Browns take Saquon Barkley, Baker Mayfield lands in Cardinals' lap in Star's mock draft

Cleveland Browns are on the clock

This is one of the most interesting NFL drafts in recent memory, and it starts at the top. No one knows whom the Cleveland Browns will select with the first pick, and that might include the Browns themselves.

What Cleveland does will have a significant impact on what the New York Giants do at No. 2. And so on. Five quarterbacks are expected to go in the first round. The order is anyone’s guess.

With all that uncertainty as a backdrop, four members of the Star sports staff — Michael Lev, Ryan Finley, Justin Spears and Dominic Baciocco — gathered to conduct a four-man first-round mock draft.

Baciocco had the first pick, Lev second, Finley third and Spears fourth. They rotated that way through the first round, with one exception: Spears and Baciocco swapped a pair of picks so Spears could draft for his beloved L.A. Chargers while Baciocco could play GM for his favorite NFL team, the Tennessee Titans.

The M.O. for each virtual GM was taking the players we thought teams should select given their needs and who was available. No trades were allowed in this particular mock draft.

With the real draft taking place in Dallas this year, the Star staff assembled at Brother John’s Beer, Bourbon & BBQ. Despite what unfolded, we swear no alcohol was consumed during the 90-minute lunch.

1. Cleveland Browns: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Baciocco says: Cleveland should take a page out of Joel Embiid’s book and “trust the process” this NFL draft. None of the top QBs on this year’s draft board have me chomping at the bit on draft day. Add Barkley to a desperate backfield and Cleveland has a piece to build with long term, not just some preseason hype. Hall of Famer Jim Brown gave his blessing for Barkley at No. 1. Isn’t that enough? Cleveland makes the newly minted father (as of Tuesday night) the first overall pick.

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

Lev says: This was the game plan for Big Blue … If Dom took anyone other than Darnold with the first pick, we would snatch him. If Dom took Darnold, we would pivot to North Carolina State edge rusher Bradley Chubb — not Barkley. With Barkley going first, Darnold became the pick and the heir apparent to Eli Manning, who’s 37 years old and in the twilight of his career.

3. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

Finley says: New York was always going to grab a quarterback with the third overall pick. With Darnold off the board, the J-E-T-S Jets-Jets-Jets turn to Rosen, a prototypical pocket passer with a rocket arm, off-the-charts smarts and a personality worthy of the Big Apple. Rosen’s injury history — he missed significant time with a pair of concussions — is concerning, but it won’t be enough to stop the Jets from landing their man.

4. Cleveland Browns (from Houston): Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State

Spears says: Kevin Costner isn’t Cleveland’s general manager, but if there’s one thing that he taught me about winning a fictional draft in the movie Draft Day, it’s that you never pick the quarterback unless you’re 100 percent sold on him as a leader. Do the Browns want to gamble on a undersized Baker Mayfield or a mysterious Josh Allen? Bradley Chubb is the top defensive player in the draft, and rightfully so. Chubb weighs 269 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds. Put Chubb on the other side of last year’s No. 1 pick Myles Garrett? Call it a day.

5. Denver Broncos: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

Baciocco says: Ward will follow in the footsteps of Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley, two OSU defensive backs drafted in the first round last year. Ward showed off his insane athletic ability with a 4.32 40-yard dash, the top mark at his position, and 39-inch vertical jump which was second among DBs. He should be able to slide into the void left by Aqib Talib.

6. Indianapolis Colts (from N.Y. Jets): Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Lev says: The Colts need a lot of help, especially on defense. With no trade-down option available — a strong possibility in real life — it was simply a matter of taking the best defensive player available. That’s Smith, a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker who excels in space. Smith could have the type of impact on Indy that Luke Kuechly has had on Carolina.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

Finley says: The draft can sometimes be simple. The Bucs, in this case, desperately need a safety — and Fitzpatrick is the best safety available. The 6-foot-1-inch, 203-pounder learned the finer points of the position under Nick Saban and should be an instant starter in Tampa.

8. Chicago Bears: Quenton Nelson, OG, Notre Dame

Spears says: The stars aligned for this pick. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is entering his sophomore season in the NFL and needs some protection. Chicago’s new offensive line coach, Harry Hiestand, held the same position at Notre Dame. The best offensive lineman in this draft class is none other than Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson. His 6-foot-5, 325-pound frame will add much-needed size to the Bears’ offensive line, and give Trubisky an extra second in the pocket.

9. San Francisco 49ers: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE, Oklahoma

Baciocco says: Did somebody say hot take? Here’s one: Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will finish top-two in sacks for the 49ers in 2018. San Francisco was 26th in sacks last year. The co-Big 12 defensive player of the year shined at Oklahoma in his junior and senior seasons, making 143 tackles, 29.5 for loss, and reeling in 17 sacks. If that’s not good enough for San Francisco, it’ll likely have an eye on the offensive line with all the money in the world now staked in Jimmy Garoppolo.

10. Oakland Raiders: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Lev says: After Dom went rogue at No. 9, the Raiders were in a great spot at 10. Two elite defenders were sitting there in Edmunds and Florida State safety Derwin James. Edmunds — an absolute athletic freak who’s just 19 years old — gives Oakland what it has needed for years: a bookend for star pass rusher Khalil Mack. If Edmunds lands here, Jon Gruden will be happy.

11. Miami Dolphins: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Finley says: Allen’s precipitous fall ends here, with the Dolphins taking another toolsy but unproven quarterback. Can he beat out Ryan Tannehill, who turned one good year at Texas A&M into a No. 8 overall selection back in 2012? Who knows. But Allen, a rocket-armed, country-strong Wyoming product, could prove to be a bargain at No. 11.

12. Buffalo Bills (from Cincinnati): Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Spears says: A.J. McCarron and interception machine Nathan Peterman are the current quarterbacks on roster. Yawn. Not only does Buffalo need a passer, but it gets so cold in Buffalo that they’ll need a mobile quarterback. Now who is available that fits both qualities? Former Heisman winner Lamar Jackson. In three seasons at Louisville, he threw for over 9,000 yards and rushed for 4,132 yards. Jackson has to be smarter with his throws to avoid the 10 interceptions he threw in 13 games last year, but that’ll come in time. Jackson will be a quality quarterback in the NFL, and it’ll be with the Buffalo Bills.

13. Washington Redskins: Vita Vea, DT, Washington

Baciocco says: Run-stoppers are the name of the game for the defense that surrendered more rushing yards than any team a season ago. Vea drew high praise at the combine for being quick on his feet. Put quick feet on a 6-foot-4, 347-pound beast, and the Redskins have themselves a run-stopper who can play anywhere on the defensive front. The Pac-12 defensive player of the year will cause fits in the NFC East.

14. Green Bay Packers: Derwin James, S, Florida State

Lev says: The Packers’ biggest need is at cornerback, but James was just too good to pass up. He’ll be one of Green Bay’s five best defensive backs from Day 1 and could be for the Packers D what Charles Woodson was in his heyday — a multifaceted defender who can line up anywhere on the field. In reality, James projects as a top-10 pick.

15. Arizona Cardinals: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Finley says: The Cardinals are in need of not just a quarterback but an organizational rebrand, and the brash, bullish Mayfield provides just that. Expect new coach Steve Wilks to run to the podium, baseball cap in hand, if Mayfield drops all the way to No. 15.

16. Baltimore Ravens: Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina

Spears says: The elite Joe Flacco needs a big body to block and catch. The Ravens haven’t had a productive tight end since Dennis Pitta, but it’s been two years since he suited up in Baltimore. South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst, former 2012 MLB Draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, will turn 25 years old in August. He’s mature, a solid blocker and is effective in the passing game.

17. Los Angeles Chargers: Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama

Spears says: Who should the 2019 Super Bowl Champions select with their first-round pick? Defensive tackle Cory Liuget is injury prone and Brandon Mebane can’t carry the interior load by himself. The Chargers gave up 4.9 yards per rush last season, which was the worst in the NFL. Alabama’s Da’Ron Payne was one of the Crimson Tide’s many stars last season. Not only is he a monstrous 6-foot-2, 311 pounds, but he’s mobile and built like a tank. Put him alongside Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram? Let’s get it.

18. Seattle Seahawks: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Lev says: It’s more likely than not that the Seahawks will trade down from this spot. If they stay put, McGlinchey makes a ton of sense. He can be plugged in immediately at right tackle for a team that has struggled up front for years. Seattle can address its secondary and pass-catching needs later. John Schneider and Pete Carroll have found hidden gems throughout their tenure.

19. Dallas Cowboys: Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama

Finley says: The next Dez? Probably not. But the 6-1, 190-pound Ridley just might be the most polished, talented receiver in this draft class. The Alabama star caught an eye-popping 224 passes over three seasons, proving himself to be a durable, reliable — and, most important, drama-free — receiver. In Dallas, that kind of consistency and calmness are much-needed.

20. Detroit Lions: Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio

Baciocco says: The Lions defense could benefit exponentially by adding a high caliber edge rusher opposite Ziggy Ansah. As a sophomore, Davenport made five tackles and sacked Anu Solomon when UTSA visited Arizona Stadium in 2015. He made 8.5 sacks last season to go along with 17.5 tackles for loss. Davenport’s quickness would complement an aggressive Ansah nicely.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (from Buffalo): Will Hernandez, OG, Texas-El Paso

Baciocco says: Hernandez is an athletic run blocker who started at left guard for four years at UTEP. That’s awfully convenient for a team that struggled mightily when rushing the ball a year ago. Cincinnati managed to average just 3.6 yards per carry. That’s difficult to do with three capable rushers. Second-year back Joe Mixon has a ton of potential and should earn the majority of carries, making Hernandez a hot commodity in Cincy.

22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City): Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Lev says: There was heartbreak in the Bills’ war room when Dom took Hernandez at 21. Buffalo’s offensive line is a mess; Jackson, or whoever the Bills’ new QB is, will need to stay upright. Evans is a fine consolation prize who also happens to fill a need. Top linebacker and leading 2017 tackler Preston Brown left via free agency. What remains is a mishmash.

23: New England Patriots (from L.A. Rams): Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

Finley says: The Patriots have turned the draft into an art form with their late-round selections, and Guice — LSU’s star running back — fits that mold. When healthy, Leonard Fournette’s one-time backup is a game-changer capable of catching passes out of the backfield and following a game plan with the best of them. Despite being banged up last year, Guice still managed to rush for 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns. Guice’s physical, smart play fits perfectly in Bill Belichick’s system, and his potential makes him a perfect value play.

24. Carolina Panthers: Harold Landry, DE, Boston College

Spears says: America’s team picked Calvin Ridley, so wide receiver is out of the equation here. The Tennessee Titans are salivating for Boston College’s Harold Landry, but the Panthers need someone to succeed Julius Peppers when it’s time to hang it up. The Panthers had the No. 7 defense in the NFL and adding Landry will only make them more deadly.

25. Tennessee Titans: Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State

Baciocco says: Tennessee is desperate for pass rushers. For a team that quietly ranked fifth in getting to the quarterback last season, only 5.5 of their 43 sacks came from players lined up as edge rushers. Harold Landry would be an ideal pick here, but since he was drafted just before, the Titans can stock up on other needs early. Vander Esch would be a good fit to plug in the middle of Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo. He has a knack for stopping the rush and is a productive pass defender, making him a valuable linebacker to own in the NFL.

26. Atlanta Falcons: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland

Lev says: Many mocks have the Falcons taking Florida DT Taven Bryan. We went in a different direction. Atlanta doesn’t have a ton behind Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, and the offense never quite clicked last season after leading the league in scoring in 2016. Moore tested well (4.42 40, 39.5-inch vertical), produced in college and will complement the skill sets of the bigger-bodied Jones and Sanu.

27. New Orleans Saints: Jaire Alexander, CB, Lousville

Finley says: The Saints are selling out to give Drew Brees one more shot at a Super Bowl title, and have added the right offensive pieces to keep their offense humming. Their defense, however, still needs more bodies, and the skilled, quick Alexander makes a ton of sense at No. 27 overall. The Saints can never have too many defensive backs, especially since they share a division with Matt Ryan, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston.

28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA

Spears says: The Steelers’ current right tackle Marcus Gilbert has dealt with ankle injuries. UCLA’s Kolton Miller is a big boy standing at 6-foot-9, and weighing 309 pounds. Pittsburgh’s left tackle, Alejandro Villanueva, is also 6-foot-9. Think of Miller as a hybrid tackle that will be ready when his name is called. The Steelers have solid guards in David DeCastro and Ramon Foster, but if either of them were to suffer a setback, Gilbert could slide down to guard with Miller at tackle and that unit wouldn’t miss a beat.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars: Courtland Sutton, WR, Southern Methodist

Baciocco says: Jacksonville is still in search of a No. 1 receiver. Sutton may not be there yet, but he at least provides the Jaguars a true red-zone threat. At 6-foot-3 with one of the best vertical jumps among wideouts at the combine, Sutton is a strong possession receiver who can go up and get the ball. Jacksonville has holes to fill at linebacker and on the O-line, but with Blake Bortles throwing the passes, the Jaguars would benefit from a guy like Sutton.

30. Minnesota Vikings: Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado

Lev says: Another strong trade-down candidate. In lieu of that option, cornerback became the focal point. And Oliver became the pick over UCF’s Mike Hughes, who has some off-the-field concerns. Oliver has excellent size at just over 6 feet and 201 pounds. The Vikings have a stud corner in Xavier Rhodes. They’ve spent considerable draft capital to find a complement but have yet to strike gold.

31. New England Patriots: Arden Key, DE, LSU

Finley says: Look for New England to draft a second LSU Tiger in Key, a 6-6, 265-pound edge rusher who could be the final piece in the razing and rebuilding of the Patriots’ once-porous defense. Key ran a 4.89-second 40-yard dash, a stat that will keep him out of the top half of the first round. His off-field issues, including a leave of absence from the team, would scare off most NFL clubs. Not the Patriots, who find another star with a late pick.

32. Philadelphia Eagles: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M

Spears says: Will the Eagles trade this pick? Wouldn’t surprise me, but the defending Super Bowl champs could use an inside receiver that’s also a return specialist, and Saguaro High School grad Christian Kirk is that dude. He’s is a clone of Odell Beckham Jr., just without the acrobatic catching abilities. The Eagles already have a solid offensive line, superb running backs and a productive receiving core, why not give Carson Wentz another weapon?