'Tis the season.
As the NFL playoffs roll on, the flow of mock drafts is hitting its stride. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. put out his first edition today, joining numerous others in the community of prognosticators who will be generating plenty of conversation topics leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft.
Just 98 days and counting before the Browns are officially on the clock for the first pick for a second consecutive year.
We'll be rounding up these mock drafts throughout the next few months, especially in the wake of some of the NFL offseason's landmark events, such as the Combine, free agency, pro days and in-person visits.
Consider this the pre-Senior Bowl edition.
- QB Josh Allen (Wyoming)
- RB Saquon Barkley (Penn State)
Of note: Allen is drawing a lot of attention because of his ideal measurables (6-5, 222) and his diverse skill set. He'll have a big opportunity to showcase himself at next week's Senior Bowl.
- QB Sam Darnold (USC)
- Barkley
Of note: There was, perhaps, no bigger of a big-play threat in college football last year than Barkley, who averaged nearly 6 yards a carry and more than 11 on receptions. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns.
- Barkley
- Josh Rosen (UCLA)
Of note: In this scenario, the Browns would be taking the second quarterback in the draft, as Fischer projects the Giants, who hold the No. 2 pick, to take Darnold.
- Darnold
- OT Orlando Brown (Oklahoma)
Of note: Brown is the son of the former Browns offensive lineman with the same name. The Browns haven't used a first-round pick on an offensive tackle since Joe Thomas in 2007.
- Darnold
- Barkley
Of note: If the projection holds, Darnold would be the fourth USC quarterback selected in the top 10 since 2003.
- Darnold
- Barkley
Of note: Norris has just one other running back going in the first round (LSU's Derrius Guice at No. 20).
- Barkley
- DB Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama)
Of note: Fitzpatrick, a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide, did a little bit of everything for one of the deepest secondaries in the nation. Kiper considers him to be the third-best overall player in the draft.
- Rosen
- Fitzpatrick
Of note: Rosen started three seasons at UCLA with his best coming this past year, when he threw for 3,756 yards, 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
- QB Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma)
- Fitzpatrick
Of note: One of the most polarizing prospects in this year's draft, Mayfield is coming off a banner college career that saw him lead the Sooners twice to the College Football Playoff and win the 2017 Heisman Trophy.
