PATH TO THE DRAFT

Three-round mock draft: Browns among 7 teams that pick QB

Published:
Darnold-Jackson-171010-SL.jpg
Chad Reuter
Draft Analyst

With Super Bowl LII in the books, draft season is upon us, and it's time for my first three-round mock of the year.

There are still many unknowns at this point in the process, with free agency, the NFL Scouting Combine and pro days still ahead of us. Therefore, the goal of this mock draft is to show the value available throughout the first three rounds, as well as point to potential fits for players if needs hold firm through the pre-draft process.

NOTE: There's a tie for the ninth overall pick. A coin flip between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders will determine which team picks first. ... Teams with the same record will rotate so that the team selecting first in Round 1 will select last in the following round.

  The 
 [Browns](/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE) need a leader and playmaker at quarterback. Darnold is the total package. 

  Rosen's the best pure passer in the class. 

  Barkley's the top player on the board for most teams, and the 
 [Colts](/teams/indianapoliscolts/profile?team=IND) can't rely on 
 [Frank Gore](/player/frankgore/2506404/profile), who's due to become a free agent, forever. 

  Chubb on one side and 
 [Myles Garrett](/player/mylesgarrett/2557965/profile) on the other? Quarterbacks beware. 

  For now, I'll say 
 [Kirk Cousins](/player/kirkcousins/2532820/profile) ends up with Denver, opening a spot for the 
 [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) to add Fitzpatrick to their defense. 

  If the 
 [Jets](/teams/newyorkjets/profile?team=NYJ) liked 
 [Christian Hackenberg](/player/christianhackenberg/2555416/profile), they're going to 
 *love* Allen. The Wyoming product showed during 
 [Senior Bowl](http://www.nfl.com/seniorbowl) week his ability to utilize his talents to the fullest. 

  Nelson's a dominant presence who will help 
 [Jameis Winston](/player/jameiswinston/2552033/profile) and whoever is carrying the ball for the Bucs over the next decade. 

  The 
 [Bears](/teams/chicagobears/profile?team=CHI)' secondary needs an upgrade. Ward's toughness and agility in coverage will help him overcome his average size. 

  Edmunds is athletic enough to handle coverage duties and rush the passer. 

  Smith has "bench to bench" range, tracking down ball carriers all over the field. 

  While Davenport is still raw in some ways, his length and agility will pay dividends for the 
 [Dolphins](/teams/miamidolphins/profile?team=MIA) sooner than some might expect. 

  Williams' ability to move the line and pass protect will make him a hot commodity on draft day. 

  Ridley will be a great asset to new Washington quarterback 
 [Alex Smith](http://www.nfl.com/player/alexsmith/2506340/profile). 

  Green Bay needs pass rushers, but Vea can wreak havoc outside and inside, freeing up 
 [Clay Matthews](/player/claymatthews/80431/profile) and 
 [Nick Perry](/player/nickperry/2533048/profile) to do their thing. 

  I won't be surprised if a team trades ahead of the 
 [Cardinals](/teams/arizonacardinals/profile?team=ARI) to grab Mayfield, who should be a strong leader at the next level. 

  Flacco needs another downfield threat like Sutton to maximize his talent. 

  Whether Brown plays at left or right tackle doesn't matter. He'll eclipse his opponent with pure size and play with a nasty streak. 

  This is an easy fit for James, whose game is too similar to 
 [Kam Chancellor](/player/kamchancellor/494257/profile)'s to ignore his potential in the 
 [Seahawks](/teams/seattleseahawks/profile?team=SEA)' defense. 

  Payne showed in the College Football Playoff that he can be a force in the middle, which is something the 
 [Cowboys](/teams/dallascowboys/profile?team=DAL)' defense lacks. 

  Keeping Hurst in-state will help the 
 [Lions](/teams/detroitlions/profile?team=DET) pressure QBs from the interior, which is something Detroit has struggled to do since 
 [Ndamukong Suh](/player/ndamukongsuh/496861/profile) left town. 

  After Jackson learns the ropes from 
 [Tyrod Taylor](/player/tyrodtaylor/2495240/profile), he'll use his strong arm and amazing speed to turn defenses upside-down. 

 [Eric Wood's career-ending injury](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000911028/article/bills-center-eric-wood-to-retire-because-of-neck-injury) makes finding a sturdy replacement like Price a must. 

  The 
 [Rams](/teams/losangelesrams/profile?team=LA) could use help in the secondary, even if 
 [Trumaine Johnson](/player/trumainejohnson/2532877/profile) is re-signed. 

  McGlinchey is a good fit for a 
 [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) team looking to dominate on the ground. 

  With 
 [Brian Orakpo](/player/brianorakpo/71423/profile) and 
 [Derrick Morgan](/player/derrickmorgan/496828/profile) a year away from free agency, the 
 [Titans](/teams/tennesseetitans/profile?team=TEN) need to find their next pass rusher. Landry will be a good value at this point in the draft. 

  Phillips is a tough customer inside, and the 
 [Falcons](/teams/atlantafalcons/profile?team=ATL)' interior D-line might have some holes to fill this spring if 
 [Dontari Poe](/player/dontaripoe/2533435/profile) and 
 [Ahtyba Rubin](/player/ahtybarubin/1344/profile) depart. 

  Goedert has a chance to be the second coming of 
 [Jimmy Graham](/player/jimmygraham/497236/profile) in the 
 [Saints](/teams/neworleanssaints/profile?team=NO)' offense. 

  Evans fits beautifully in the 
 [Steelers](/teams/pittsburghsteelers/profile?team=PIT)' defense. He'll be able to play inside or outside. 

  With 
 [Marqise Lee](/player/marqiselee/2543475/profile) and 
 [Allen Robinson](/player/allenrobinson/2543509/profile) due to become free agents, the 
 [Jaguars](/teams/jacksonvillejaguars/profile?team=JAX) will likely need to bolster the position this year. 

  Miller isn't getting a lot of pub outside the West Coast, but he's a future starter. 

  The 
 [Patriots](/teams/newenglandpatriots/profile?team=NE) need help up front. Brown's length and surprising agility would allow him to play outside on early downs and inside in pass-rush situations. 

  Not every NFL scout believes Jefferson is worthy of a first-round pick, but I think the 
 [Eagles](/teams/philadelphiaeagles/profile?team=PHI) could benefit from his size and athleticism inside or outside.

Round 2

  1. Browns: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
  2. Giants: Martinas Rankin, OT Mississippi State
  3. Browns: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
  4. Colts: Sam Hubbard, EDGE, Ohio State
  5. Jets: Ronald Jones II, RB, USC
  6. Bucs: Sony Michel, RB, Georgia
  7. Bears: Anthony Miller, WR, Memphis
  8. Broncos: D.J. Chark, WR, LSU
  9. Raiders: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
  10. Dolphins: Will Hernandez, OG, UTEP
  11. Patriots: Uchenna Nwosu, LB, USC
  12. Redskins: Ronnie Harrison, S, Alabama
  13. Packers: Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
  14. Bengals: Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State
  15. Cardinals: Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
  16. Chargers: James Daniels, C, Iowa
  17. Jets: Dorance Armstrong Jr., EDGE, Kansas
  18. Cowboys: Mark Andrews, TE, Oklahoma
  19. Lions: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, LB, Oklahoma
  20. Ravens: Arden Key, EDGE, LSU
  21. Bills: Simmie Cobbs Jr., WR, Indiana
  22. Chiefs: Donte Jackson, CB, LSU
  23. Panthers: Justin Reid, S, Stanford
  24. Bills: Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
  25. Titans: Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
  26. Falcons: Isaiah Wynn, OG, Georgia
  27. 49ers: Carlton Davis, CB, Auburn
  28. Steelers: Marcus Allen, S, Penn State
  29. Jaguars: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
  30. Vikings: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
  31. Patriots: Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
  32. Browns: Da'Shawn Hand, DE, Alabama

Round 3

  1. Browns: Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
  2. Giants: Michael Dickson, P, Texas
  3. Colts: Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa
  4. Texans: Brian O'Neill, OT, Pittsburgh
  5. Bucs: JoJo Wicker, DE, Arizona State
  6. 49ers: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland
  7. Broncos: Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon
  8. Jets: Quenton Meeks, CB, Stanford
  9. Dolphins: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
  10. 49ers: Alex Cappa, OG, Humboldt State
  11. Raiders: Rasheem Green, DT, USC
  12. Packers: Lorenzo Carter, EDGE, Georgia
  13. Bengals: Frank Ragnow, C, Arkansas
  14. Redskins: Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin
  15. Cardinals: Braden Smith, OG, Auburn
  16. Texans: J.C. Jackson, CB Maryland
  17. Cowboys: DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State
  18. Lions: Chad Thomas, EDGE, Miami
  19. Ravens: Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia
  20. Chargers: Daniel Carlson, K, Auburn
  21. Panthers: Hercules Mata'afa, EDGE, Washington State
  22. Chiefs: DeShon Elliott, S, Texas
  23. Rams: Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State
  24. Panthers: Equanimeous St. Brown, WR, Notre Dame
  25. Titans: M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina
  26. Falcons: Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
  27. Saints: Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond
  28. Steelers: Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon
  29. Jaguars: Wyatt Teller, OG, Virginia Tech
  30. Vikings: Tyquan Lewis, EDGE, Ohio State
  31. Patriots: John Kelly, RB, Tennessee
  32. Bills: Chukwuma Okorafor, OT, Western Michigan

Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter @chad_reuter.