NFL Mock Draft 2018: Way-too-early complete first round version

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Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Well the 2017 NFL Draft has come and gone, which means, time to look ahead to the way-too-early 2018 NFL Mock Draft.

The 2018 NFL Draft class packs a lot more punch on the offensive side of the ball, particularly at quarterback. Some select names have a chance to do great things in the 2017 season leading up to next season’s draft which leads up o this year’s mock draft.

There is a good number of playmakers emerging in the running game for next season’s 2018 NFL Draft. LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice should serve as a solid successor to former teammate Leonard Fournette, who is now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Guice has an opportunity to enter the NFL Draft with a solid 2017 campaign, as does Penn State Nittany Lions running Saquon Barkley. Barkley ran for 1,496 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns in 2016.

In terms of wide receivers, there’s Calvin Ridley of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Southeastern Conference. Then there’s Courtland Sutton from the SMU Mustangs in the underrated American Conference. The AAC had 15 players selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, more than the Big 12 Conference (14).

Here’s a look at the prospect landscape with a way-too-early 2018 NFL Mock Draft. Note: Order is based on 2018 Super Bowl odds.

Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) sets up to pass the football in the second half against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

USC. Sam Darnold. 1. player. 53. . QB

The Cleveland Browns took former Texas A&M Aggies defensive end Myles Garrett with last year’s top pick. With another top pick, they could draft the quarterback of the future in Sam Darnold from the USC Trojans in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Darnold took over as the starting quarterback at USC this past season and put up impressive numbers. Darnold’s numbers could see a jump with a full season at starter under his belt this upcoming season.

He threw for 3,085 passing yards and 31 touchdowns as a freshman last year. Darnold led Trojans’ on an impressive 52-49 comeback victory where he threw for 453 passing yards and five passing touchdowns.

He completed 67.2 percent of his passes, which ranked second in the Pac-12 by season’s end. Darnold’s 31 passing touchdowns ranked fourth in the conference and his 246 completions ranked third.

Darnold will have some weapons on offense to showcase to a lot of ability after signing a strong recruiting class this past offseason. With a strong sophomore season, Darnold could be the top pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

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