The NFL draft is next week. Teams are finalizing their big boards. Let’s take a look at which 32 prospects could come off the board in the first round. (This NFL mock draft won’t include trades, each pick will belong to the team who currently owns it.)
2019 NFL Mock Draft: A Look at Which Players Could Go in the First Round
1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, Quarterback, Oklahoma
There has been speculation about Murray at one for quite some time. Newly appointed head coach Kliff Kingsbury loves him. Second-year quarterback Josh Rosen could be traded easily to a number of teams, Washington may be the most interested. Arizona doesn’t fill a need here, but they get their franchise quarterback.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, Edge Rusher, Ohio State
The 49ers get a pass-rushing monster to pair with newly signed Dee Ford at pick number two. He’s arguably the best player in the draft and fills a need in San Francisco.
3. New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
Williams is an athletic freak. A lot of people project an edge rusher here, but Williams is effective at rushing the quarterback from the interior. He’s an absolute force on the inside and should be a franchise player.
4. Oakland Raiders: Josh Allen, Edge Rusher, Kentucky
Pass rushing is the biggest need in Oakland. After an off-season of revamping the offense, Oakland should address its defense in the first round. Allen is athletic, smart and can cover a little bit as well as rush the passer.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White, Linebacker, LSU
Tampa Bay gets a Kwon Alexander replacement at five. White is a rangy, smart linebacker. He’s far and away the best linebacker in the draft and does a little bit of everything.
6. New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, Quarterback, Ohio State
The Giants draft a successor to Eli Manning here. They’ve denied any interest in a quarterback at six all off-season, but it’s high time for this pick. Haskins is a prototypical pocket passer. He has great intangibles, excellent pocket awareness and a cannon for an arm.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor, Offensive Tackle, Florida
Jacksonville just signed Nick Foles to a four-year, $88 million contract to be their franchise quarterback. Protecting him is a must, and their offensive line was mediocre last year. Taylor is the smart pick here. He can start at tackle right away and hopefully shore up the line corps.
8. Detroit Lions: Greedy Williams, Cornerback, LSU
Williams is the best corner in this draft class. He uses his height (6’3″) exceptionally well both at the line of scrimmage and with the ball in the air. He needs to commit to tackling in the NFL, but he could be a future Pro Bowler opposite Darius Slay.
9. Buffalo Bills: D.K. Metcalf, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss
Josh Allen needs targets. Metcalf broke the Combine with his obscene athleticism. There are concerns about his agility, (his 3-cone time was slower than Tom Brady‘s) but Buffalo will take a flier here on his elite traits and hope he figures out the rest later.
10. Denver Broncos: Drew Lock, Quarterback, Missouri
This is a very John Elway pick. He gets a hopeful franchise quarterback here. Lock has a huge arm and above average athleticism, and that’s about it. His pocket savvy and awareness are very mediocre, but with Joe Flacco there, Denver can afford to let him sit and learn for a year or more.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Devin Bush, Linebacker, Michigan
A lot of mocks project a quarterback here, but Andy Dalton is a bargain at $16 million in the last year of his contract. Bush can start immediately in the middle of Cincinnati’s defense in place of Vontaze Burfict.
12. Green Bay Packers: Cody Ford, Offensive Lineman, Oklahoma
The Packers must protect Aaron Rodgers. Too many seasons have ended early due to an ailment or injury to their future Hall of Fame quarterback. Cody Ford can play anywhere on the line, and he’s an excellent run blocker as well.
13. Miami Dolphins: Montez Sweat, Edge Rusher, Mississippi State
The Dolphins are tanking for Tua. They don’t really have an identity as a team right now, so they should just go best player available at 13. Sweat dominated the Combine, and projects as a possible 10+ sack guy in the future.
14. Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver, Defensive Tackle, Houston
Atlanta needs to generate a pass rush. Vic Beasley has disappointed the last two years after a promising rookie season. They franchise tagged defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Drafting Oliver here means they wouldn’t have to spend $20 million on Jarrett next year, and he’s an immediate starter somewhere on that defensive line.
15. Washington Redskins: Marquise Brown, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
All signs point to Washington trading for Cardinals’ quarterback Josh Rosen. If they do, he’ll need better targets than Josh Doctson and Paul Richardson to thrive. Marquise Brown has game changing speed and can play all over the field.
16. Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns, Edge Rusher, Florida State
Burns has one of the fastest first steps we’ve ever seen. His bend around tackles is quite impressive. He’s a steal for Carolina here at 16.
17. New York Giants: Clelin Ferrell, Edge Rusher, Clemson
After drafting a quarterback at six, the Giants should move their focus to replace Olivier Vernon on the line. Ferrell does all the little things that ends need to do in order to succeed at the NFL level. He’s a very smart pass rusher and an underrated run stopper.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Jonah Williams, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
The Vikings are committed to Kirk Cousins at quarterback. He needs more time to throw to their duo of talented receivers, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Jonah Williams is massive and can start at right or left tackle immediately. The Vikings can fill their only true need here at 18.
19. Tennesse Titans: Christian Wilkins, Defensive Tackle, Clemson
Wilkins fits best as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees would love him. He needs to work on his awareness in the run game, but he can certainly get after the quarterback.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: DeAndre Baker, Cornerback, Georgia
Pittsburgh’s defense needs all kinds of help. Baker could be a start. He plays bigger than his size. He might be a step slow to cover quicker receivers right off the bat, but he’s a very physical corner and flips his hips very well.
21. Seattle Seahawks: Rashan Gary, Defensive End, Michigan
The Seahawks are betting on athleticism here. Gary’s tape isn’t consistent, but he flashes big play ability. He’s incredibly athletic, and could easily find a starting place on Ken Norton‘s line.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Hakeem Butler, Wide Receiver, Iowa State
Butler may very well end up being the best receiver in this draft class. He boasts a massive frame and catch radius. He’s fast and agile, and an impressive route runner for his size. However, his best attribute may be his ability to grab contested balls. He’s a perfect wide receiver for second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson to throw to.
23. Houston Texans: Andre Dillard, Offensive Tackle, Washington State
Deshaun Watson badly needs some help from his offensive line. The Texans have a very talented team, and bolstering the line maximizes their offensive talent. Dillard has a shot at being the best pass-blocker in this draft.
24. Oakland Raiders: Byron Murphy, Cornerback, Washington
Gareon Conley needs a counterpart. Murphy projects better as a zone corner to start, but his awareness is above average. He’s also a hard hitter for a corner, and physicality is lacking on Oakland’s defense.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Juan Thornhill, Safety, Virginia
Thornhill has consistently crept up draft boards as the off-season progresses. He’s athletic and employs impressive ball skills for a strong safety. He would fit in perfectly in Philly’s secondary.
26. Indianapolis Colts: A.J. Brown, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss
Andrew Luck finally gets a number two receiver here. Brown is good after the catch and projects as an excellent inside receiver. He and T.Y. Hilton would complement each other very well.
27. Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, Running Back, Alabama
Jacobs can do it all. He’s a physical runner, a good pass blocker and an elite receiver out of the backfield. Oakland is in dire need of playmaking out of the backfield, and Jacobs could very well be the second consecutive running back to take home Rookie of the Year honors.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: Dalton Risner, Offensive Tackle, Kansas State
The Chargers have a one to two-year window of Philip Rivers being an elite quarterback. The right side of their line needs help, and Risner can slot in at guard or tackle. He projects best as a right tackle, which perfectly fits the Chargers’ needs.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Dexter Lawrence, Defensive Tackle, Clemson
Though the Chiefs defense picked up its play at the end of 2018, they still need lots of help. Lawrence’s run stopping potential is Ndamukong Suh-esque. He will probably be a two-down guy at first, but the Chiefs are in it for the long haul, and Lawrence may end up being one of the best defensive linemen in his draft class.
30. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, Tight End, Iowa
The Packers pick up another target in the middle of the field here. Hockenson is athletic and a very good blocker. If he reaches his full potential, he’s a George Kittle clone, which Green Bay would love.
31. Los Angeles Rams: Jeffery Simmons, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State
If he hadn’t torn his ACL, Simmons would have been a top 10 pick. The Rams can afford to let their first rounder sit and heal for a year. If he heals right and reaches his potential, Simmons and Aaron Donald could be the best one-two defensive tackle punch in NFL history.
32. New England Patriots: Noah Fant, Tight End, Iowa
This one almost makes too much sense. Rob Gronkowski is off partying for eternity. The Patriots offense requires a talented tight end. Fant is extremely athletic, almost in a Vernon Davis mold. Tom Brady will love throwing to him.
