2018 NFL mock draft: Packers address defense in first round

The latest NFL mock draft following a busy free agency period.

As many of the big name free agents have found their new homes, with the combine done and over-with, and with the Senior Bowl out of the way, it’s a little easier to see what position groups need upgrading for each NFL team and which prospects are helping or hurting their draft case.

Many things, such as private workouts and interviews, which are held behind closed doors, also factor into where these players will fall and which teams will do whatever they can to land their desired prospects. The madness that is the NFL Draft is almost here and here is how I see things shaking out.

It was extremely hard for me not to put Saquon Barkley here, regardless of them signing Carlos Hyde. Drafting Darnold and letting him develop and learn behind Tyrod Taylor for a year is a much better scenario than what the Browns have done recently with young underdeveloped quarterbacks, which is throw them right into the fire with very limited weapons to work with on offense, leading them to failure.

The Browns have finally provided their QB with multiple offensive weapons, which should help in the development of Darnold and bring him success when his time comes to take over. Hyde, Duke Johnson, Jarvis Landry, Josh Gordon, Corey Coleman, David Njoku and their fourth overall pick in this draft will be a very sound group of weapons to help a young QB find success.