Only two days away, the 2019 NFL Draft is almost upon us. The Arizona Cardinals have the number one overall pick and will be on the clock at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday. Teams have been scouting college players, addressing positional needs and preparing for the draft for months. Players in the draft have been training, interviewing and working out with teams and getting ready for their dreams to come to fruition. In this 2019 NFL mock draft, here is how the first round could play out and a brief explanation for every pick:
1. Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
There has been talk of the Cardinals trading Josh Rosen and drafting Kyler Murray with the number one overall pick. However, reports say that Arizona is leaning towards sticking with Rosen. Nick Bosa is probably the best player in the draft overall and the Cardinals could use a great edge rusher.
2. San Francisco 49ers
Pick: Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
The 49ers badly need an outside pass-rushing linebacker and Josh Allen is exactly that. Allen may be best fit for a 3-4 but he is a talented player who should still prosper in the Niners’ 4-3 system.
3. New York Jets
Pick: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
The Jets need a nose tackle and Ed Oliver is extremely talented. The Jets are apparently infatuated with his ability and would rather draft him than Quinnen Williams.
4. Oakland Raiders
Pick: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
The Raiders don’t necessarily need a defensive tackle as they have Maurice Hurst and PJ Hall, but Williams would be the best player available at this point.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Devin White, OLB, LSU
White is an all-around linebacker who can rush the passer, stop the run, drop back in coverage and lead a defense.
6. New York Giants
Pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
There have been a lot of rumors about the Giants and Haskins and New York’s various intentions. But they need a quarterback and he would fit their team very well. Haskins reportedly thinks they still like him.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida State
Cam Robinson has gotten hurt the last two years and they released right tackle, Jeremy Parnell. Taylor would help a lot in pass protection.
8. Detroit Lions
Pick: TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Hockenson is both an explosive playmaker in the receiving game as well as adept at blocking and making holes in the run game.
9. Buffalo Bills
Pick: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
The Bills could use another offensive tackle to protect quarterback Josh Allen. Dillard has great technique as a pass protector as well as great football instincts.
10. Denver Broncos
Pick: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
To get Kyler Murray, the Broncos will probably have to trade up. There is a good chance they go ahead and trade up if Murray, in fact, slips past the Cardinals. Joe Flacco is their current starter, but Kyler could be their quarterback of the future.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
The only reason Sweat even falls out of the top 10 is because of his heart condition. However, his condition is apparently not serious enough to affect his NFL career. On talent and skills alone, Sweat is a great pass-rushing prospect that the Bengals could use.
12. Green Bay Packers
Pick: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
Green Bay needs to revamp their front seven and Bush would be a good addition to the linebacking corps. He can cover backs and tight ends as well as chase down rushers.
13. Miami Dolphins
Pick: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
The Dolphins desperately need to stabilize their offensive line. They just lost right tackle Ja’Wuan James in free agency and he was one of their better linemen. If Jonah Williams falls to this point, the Dolphins should sprint to the podium.
14. Atlanta Falcons
Pick: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
The Falcons released Robert Alford in the offseason and could use a big corner like Williams, who covers well.
15. Washington Redskins
Pick: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
The Redskins need a defensive tackle, so they would likely be choosing between Wilkins and his teammate Dexter Lawrence. Wilkins has a better motor and is a better pass rusher, so he is the pick here.
16. Carolina Panthers
Pick: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
The Panthers haven’t had a true number one receiver in a long time. Even though Cam Newton may not play much this season, they would be smart to draft Metcalf and begin building a strong receiving corps. He is big, strong, fast and has great hands, a prototypical number one receiver.
17. New York Giants
Pick: Brian Burns, DE, Florida State
After trading away Olivier Vernon, the Giants need an edge rusher. Burns has the length and technique to be a good rusher in the NFL.
18. Minnesota Vikings
Pick: Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
The offensive line is the weak point of the Vikings offense, so they might as well address it in the first round. Taking Bradbury would be a good start to rebuilding their porous line.
19. Tennessee Titans
Pick: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Lawrence is a great run stuffer because of his physicality but needs to improve at rushing the passer. The Titans could put him next to Jurrell Casey to take some pressure off him and beef up the already strong run defense.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
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Murphy is not the biggest or fastest corner, but he may have the best coverage instincts in the draft. Pittsburgh’s secondary could use him on the outside.
21. Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
The Seahawks are expected to trade defensive end Frank Clark, so they could be looking for a replacement. If Gary falls this far in the draft, he would be a good pick. He is an athletic lineman with dominant traits who could turn into a special pass rusher.
22. Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
The Ravens lost two starting defensive ends this offseason and only have one starter. Ferrell is a talented pass rusher and run stopper, so he would be able to help keep this defense near the top of the league.
23. Houston Texans
Pick: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
The Texans lost multiple secondary members this offseason, so that is probably what they will address in the first round. Baker has the ability to turn into a terrific cover corner in the Pros.
24. Oakland Raiders
Pick: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Running back is a need for Oakland. Apparently the Raiders, Eagles and Colts are all eyeing Jacobs in the first round. Well, Oakland picks right before the other two so they have first dibs.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
Pick: Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
Right guard Brandon Brooks tore his Achilles in January and will miss the first part of the season. Isaac Seumalo will start at left guard, but he has been up and down throughout his career. Lindstrom is athletic and can play both spots, so would be a good pick for depth as well as the future.
26. Indianapolis Colts
Pick: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
The Colts have done a great job of rebuilding their defense the past two offseasons. Drafting Tillery, who is a powerful and skilled rusher inside, would help that defense continue to improve.
27. Oakland Raiders
Pick: Mack Wilson, OLB, Alabama
Linebacker is a key need for Oakland and Mack Wilson is a versatile player. He can cover both running backs and tight ends as well as make plays in space on ball carriers.
28. Los Angeles Chargers
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Pick: Nasir Adderley, Safety, Delaware
The Chargers don’t necessarily need a safety, but adding Adderley could complete a young secondary. They already have Casey Hayward, Desmond King, and Derwin James. Adderley has good football instincts and would be a deep range free safety, which is the last piece LA needs.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
Ya-Sin played in a group of 5 conference, so he didn’t get as much run against a lot of NFL caliber players. He succeeded most when he played physical in coverage. The Chiefs could use a corner and Ya-Sin is the best one available at this point.
30. Green Bay Packers
Pick: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
The Packers should continue building their defense with this pick. Jeffery Simmons recently tore his ACL while offseason training, but would have been probably a top 10 pick otherwise.
31. Los Angeles Rams
Pick: Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
LA most likely will not re-sign Ndamukong Suh, so will need to replace him at nose tackle. Jones is consistent but also has the power and quickness to get to the quarterback in the NFL.
32. New England Patriots
Pick: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
After losing Rob Gronkowski to retirement, the Patriots need a new tight end. Fant can make up at least some of Gronk’s production because of his ability to get open in the red zone and on third down.
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