2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

The time is here. It is NFL draft season, which means its time for rumors to start swirling, plenty of rumors, and a whole lots of moving parts during what shapes up to be an entertaining NFL off-season. The 2019 NFL Combine has come and gone, which means it is time for mock drafts of all shapes and sizes to start making their way around. Without further ado, here is my NFL Mock Draft 1.0.

No. 1 Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray QB, Oklahoma

I refused to actually believe the Cardinals would actually pull the trigger but after reports from NFL Network, Tony Pauline, and a guess from Peter King, it sounds like Arizona has let loose what they did not want public. Kingsbury loves Murray and he is going to do whatever it takes to draft him.

Drafting Murray is not the problem for Arizona, moving Josh Rosen is. It does not help that it is essentially leaked that the Cardinals wants Murray because Rosen’s stock is at an all-time low. If the Cards draft the player their first-year head coach wants, they would have to bite the bullet on taking an unnecessary loss on Rosen.

No. 2 San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa EDGE, Ohio State

If Murray does indeed go number one, the 49ers will sprint to the podium with Bosa’s name on the draft card. Nick Bosa compares well to his brother Joey, and some have the opinion that Nick could be better than Joey.

The 49ers option to go with arguably the best player in the draft, bolstering their already underrated defensive line.

No. 3 New York Jets: Josh Allen EDGE, Kentucky

It is currently unkn0wn what route the Jets go with former first-round pick Leonard Williams, but if they keep him, I believe the Jets and Allen would be a solid marriage.

If the Jets decide to trade Williams, I would not be surprised to see Quinnen Williams find his way to New York.

No. 4 Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams IDL, Alabama

Speaking of Quinnen Williams, Oakland is looking to rebuild their roster with elite talent and Williams is an elite talent.

I could see D.K. Metcalf going here, depending on whether or not the Raiders acquire Antonio Brown. For now, I will stick with Williams.

No. 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Brian Burns EDGE, Florida State

Playing at Florida State gives the Buccaneers a prime opportunity to gather a solid scouting report of Burns.

The former Seminole had an underrated combine performance, displaying his athleticism.  30-year old Jason Pierre-Paul has a potential out in his contract, eliminating over $27 million in cap space if Tampa Bay were to release him. If the Bucs move on from JPP, Burns or another pass rusher basically becomes a lock at five.

No. 6 New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins QB, Ohio State

For the Giants sake, I hope they draft a quarterback but they could go in a number of directions with this pick.

I am banking on New York realizing their dire need for a consistent passer and coming to their senses to draft Haskins.

No. 7 Jacksonville Jaguars: D.K. Metcalf WR, Ole Miss

Metcalf made himself a boatload of money with his jaw-dropping performance at the combine. Marquise Lee will be coming back from injury, Keenan Cole is too inconsistent and Donte Moncrief is likely leaving in free agency.

Nick Foles being the next Jaguars quarterback is essentially a lock, and Metcalf supports Jacksonville’s “win now” approach.

No. 8 Detroit Lions: Rashan Gary EDGE, Michigan

With Ezekiel Ansah likely to sign elsewhere in free agency, the Lions will be looking for pass rush help.

The former nationally ranked best player coming out of high school played nearby in Ann Arbor, giving the Lions the opportunity to keep Gary in Michigan. He is still a relatively raw player and one that can develop to solid pass rusher.

No. 9 Buffalo Bills: Jawaan Taylor OT, Florida

Last season, the Bills received below average offensive line play from the big men up front and that includes their offensive tackles.

Taylor has risen up draft boards, putting himself in the conversation as a top 10 pick. Beefing up the offensive line in front of young quarterback Josh Allen will be a priority for the Bills.

No. 10 Denver Broncos: T.J. Hockenson TE, Iowa

It would not surprise me on draft day if Hockenson wound up in Detroit or Buffalo on draft day but as of now, I feel that the Lions and Bills go in another direction.

Everyone seems to think Drew Lock could be the pick here but for the Broncos sake, I am attempting to give them the benefit of the doubt. An offensive weapon for new quarterback Joe Flacco is the pick here.

No. 11 Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White LB, LSU

White is one of the best players in the draft and the Bengals need a linebacker. A perfect alignment of best player available and filling a need.

No. 12 Green Bay Packers: Montez Sweat EDGE, Mississippi State

Sweat had a fantastic week at the combine which has him shooting up draft boards. The Packers are desperate for pass rush help and tab a rising talent.

No. 13 Miami Dolphins: Garrett Bradbury IOL, N.C. State

A quarterback is absolutely in play here but unless Kyler Murray is here (he won’t be,) I firmly believe the Dolphins will hold off until next year.

Miami goes the direction of filling a big-time need and drafting another Combine money maker in Bradbury.

No. 14 Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver IDL, Houston

I mentioned earlier this week that I think Oliver would get drafted around Aaron Donald range (No.13) and the Falcons are right here at pick 14.

The Falcons just tagged Grady Jarrett but still need interior defensive line help. Oliver and Jarrett make a dynamic duo in Atlanta.

No. 15 Washington Redskins: Drew Lock QB, Missouri

I believe the Redskins will be forced to draft a quarterback with the Alex Smith situation in Washington. Lock would not be a first round guy last year but quarterbacks in this draft are at a premium.

No. 16 Carolina Panthers: Jonah Williams OT, Alabama

Williams could go much higher than this but with the talented defensive players in this year’s draft, he takes a small slide. The Panthers need to start protecting Cam Newton and do so by drafting a unanimous All-American.

No. 17 Cleveland Browns: Christian Wilkins IDL, Clemson

This could honestly be any of the three Clemson defensive lineman (Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell, and Dexter Lawrence.) Wilkins has the potential to be the best NFL player out of the group and fills a glaring need in Cleveland. The spread among NFL scouts is across the board as NFL Network’s Daniel Jerimiah has him rated as his fourth best rater player, whereas Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has him rated number 43. Putting Wilkins on a defensive line featuring Myles Garrett and Larry Ogunjobi is a set up for success for the three-time All-American.

Worth mentioning: Wilkins is an outstanding player off the field. He is a recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy which is, “awarded by the National Football Foundation that is given to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance.”

No. 18 Minnesota Vikings: Cody Ford iOL, Oklahoma

An argument can be made that Ford is the best interior offensive lineman in the draft. The Vikings need an upgrade in their interior offensive line.

No. 19 Tennesee Titans: Clelin Ferrell EDGE, Clemson

Ferrell could potentially go earlier than this but there are a number of quality defensive players in the draft. The Titans need a boost on their pass rush and Ferrell gives them that boost.

No. 20 Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush LB, Michigan

The Steelers are desperate for a linebacker and pick 20 is a perfect destination for Bush.

No. 21 Seattle Seahawks: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson S, Flordia

Earl Thomas is leaving in free agency and Kam Chancellor is entering year two of retirement. After a solid combine, Gardner-Johnson gets drafted in Seattle at pick 21.

No. 22 Baltimore Ravens: N’Keal Harry WR, Arizona State

The Ravens drafting a wide receiver in round one is necessary, now it is just trying to figure out which one. For now, I say Harry makes his way to Baltimore as a much-needed pass catcher for the Ravens.

No. 23 Houston Texans: Andre Dillard OT, Washington State

Protecting DeShaun Watson is the utmost priority for the Texans and Andre Dillard is one of the best offensive linemen in the draft.

No. 24 Oakland Raiders: Greedy Williams CB, LSU

Williams could go much sooner than this but if he doesn’t, Oakland fills a much needed in their secondary.

No. 25 Philadelphia Eagles: Nasir Adderley S, Delaware

For a little while, there was thought that Adderley was a Top-15 player in this draft. While this may still be true, he slides just a little and ends up in Philadelphia.

No. 26 Indianapolis Colts: Dexter Lawrence IDL, Clemson

Back to those Clemson defensive linemen … Lawrence is pretty good as well and makes three Tigers drafted in round one. Colts tab a need on their board.

No. 27 Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs RB, Alabama

Something tells me the Marshawn Lynch era in Oakland is over which means there is a need at running back. Jacobs could possibly go sooner than pick 27, as he is the best one in the draft.

No. 28 Los Angeles Chargers: Greg Little OT, Ole Miss

The Chargers could use upgrading at offensive tackle and go the direction of drafting Little. This pick could potentially pay big dividends for the Chargers.

No. 29 Kansas City Chiefs: Byron Murphy CB, Washington

Defense, defense, defense. Kansas City is desperate for defenders and Murphy is the best on the board.

No. 30 Green Bay Packers: Johnathan Abram S, Mississippi State

After trading away Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to Washington, the Packers need a safety. They go the route of drafting another first-round safety in Abram.

No. 31 Los Angeles Rams: Chris Lindstrom IOL, Boston College

Lindstrom is arguably the best player on the board here and with Rodger Saffold set to leave in free agency, the Rams will be needing a guard.

No. 32 New England Patriots: Noah Fant TE, Iowa

If Fant makes it this far, this is a no-brainer for the Patriots. A guy that can become a step down from Gronk as a potential elite pass-catching tight end.