Five-round mock draft: Buffalo Bills trade up for Baker Mayfield

Published: Mar 20, 2018 at 02:25 AM

Chad Reuter

Draft Analyst

After a flurry of free-agent activity and blockbuster weekend trade, here's my mock for the first five rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.

NOTE: Michigan DT Maurice Hurst was diagnosed with a heart condition during his medical evaluation earlier this month at the NFL Scouting Combine. I projected him as a first-round pick in my pre-Combine mock draft, but given the setback, I now project him to go in Round 2. However, if news emerges that alleviates the concern about his health prior to the draft, I would once again put him in the mix for the first round.

Cleveland's picked up all kinds of pieces in the free agent market, even a veteran quarterback in Tyrod Taylor to teach Darnold the ropes during the 2018 season. It will be Darnold's team after that, however.

Eli Manning is the Giants' quarterback in 2018. My guess is the team will move on after next season so their young star can lead the franchise for the next 12-15 years.

The Giants got their man, and now the Jets land a QB, which is the reason they made the pre-draft deal with the Colts in the first place. The question is whether the team will prefer Allen's potential or Baker Mayfield's physical skills and leadership style.

GM John Dorsey gets his quarterback, as well as the top player in the draft in Barkley. Browns fans should be thrilled by this turn of events.

The Broncos defense was at its best when Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware were terrorizing quarterbacks. Now Chubb will help Miller strike fear into passers in the AFC.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH COLTS. If Bradley Chubb isn't there for the Colts, GM Chris Ballard will be happy to move back again to gain a package of picks that would include, at minimum, a third-round pick in the 2018 draft (reflected below) and a 2019 first-rounder. Bills head coach Sean McDermott is hungry for a playmaker at the quarterback position, so a move up the board is definitely possible.

The back end of the Buccaneers' defense needs revamping; grabbing James is a good start.

Nelson deserves to go higher than this, and it wouldn't surprise me if Indianapolis or Tampa Bay make that call. But former Notre Dame OL coach Harry Hiestand would love to work with his star pupil again now that he's with the Bears.

Edmunds would not last this long in a typical draft, but when quarterbacks go early, even rangy, dynamic linebackers have to wait for a while.

If the Raiders want speed at the second level, they'll go for Smith.

The Dolphins released Ndamukong Suh, so they have a gaping hole in the middle of the defense. Vea fills the void.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BILLS. The Colts need bodies at the corner spot alongside Quincy Wilson, and get the best cover man in the draft despite moving down twice.

Alex Smith is coming to town, so finding him a reliable, quick, and strong-handed target like Moore makes all kinds of sense.

Malcolm Jenkins went 14th overall in the 2009 draft when teams weren't sure which position he would play in the secondary. The Packers could be the beneficiaries of similar thinking this year.

Head coach Steve Wilks needs a leader and playmaker. The Sam Bradford signing takes pressure off Jackson to be great in 2018, but don't be surprised if Jackson flashes as a rookie.

Davenport has the potential to become an excellent pass rusher for the Ravens, who will need help when Terrell Suggs retires or moves on to another team.

With the top safeties off the board, the Chargers improve another part of their defense with the athletic and instinctive Vander Esch.

Seattle decided to clean house on defense, including releasing Richard Sherman. Jackson has some big shoes to fill, but he has the skills and confidence to pull it off.

It's easy to believe Ridley would be a welcomed addition to Dallas' passing game.

Finding a quality pivot is important for Matthew Stafford and the run game to operate efficiently.

The Bengals continue to improve their offensive line by adding Williams to kick inside next to new left tackle Cordy Glenn.

If the team is going to get a quarterback, he'll need receivers with whom he can connect in 2018 and beyond. Kelvin Benjamin is due to become a free agent after the 2018 season, so Sutton provides another big body in the receiving corps.

Trading away Robert Quinn creates an opportunity for Landry to make an immediate impact, even if Connor Barwin is re-signed.

Julius Peppers is returning to Carolina, and Sweat will have a chance to soak up wisdom from him. Sweat hasn't yet reached his potential, but the sky's the limit.

Carter is a fantastic athlete and a strong player. He'll learn from the veterans for a year and then take over a starting role in 2019.

Payne will wreak havoc in the middle on Sundays.

Drew Brees didn't get Jimmy Graham back, but he'll like what he sees from Goedert.

Reid is a hard-hitting defender for the back end and will fill in quite well in Pittsburgh's defense.

Paul Posluszny retired after a distinguished career, so finding another starter in the middle makes sense.

New quarterback Kirk Cousins loves throwing to tight ends. Pairing Gesicki with Kyle Rudolph at TE should work well.

Replacing Nate Solder with another large, tall tackle seems a likely path for the Patriots.

The Eagles are looking to improve their offensive line, and McGlinchey will help.

Round 2

Browns: Harrison Phillips, DT, Stanford
1. Giants: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
2. Browns: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
3. Colts: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
4. Colts: Brian O'Neill, OT, Pittsburgh
5. Bucs: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
  39: Bears: Taven Bryan, DE, Florida
6. Broncos: Mike Hughes, CB, UCF
7. Raiders: Donte Jackson, CB, LSU
8. Dolphins: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
9. Patriots: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
10. Redskins: Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
11. Packers: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
12. Bengals: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
13. Cardinals: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
14. Chargers: Jessie Bates, S, Wake Forest
15. Colts: Arden Key, EDGE, LSU
16. Cowboys: Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia
17. Lions: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
18. Ravens: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
19. Bills: Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
20. Chiefs: Sam Hubbard, EDGE, Ohio State
21. Panthers: Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
22. Bills: Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon
23. Titans: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
24. Falcons: Dorance Armstrong, EDGE, Kansas
25. 49ers: D.J. Chark, WR, LSU
26. Steelers: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
27. Jaguars: J.C. Jackson, CB, Maryland
28. Vikings: Billy Price, C, Ohio State
29. Patriots: Jalyn Holmes, DE, Ohio State
30. Browns: Genard Avery, LB, Memphis

Round 3

Bills: Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech
1. Giants: Uchenna Nwosu, LB, USC
2. Colts: Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
3. Texans: Da'Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama
4. Bucs: Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State
5. 49ers: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
6. Broncos: Martinas Rankin, OT, Mississippi State
7. Jets: Daniel Carlson, K, Auburn
8. Dolphins: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
9. 49ers: Rasheem Green, DE, USC
10. Raiders: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
11. Packers: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
12. Bengals: Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond
13. Chiefs: Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State
14. Cardinals: J'Mon Moore, WR, Missouri
15. Texans: Joseph Noteboom, OT, TCU
16. Cowboys: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
17. Lions: Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana
18. Ravens: Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
19. Chargers: Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
20. Panthers: Alex Cappa, OG, Humboldt State
21. Chiefs: DeShon Elliott, S, Texas
22. Rams: Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
23. Panthers: Tre'Quan Smith, WR, UCF
24. Titans: Oren Burks, LB, Vanderbilt
25. Falcons: Quenton Meeks, CB, Stanford
26. Saints: Colby Gossett, OG, Appalachian State
27. Steelers: Davontae Harris, CB, Illinois State
28. Jaguars: Shaquem Griffin, LB, UCF
29. Vikings: Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State
30. Patriots: Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham
31. Colts: Marcus Allen, S, Penn State (pick acquired in projected trade with Bills)
32. Cardinals: M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina
33. Texans: Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State
34. Broncos: Deon Cain, WR, Clemson
35. Bengals: Chad Thomas, DE, Miami

Round 4

Packers: Fred Warner, LB, BYU
1. Giants: Michael Dickson, P, Texas
2. Texans: Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
3. Colts: Rashaan Gaulden, CB, Tennessee
4. Bears: Kemoko Turay, EDGE, Rutgers
  106: Broncos: Luke Falk, QB, Washington State
5. Jets: Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia
6. Bucs: Braden Smith, OG, Auburn
7. Broncos: Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia
8. Raiders: Hercules Mata'afa, DE, Washington State
9. Rams: Austin Corbett, OG, Nevada
10. Bengals: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, LB, Oklahoma
11. Redskins: Jeff Holland, EDGE, Auburn
12. Browns: Holton Hill, CB, Texas
13. Bears: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
14. Cowboys: Nyheim Hines, RB, N.C. State
15. Lions: Bilal Nichols, DT, Delaware
16. Ravens: Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana
17. Chargers: Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T
18. Seahawks: Dylan Cantrell, WR, Texas Tech
19. Bills: Leon Jacobs, LB, Wisconsin
20. Chiefs: Wyatt Teller, OG, Virginia Tech
21. Dolphins: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan
22. Chiefs: Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State
23. Titans: Jaylen Samuels, TE, N.C. State
24. Falcons: DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State
25. Saints: Dorian O'Daniel, LB, Clemson
26. 49ers: Quin Blanding, S, Virginia
  129: Jaguars: Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
27. Eagles: Kerryon Johnson, RB, Auburn
28. Dolphins: Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin
29. Eagles: Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
30. Packers: Dante Pettis, WR, Washington
31. Cardinals: Andrew Brown, DT, Virginia
32. Rams: B.J. Hill, DT, North Carolina State
33. Patriots: Logan Woodside, QB, Toledo
34. Cowboys: Mike McCray, LB, Michigan

Round 5

Packers: Kylie Fitts, EDGE, Utah
1. Giants: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
2. Colts: Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida
  141: Seahawks: Kentavius Street, DE, N.C. State
  142: Broncos: Sam Jones, OG, Arizona State
3. 49ers: Andre Chachere, CB, San Jose State
4. Bucs: Duke Dawson, CB, Florida
5. Bears: Darius Phillips, CB, Western Michigan
6. Seahawks: Desmond Harrison, OT, West Georgia
7. Saints: Chase Litton, QB, Marshall
8. Steelers: Skyler Phillips, OG, Idaho State
9. Redskins: Josh Adams, RB, Notre Dame
10. Browns: Geron Christian, OT, Louisville
11. Bengals: Folorunso Fatukasi, DT, Connecticut
12. Cardinals: Byron Pringle, WR, Kansas State
13. Lions: Auden Tate, WR, Florida State
14. Ravens: Tyler Conklin, TE, Central Michigan
15. Chargers: Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama
16. Seahawks: John Kelly, RB, Tennessee
17. Jets: Scott Quessenberry, C, UCLA
18. Bengals: Mason Cole, C, Michigan
19. Raiders: Dane Cruikshank, CB, Arizona
20. Broncos: Will Dissly, TE, Washington
21. Panthers: Parry Nickerson, CB, Tulane
22. Titans: Cedrick Wilson, WR, Boise State
23. Broncos: Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech
24. Saints: Ade Aruna, DE, Tulane
25. Steelers: Poona Ford, DT, Texas
26. Bills: Dimitri Flowers, FB, Oklahoma
27. Vikings: Trey Quinn, WR, SMU
28. Seahawks: Kyzir White, S, West Virginia
29. Eagles: Durham Smythe, TE, Notre Dame
30. Bengals: Siran Neal, CB, Jacksonville State
31. Cowboys: Deadrin Senat, DT, South Florida
32. Packers: Chandon Sullivan, CB, Georgia State
33. Cowboys: Armani Watts, S, Texas A&M
34. Packers: Troy Apke, S, Penn State

Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter _@chadreuter_.

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