The 2019 Draft is just a few months away, but now that players have officially declared it’s mock draft season. This years’ NFL draft will be a little bit different than last. While there isn’t the same buzz around franchise cornerstone quarterbacks, this years’ draft features the deepest group of talented pass rushers of recent memory.
1. Arizona Cardinals – Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Nick Bosa showed potential to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL during his few appearances in the 2018 season. Bosa suffered a core injury during Ohio State’s third game of the season against TCU. Bosa decided to not return to play again last season and focus on getting ready for the draft.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Josh Allen, OLB/DE, Kentucky
Josh Allen has drawn comparisons to former 49ers’ All-Pro pass rusher Aldon Smith. He is a 6’5, 260-pound pass rusher who can get to the quarterback in a hurry. Allen won the Chuck Bednarik award in the 2018 season, given to the nations top defensive player and was Pro Football Focus’ highest graded defensive player in 2018. With the quarterback situation in San Francisco taken care of with Jimmy Garappolo, this pick will help bolster the defense.
Our highest-graded edge defender this season was Josh Allen from Kentucky. With a steady improvement over 3 years, Allen will be a force in the upcoming NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/KRIvXGZI2M
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 14, 2019
3. New York Jets – Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Jonah Williams has been the anchor of the dominant Alabama offensive line for the last few seasons. With The Jets selecting Jamal Adams and Sam Darnold in the first round of the last two drafts, they have a solid young nucleus for the future. With the Williams selection, they could give Darnold a solid blindside protector for the next decade.
4. Oakland Raiders – Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
The Raiders have a lot of holes to fill in their roster if they want to be able to compete in the strong AFC West. Selecting Greedy Williams with the fourth pick they would have a player who is big enough to lineup across from Keenan Allen twice per year, but also quick enough to stay with Tyreek Hill in the open field.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
Tampa Bay ranked 21st in the NFL in sacks with 38. Adding Ferrell to play on the other side of the defensive line from Jason Pierre Paul, look for them to move into the top 10. If they don’t go with an edge rusher, look for them to enhance their secondary.
6. New York Giants – Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
Eli Manning’s time in a New York Giant’s uniform is up. The past two years Manning’s ineffectiveness to drive the ball down the field to his weapons has become apparent. Dwayne Haskins will be able to get the ball to Odell Beckham Jr. with ease if Saquon Barkley can continue running the ball as well as he did his rookie season. Haskins recently tweeted a photo showing his desire to play in New York.
#Giants fans…. Dwayne Haskins just tweeted this: pic.twitter.com/NKtwcdo84U
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) January 9, 2019
7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Similarly to the Giants, the Jaguars have run into a problem behind center. Blake Bortles was selected with the third pick in the 2014 NFL draft. After leading Jacksonville to the AFC Championship, they gave Bortles a three year,$54 Million extension this offseason. After benching Bortles near the end of the season, the Jaguars have decided it’s time to move on. Lock is a very accurate quarterback who has an NFL arm and will be able to help Jacksonville immediately.
8. Detroit Lions – Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
While an interior defensive lineman isn’t at the top of the Lions’ needs, Quiennen Williams is too talented of a player to pass up at number eight. Williams is 6’4, 295 pounds and he is a dominant pass rusher, often described as a 300-pound bar of soap. If Williams reaches his full potential, look for him to have an impact similar to Aaron Donald.
9. Buffalo Bills – Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
After drafting Josh Allen in the top 10 of last years’ draft, the Bills have their quarterback of the future. With the tenth pick, Cody Ford could help protect Allen for many years to come. With a solid, young defense the Bills need to figure out their roster on the offensive side of the ball if they want to get back to the playoffs in the near future.
10. Denver Broncos – Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
The Broncos eventually need to draft a quarterback, but with this years’ quarterbacks not being considered players that you can build your franchise around, I see Denver filling the void in their secondary left by the departure of Aqib Talib by drafting Murphy. Murphy is 5’11 but plays larger than his size, and is athletic enough to follow some of the fastest receivers in the league.
Byron Murphy ladies and gentlemen. pic.twitter.com/HalIL2YoMT
— Dick Fain (@dickfain) September 16, 2018
11. Cincinnati Bengals – Devin White, LB, LSU
The Bengals were a team decimated by injuries this year. With a healthy team next season, they could be a dangerous team in the AFC, but one consistent thing that they were missing this season and in seasons past, is Vontez Burfict. Whether it’s injury or suspension, he can’t stay on the field, Devin White will be able to make the linebackers in Cincinnati much more athletic.
12. Green Bay Packers – Rashan Gary, DT, Michigan
Rahan Gary took over games for the Michigan defense at times last season. With Muhammed Wilkerson missing time for the Packers last season dut to injury, Gary could replace him for a much cheaper price. With Aaron Rodgers playing quarterback, the Packers are always going to be a threat in the NFC, with a stronger defensive line they could win a lot of games.
13. Miami Dolphins – DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
The Dolphins selected DeVante Parker in the first round of the 2015 draft, and that has not turned out as planned. With Parker’s departure from the team almost certain, look for the Dolphins to select a big bodied red-zone threat to compliment their speedy receiving corps.
14. Atlanta Falcons – Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
At the beginning of last season, many believed Ed Oliver would be going number one overall in this NFL draft. With an unfortunate season full of injury and having to face double teams when he was on the field, Oliver’s production has taken a dip. Oliver is still one of the most talented players in this draft and will make an immediate impact on the Falcon’s defense.
15. Washington Redskins – Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Alex Smith’s gruesome injury last season has left Washington without a quarterback. The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner will be an upgrade over both Mark Sanchez and Josh Johnson. Unless Washington signs a veteran in free agency, look the Redskins to draft a quarterback in the first round and they might just swing big with one of the biggest names in the draft.
16. Carolina Panthers – Jachai Polite, OLB/DE, Florida
In the new NFL, aside from quarterback, is the most important position on the field. Polite is a 6’2 defensive end who can win with both a speed and power rush. Coming off a 2018 season with eleven sacks and six forced fumbles, The Panthers are in need of a player on the defensive side of the ball with the departure of Thomas Davis.
17. Cleveland Browns – Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
After Selecting Baker Mayfield with the first overall selection in the 2018 NFL draft, the Browns could reunite him with former teammate Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. Brown isn’t the biggest receiver at just 5’11 162 pounds, but he has game-breaking speed and can score on anywhere from the field.
18. Minnesota Vikings – Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
The Vikings missed out on the playoffs in 2018, which was very disappointing based on their talented roster. Their biggest problem as a team was Kirk Cousins being under constant pressure. Drafting Greg Little could help bolster that offensive line and help them get back to the playoffs in 2019.
19. Tennesse Titans – Brian Burns, OLB/DE, Florida State
With Brian Orakpo stepping away from the NFL the Titans could fill the void left by Orakpo’s departure. Burns totaled fifteen tackles for loss as well as ten sacks and three forced fumbles last season at Florida State. Burn is a long pass rusher at 6’5, 235, and he will benefit from Tennessee’s strong linebacking corps which will allow him to pin his ears back and get after the quarterback.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
With the future of Antonio Brown with the Steelers looking uncertain, as well as Le’Veon Bell most likely moving on from the team, Pittsburgh could take an Offensive weapon with this pick. Sweat is the pick to make here though. Pass Rushers are becoming more important each year, and Sweat would be an upgrade of anybody on the Steelers roster to play aside Stephon Tuitt. Improving secondary is also a need for the Steelers.
21. Seattle Seahawks – Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Seattle’s defense is no longer the most dominant defense in the game, but they are still very effective. Lawrence could make an immediate impact in the middle of the defense. At 6’4, 351 Lawrence has the size of a prototypical space-eating defensive tackle. He is more athletic than most defensive tackles in the league, especially at his size. Seattle could also go offensive line with this pick.
22. Baltimore Ravens – N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
With the number one defense last season, the Ravens can focus on the offensive side of the ball in the early rounds of the draft. The Ravens need to get a big play receiver to be a security blanket for Lamar Jackson. N’Keal Harry would be a perfect fit in Baltimore. At 6’4, Harry is an explosive athlete who can score from anywhere on the field.
NKeal Harry…Too Strong???pic.twitter.com/fmfMocIw3C
— Phenom Hoop Report (@Phenom_Hoops) December 16, 2015
23. Houston Texans – Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
After winning the division this year, the Texans were defeated in the Wildcard round of the playoffs. With a defense that was productive for most of the 2018 season, Houston needs to make protecting Deshaun Watson a priority this offseason. Jawaan Taylor could be the anchor of the offensive line for years to come.
24. Oakland Raiders (via Chicago) – Zach Allen, DE, Boston College
Oakland has a lot of needs on both sides of the ball, but aside from defensive back, their most glaring need is an edge rusher. Oakland was last in the NFL with only 13 sacks this season (second worst had 30). Zach Allen has the size and athleticism to be a dominant pass rusher in this league.
25. Philadelphia Eagles – Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State
Assuming the Eagles’ secondary isn’t decimated by injuries again net season, their biggest need is along the offensive line. Risner is a powerful interior lineman who creates a lot of movement in the run game and can hold his own in pass protection. With Carson Wentz suffering season-ending injuries each of the last two seasons, protecting him will be at the top of Philadelphia’s to-do list.
26. Indianapolis Colts – Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State
Indianapolis was able to protect Andrew Luck this season, the next step for them is to get Luck a big bodied receiver. Kelvin Harmon is 6’3, 214 and he has a similar game to DeAndre Hopkins. He has the ability to make 50/50 balls closer to 70/30 with his ball skills and hand strength. Harmon would be able to get on the field and make an impact for the Colts from day one.
27. Oakland Raiders (Via Dallas) – Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
With their third pick of the first round, the Raiders will address their needs on the defensive side of the ball once again. Mack Wilson is the typical Alabama linebacker. Wilson is very athletic, strong, and has a high football IQ. look for Oakland to select either a running back or receiver at the top of the second round.
28. Los Angeles Chargers – Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
The Chargers have twenty free agents this offseason. Four of which are defensive tackles. While the Chargers need an offensive tackle or a linebacker, Simmons is too dominant of a player to pass up with the 28th pick. Simmons will be a player in which the Chargers can plug in their starting defensive line and make the run defense far more stout.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
With the question mark at running back for the future in Kansas City, they could go with a running back at the end of the first round. Their biggest need is safety though. Eric Berry is an All-pro caliber player when he is on the field, but he has had to deal with unfortunate injuries for the past couple of years. Best case would be if Berry was healthy next year and Thompson could be plugged in net to Berry.
30. Green Bay Packers (Via New Orleans) – Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
The Jimmy Graham signing didn’t quite work out how Green Bay had hoped for. The Packers could select Fant at the end of the first round and let him learn behind Graham for a year. Fant is very athletic and his game is similar to Graham’s. Fant could be a weapon for Rodgers in the near future.
31. Los Angeles Rams – Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
The Rams have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL. The one position group they need to improve on is linebacker. Devin Bush would fit in perfectly on this Rams team. His ability to shoot gaps and make plays in the backfield more than makes up for the fact that he is not the prototypical size for a linebacker in the NFL.
32. New England Patriots – Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
The Patriots have a good young group of pass rushers. They need more help on the interior of their defensive line. Christian Wilkins could help this team out in multiple spots along the defensive line. Wilkins versatility is his strongest trait. He can get after the passer from the inside or he can shade outside and power rush smaller tackles.
