As soon as the 2017 NFL Draft ended, the 2018 NFL Draft process began.
After a few weeks off, NFL scouts will return to work this summer and start preparing their travel plans and reviewing their underclassmen notes from last season.
This is an early projection of what to expect after the upcoming college football season, and a starting point for the 2018 NFL Draft.
MORE: 2017 NFL Draft grades | Complete draft results
Early NFL Mock Draft for 2018
This draft order is the reverse order of the current 2018 Super Bowl odds.
1. New York Jets: Sam Darnold, QB, USC
Projected to the be the top quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft, Darnold’s Rose Bowl performance against Penn State has already won over NFL decision makers. As long as he continues to improve, he’ll be the first quarterback selected.
2. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Depending on whether DeShone Kizer makes strides as a rookie, the Browns will have to decide whether to trust him for the long term or take a quarterback early in 2018. Barkley is a special talent who may grade as high as, if not higher than, Leonard Fournette and Ezekiel Elliott.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Derwin James, S, Florida State
Defensive backs have gone in the top six picks the last two years, and James could be next. He’s a physically built, highly athletic safety who can set the tone for a defense. 49ers pass on a quarterback, as they likely will add Kirk Cousins in the offseason.
4. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
Unless Jared Goff makes major strides in Year 2, the Rams can’t afford to sink with him at the helm. New coach Sean McVay has no ties to Goff, and if things don’t work out, McVay may prefer Josh Rosen, a far better fit for his offense.
5. Chicago Bears: Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State
Chubb is a name to know. He has plenty of NFL fans and may have been a late first-rounder this year. He’ll emerge as a Mario Williams-level talent this year if he’s healthy.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
The Jaguars didn’t pick up Blake Bortles’ fifth-year option, and their future quarterback isn’t on the roster. Allen is a wildly under-developed gunslinger, and whether or not he’ll develop in 2017 remains to be seen. But the upside is there.
7. Buffalo Bills: Arden Key, DE, LSU
The Bills didn’t add a high-level defensive end in the 2017 draft, and they’ll look to do so next year. Key is arguably the best true pass rusher in the draft class.
8. Los Angeles Chargers: Vita Vea, DT, Washington
If Vea had declared early this past year, he may have been the Chargers’ pick in Round 2. Vea is a Haloti Ngata-like prospect and may rise to a top-10 pick.
9. Detroit Lions: Derrius Guice, RB, LSU
2018 could be a second straight year with two running backs in the top-10, as Leonard Fournette’s replacement at LSU is tremendously talented, as well. The Lions need more offensive talent.
MORE: 2017 NFL Draft picks by school
10. Philadelphia Eagles: Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
Jason Peters is getting older and likely needs to be replaced soon. Brown almost declared for the 2017 draft and may have been a late first-rounder.
11. Washington Redskins: Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Rudolph would have been a fringe first-rounder had he declared in 2017. The Oklahoma State passer has a strong arm and tremendous touch vertically. He may be Kirk Cousins’ replacement in Washington.
12. Miami Dolphins: Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama
Alabama will have plenty of first-round prospects in 2018, and Fitzpatrick might be the first one taken. He’s a better talent than Marlon Humphrey, a 2017 first-rounder.
13. Cincinnati Bengals: Malik Jefferson, OLB, Texas
A highly-rated recruit, Jefferson has lived up to his hype at Texas and looks to be the program’s first first-rounder in a long time. He’s a complete outside linebacker who can do everything.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Sutton will be the top-rated receiver entering the 2017 college season, as the SMU product has rare athleticism and physical makeup.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
McGlinchey offers a pro-readiness that the 2017 draft class missed in its offensive linemen. He’ll enter the season as the offensive lineman every team covets as a safe, reliable left tackle prospect.
16. Tennessee Titans: Christian Miller, OLB, Alabama
The Titans will likely look to add a pass-rusher next year, and they’ll have plenty of options. Miller will be another top pass-rusher from the Crimson Tide.
17. New Orleans Saints: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Ridley is a highly explosive vertical threat with room for improvement. Hopefully he can be featured more in the Alabama offense and earn a first-round grade.
18. Arizona Cardinals: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
Jackson could rise to first overall consideration with a strong junior season. His athleticism and arm talent doesn’t fit what NFL teams covet in a top-10 passer, but his upside is tremendous.
19. Indianapolis Colts: Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Lotulelei would have been a possible first-rounder had he entered the 2017 draft, and the little brother of Panthers starter should be a first-rounder in 2018.
20. Minnesota Vikings: Tony Brown, CB, Alabama
Along with being a track star, Brown has been a special teams standout who will earn a starting job this year. He’s an awesome tackler and has the body type and physicality that fits the Alabama prototype.
MORE: Preseason college football rankings
21. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Facyson, CB, Virginia Tech
Facyson looks to be yet another highly drafted Virginia Tech cornerback in 2018. He’s a tall, lean corner who will need to produce in 2017 when he gets the opportunities.
22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City): Matthew Thomas, OLB, Florida State
Thomas is an ideal, rangy linebacker for Sean McDermott’s defense. He’s a defender who should earn first-round consideration in 2018.
23. New York Giants: Bo Scarborough, RB, Alabama
The Giants are relying on Paul Perkins and not much else in the backfield for 2017. Scarborough is a great fit and should earn late first consideration after what could be a huge 2017.
24. Denver Broncos: Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
Denver values their pass rushers, and they didn’t address it enough in the 2017 draft. Landry has a developed pass rush repertoire and should earn first-round consideration in 2018.
25. Cleveland Browns (from Houston): Marquis Haynes, DE, Ole Miss
If he has the type of season many expect, Haynes could join Bradley Chubb as a high-level athlete who could rise to the top 10. He nearly declared for the 2017 draft.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Many are bullish on Wilkins, as he was arguably the most impactful defender for the Tigers a year ago. He’s a 6-4, 300-plus pound defensive tackle with so much versatile potential.
27. Oakland Raiders: James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State
Mason Rudolph’s top target at Oklahoma State, Washington is a special vertical threat who finishes catches downfield no matter the coverage. He can accelerate similar to Will Fuller.
28. Atlanta Falcons: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
Hurst will have to step up and take control of a Michigan defensive line that has been dominant the last two seasons. He’s an awesome talent who could rise and be drafted higher than his teammate Taco Charlton did in the 2017 draft.
MORE: Gap grows between college football's 'haves' and 'have-nots'
29. Seattle Seahawks: Skai Moore, OLB, South Carolina
If not for injury, Moore would have been a high-round pick in the 2017 draft. Moore returns, and he’ll be one of the more impressive overall athletes in the 2018 class. The Seahawks may need to replenish their linebacking corps in 2018.
30. Green Bay Packers: Troy Fumagali, TE, Wisconsin
Our No. 1 tight end entering the 2017 season, Fumagali would be a great fit for the hometown Packers’ offense.
31. Dallas Cowboys: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
The Cowboys have added tight ends and slot receivers to their offense, but by next year, it might be time to replace Terrence Williams. Kirk will be in contention for the top receiver in 2018.
32. New England Patriots: Da’Shawn Hand, DT, Alabama
Hand makes it six Alabama players in this 2018 first-round projection, and that could be on the low side. Hand is a classic Alabama lineman who can play multiple spots with ideal size and upper-half strength.