QB position.

...and THAT'S just to play the position. Many times mechanics need to be tweaked on the rookie QB's. - Having said that, you cannot make a starting pitcher (Tim Tebow's) into a quick release Dan Marino.

TRUE. The toughest thing to do in all professional sports is play QB on an NFL team, asking a rookie to jump in and start is almost impossible -UNLESS- he is on a well coached loaded team or is one of those once in a decade or generation franchise guys.

Sitting can be good like Rodgers after Favre to name one. Want to kill a QB, start him on a really bad team!

syd

@mjp28 said:

TRUE. The toughest thing to do in all professional sports is play QB on an NFL team, asking a rookie to jump in and start is almost impossible -UNLESS- he is on a well coached loaded team or is one of those once in a decade or generation franchise guys.

Sitting can be good like Rodgers after Favre to name one. Want to kill a QB, start him on a really bad team!

Cleveland would never do that

TexasAg1969

@mjp28 said:

TRUE. The toughest thing to do in all professional sports is play QB on an NFL team, asking a rookie to jump in and start is almost impossible -UNLESS- he is on a well coached loaded team or is one of those once in a decade or generation franchise guys.

Sitting can be good like Rodgers after Favre to name one. Want to kill a QB, start him on a really bad team!

Better yet put him with a coach who yanks him with a lead........................................................................never recover.

Tour2ma

@orion said:

...the thing is, QB's coming out of college are usually not prepared to play NFL football.

Many times mechanics need to be tweaked on the rookie QB's.

"Usually" means that some are prepared.

You don't take a QB #1 overall who needs his mechanics "tweaked".

I'm trying to think of an NFL starter whose mechanics were flawed coming out of college. Anyone?

TexasAg1969

@tour2ma said:

"Usually" means that some are prepared.

You don't take a QB #1 overall who needs his mechanics "tweaked".

I'm trying to think of an NFL starter whose mechanics were flawed coming out of college. Anyone?

Farve?

tiamat63

@tour2ma said:

"Usually" means that some are prepared.

You don't take a QB #1 overall who needs his mechanics "tweaked".

I'm trying to think of an NFL starter whose mechanics were flawed coming out of college. Anyone?

Closest I can think of is Wilson. Still had some of that baseball motion in his throw at times.

Ibleedbrown

@tour2ma said:

If Joe retires, our draft changes dramatically. There are likely two, top ten OTs in this class.

Is Orlando Brown one of them? I haven't seen many mocks with us taking him at 4, but there is one. Everyone probably knows his old man played for the Browns, and this kid is huuuuge.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/108868530

weighed 400 lbs in jr high?!? Vurt de furk? Seems to have slimmed down to a svelt 350ish.

Dutch Oven

@tour2ma said:

"Usually" means that some are prepared.

You don't take a QB #1 overall who needs his mechanics "tweaked".

I'm trying to think of an NFL starter whose mechanics were flawed coming out of college. Anyone?

I could have sworn that Aaron Rodgers radically changed his throwing motion in the three years he sat on the bench.

tiamat63

@dutch-oven said:

I could have sworn that Aaron Rodgers radically changed his throwing motion in the three years he sat on the bench.

Probably worth saying that mechanics don't just involve throwing motion. Shoulders, feet, hips.... I probably could have thought of a better example ( if one exists)

Russell's footwork was pretty solid throughout college.

mjp28

@dutch-oven said:

I could have sworn that Aaron Rodgers radically changed his throwing motion in the three years he sat on the bench.

And his approach to the game changed depending on his OL, RBs, WRs, his own injuries. Biggest Mr. Cool since Joe Cool.

Orion

@tour2ma said:

"Usually" means that some are prepared.

You don't take a QB #1 overall who needs his mechanics "tweaked".

I'm trying to think of an NFL starter whose mechanics were flawed coming out of college. Anyone?

Almost every QB out of college needs their footwork, or weight transfer, or where the hold the ball while in the pocket, or something tweaked. Bernie had to come over the top more out of college.

Apparently Joe Thomas wants Drew Brees to come on over. (how cute) - Who can blame him for wanting a QB to play at a high lever Right Now?!

We're in this endless loop of wondering who our starting QB will be next year, thing. (Please get me the top rated QB with the best mechanics with pick #1......tall drink of water, preferably) - After that, we need a free safety, WR, CB, RB, OT....one of those should be there for us at #4. Then we go to the top of round two with a couple more chances to attach the list of FS, WR, CB, RB, OT. Maybe something like last year happens and we wind up back into round 1 for a third pick

I have FS very high on my draft list because I hate that we play Peppers out in the Hinterlands because of our lack of a FS. But all else equal, if an offensive player is available...draft offense...our offense cannot be allowed to be horrible any more!

Flugel

@calfoxwc said:

Darnold is the pick is most of these drafts. Josh Allen is the other qb. One is missing completely.... guess who?

https://www.ohio.com/akron/sports/browns/cleveland-browns-2018-nfl-mock-draft-roundup-wyomings-josh-allen-at-no-1-overall

Bleacher Report (Matt Miller) – Link

Pick No. 1: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California

Pick No. 4: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Rotoworld (Josh Norris) – Link

Pick No. 1: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California

Pick No. 4: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

RealGM (Jeff Risdon) – Link

Pick No. 1: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California

Pick No. 4: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

CBS Sports (R.J. White) – Link

Pick No. 1: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California

Pick No. 4: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Pewter Report (Trevor Sikkema) – Link

Pick No. 1: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Pick No. 4: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

New York Upstate (Matthew Fairburn) – Link

Pick No. 1: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California

Pick No. 4: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

Draft Site – Link

Pick No. 1: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Pick No. 4: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

SEC Country – Link

Pick No. 1: Sam Darnold, QB, Southern California

Pick No. 4: Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

Sounds like somebody took Mel Kiper hostage...

mjp28

@flugel said:

Sounds like somebody took Mel Kiper hostage...

Wow what great research. ........or somebody has too much free time on their hands.

Flugel

@calfoxwc said:

Darnold is the pick is most of these drafts. Josh Allen is the other qb. One is missing completely.... guess who?

https://www.ohio.com/akron/sports/browns/cleveland-browns-2018-nfl-mock-draft-roundup-wyomings-josh-allen-at-no-1-overall

Pewter Report (Trevor Sikkema) – Link

Pick No. 1: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Pick No. 4: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

After further review, this was a different than the article I read and posted up. In the one I posted, Mel Kiper sounded like he had your hunting rifle upside his temple after drinking a Moonshine Milkshake:

Mock Draft Roundup: Mel Kiper Jr., other draft analysts make their 1st projections for Browns by Andrew Gribble

‘Tis the season.

As the NFL playoffs roll on, the flow of mock drafts is hitting its stride. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. put out his first edition today, joining numerous others in the community of prognosticators who will be generating plenty of conversation topics leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft.

Just 98 days and counting before the Browns are officially on the clock for the first pick for a second consecutive year.

We’ll be rounding up these mock drafts throughout the next few months, especially in the wake of some of the NFL offseason’s landmark events, such as the Combine, free agency, pro days and in-person visits.

Consider this the pre-Senior Bowl edition.

Mel Kiper Jr. - ESPN.com

1. QB Josh Allen (Wyoming)

4. RB Saquon Barkley (Penn State)

Of note: Allen is drawing a lot of attention because of his ideal measurables (6-5, 222) and his diverse skill set. He’ll have a big opportunity to showcase himself at next week’s Senior Bowl.

Matt Miller - Bleacher Report

1. QB Sam Darnold (USC)

4. Barkley

Of note: There was, perhaps, no bigger of a big-play threat in college football last year than Barkley, who averaged nearly 6 yards a carry and more than 11 on receptions. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns.

Bryan Fischer - Athlon Sports

1. Barkley

4. Josh Rosen (UCLA)

Of note: In this scenario, the Browns would be taking the second quarterback in the draft, as Fischer projects the Giants, who hold the No. 2 pick, to take Darnold.

Chris Trapasso - CBSSports.com

1. Darnold

4. OT Orlando Brown (Oklahoma)

Of note: Brown is the son of the former Browns offensive lineman with the same name. The Browns haven’t used a first-round pick on an offensive tackle since Joe Thomas in 2007.

Eric Galko - Sporting News

1. Darnold

4. Barkley

Of note: If the projection holds, Darnold would be the fourth USC quarterback selected in the top 10 since 2003.

Josh Norris - Rotoworld

1. Darnold

4. Barkley

Of note: Norris has just one other running back going in the first round (LSU’s Derrius Guice at No. 20).

Walter Cherepinsky - WalterFootball.com

1. Barkley

4. DB Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama)

Of note: Fitzpatrick, a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide, did a little bit of everything for one of the deepest secondaries in the nation. Kiper considers him to be the third-best overall player in the draft.

Luke Easterling - USA Today

1. Rosen

4. Fitzpatrick

Of note: Rosen started three seasons at UCLA with his best coming this past year, when he threw for 3,756 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Steve Palazzolo - Pro Football Focus

1. QB Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma)

4. Fitzpatrick

Of note: One of the most polarizing prospects in this year’s draft, Mayfield is coming off a banner college career that saw him lead the Sooners twice to the College Football Playoff and win the 2017 Heisman Trophy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Me likey-likesies the Darnold and Mayfield ideas. I wouldn't mind seeing the center field of our secondary transition from Mengya Fotch to Minkah Fetch.

I don't know what to think of the Barkley idea yet. The last time his HC was asked about him after their Bowl victory coming off the field, he said the kid's going to run some 4.3s in front of the scouts. That or PSU is going to have to get their stopwatches re-calibrated. Mike Oliphant ran those too; and he never became the RB Byner became (especially when he made the Pro Bowl with the Redskins). Like Kareem Hunt showed everyone, the good RBs of the draft don't end in round 1 or even round 2.

mjp28

@tour2ma said:

"Usually" means that some are prepared.

You don't take a QB #1 overall who needs his mechanics "tweaked".

I'm trying to think of an NFL starter whose mechanics were flawed coming out of college. Anyone?

I remembered this FWIW RIvers and Stafford, found Sanchez and Gabbert also. I believe good quarterback gurus can help. Now #1 quarterbacks?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1402977-breaking-down-phillip-rivers-matthew-stafford-nfls-most-mechanically-flawed

The good news about mechanical flaws is that they can be corrected, and in some cases—like Rivers and Stafford—quarterbacks can overcome their flaws on their way to being highly productive franchise quarterbacks.

For Sanchez and Gabbert, the arm talent is there; they just have to clean up their footwork and decision-making.

Flugel

@mjp28 said:

I remembered this FWIW RIvers and Stafford, found Sanchez and Gabbert also. I believe good quarterback gurus can help. Now #1 quarterbacks?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1402977-breaking-down-phillip-rivers-matthew-stafford-nfls-most-mechanically-flawed

The good news about mechanical flaws is that they can be corrected, and in some cases—like Rivers and Stafford—quarterbacks can overcome their flaws on their way to being highly productive franchise quarterbacks.

For Sanchez and Gabbert, the arm talent is there; they just have to clean up their footwork and decision-making.

Kosar didn't do too bad either. I'm glad our coaches never tried to Dr Frankenstein away his unique delivery. Unfortunately, injuries to his shoulder and elbow lowered his release even further to the extent it seemed like way too many passes were getting batted down. It pretty much ended his tenure as starter. It was nice to see him learn from a veteran (Danielson) the year Mack and Byner both rushed for over a 1000 yards apiece. Bernie ended up starting more than half his rookie year in 85, which was very sensible considering where this team was in 1984. Lindy Infante arrived in 1986; and the excitement of the Kardiac Kids returned.

IMO, cleaning up bad footwork that was practiced and perfected for the length of time starting in college makes NFL intervention almost unrealistic. I heard a former NFL scout on Tampa radio saying he thinks Lamar Jackson is way too conditioned to run as soon as he sees his first target of the progressions covered. It's been practiced and perfected to the extent it's practically an instinctive reaction to pressure. He reminds me of a Blaine Gabbert with more fast twitchies.

darren15

Taking away the needs of a team who would you say are the best 5 players in this draft irrespective of position ?