2019 NFL Draft: Second and Third Round Recap Headlined by Grier and Metcalf

2019 NFL Draft
Will Grier (Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports)

The first round of the 2019 NFL draft saw the Arizona Cardinals draft Heisman winner, quarterback Kyler Murray with the first overall pick. The Cardinals weren’t the only team to take a quarterback with a first-round pick. In what was the surprise of the first round, the New York Giants drafted quarterback Daniel Jones out of Duke, taking him earlier than anyone projected. Big names like Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams were drafted in the range as expected, to the San Fransico 49ers and the New York Jets respectively. Dwayne Haskins however, slipped down to the Washington Redskins at pick 15 and players like wide receiver D.K. Metcalf and quarterback Drew Lock saw their stock drop out of the first round and awaited their names to be called on the second night of the draft.

2019 NFL Draft

First Five Picks of the Second Round

Arizona Cardinals (3-13) – Round 2, pick 33 – Byron Murphy
After sleeping on it overnight, the Arizona Cardinals started day two of the draft by taking cornerback Byron Murphy out of Washington. After taking Kyler Murray with the first overall pick, the addition of Murphy will help improve Arizona on the defensive side of the ball.

Indianapolis Colts (10-6) – Round 2, pick 34 – Rock Ya-Sin
With their first pick of the 2019 NFL draft, the Colts drafted Temple cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Ya-Sin will join defensive rookie of the year linebacker Darius Leonard in the Colts defense. With the pressure that the Colts front seven provides for the defense, Ya-Sin’s transition to the NFL should be easier than most at his position throughout the league.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11) – Round 2, pick 35 – Jawaan Taylor
After signing quarterback Nick Foles in the offseason, the Jaguars used their second-round pick on Florida offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor. Taylor will help solidify the Jaguars offensive line and give Foles every opportunity at success this upcoming season.

San Fransico 49ers (4-12) – Round 2, pick 36 – Deebo Samuel
The 49ers used their first pick in the second round to give quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo a weapon to throw at. South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel will give the 49ers some much-needed talent in the passing game. With Garoppolo making his return from injury, Samuel will be counted on to get open early and often helping his quarterback stay healthy.

Carolina Panthers (7-9) – Round 2, pick 37 – Greg Little
The Panthers will be starting this upcoming season without quarterback Cam Newton. In what seems to be an effort to have a strong line when he returns, Carolina drafted Ole Miss offensive lineman Greg Little. With the pressure of blocking for the franchise quarterback not being an issue, Little will have some time to get used to playing in the pros before he becomes responsible for keeping Newton safe and sound.

Round Two Notable Picks

Denver Broncos (6-10) – Round 2, pick 42 – Drew Lock
The Broncos moved up in the second round to draft Missouri quarterback Drew Lock. Lock, who many thought would be drafted in the top half of the first round, was a steal for the Broncos with the 42nd pick in the draft. Lock will likely sit behind Joe Flacco in his rookie season and will be Denver’s quarterback of the future.

Clevland Browns (7-8-1) – Round 2, pick 46 – Greedy Williams
The great offseason for the Browns continued in the second night of the draft. After sliding out of the first round, LSU cornerback Greedy Williams was the latest addition to the revamped Browns. Williams went as high as the fourth overall pick in mock drafts before day one of the 2019 NFL draft. His fall in the draft was a major win for the Browns as they make a run for their first playoff appearance since 2002.

Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) – Round 2, pick 56 – Mecole Hardman
After a recording of Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill threatening the mother of his child was released, Kansas City suspended Hill and with the 56th pick in the 2019 NFL draft may have drafted his replacement in Georiga wide receiver Mecole Hardman. Hardman recorded third fastest 40-yard time among wide receivers in the NFL combine and should fit right into the Chiefs offense if they decide to move on from Tyreek Hill.

Arizona Cardinals Trade QB Josh Rosen to the Miami Dolphins
After drafting quarterback Kyler Murray with the first overall pick, the Cardinals have cleared out the QB depth chart by sending Josh Rosen and a 2020 fifth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for the 62nd pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Rosen, who was drafted in the first round in last year’s draft, went from the quarterback of the future to collateral damage of a new head coach and his plan to install a new offense and quarterback in Arizona. With the 62nd pick, the Cardinals drafted UMass wide receiver, Andy Isabella.

Seattle Seahawks (10-6) – round 2, pick 64 – D.K. Metcalf
Ole Miss wide receiver D.K. Metcalf’s slide ended with the last pick in the second round when the Seahawk traded into the 64th pick to take the sculpted pass catcher. After moving up many mock drafts, largely due to his performance at the NFL combine, Metcalf fell back down to earth and became a value pick for the Seahawks. Metcalf will be a welcome red zone target for quarterback Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense.

Round Three Notable Picks

Buffalo Bills (6-10) – round 3, pick 74 – Devin Singletary
With the tenth pick in the third round, the Bills drafted running back Devin Singletary out of Florida Atlantic. The Bills running game largely depended on quarterback Josh Allen fleeing the pocket and running for his life. While running back LeSean McCoy was somewhat productive, his age and off the field issues left the Bills looking for stability at the position. Singletary will be given the opportunity to produce in his rookie year alongside the second year duel-threat quarterback.

Carolina Panthers (7-9) – round 3, pick 100 – Will Grier
The Panthers used one of the last picks in the third round to draft West Virginia quarterback Will Grier. While Grier is not being drafted to take over for Cam Newton anytime soon, his presence in the Panthers locker room will provide Carolina with a backup plan if all the hits that Newton has taken over his career finally catch up with him.

After all of the drama during the first two days of the NFL Draft, day 3 provided us with names that people have been waiting to hear since Thursday. Though the huge names were off the board, for the most part, there were still a lot of players who left their mark on college football available for day 3.

Notable selections from Day 3:

Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State – Arizona Cardinals (Round 4, Pick 103):

As a 6’6 receiver, Butler will provide Kyler Murray and the new look Cardinals offense with an immediate red zone weapon in 2019. In Butler’s senior season at Iowa State, he caught 60 passes for over 1,300 yards and 9 touchdowns. Butler along with Andy Isabella, whom the Cardinals drafted on day 2, were the top two receivers in the nation when it came to deep receiver yards in 2018 according to Pro Football Focus Butler is as lucky as it gets when it comes to being a young receiver in the NFL, he gets to observe and learn from Larry Fitzgerald. If Butler lives up to his potential, he could one day become the number one receiver down in Arizona.

Bryce Love, RB, Stanford – Washington Redskins (Round 4, Pick 112) :

At one point considered to be the best college running back in the nation, Bryce Love slipped into the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Earlier in his career, Love was an electrifying ball carrier who could make anybody miss him in the open field. Love suffered a torn ACL in December, which played a role in the plummet of his draft stock. If Love can return fully healthy in 2019, the Redskins got a steal with this pick.

Benny Snell, RB, Kentucky – Pittsburgh Steelers (Round 4, Pick 122):

Benny Snell passed Randall Cobb as Kentucky’s all-time leading rusher in his bowl game during the 2018 season. Snell has great patience and power as a runner. The main reason he was still on the board heading into day 3 was because of his lack of top-end speed. With James Connor and Jaylen Samuel already in Pittsburgh’s backfield, Snell could provide Pittsburgh with a nice change of pace in the red zone.

Hunter Renfrow, WR, Clemson – Oakland Raiders (Round 5, Pick 149):

After playing at Clemson for what seemed like 15 years, Hunter Renfrow is finally an NFL player. Renfrow went from a walk-on receiver at the bottom of the depth chart to being the hero in the 2017 National Championship game. With the Raiders already bringing in Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams this offseason, Renfrow is going to have to earn his playing time, much like he did at Clemson. Expect the Raiders to throw the ball a lot this year with their new-look offense, Renfrow could make a splash in the league sooner rather than later.

Gardner Minshew, QB, Washington State – Jacksonville Jaguars (Round 6, Pick 178):

Most know Gardner Minshew for making a late Heisman run last season with the famous mustache, now Minshew is a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Nick Foles set to turn 31 next season, Minshew more than likely won’t see any meaningful snaps early in his career. But with the departure of Blake Bortles, Minshew will have a shot to compete with Cody Kessler for the backup spot.

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Richard resides in Philadelphia, PA. Most of the time Rich is watching sports or listening to a podcast while grilling up some great BBQ. He also has one sweet "Philly" beard that also doubles as camouflage for his buff (fat) face.

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