2018 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots make late splash in half-season edition
Every month for the remainder of the 2017 season, theScore's Dane Belbeck and Mitch Sanderson will project the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft using the current standings to predict the order. Strength of schedule will be used as the first tiebreaker and theScore's weekly power rankings will be used as the second.
1. Cleveland Browns - Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
It's becoming more and more apparent by the week that DeShone Kizer isn't the answer at quarterback in Cleveland. It will come down to Rosen or Sam Darnold and the Browns will opt for the pivot from UCLA and hope for the best. - Belbeck
2. San Francisco 49ers - Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Now that the 49ers have their quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo, it's time to find him some weapons. Barkley has been the most exciting player in college football this season and can challenge the notion that a running back is not worth the second overall pick. - Sanderson
3. New York Giants - Connor Williams, OT, Texas
Watching Eli Manning pick himself up off the ground after each play has become a weekly occurrence for Giants fans. Taking Williams helps shore up the offensive line and will give Manning a few more years as the starter. - Belbeck
4. Indianapolis Colts - Arden Key, DE/OLB, LSU
The offensive line is clearly a weakness for the Colts, but GM Chris Ballard has demonstrated he likes to use the draft as a chance to get the best players available, regardless of position. Key is arguably the most talented player in this year's crop. - Sanderson
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
The Buccaneers rank 29th in the league in rushing yards per game, and desperately need help on the offensive line. Enter McGlinchey, who is the anchor of the nation's fifth-best rushing attack at Notre Dame this year. - Belbeck
6. New York Jets - Sam Darnold, QB, USC
The Jets need a quarterback badly, and while Darnold has had an up-and-down season for USC, the physical traits that made him a top prospect remain intact. - Sanderson
7. Oakland Raiders - Derwin James, S, FSU
Some of us are old enough to remember when the Raiders were a fun team to watch. Of course that was just last year, but the way the club is playing this season makes it seem as though it was a much longer time ago. They restore a bit of that fun with arguably the best defensive playmaker in the draft. - Belbeck
8. Los Angeles Chargers - Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Fitzpatrick can play either cornerback or safety positions. While the Chargers have a decent set of starting defensive backs, they can't seem to stay healthy. Fitzpatrick can upgrade their talent level and fill in for whoever is hurt. - Sanderson
9. Chicago Bears - Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
The Bears leading receiver is Kendall Wright, with 22 catches through eight games this season. That would make him the 88th-most productive receiver in the league. This is a lengthy way of saying Chicago desperately needs help at the wideout spot and Alabama's Ridley is the man for the job. - Belbeck
10. Arizona Cardinals - Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
The Cardinals were a little too loud in their hunt for a quarterback last draft and had everyone jump in front to steal the best passers, but not this year. With Carson Palmer on his last legs (if he doesn't retire), Arizona will take the most talented quarterback in college football. - Sanderson
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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