Mel Kipers Insider Mock Draft 1.0. Carolina Drafts.............Billy Price G/C Ohio State

[JakeDel5674]

24 Carolina Panthers Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State
The Panthers are locked in with one of the best centers in the league in Ryan Kalil, so Price could be a replacement for free-agent guard Andrew Norwell. Carolina already has a lot of money committed to its O-line and might not be able to afford Norwell. Price was a three-year starter at guard for the Buckeyes before moving over to center as a senior. He has the frame to play either spot.

Other picks:

26 Atlanta Falcons Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
Kirk isn't a giant, go-to No. 1 wide receiver -- he's only 5-11 -- but Atlanta doesn't need that with Julio Jones already on the roster. Kirk would be a versatile offensive threat who could immediately help as both a punt and kick returner. He can play in the slot and burn defensive backs, and he could play outside too. Kirk had an up-and-down 2017 season, but he still finished with 12 total touchdowns, including two on returns. He's my No. 2-ranked receiver.

27 New Orleans Saints Courtland Sutton, WR, SMU
Drew Brees is 39, and the Saints just made a playoff run with one of the most productive rookie classes in recent history. This is a team built to win right now. Sutton is a huge 6-4 matchup nightmare who could play opposite budding superstar Michael Thomas. He was inconsistent at times for the Mustangs, but he's a big play-threat who averaged at least 16 yards per catch over the past three seasons. New Orleans could have some receiver turnover with Brandon Coleman and Willie Snead both restricted free agents.

7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
The Bucs couldn't run the ball in 2017, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry and 90.6 yards per game. Was it the running backs, the offensive line or both? Nelson is a plug-and-play starter who would be an upgrade for almost every team. He's a dominant run-blocker at 6-5, 330, who causes destruction at the point of attack. If Barkley falls a little bit, could the Bucs snag him at No. 7?

18 Seattle Seahawks Derwin James, S, Florida State
James is tough to figure out, but Seattle would be thrilled to get him here. He's super talented and looked like a top-five pick as a freshman at Florida State in 2015, but he missed the entire 2016 season because of a knee injury. James had a solid 2017 season with 84 total tackles and two interceptions, but scouts wanted to see more. At his peak, though, James is a typical Seattle safety and fits what it looks for. Kam Chancellor's future is up in the air after a neck injury, and the Seahawks could need a replacement.

13 Washington Redskins Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
This all depends on Kirk Cousins. Is Washington going to franchise tag him again? Remember, if the Redskins do it for the third straight year, he would cost more than $34 million in 2018. Could Washington let him test the free-agent market? He could get a huge deal, but it might not be from the Redskins. If Cousins walks, there's no ready-made replacement. They would have to scan the free-agent market or draft a quarterback. Don't count out the Heisman Trophy winner being taken this high. He is going to get a chance to impress scouts at the Senior Bowl, and I know they're interested in seeing how he performs. If Washington keeps Cousins, inside linebacker is a clear position of need.

8 Chicago Bears Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama
Chicago has to add weapons for Mitchell Trubisky, and Ridley is the best receiver in this class by a mile. If the Bears can get a pass-catcher here -- and don't upgrade in free agency -- Ridley makes the most sense. If he had played in a better passing offense, he could have been a Biletnikoff winner. He's extremely talented.

1. Cleveland Browns - Josh Allen, QB
Cleveland has to take a quarterback. Has to. And a winless season means the Browns can pick whichever one they want. My evaluations on this quarterback class are really close. I've gone back and forth a few times on Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold and Allen, but I just moved Allen up to my No. 1 quarterback. His numbers aren't impressive, I know. But the NFL is all about projection, and he has a high ceiling. Coaches want to work with the 6-foot-5 Allen because he has all of the tools. I said last month that he is one of my favorite prospects in this class. The other top quarterbacks have warts, and there is no slam-dunk No. 1 prospect, which makes it a fun class. Scouts are looking forward to seeing Allen at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, next week, where he will work out with much better talent.

2. New York Giants - Josh Rosen, QB
Rosen is the top pure passer in this class. He looked better than Darnold when UCLA and USC played late in the season. Rosen, however, has dealt with injuries the past two seasons, and there have already been rumblings that he doesn't want to end up in Cleveland. There are some red flags. But some team is going to draft him high -- he has rare arm talent and has been much more secure with the ball than Darnold and Allen. The Giants could move into life after Eli Manning with a new franchise quarterback.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2018/insider/story/_/id/22134110/nfl-mock-draft-2018-mel-kiper-first-round-pick-rankings-draft-order

Allen to the Browns? Yeesh Mel. 

[OneBadCat]

No. Spend the money and resign Norwell.

Get Cam a star playmaker or a long term safety.

[JakeDel5674]

1 minute ago, RLT89 said:

If Sutton is still on the board when we pick he better be the pick he would be a great weapon for Cam.

Rather have Ridley, Kirk, Orlando Brown, or Connor Williams at that pick. Need to get Matt Kalil the fug out of here after next year. 

[Jangler]

4 minutes ago, OneBadCat said:

No. Spend the money and resign Norwell.

Get Cam a star playmaker or a long term safety.

will a rookie WR really solve the problem? we have been trying that for 10+ years.... There will be a FA-WR to fit the bill. I'd fix the Oline as quickly as possible.

[BrianS]

Actually makes sense if you think about it.  Very high chance we lose Norwell, so we'll need a guard and within a couple years Kalil (Ryan) will retire and we'll need a center.  If the kid from OU works out, he plays guard for a couple years while learning from Ryan, then slides over.

[JakeDel5674]

Just now, BrianS said:

Actually makes sense if you think about it.  Very high chance we lose Norwell, so we'll need a guard and within a couple years Kalil (Ryan) will retire and we'll need a center.  If the kid from OU works out, he plays guard for a couple years while learning from Ryan, then slides over.

I could see Orlando Brown being a Guard for a few years. Then moving out to Matt Kali's position. 

[Boxhead85]

Not a fan of Mel Kiper. We should take Kirk if he is there at 24. Sutton is in the same mold as Funchess with superb athletic ability but won't get separation in the NFL.

[My Goodness My Guinness]

How does anyone have Allen even going in the first round. Blows my mind when pure speculation and potential will get QBs drafted so high. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

love it 

[ericr0319]

I don't hate the pick if we lose Norwell. If we resign Norwell the pick does not make much sense. Norwell is the top priority and can easily be resigned with making smart cuts (R. Kalil, Stew, CJ, Shep). Re-sign Larsen. These early mock are just for fun right now. So much will change with FA. 

[t96]

Watch us take another DT to replace Stahh

[Palmetto]

Falcons and Saints both pick WRs right behind the Panthers....this place would erupt i mean just imagine thread on that one

[Icege]

I'll take him. 

Kalil's neck might be donezo. I'll take Moton over a rookie. Funch is only 23 with Samuel coming back with a year of experience now (plus Byrd).

Definitely want a safety and another edge rusher, but having a long term solution at center for when Kalil retires is ok by me

[jumpman910]

27 minutes ago, thomas96 said:

Watch us take another DT to replace Stahh

Very real possibility lol