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2018 NFL Mock Draft: Buffalo Bills trade up for a top quarterback

By Justin Baumann

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 23: A helmet is shown before a game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on November 23, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 23: A helmet is shown before a game between the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on November 23, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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45. (TRADE) <p><strong>Buccaneers Trade:</strong> No. 5, 69, 202 overall picks.</p> <p><strong>Broncos Trade:</strong> No. 7, 182 overall picks</p>. Linebacker. Georgia. Roquan Smith. 7. player

The Broncos trade back and still get their guy. Picking up an extra third-round pick will add flexibility if they want to trade back into the first round.

Some analysts believe the Broncos will take a young quarterback early. Since Case Keenum signed a two-year deal, the possibility appears to be there.

I believe they will take one in the later rounds and roll the dice on Keenum.

Taking Smith adds more time to an already dominate defense. The Broncos will look to maximize their championship window and adding Smith will do that.

They will rely on the defense to make plays while their offense will play mistake-free. It worked in the past and Elway will implement the same strategy this year. (Justin)

Previous Pick: Ronald Jones, Will Hernandez

Corner. Ohio State. Denzel Ward. 8. player. 57.

After adding weapons upon weapons on the offensive side of the ball, the Bears elect to help out the defense by adding one of the draft’s best athletes. Denzel Ward blew up the combine by running a 4.32 40-time, recording a 39.0 vertical jump and just north of 11-feet on his broad jump.

Despite being 5-foot-10, Ward can contest on jump balls and has elite speed to recover and stick with receivers. Chicago had the No. 26 ranked pass defense in the NFL last season and could use some help keeping the team in games. Ward can offer that. (Steve)

Previous Pick: Mike McGlinchey

Alabama. Minkah Fitzpatrick. 9. player. 42. . Safety/Corner

They are spending money on offense in free agency. The free agent pool was offense heavy so you can’t blame them.

I believe they will continue to focus draft assets on the defensive side of the ball.

In recent years, they selected Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, and Solomon Thomas to build their defensive line. Now the focus must shift to the secondary. Fitzpatrick could fill in at safety or corner, so he has great value at ninth overall.

Allowing him to grow up next to Richard Sherman will help his development immensely. (Justin)

Previous Pick: Unchanged

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