#1) Cardinals (DL,TE,WR,OL)
QB-Kyler Murray-Oklahoma: The Arizona
Cardinals brought in Kliff Kingsbury as their new head coach Bill Bidwill and
Steve Keim need to put him in a position to succeed. Look no further than the most
polarizing player in this year’s draft- and also one of the best dual-threat QB
prospects of all time. How dynamic of a player is Murray you ask? Well- only
2 FBS QBs have ever throw for 4,000+ yards while rushing for 1,000+
yards in a single season. The first was Clemson QB Deshaun Watson in 2015
(4,109 passing yards and 1,105 rushing yards). The second was Oklahoma QB Kyler
Murray in 2018 (4,361 passing yards and 1,001 rushing yards). There are rumors
that Arizona could pass on Murray in favor of one of the elite defenders but I
can assure you that will not happen. These rumors stem from the fact that
Arizona used their first-round draft pick in 2018 on QB Josh Rosen- however,
Murray is in a completely different stratosphere. In addition, there are some
extremely QB starved teams that would be willing to fork over a 2nd round
pick for Rosen’s services. Rosen will be shipped out of Arizona shortly after
Murray is selected with the first pick in the 2019 NFL draft.
#2) 49ers
(DL,CB,S,WR)
DE-Nick Bosa- Ohio St: Tell me if
you’ve heard this one before- a defensive end with the last name Bosa being
selected in the first round of the NFL draft!? His father John Bosa was drafted
by the Dolphins with the 16th overall pick in 1987 and the
Chargers drafted his brother Joey with the 3rd pick in the 2016
draft. This year, the 49ers make Nick Bosa the third member of their family
selected in the first round of a draft. Nick is criticized by fans for missing
most of the 2018 season due to a combination of injuries and intentionally
sitting out to prepare himself for the NFL draft- however, NFL teams don’t seem
to mind. There’s no denying this young man’s talent- he can defeat single
blocks on a regular basis and fits in as an end in both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. He
has a high football IQ and will be a starter from day one and future pro
bowler. The team will get Jimmy G and McKinnon back this season and also
brought Tevin Coleman on board so their offense woes seem to have theoretically
resolved themselves. The 49ers also signed FA LB Kwon Alexander in the
offseason and traded for EDGE Dee Ford so they can solely focus their attention
on shoring up their D-Line. Welcome to the team Nick Bosa.
#3) Jets
(TE,CB,OL,DL)
DT-Quinnen Williams-Alabama: The depth
of Alabama’s defensive line never ceases to amaze me. Williams is
the best defensive player in the draft and will have the best NFL career of any
defender in this year’s class. Last year’s Outland Trophy winner led the
Crimson Tide with 19.5 tackles for loss while also posting 8 sacks and a
safety. Williams’ instincts, quickness, and athleticism are exceptional and
will transition to the next level. He is an instant starter and will be
selected to numerous pro bowls throughout his career. The Jets have made it
very clear that they are shopping the third overall pick so don’t be surprised
if they trade down-there will be QB hungry teams looking to move up to draft
Haskins. However, I don’t predict trades in my mock drafts and a franchise that
hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010 might be wise to not overthink this and
just secure the best available player in the draft. The Jets drafted their
franchise QB last year and signed Leveon Bell and CJ Mosley in the offseason oh
and Anthony Ba... nevermind. SKOL!- things are looking up in the Big Apple.
#4) Raiders
(RB,CB,TE,DL)
Edge-Josh Allen-Kentucky: When you
got Mark Davis and Jon Gruden sitting in a room talking strategy it’s a scary
thought. Gruden publicly stated they’re considering making a surprising pick
with this selection which actually doesn’t really surprise anybody.. this is
the franchise that just dished off Khalil Mack to the NFC North and made the
statement “it’s tough to find a good pass rusher in the NFL.” Oakland was
hoping to land Williams but he’s off the board so they gladly “settle” for the
next best defender in the Draft. They released Bruce Irvin and drastically need
somebody to fill the role. Allen is a true hybrid linebacker with elite
physical traits including coverage and pass rush duties. Last year he posted
21.5 tackles for loss along with a college football high 17 sacks. This pick
could go a variety of different ways and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they
select Oliver or Haskins.
#5)
Buccaneers (RB,S,CB,LB)
LB-Devin White-LSU: White was a
running back convert out of high school and has shown rapid development as a
high-impact linebacker. White has a strong work ethic and football IQ and it’s
paired with his competitiveness and in game quickness that’s second to none in
this draft class. He earned the Butkus award in 2018 which is an honor given to
the top linebacker in the country. He finished the season with 123 tackles, 12
of which went for a loss, 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. The Bucs have a lot of
holes but they get their guy at fifth overall.
#6) Giants
(WR,CB,DL,QB)
QB-Dwayne Haskins-Ohio St: Eli Manning
is 38 years old and certainly isn’t getting any younger- in fact, he looks like
he should’ve retired immediately following his 2012 super bowl championship.
The Giants traded OBJ which indicates they’re waiving the white flag this
season. So why not draft Dwayne Haskins who can sit behind Eli during his last
hoorah? Head coach Pat Shurmur has sung his praises for Haskins and New York
has been closely linked to him for months. The Giants absolutely hit the
jackpot on Saquon Barkley last season and now you have two young offensive
studs as the face of your franchise for the next 8+ years. The team also just
signed Sterling Shepard to a lucrative 4-year deal and they’re going to need
somebody to get him the ball. I honestly think Eli gets benched half way through
the season and rides off into the sunset- can you believe that guy ended his
career with 2 superbowl rings!? Welcome to the team Dwayne. If Allen falls to
them they’ll take him- if Haskins is off the board don’t be surprised if they
prematurely pull the trigger on Duke’s QB Daniel Jones.
#7) Jaguars
(S,WR,TE,OL)
TE-T.J. Hockenson-Iowa: Death,
Taxes and T.J. Hockenson packing his bags for Jacksonville. I’m generally not
an advocate for drafting a TE this early but ladies and gentlemen this one is a
no-brainer. The Jaguars currently don’t even have a TE on their roster.. well
unless you count Geoff Swaim or Ben Koyack and I do not. Let’s not forget they
just severely overpaid for Nick Foles (4 years-$88 million!) and need to give
him both protection and weapons. Foles is at his best when he has a big,
aggressive target across the middle to throw to (see Zach Ertz for example).
Hockenson is extremely aggressive across the middle and goes up and gets
difficult balls thrown his way. On top of that, he is a sensational blocker
that will help with the play action, keeping Foles upright and simply paving
the way for Fournette.
#8) Lions
(TE,OL,DL,CB)
LB-Devin Bush-Michigan
#9) Bills
(CB,TE,OL,DL)
DT-Ed Oliver–Houston
#10) Broncos
(TE,DL,LB,OL)
QB-Drew Lock- Missouri
#11) Bengals
(TE,DL,OL,LB)
OL-Jonah Williams-Alabama
#12) Packers
(LB,S,OL,TE,WR)
OL-Jawaan
Taylor-Florida: The Packers did a good job addressing their defensive woes
in the offseason and that will allow them to address the holes on offense.
Aaron Rodgers turns 36 years old during the 2019 campaign and unless he is on
the Tom Brady diet he realistically has 3 seasons left of elite quarterback
play. Rodgers played much of last season with a sprained knee and still managed
to have a spectacular season (4,400 yards, 25 TDs, 2 interceptions). Rodgers
was sacked 49 times last year which is two shy of the most in his career and
the o-line needs to do a better job keeping him upright. Jawaan Taylor is
viewed as the best OL in the draft by many scouts and steps in as a starter
from day one. Aside from Davante Adams the Packers have very little to offer as
weapons for Rodgers- look for them to address the WR position with their later
pick in the 1st round. O-Line is never the flashy pick but
Packer fans should be ecstatic that Taylor fell into their laps.
#13) Dolphins
(CB,OL,DL,QB)
DT- Christian Wilkins-Clemson
#14) Falcons
(LB,CB,OL,DL)
Edge-Brian Burns-Fla St
#15) Redskins
(OL,LB,QB,WR)
QB-Daniel Jones-Duke
#16) Panthers
(WR,S,OL,DL)
DE-Montez Sweat- Miss St
#17) Giants
(WR,CB,DL,QB)
DT-Dexter Lawrence-Clemson
#18) Vikings
(RB,TE,DL,OL)
OL-Andre
Dillard-Wash St: Is this finally the year that Zim and Spielman pump the
breaks on a Cornerback? It better be. Vikings fans found out rather quickly
just how immobile Kirk Cousins is as a quarterback. However, the reality is we
already knew this when we signed him. The surprising part to me is that we’ve
done next to nothing to address our offensive line issues. The O-Line in
Minnesota is absolutely atrocious and unless a top seven prospect falls into
our lap we need to have our tunnel vision on directly at the OL position.
Here’s the deal I actually love the Kirk Cousins signing but we need to give
him time to step up in the pocket to make his throws. He is not Russell Wilson
who can escape pressure- but he’s proven he’s an accurate and consistent
quarterback when he’s not running for his life. Drafting Andre Dillard as our
LT to protect Kirk’s blindside is exactly what we need to do to take a step
forward. Dillard fits the bill for the Vikings as he’s started all four seasons
in prolific offenses- he has a high football IQ and is considered a high
character individual- sounds right up Zim’s ally.
#19) Titans
(WR,TE,LB,DL)
DE-Rashan Gary-Michigan:
#20) Steelers
(CB,WR,LB)
DE-Clelin Ferrell-Clemson
#21) Seahawks
(S,CB,WR,DL,OL)
OL-Cody Ford-Oklahoma
#22) Ravens
(OL,WR,LB)
WR-DK Metcalf-Ole Miss
#23) Texans
(TE,CB,RB,OL)
OL-Garrett Bradbury-NC State
#24) Raiders
(RB,CB,TE,DL)
TE-Noah Fant-Iowa
#25) Eagles
(RB,CB,S,OL,LB)
CB- Greedy Williams-LSU
#26) Colts
(S,LB,WR,DL)
WR-Marquise Brown-Oklahoma
#27) Raiders
(RB,CB,TE,DL)
RB-Josh Jacobs-Alabama
#28) Chargers
(CB,S,DL,OL)
OL-Chris Lindstrom-Boston College
#29) Seahawks
(S,CB,WR,DL,OL)
CB-Byron Murphy-Washington
#30) Packers
(LB,S,OL,TE,WR)
WR-A.J. Brown-Ole Miss
#31) Rams
(LB,DL,OL)
DT-Jeffery Simmons-Miss St
#32) Patriots
(S,WR,DL,TE)
TE-Irv Smith Jr.-Alabama
