2018 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterbacks making 19-year old history

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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Wyoming Cowboys escapes a tackle from defensive end Anthony Nelson #98 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter, on September 2, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Since 1999, no NFL Draft has featured three quarterbacks taken with the top three overall picks.

This year, that could very well change.

With this 2018 NFL Mock Draft projection (no trades) we look at a scenario involving that very result, starting with a bit of a surprise at number one overall…

1. Cleveland Browns: Josh Allen, QB Wyoming

The Cleveland Browns have to take a quarterback with this pick. They find themselves in an eerily similar situation to the one they were in 19 years ago, when they held the top pick in a draft that was set to have three quarterbacks selected consecutively in the top three picks.

That draft class also featured a big time running back prospect, just like this one does…

Right now, rumor has it the Browns are deciding between Sam Darnold and Josh Allen with this top selection.

Last year, Dorsey selected an athletic gunslinger in Patrick Mahomes with the Chiefs’ top pick, and this year he gets a guy who has an even stronger arm, with even better size, and more athleticism in Josh Allen.

Hue Jackson needs someone that can push the ball downfield in bad weather conditions, and Allen has the skill set to do that. Will he find consistency at the next level? That’s the biggest question for both he and Darnold right now, but Darnold has shown more accuracy at the collegiate level. Darnold doesn’t have Allen’s physical qualities or as strong of an arm, but some feel he’s a safer pick.

This would be a swing for the fences for Dorsey with his first pick as general manager of the Browns.

2. New York Giants: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

If you believe the buzz you hear these days in the NFL, the New York Giants would only consider using the second overall pick on one quarterback, and that is none other than Sam Darnold.

As fate would have it, the Browns made Allen the top pick in the draft (in this scenario) and Darnold falls right into the Giants’ laps.

There are rumors the Giants could look to trade out of this pick, and for good reason. If they are offered three first round picks and additional picks from the Buffalo Bills, it might be worth it to move out of the top two and all the way down to 12 overall.

If Darnold is on the board, however, it might be too tough to pass up on for Dave Gettleman, Pat Shurmer, and the new regime in New York.

3. New York Jets: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

The Jets need a playmaker who can handle the spotlight and handle criticism.

Is there anyone more qualified at the quarterback position in this year’s draft than Baker Mayfield?

I don’t think so.

Mayfield has a big time attitude, and I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. Though Mayfield’s emotions have gotten the better of him at times, he has the type of swagger that the Jets need at the quarterback position, and he would have a phenomenal mentor as a rookie in Josh McCown.

The Jets wouldn’t have pressure to start Mayfield, but I think he’s the player capable of turning that franchise around sooner than later.

4. Cleveland Browns: Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State

The Browns have a very unique opportunity in this year’s draft.

Not only can they get the top quarterback on their draft board, but they can come away from this draft class with the best overall player on their board.

In this situation, that could mean one of a number of players. It could be Saquon Barkley, though John Dorsey has not made a habit of drafting running backs that high in the past.

It could be Quenton Nelson, but guard is not necessarily high on the Browns’ priority list, nor is that a position you will often pay a huge signing bonus to (on a rookie contract, at least).

In this scenario, the Browns come away from the draft with their top quarterback and who I believe to be the best defensive player in the draft — Bradley Chubb.

That would mean that in consecutive years, the Browns get arguably the best defensive player coming out of college.

How can they pass that up? I don’t think they will.

5. Denver Broncos: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

The Denver Broncos still have Paxton Lynch, a former first round pick who has been working hard this offseason to re-shape his image and his NFL future.

They signed Case Keenum to a two-year contract worth $36 million, and have publicly named him the starter (on multiple occasions).

With all of that being said, the Broncos have done significant work on the quarterbacks in this year’s draft — Darnold, Allen, Mayfield, and Rosen in particular.

Up to this point, Rosen is the only one of those four players to have had a sit-down meeting with Broncos president/CEO Joe Ellis.

Even more so than John Elway’s presence at Rosen’s pro day, or the fact that they just had him in Denver for a visit, that screams this team’s interest in Rosen as a player, and as a person.

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