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Four-round mock draft: Allen goes No. 1; Bills, Cardinals trade up

This four-round mock draft helps set the table for how players rank heading into this week's NFL Scouting Combine (March 2-5 on NFL Network). I project two trades into the top 10 to push quarterback-needy teams into position to get their passers of the future. Come draft day, there will probably be three or four additional trades in the first round, as well as a handful or so of swaps in each of the rounds that follow. For now, I've focused on getting those all-important passers to the top of the draft, where they belong.

NOTE: Teams with the same record will rotate so that the team selecting first in Round 1 will select last in the following round.

There has been scuttlebutt that GM John Dorsey likes Allen. Most folks are projecting Sam Darnold to go first overall, but I'll go with Allen, who showed great promise at the Senior Bowl.

Darnold has the potential to be the best quarterback in this class. Sitting behind Eli Manning for one year would be ideal.

The Colts finished second-to-last in the league last year with 25 sacks. Chubb is also strong vs. the run, making him the top defensive player in the draft.

Adding Barkley to whomever they take with the top pick will put the Browns' building process in full gear.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BRONCOS. The Bills are willing to make a big move (giving up their two first-round picks this year plus a 2019 second-rounder) to get a quarterback after Sean McDermott falls in love with Mayfield's fiery demeanor. Denver is a willing trade partner after addressing the QB spot in free agency.

The Jets pick the top pure passer in the class -- now they need a strong offensive line and running game to help him.

Nelson's a nimble road-grader who will help the team's second-round pick at running back (or late-first-round pick if they trade up) become a star.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BEARS. Arizona gives up its 2018 and 2019 first-round picks to move into this spot, as it feels a sense of urgency to get ahead of teams like the Dolphins and Bengals, as well as any other team looking to trade up for a QB. New head coach Steve Wilks gets a dynamic playmaker to develop with the help of new quarterbacks coach Byron Leftwich. Jackson has his doubters, but the Cardinals see him for what he can be and they go get their man.

Fitzpatrick will be the leader of the Niners' secondary for years to come.

Vea's combination of strength and athleticism gives him an excellent chance of being picked in the top 10.

Edmunds should go higher than this, but if the quarterbacks go early, it will push a defensive star or two outside the top 10.

Both Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap are due to become free agents after the 2018 season, so Davenport will learn from those veterans how to use this length on the edge while still making an impact as a rookie.

Ward's shown great promise as a cover corner, but his size might limit the ceiling of his draft position. Former teammate Marshon Lattimore showed last year, though, that corners don't have to go in the top 10 to make a big instant impact.

Vander Esch will be considered among the best defensive prospects in the class after the combine concludes.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH CARDINALS. Chicago is on the other side of a draft-capital swap this year. Mitchell Trubisky needs difference-makers at the receiver position. Ridley is one of those.

Brown follows in his late father's footsteps to play for the Ravens.

Undersized ILBs typically fall into the middle of the first round. Smith's hustle to the ball will help him overcome his lack of bulk, though, giving him a long, successful career.

The James- Seahawks match seems like it was made in heaven, which means it probably won't happen. I'll stick with it for now, though.

There's an opening at guard with Jonathan Cooper due to become a free agent. Williams could also play outside if right tackle La'el Collins kicked inside to guard.

Keeping Hurst in-state gives the Lions the quick and strong tackle they need.

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BILLS. I'm assuming Denver picks up a veteran QB in free agency. So how about finding another big-play threat?

PROJECTED TRADE WITH BILLS. Could the Broncos select tackles in the first round two years in a row? It has happened before (six times in the 1990s, Detroit 2000-2001, Green Bay and Seattle in 2010-2011), and Denver must upgrade its line.

Rams center John Sullivan is due to become a free agent, and Daniels' athleticism has caught the eye of scouts.

The Panthers need a threat to stretch defenses, and Washington consistently did that for Oklahoma State.

Landry's natural bend and tenacity makes him a good fit for a 3-4 team in need of youth on the outside.

Harrison's combination of hustle, strength, and quickness will make him an excellent piece to add to the Falcons' front line if Dontari Poe departs in free agency.

Goedert will hit paydirt regularly as a top red-zone target for Drew Brees, whom everyone expects to re-up with the Saints.

Let's say the Le'Veon Bell situation goes sideways -- Michel has a similar skill set, so this would be a good addition for the Steelers.

Wynn is brought in to ensure last year's first-round pick, Leonard Fournette, is able to make yards on the ground.

If veteran Terence Newman departs in free agency, Hughes would be a nice replacement as a playmaker in the secondary and the return game.

With Malcolm Butler expected to depart in free agency, New England needs more talent on the outside.

Evans could fill either the Sam or Mike spots for Philadelphia, who could lose Dannell Ellerbe and Nigel Bradham in free agency.

Round 2

  1. Browns: Sam Hubbard, EDGE, Ohio State
    1. Giants: Martinas Rankin, OT Mississippi State
    2. Browns: Donte Jackson, CB, LSU
    3. Colts: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
    4. Jets: Arden Key, EDGE, LSU
    5. Bucs: Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
    6. Bears: Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon
    7. Broncos: Justin Reid, S, Stanford
    8. Raiders: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
    9. Dolphins: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
    10. Patriots: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
    11. Redskins: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
    12. Packers: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
    13. Bengals: Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
    14. Cardinals: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
    15. Chargers: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
    16. Jets: Billy Price, C, Ohio State
    17. Cowboys: D.J. Chark, WR, LSU
    18. Lions: Dorance Armstrong, EDGE, Kansas
    19. Ravens: Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE, USC
    20. Bills: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
    21. Chiefs: Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
    22. Panthers: Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State
    23. Bills: Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
    24. Titans: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
    25. Falcons: Hercules Mata'afa, EDGE, Washington State
    26. 49ers: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
    27. Steelers: Marcus Allen, S, Penn State
    28. Jaguars: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
    29. Vikings: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
    30. Patriots: Da'Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama
    31. Browns: Lorenzo Carter, LB, Georgia

Round 3

  1. Browns: DeShon Elliott, S, Texas
    1. Giants: Rashaan Gaulden, CB, Tennessee
    2. Colts: Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
    3. Texans: Brian O'Neill, OT, Pittsburgh
    4. Bucs: JoJo Wicker, DE, Arizona State
    5. 49ers: Malik Jefferson, LB, Texas
    6. Broncos: Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
    7. Jets: J.C. Jackson, CB, Maryland
    8. Dolphins: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan
    9. 49ers: J'Mon Moore, WR, Missouri
    10. Raiders: Kalen Ballage, RB, Arizona State
    11. Packers: Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
    12. Bengals: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
    13. Chiefs: Quenton Meeks, CB, Stanford
    14. Cardinals: Simmie Cobbs, WR, Indiana
    15. Texans: Andrew Brown, DE, Virginia
    16. Cowboys: Tim Settle, DT, Virginia Tech
    17. Lions: Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
    18. Ravens: Rasheem Green, DE, USC
    19. Chargers: Daniel Carlson, K, Auburn
    20. Panthers: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
    21. Chiefs: Auden Tate, WR, Florida State
    22. Rams: Terrell Edmunds, S, Virginia Tech
    23. Panthers: Braden Smith, OG, Auburn
    24. Titans: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
    25. Falcons: Alex Cappa, OG, Humboldt State
    26. Saints: Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond
    27. Steelers: Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State
    28. Jaguars: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, LB, Oklahoma
    29. Vikings: Chad Thomas, DE, Miami
    30. Patriots: Chase Litton, QB, Marshall
    31. Bills: Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
    32. Cardinals: Sam Jones, OG, Arizona State
    33. Texans: Quin Blanding, S, Virginia
    34. Broncos: DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State
    35. Bengals: Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin

Round 4

  1. Browns: Dante Pettis, WR, Washington
    1. Giants: Michael Dickson, P, Texas
    2. Texans: Anthony Averett, CB, Alabama
    3. Colts: Deon Cain, WR, Clemson
    4. Bears: Kemoko Turay, EDGE, Rutgers
    5. Broncos: Ian Thomas, TE, Indiana
    6. Jets: Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
    7. Bucs: Kyzir White, S, West Virginia
    8. Broncos: Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia
    9. Raiders: Jessie Bates, S, Wake Forest
    10. Dolphins: Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State
    11. Bengals: Mason Cole, C, Michigan
    12. Redskins: Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State
    13. Packers: Kameron Kelly, CB, San Diego State
    14. Bears: Holton Hill, CB, Texas
    15. Cowboys: Fred Warner, LB, BYU
    16. Lions: Mike McCray, LB, Michigan
    17. Ravens: Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida
    18. Chargers: Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia
    19. Seahawks: Colby Gossett, OG, Appalachian State
    20. Bills: Tyquan Lewis, EDGE, Ohio State
    21. Chiefs: Jeff Holland, EDGE, Auburn
    22. Browns: M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina
    23. Chiefs: Nathan Shepherd, DT, Fort Hays State
    24. Titans: Jaylen Samuels, TE, N.C. State
    25. Falcons: Kevin Toliver II, CB, LSU
    26. Saints: Shaquem Griffin, LB, UCF
    27. 49ers: Dane Cruikshank, CB, Arizona
    28. Jaguars: Nyheim Hines, RB, N.C. State
    29. Eagles: Marcell Frazier, EDGE, Missouri
    30. Dolphins: Siran Neal, CB, Jacksonville State
    31. Eagles: Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T
    32. Packers: Wyatt Teller, OG, Virginia Tech
    33. Cardinals: Byron Pringle, WR, Kansas State
    34. Giants: Deadrin Senat, DT, USF
    35. Patriots: John Kelly, RB, Tennessee
    36. Cowboys: Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama

Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter _@chadreuter_.

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