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2018 NFL Mock Draft - June 13, 2017
USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold could be the top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Jayne Kamin/Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

2018 NFL Mock Draft - June 13, 2017

The 2017 NFL Draft is in the books, so it's time to look toward 2018. While it's extremely difficult to project the draft at this point, many of the top prospects have already emerged in college. The following rundown features the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft projected as of June 13, 2017.

 
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1. Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Cleveland Browns: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

Darnold is a once-in-a-generation prospect and will almost certainly be the first pick in the 2018 draft if this coming season goes as planned. Cleveland could have the answer to its quarterback prayers if it's able to draft him.

 
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2. New York Jets: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

New York Jets: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Allen shows huge upside, and the Jets failed to address quarterback in the 2017 draft. If they conclude Christian Hackenberg isn't the answer, Allen could certainly be in play.

 
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3. Los Angeles Rams: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Los Angeles Rams: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams focused on pass catchers for Jared Goff in the 2017 draft, but the ceilings are limited. After taking Cooper Kupp and Texas A&M wideout Josh Reynolds this year, the need for a No. 1 wideout is still apparent. Kirk has 163 receptions through two seasons.

 
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4. San Francisco 49ers: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

San Francisco 49ers: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Rosen has struggled since arriving at UCLA, but there is still big upside for the pocket passer. The 49ers selected Iowa signal caller C.J. Beathard in the third round this year, but that's unlikely to stop them from taking another quarterback early next season.

 
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5. Buffalo Bills: Arden Key, DE, LSU

Buffalo Bills: Arden Key, DE, LSU
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

Buffalo continues to focus on defense, now with Sean McDermott as head coach. Key had 11 sacks in his sophomore season.

 
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6. New Orleans Saints: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

New Orleans Saints: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

McGlinchey has big upside at tackle and could even vault to first overall with a good year at Notre Dame. New Orleans could be looking at quarterback next year given the age of Drew Brees, but offensive line will also be in play.

 
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7. Washington Redskins: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Washington Redskins: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Washington has long been searching for a bell cow back with Matt Jones failing and Rob Kelley playing admirably but not looking like a true feature back. The team invested a fourth rounder on Samaje Perine this year, but Barkley brings much more upside.

 
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8. Chicago Bears: Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas

Chicago Bears: Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas
Scott Sewell / USA Today Sports Images

John Fox has done his best to rebuild the Chicago defense, but the jury is still out on that effort. Jefferson has star potential, though it remains to be see who will be calling the shots in Chicago if the Bears have another disappointing year.

 
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9. Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
Jonathan Dyer / USA Today Sports Images

Detroit hasn't found a bell cow, but the Lions believe Ameer Abdullah can be their every down back. If he fails again this season, it could be back to the drawing board for the Lions. Guice is an elite prospect who filled in well for Leonard Fournette in 2016.

 
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10. Arizona Cardinals: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Arizona Cardinals: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Arizona seems bullish on third-round wideout Chad Williams, but it remains to be seen how he can help until he finds the field. With Larry Fitzgerald nearing the end of his career and John Brown's football future up in the air due to sickle cell issues, wideout could be a priority next year. Ridley has shown huge upside, though he disappointed last season.

 
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11. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State

Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Soobum Im / USA Today Sports Images

Is this the final year of the Blake Bortles era? If he doesn't perform, that will likely be the case. Rudolph threw for more than 4,000 yards in his junior season with only four picks.

 
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12. Minnesota Vikings: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma

Minnesota Vikings: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Reese Strickland / USA Today Sports Images

Minnesota's offensive line struggled in 2016, an area it already addressed this year with two offensive linemen selected in the draft. Brown has the potential to be a strong left tackle, listed at 6-8, 340 pounds.

 
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13. Los Angeles Chargers: Tony Brown, CB, Alabama

Los Angeles Chargers: Tony Brown, CB, Alabama
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers have potential for strong cornerback play this season, but Jason Verrett's durability issues should be a huge concern. If he has more injury problems this season, the Chargers could be forced to address cornerback again.

 
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14. Cincinnati Bengals: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State

Cincinnati Bengals: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

Cincinnati lost significant offensive line talent in free agency this year, putting a lot of pressure on Cedric Ogbuehi at right tackle. If he can't hold down the fort or Jake Fisher falters, the Bengals don't have to look far for a quality option.

 
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15. Denver Broncos: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

Denver Broncos: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Chubb's stock has dropped in recent seasons, but he's now one more year removed from a major knee issue. With a big season, he could go in the first round. Denver is relying on the oft-injured pairing of C.J. Anderson and Jamaal Charles this year.

 
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16. Tennessee Titans: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Tennessee Titans: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

Ohio State is becoming Defensive Back U, and Ward is the program's next exciting prospect. He played a limited amount in 2016 with so much talent ahead of him but has a chance to emerge this season. Tennessee addressed cornerback with Adoree' Jackson this year, but it'll likely need to add even more depth after last season's struggles.

 
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17. Carolina Panthers: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State

Carolina Panthers: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

Campbell's ridiculous speed allowed him to gain 584 yards on only 21 receptions in 2016, and he's set for a much bigger role this year. The Panthers drafted Ohio State teammate Curtis Samuel this year, and Campbell is also a good fit for a team craving more speed.

 
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18. Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Smith, ILB, USC

Baltimore Ravens: Cameron Smith, ILB, USC
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Baltimore loaded up on defensive help in the draft this year, noticing that it was getting long in the tooth on that side of the ball. Inside linebacker could still be a need next year behind C.J. Mosley, and USC defensive leader Smith has 161 tackles in two seasons.

 
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19. Cleveland Browns (via HOU): Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Cleveland Browns (via HOU): Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

The Browns have been in the business of taking the best player available. As they continue to load up on draft picks, that player could be Payne, who is a load as a run stuffer.

 
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20. Miami Dolphins: Jerome Baker, OLB, Ohio State

Miami Dolphins: Jerome Baker, OLB, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

Baker had a huge sophomore season with 83 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Buckeyes. He has a chance to step up as one of the defensive leaders after they lost significant talent, and Miami needs to add a backup plan for veteran Cameron Wake.

 
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21. New York Giants: Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama

New York Giants: Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
Mickey Welsh / USA Today Sports Images

New York surprised some when it failed to seriously address running back at the draft beyond fourth rounder Wayne Gallman, hoping Paul Perkins can handle the load this season. If he fails, Scarbrough is one of several fine options next year.

 
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22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

The Bucs still lack the blue chip edge rusher that Lewis has the potential to become. He had eight sacks in each of the last two seasons but saw his tackle production fall off last season.

 
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23. Philadelphia Eagles: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama

Philadelphia Eagles: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Philadelphia made cornerback a priority in the draft this year, using second- and third-round picks on the position. If the group fails to improve this year, however, the Eagles might use an even more valuable pick in 2017.

 
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24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Luke Falk, QB, Washington State

Pittsburgh Steelers: Luke Falk, QB, Washington State
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

The talk of Ben Roethlisberger's potential retirement becomes louder each offseason. Falk has the tools to be more than just a Mike Leach offense product, and he's completed about 70 percent of his passes in consecutive seasons.

 
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25. Indianapolis Colts: Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington

Indianapolis Colts: Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington
Jennifer Buchanan / USA Today Sports Images

Indy is hoping to pair fourth-round speedster Marlon Mack with Frank Gore. Gore is nearing the end of his career and has been somewhat ineffective with the Colts, leaving running back as a possible need again next offseason. Gaskin has consecutive 1,300-yard rushing seasons at Washington.

 
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26. Seattle Seahawks: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama

Seattle Seahawks: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

The Richard Sherman trade talk continues to get louder with apparent locker room issues. Fitzpatrick is a potential replacement who had 66 tackles and six interceptions in his sophomore season.

 
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27. Oakland Raiders: T.J. Edwards, ILB, Wisconsin

Oakland Raiders: T.J. Edwards, ILB, Wisconsin
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Edwards has an impressive 173 tackles in his first two seasons at Wisconsin and will be even more important for the Badgers this year after some key defensive losses. Oakland struggled to stop the run last year and could look at addressing inside linebacker again next offseason.

 
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28. Atlanta Falcons: Damon Webb, S, Ohio State

Atlanta Falcons: Damon Webb, S, Ohio State
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Keanu Neal had an impressive rookie season, but the Atlanta secondary has still been a makeshift part of the defense. Webb picked up playing time last season and will get regular snaps this year as a thumper.

 
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29. Buffalo Bills (via KC): James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State

Buffalo Bills (via KC): James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

Buffalo drafted Zay Jones to pair with Sammy Watkins this year. Watkins' future in Buffalo is still very much up in the air, and the Bills don't know what they'll get out of Jones. Washington could go much higher than the late first round with another big year.

 
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30. Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Dallas Cowboys: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Jennifer Buchanan / USA Today Sports Images

Pass defense was the priority for Dallas in this year's draft. It could circle back to run defense next season, and Vea has the ability to really help.

 
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31. New England Patriots: Shaun Dion Hamilton, ILB, Alabama

New England Patriots: Shaun Dion Hamilton, ILB, Alabama
Marvin Gentry / USA Today Sports Images

Hamilton has gradually received more playing time at Alabama and is set to take on a full workload this season. He showed ability as a playmaker last season with two sacks and two interceptions.

 
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32. Green Bay Packers: Derwin James, S, Florida State

Green Bay Packers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
Logan Bowles / USA Today Sports Images

James missed most of last season due to injury, but he showed great flashes against Ole Miss in the first game of the season. The talent is there for James to vault up draft boards with a healthy and productive season.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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