NFL
With the Initial Wave of Free Agency Over, Here’s a Look at the Fast-Approaching NFL Draft
NFL free agency has cleared away some of the fog surrounding NFL teams and their potential moves in the 2019 NFL Draft. Draft picks have been exchanged and holes have been filled, but for some teams even more questions are circulating. Will Kyler Murray be taken first overall? Are the Giants really looking at Dwayne Haskins to be the heir to Eli Manning, or is it all smoke? What will Jon Gruden do with three first round draft picks? How will the Dolphins tackle their full-on rebuild? I plan to answer a few of those questions with this 2019 NFL Mock Draft.
On The Clock:
First Overall Selection: Arizona Cardinals
The Pick: Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma
Murray joins his former teammate and friend Baker Mayfield as the third Oklahoma quarterback to be selected #1 overall while also being the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Kyler Murray is entering a really bad situation in Arizona. He will be joining a team with a bottom-tier offensive line, an aging defense, and few high-quality skill position players. Murray can be the guy to turn it all around because he has all the skills to be a franchise quarterback. Enormous expectations, a rookie head coach, and little-to-no help around him will pose an uphill battle I don’t think Kyler can win.
Second Overall Selection: San Fransisco 49ers
The Pick: Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State
The 49ers have invested heavily on their defensive front seven for several years at this point. They have traded for Dee Ford, signed Kwon Alexander, and drafted DeForest Buckner, Aaron Lynch, Solomon Thomas, and Reuben Foster. None of those draft picks have really shined and Foster was released due to off the field issues, but the recent acquisitions of Dee Ford and Kwon Alexander are looking like moves in the right direction. The 49ers, however, are still missing that superstar on defense to build around and that is where Nick Bosa comes in. Bosa can be the stalwart on the defensive line for the 49ers for many years to come with his punishing power moves and his remarkably graceful finesse.
Third Overall Selection: New York Jets
The Pick: Josh Allen, EDGE Kentucky
With the acquisition of Gregg Williams as the new defensive coordinator, many have assumed that the Jets would switch to a 4-3 scheme for which Williams is known, but reports have stated that he plans to stay in the 3-4 scheme that the Jets have run for years. Josh Allen is not only an elite pass-rusher who posted 17 sacks last college season, but he is a perfect fit as a 3-4 linebacker. Pairing Allen with Leonard Williams and newly-acquired MLB CJ Mosley should offer a new breath to the Jet’s pass rush that, by all accounts, could be the best young defensive front in the NFL.
Fourth Overall Selection: Oakland Raiders
The Pick: Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama
Quinnen Williams has established himself as one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the draft. The Raiders and Jon Gruden know they have to get younger across the defensive front and Williams has the capabilities to play a huge part in improving what was an abysmal defense last season. Williams has excelled as both a run-stuffer and as a pass-rusher at the nose tackle position. In college, Williams was practically unstoppable and I expect that to stay the same in the NFL and for the Raiders as they transition into a new era of Raiders football in Vegas.
Fifth Overall Selection: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Pick: Devin White, LB LSU
With the loss of Kwon Alexander to the 49ers in free agency, the most glaring hole on the Bucs is at linebacker. The Bucs need a leader and a playmaker to command their defense next to Lavonte David and Devin White can certainly be that guy. Devin White is easily one of the marquee players in this draft who has the ability to be a top linebacker in the league, akin to the impact Leighton Vander Esch had with the Cowboys last season.
Sixth Overall Selection: New York Giants
The Pick: Montez Sweat, EDGE Mississippi State
The Giants really need a quarterback to eventually replace Eli Manning and the obvious pick at #6 is Dwayne Haskins out of Ohio State, but with all the recent talk about the Giants liking him, I feel like it’s all lies. In this mock, I have opted to not predict trades, but I expect either the Giants to move up to grab Haskins if they really do want him or that another team, like the Dolphins, might move up to jump in front of the Giants to select him. That being said, I see the Giants taking an athletic freak and immediate impact player in Montez Sweat, as they hope to grab a QB they can groom behind Eli with the 17th overall pick.
Seventh Overall Selection: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Pick: DK Metcalf, WR Ole Miss
Jacksonville has their QB for the near future in Nick Foles, who they are paying $22 million dollars a year over the next three seasons, and they need to replenish their skill position players to compliment Foles. After losing Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns to free agency a few seasons ago, the Jags need to grab a high impact receiver to pair with their young receiving corps of Marquise Lee and DJ Chark. Metcalf is a ridiculous talent and can elevate the offense to the level of the defense for the Jaguars.
Eighth Overall Selection: Detroit Lions
The Pick: Devin Bush, LB Michigan
The Lions shocked a lot of people last season with their pick of center Frank Ragnow out of Arkansas with several high value position players still on the board, but the major need for the Lions is at the linebacker spot. They upgraded all around the team through free agency with Trey Flowers, Justin Coleman, Danny Amendola, and Jessie James, but have yet to really address the linebacker position. Offensive line could be improved with the likes of Jawaan Taylor, Jonah Williams, or Andre Dillard, but a guy like Bush can really change the dynamic of the defense and give Matt Patricia the athletic defense he’s looking for.
Ninth Overall Selection: Buffalo Bills
The Pick: Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida
The Bills need to protect their franchise quarterback in Josh Allen and Taylor has shot up draft boards recently as a top-tier tackle prospect. The Bills have grabbed a few weapons for Allen, even though they missed out on Antonio Brown, and now they need to protect him. Taylor fits perfectly for the Bills.
Tenth Overall Selection: Denver Broncos
The Pick: Greedy Williams, CB LSU
The best man-to-man corner in the draft, Greedy Williams can be both a great opposite to Chris Harris to fill the void that Aqib Talib left and a replacement for Harris as he gets older. The Broncos brought in Vic Fangio as head coach and he is well known for spectacular defenses and Greedy can bring the Broncos back to the elite level of the 2015 Super Bowl championship team.
Eleventh Overall Selection: Cincinnati Bengals
The Pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State
The Bengals are in complete rebuild mode with Zac Taylor taking over for Marvin Lewis. The team has holes all across the field and will be in contention for the 1st overall pick next season. I think it is time to move away from Andy Dalton and look to the future. While Dalton is still a serviceable QB and can play while Haskins develops on the sidelines, I expect that if Haskins falls to 11th, he will absolutely have to be scooped up by the Bengals. Haskins can allow a new era to begin in Cincinnati and accelerate an otherwise lengthy rebuild in the works.
Twelfth Overall Selection: Green Bay Packers
The Pick: Ed Oliver, DT Houston
This is purely a best player available pick for the Packers. The Packers have had a fantastic offseason by grabbing signatures from Za’Darius Smith, Preston Brown, and Adrian Amos who will all bolster an all ready improving defense. Adding the best player on the board, and many people’s #1 overall player, the Packers can add in a young piece while still being in win-now mode who will only help the team in both the short and long term. Oliver has all the skills to be an elite defensive tackle and overall star player in the NFL.
Thirteenth Overall Selection: Miami Dolphins
The Pick: Drew Lock, QB Missouri
Miami just shipped Ryan Tannehill to the Titans and now lack a real plan at QB. Ryan Fitzpatrick is really only a band-aid for a Dolphins team that figures to be very bad next season. Drew Lock can be the quarterback of the future that the Dolphins need. Lock has all the intangibles in terms of his strong arm and big play ability, but lacks the consistency that could have him in contention for top QB in the class. Lock is very similar to Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen without the mobility, but could develop into a quality starter in the league.
Fourteenth Overall Selection: Atlanta Falcons
The Pick: Byron Murphy, CB Washington
The Falcons caught a bad case of the injury bug last season that really hampered the spirits of the team. This resulted in an all-around poor season. Adding a high value position and solidly talented player in Byron Murphy can allow the Falcons to guard the elite receivers in their division, like Michael Thomas and Mike Evans. The offense is just as good as it has been in recent years, but the defense needs improvements to try and sneak back into the playoffs.
Fifteenth Overall Selection: Washington Redskins
The Pick: Brian Burns, EDGE Florida State
One of the more under-the-radar players in the draft can make an immediate impact on a Washington team with no clear direction. With Alex Smith’s health up in the air, and the recent acquisitions of Case Keenum and Landon Collins, it is hard to know if they’re trying to win now or tank for a QB in next year’s draft. Either way Burns can be a shining spot in an otherwise drab, boring, and confusing team in D.C.
Sixteenth Overall Selection: Carolina Panthers
The Pick: Jonah Williams, OT Alabama
The Panthers may not have Cam Newton under center next season with his shoulder’s health up in the air, but in either capacity the Panthers need to build an offensive line to protect Newton when he is healthy. Jonah Williams is a highly touted prospect who can play on either side of the line and help keep Newton upright when he is back in action for the Panthers.
Seventeenth Overall Selection: New York Giants (via Cleveland Browns)
The Pick: Daniel Jones, QB Duke
When trading a Hall of Fame-caliber talent like Odell Beckham Jr., you must be able to replace him as best you can. Grabbing a quarterback that fits the Gettleman mold of tall, big armed, and not very mobile – and allowing him to be groomed behind Eli Manning – allows for at least a succession plan in the Big Apple. This is a risky move that will not go over well in New York until Jones has his chance to prove himself in the league.
Eighteenth Overall Selection: Minnesota Vikings
The Pick: Cody Ford, OG/OT Oklahoma
A versatile offensive lineman who can play any position of need for the Vikings. The problems with the Vikings really revolve around the quarterback Kirk Cousins and his inability to win big games, but with so much invested in him, the best course of action is to make his job easier. Cody Ford can protect Cousins and give him the extra time to deliver the ball to his Pro-Bowl caliber receivers.
Nineteenth Overall Selection: Tennessee Titans
The Pick: TJ Hockenson, TE Iowa
A popular pick to the Titans, a player like Hockenson can bolster both the passing game and the running game with his unique ability as both a pass-catcher and run-blocker. Following the “Patriots South” model, Hockenson can be a Gronkowski-lite player for the Titans.
Twentieth Overall Selection: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pick: AJ Brown, WR Ole Miss
The Steelers got rid of one A. Brown only to replace him with another. AJ Brown has the tape, rather than the physical skill set of his teammate DK Metcalf, but can smoothly fit into the Steelers’ offense. He can play opposite JuJu Smith-Schuster and form a dynamic duo where they can both compliment each other and fill the void of Antonio Brown.
Twenty-First Overall Selection: Seattle Seahawks
The Pick: Rashan Gary, EDGE Michigan
Gary is the best player remaining on the board and the Seahawks cannot pass on his talent. An elite pass-rusher with the capability of moving inside to play tackle. Gary can make the Seahawks pass rush a formidable unit once again.
Twenty-Second Overall Selection: Baltimore Ravens
The Pick: Andre Dillard, OL Washington State
Baltimore has fully transitioned to a run-first offense with Lamar Jackson under center and Mark Ingram at running back. Being able to both protect Jackson and open holes for Ingram is a priority. Dillard can do both for the Ravens as they look to protect the AFC North title from the rising Browns and always dangerous Steelers.
Twenty-Third Overall Selection: Houston Texans
The Pick: Dalton Risner, OT Kansas State
The Texans offensive line is far and away one of the worst in the NFL and any addition would be a huge upgrade for them. Risner is a top prospect at the position and a great get for the team. Watson has had to evade tacklers his whole career in Houston and Risner can keep Watson out of harms way for years to come.
Twenty-Fourth Overall Selection: Oakland Raiders (via Chicago Bears)
The Pick: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Clemson
A surprising faller in my mock draft, the Raiders get a steal on a top-15 talent in the draft. Replacing a talent like Khalil Mack is nearly impossible but building a young and talented core on the D-line with Quinnen Williams already having been selected the Raiders have a suddenly scary defensive front.
Twenty-Fifth Overall Selection: Philadelphia Eagles
The Pick: Josh Jacobs, HB Alabama
The Eagles are truly an all-around great team with few, if any, holes on the team. Losing Jay Ajayi to free agency opens a spot for a true #1 running back to fill his spot. Jacobs is one of the more underrated players in the draft and can be a perfect compliment to the pass-catching backs all over the Eagles roster.
Twenty-Sixth Overall Selection: Indianapolis Colts
The Pick: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson
With the shockingly impressive defense the Colts already had last season adding a player like Wilkins can make the defense a top 10 unit in the league. The one aspect of the defense that the Colts have struggled with in recent years has been stopping the run and Wilkins excels in that part of the game.
Twenty-Seventh Overall Selection: Oakland Raiders (via Dallas Cowboys)
The Pick: Hakeem Butler, WR Iowa State
Having traded for Antonio Brown the Raiders need to find a receiver to compliment him on the outside. A big bodied touchdown threat who also excels at the deep ball while Brown attracts attention from defenses and is truly best suited for intermediate routes. Butler fills this role beautifully and can be a key piece in the Raiders rebuild.
Twenty-Eighth Overall Selection: Los Angeles Chargers
The Pick: Dexter Lawrence, DT Clemson
The Chargers are truly elite at all levels of the field and adding another elite defensive player like Lawrence can push them over the edge in the AFC. A true Super Bowl contender, the Chargers get the best player on the board. Expect the Chargers to dominate the AFC and beat the Chiefs in the AFC West.
Twenty-Ninth Overall Selection: Kansas City Chiefs
The Pick: Deandre Baker, CB Georgia
The true weakness of the Chiefs is the pass defense. Of course, the Chiefs have taken a major blow to their team this offseason, losing Dee Ford, Justin Houston, Eric Berry, Kareem Hunt, and potentially Tyreek Hill, and they desperately need to improve their weakest position on the field. The other pieces will have to be addressed later in the draft, but Baker is a starting caliber corner on nearly any team in the league and can help a struggling unit on the Chiefs.
Thirtieth Overall Selection: Green Bay Packers (via New Orleans Saints)
The Pick: Noah Fant, TE Iowa
Jimmy Graham did not work out in Green Bay as many hoped, but Noah Fant is an all-around better player than Graham is at this stage in his career. Fant is a good athlete and a better receiver who can help bring the Packers back to playoffs. Rodgers can use Fant’s skill set as a security blanket and as an elite possession receiver.
Thirty-First Overall Selection: Los Angeles Rams
The Pick: Jeffery Simmons, DL Mississippi State
Simmons tore his ACL early in the offseason but he is still one of the better talents in the draft when healthy. The Rams can afford to wait on such a player with the team they already have. Few players can have an impact like Simmons can on such a great team so taking him and waiting for him to come back healthy is the best option for the Rams as they look to make it back to the Super Bowl.
Thirty-Second Overall Pick: New England Patriots
The Pick: Marquise Brown, WR Oklahoma
To finish off the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft the Patriots do something they almost never do, draft a wide receiver. The Patriots need an injection of talent at the position and “Hollywood” Brown can bring that to them. He is a playmaker at every level of the field and can open up the down field attack that the Patriots really don’t have on the roster right now.
Photo Credit
Featured image courtesy of cabriolet2008 via Flickr & mohamed_hassan via Pixabay
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