2018 NFL Mock Draft: Iman Marshall could be good fit for Eagles
Nothing is more fun than creating a 2018 NFL Mock Draft, and even though it’s early, Iman Marshall could be a solid fit for the Philadelphia Eagles.
First off, I am basing the draft order for this 2018 NFL Mock Draft based on where I think teams are going to pick, factoring team needs after potential trades, free agency signings, speculative retirements and I am including the top draft-eligible underclassmen. Keep in mind that not all underclassmen will declare for the draft, but for fun I have kept them in this mock draft, especially with the Philadelphia Eagles. So beginning with the Cleveland Browns, let’s jump right into the latest NFL Mock Draft!
Related Story: 3 takeaways from Eagles 34-24 win over Redskins
1. Cleveland Browns – Josh Rosen – Quarterback – UCLA
Time for reset number 643 with the Cleveland Browns, (obviously, that is a bit of an over-exaggeration), but once again this team will need to select a quarterback. Regardless if Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson are still in Cleveland, the old or new regime will want to select one of the top quarterbacks in this loaded class. Rosen may be separating himself against Sam Darnold, as the USC quarterback has questioned play calling and has too many turnovers. With this in mind, the Browns will take another crack at a quarterback, hoping Rosen sticks.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Sam Darnold – Quarterback – USC
The San Francisco 49ers, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan get to sit here and select which franchise quarterback falls to them. In this mock draft, it’s Sam Darnold, as the USC star gets to stay on the West Coast and will work with the quarterback whisperer in Shanahan. Darnold will get the chance to be the new face of the historic franchise, hoping to bring them back to their Super Bowl glory.
3. New York Giants – Connor Williams – Offensive Tackle – Texas
Watching the New York Giants just shows you how fast a NFL franchise can change, going from a playoff team last season to a complete bust in 2017 with a ton of holes. The Giants can go plenty of ways here, and while some will scream for a new quarterback, the Mara family loves Eli Manning, and I’m sure they will truck him out there until he falls into pieces. If that is the case, New York will want to target the best offensive lineman in the draft, Connor Williams has been injured, but will be fresh for next year, and is a monster. Williams should be the left tackle for the Giants, Manning, and the next quarterback to start for the G-Men.
4. Indianapolis Colts – Christian Wilkins – Defensive Tackle – Clemson
I am sure the Indianapolis Colts will debate taking Saquon Barkley, but in this mock, he doesn’t. The Colts selected Malik Hooker last season from Ohio State, and will want to continue to build a defense to take less pressure off Andrew Luck. Christian Wilkins is an athlete that should be able to get to the passer and shutdown the run. Suddenly the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, and Houston Texans look competitive, meaning this isn’t the Colts division to lose anymore. In other words, it’s time for them to accomplish something with Luck in his prime by improving the defense with Wilkins
5. Arizona Cardinals – Tarvarus McFadden – Cornerback – Florida St.
This pick is a huge question mark since there are rumors of Bruce Arians, Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald all retiring and the Arizona Cardinals could look insanely different come next September. Regardless of who is running the show, it has been years and years of Patrick Peterson and some guy off the street playing opposite him. Tarvarus McFadden should be able to step on the other side of Peterson and keep Arizona’s defense the strength of the team, as they rebuild on offense.
6. Chicago Bears – Derwin James – Safety – Florida St.
The Chicago Bears are another team with plenty of holes on their roster, and in desperate need of a playmaker on the outside to help Mitch Trubisky progress, but unfortunately there aren’t many top receivers in this year’s draft. The Bears will most likely take best available, and with Derwin James, he may be the most talented prospect. James is huge and will bring a hard-hitting, playmaking ability the Bears’ defense hasn’t had since the Brian Urlacher days.
7. New York Jets – Saquon Barkley – Running Back – Penn St.
The New York Jets have quietly built a pretty decent defense, and have been competitive thus far. I’m not sure what they are doing with the quarterback position, but they could land the top offensive play maker in the draft with Saquon Barkley. The Penn State star is a true three-down back, whom I project to be a Matt Forte kind of player in the NFL. It’s time to build the offense like the Jets have built their defense in recent years.
8. Los Angeles Chargers – Minkah Fitzpatrick – Safety – Alabama
Another year, another season filled with close loses and Philip Rivers yelling without swearing for the Los Angeles Chargers. Minkah Fitzpatrick is a playmaker in the secondary, a type of player they haven’t had since Eric Weddle. Pairing Fitzpatrick with numerous other weapons on the Chargers’ defense could result in building their own ‘No Fly Zone.’
9. Miami Dolphins – Harold Landry – Edge Rusher – Boston College
Well, Jay Cutler doesn’t seem to be working out, as the Miami Dolphins have plenty of pieces on the offensive side of the ball, but its time to replenish the defense. Charles Harris was brought in last year to get to the quarterback and that has yet to be seen. With an aging defensive front Harold Landry and Harris should be the book ends for whatever scheme they are running down in South Beach.
10. Detroit Lions – Calvin Ridley – Wide Receiver – Alabama
The Detroit Lions have so much talent on offense, and somehow they still cannot be a consistently good team. The Lions will try to help Stafford as much as they can since they arguably haven’t had an elite wideout since Calvin Johnson retired. Calvin Ridley isn’t the same talent as Johnson, but he is the best in this class. Ridley and Stafford could become a Pro Bowl duo when it’s all said and done.