2019 NFL Draft Big Board 1.0

by
Former Writers
February 19, 2019

John Van Wert via Flickr

With the NFL Combine Approaching, Here are the Top 50 Players in the 2019 Class

The Combine is one, if not the most important date on draft prospects’ calendars. It’s the place where all NFL scouts and media gather to watch prospects show off their talent. Some will drastically improve their stock, while others will fall down draft boards with a poor showing. Though most eyes are on the forty-yard dash, players will also show off their talents in drills and will be judged on their character and football smarts during interviews. TSJ also released a mock draft last week to go along with this Big Board of the top 50 players in the draft.

Top 50 (Player, School, Position)

Nick Bosa, Ohio State, EDGE
Quinnen Williams, Alabama, DL
Josh Allen, Kentucky, EDGE
Josh Jacobs, Alabama, RB
Jonah Williams, Alabama, OT
Clelin Ferrell, Clemson, EDGE
DK Metcalf, Ole Miss, WR
Devin White, LSU, LB
Greedy Williams, LSU, CB
Rashan Gary, Michigan, DL
Ed Oliver, Houston, DL
Montez Sweat, Mississippi State, EDGE
Noah Fant, Iowa, TE
TJ Hockenson, Iowa, TE
Jachai Polite, Florida, EDGE
Jawaan Taylor, Florida, OT
Brian Burns, Florida State, EDGE
Cody Ford, Oklahoma, OT
Byron Murphy, Washington, CB
Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State, QB
Deandre Baker, Georgia, CB
Hakeem Butler, Iowa State, WR
Deionte Thompson, Alabama, S
Kyler Murray, Oklahoma, QB
Dexter Lawrence, Clemson, DL
N’Keal Harry, Arizona State, WR
Greg Little, Ole Miss, OT
Nasir Adderly, Delaware, S
Dalton Rinser, Kansas State, OT/iOL
Marquise Brown, Oklahoma, WR
Irv Smith Jr., Alabama, TE
Christian Wilkins, Clemson, DL
Devin Bush, Michigan, LB
David Montgomery, Iowa State, RB
Drew Lock, Missouri, QB
Chris Lindstrom, Boston College, iOL
JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford, WR
Daniel Jones, Duke, QB
Amani Oruwariye, Penn State, CB
Yodny Cajuste, West Virginia, OT
Elijah Holyfield, Georgia, RB
Kelvin Harmon, North Carolina State, WR
AJ Brown, Ole Miss, WR
Mack Wilson, Alabama, LB
Isaac Nauta, Georgia, TE
Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State, DL
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina, WR
Chauncy Gardener-Johnson, Florida, S
Riley Ridley, Georgia, WR
Taylor Rapp, Washington, S

Stock Up or Down

Normally, this section will have players whose stock has changed most since the last board, but since this is the first edition it will be a little different. This edition will have players that may be in surprising spots or debuting higher or lower than expected.

Stock Up

Josh Jacobs, Alabama, RB: Jacobs is clearly the best offensive player in this class. He was under-utilized at Alabama, though, with Damien Harris overshadowing him up until the playoff. When Jacobs was given a shot, he shined. He looked like one of the best players on the field at all times and established himself as a do-it-all running back. Jacobs has the total package that NFL teams look for. He possesses excellent power and vision to go along with a sturdy frame and has pass-catching ability that is among the best of the running backs coming out this year. The under-utilization may be looked at as a positive by NFL teams, as it means he has less miles on him. This is why he comes in at number four overall.

Elijah Holyfield, Georgia, RB: Sticking with the running back theme, Holyfield is one of the most entertaining players at his position. His power is perhaps the best in this class. He, like Jacobs, was not the feature back, working in a backfield that featured future 2020 top pick De’Andre Swift. He does have some things he could work on, such as pass-catching (this is the main reason David Montgomery is ranked ahead of him, who is the more complete player), but he profiles as the leader of a committee and a true early-down back.

Stock Down

Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State, DL: Devastating news came out of Simmons’ camp this week, as it was announced that he had torn his ACL while training. It is projected that he will now miss most, if not all of his rookie season. While this does not kill his draft stock entirely, it does bring him from a top 15-20 player down to most likely a mid-second round pick. Simmons already came into the draft with a red flag as he was not invited to the combine due to an off-field incident. It is clear that he has the talent to be a star, but adding an injury such as a ACL tear creates even more uncertainty surrounding Simmons.

Daniel Jones, Duke, QB: Jones came in at #38 in the big board rankings, but will likely go much higher when the draft rolls around. There is a premium price for guys like Jones. He has prototypical size and has shown the ability to run. The downside comes in that there remain questions about his arm strength. He has shown that he may not have the ability to make all the throws that NFL teams want. Again, he will most likely go in the first round – maybe even top 10-15– but he may never be able to live up to that status.