In my third mock draft, readers will see teams improve their roster with the star-studded 2019 NFL Draft class. The Raiders replace Khalil Mack with a new defensive lineman, the Patriots find Tom Brady’s successor, and the Giants find a new quarterback and receiver to throw to, all in this mock draft.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, Quarterback, Oklahoma
The Josh Rosen experiment in Arizona did not work out, and it will likely end in Rosen being traded. Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury seem content with Murray’s play, which is why he will likely be their new franchise quarterback.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, Defensive End, Ohio State
Bosa is the best defender in this draft and a presence that will play a major role in bringing the 49ers back to the playoffs.
3. New York Jets: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
Allen is the game-changing pass rusher the Jets need.
4. Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, Defensive Tackle, Alabama
The Raiders got their replacement for Amari Cooper via the Antonio Brown trade, now they need to add a Khalil Mack-esque presence on the defensive line. Williams is such a talented player that the Raiders could steal fourth-overall.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White, Linebacker, LSU
Kwon Alexander could leave in free agency, leaving a massive gap in the Bucs’ defense. Veteran Lavonte David paired with White would be a forceful duo.
6. New York Giants: D.K. Metcalf, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss
Last year, with the second overall pick, the Giants landed Saquon Barkley. Barkley was the brightest part of New York’s season, and also has the brightest future on the team. With this pick, they can bring in the draft’s top receiver to replace Odell Beckham and bring more young firepower to their offense.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor, Offensive Tackle, Florida
At the beginning of free agency, the Jaguars invested in their new franchise quarterback, Nick Foles. Now, it is very important that they invest a top draft pick in protecting him. Taylor is the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft and would instantly enhance Jacksonville’s offensive line.
8. Detroit Lions: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
This should be an easy pick for Matt Patricia. The Lions need someone to set the tone defensively, and after an impressive combine performance, it seems that Sweat could be that guy. Sweat proved that he is a versatile and very talented threat coming off the edge.
9. Buffalo Bills: Andre Dillard, Offensive Tackle, Washington State
Similar to the Jaguars, the Buffalo Bills have found their franchise quarterback and now need to invest in protecting him. Last year, the Bills landed Wyoming’s Josh Allen with the seventh pick in the draft. Behind Jawaan Taylor, Dillard is the next best offensive lineman available.
10. Denver Broncos: Dwayne Haskins, Quarterback, Ohio State
Joe Flacco is not the long-term answer at quarterback for the Denver Broncos. At the tenth-overall pick, this is the right place to land a new quarterback. Haskins would be the best available quarterback, and if he is picked by Denver, he will be a major part of their potential return to the playoffs.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Ed Oliver, Defensive Tackle, Houston
The Bengals released one of their defensive centerpieces, Vontaze Burfict, earlier in free agency. In addition to that, another defensive centerpiece, Geno Atkins, is now older than 30. Ed Oliver has the talent of a top-five pick and can definitely be a new centerpiece for Cincinnati’s defense.
12. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, Tight End, Iowa
The Packers continue to spend money on veteran tight ends in free agency. It has been four years since the Packers took a tight end in the draft, in which they took Kennard Backman in the sixth round of 2015 draft. Hockenson is this year’s best tight end, and he can be a top target for Aaron Rodgers in years to come.
13. Miami Dolphins: Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
Rashan Gary could easily go in the top ten picks, but if he is still available, he would be a great replacement for Cameron Wake and a powerful force on the defensive line.
14. Atlanta Falcons: Jonah Williams, Offensive Guard, Alabama
Matt Ryan makes above $30 million per year, which is a large investment for a quarterback that does not consistently make the playoffs. If the Falcons coaches and front office see Ryan as their quarterback over the next few years, they should use this pick to protect him well.
15. Washington Redskins: Marquise Brown, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
The Redskins come into this draft with many needs, especially at quarterback and wide receiver. Marquise Brown is a deep threat, and with a good-fitting franchise quarterback, he could grow into one of the league’s best receivers.
16. Carolina Panthers: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
Carolina has a lot of options at this spot in the first round, but enhancing their pass rush and stealing Ferrell at this spot would be great for their defense.
17. New York Giants (from CLE): Daniel Jones, Quarterback, Duke
It’s time, Giants fans. With a pick they got for Odell Beckham, New York will finally replace Eli Manning with a younger quarterback. Daniel Jones will fit into the system that Pat Shurmur has, and according to this mock draft, he’ll have D.K. Metcalf to throw to as well.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Cody Ford, Offensive Guard, Oklahoma
If the Vikings are going to overpay Kirk Cousins, they might as well protect him. If Ford is still available here at pick 18, which he likely will be, Minnesota should invest their first-round pick in him.
19. Tennessee Titans: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
When thinking about Burns’ NFL potential, questions about his strength emerge. This will cost him the chance of being a top-ten pick, but slipping down to Tennessee at nineteen puts him on a team that has a shot at making the playoffs next year. This is the obvious pick when finding someone to pair with Harold Landry.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Byron Murphy, Cornerback, Washington
Murphy has the preparation necessary to be an NFL cornerback. The Steelers will need Murphy to cover some top receivers over the course of their season.
21. Seattle Seahawks: Jaylon Ferguson, EDGE, Louisiana Tech
The Seahawks are building back a younger version of the “Legion of Boom”, led by the Griffin brothers, as well as remaining veterans of the original LOB in K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner. Adding Ferguson to a talented defense would be great for the team that is trying to get back into the playoffs.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Parris Campbell, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Campbell is a no-brainer when looking for a new receiver, and would be a great target for Lamar Jackson.
23. Houston Texans: Greedy Williams, Cornerback, LSU
Back in 2015, the Texans took Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson in the first round. However, the presence he was expected to have defensively never materialized and he was cut at the end of last season. Houston can take another shot at a first-round cornerback with Greedy Williams, who can hopefully make a huge impact on a young team.
24. Oakland Raiders (from CHI): Josh Jacobs, Running Back, Alabama
It is uncertain whether or not Marshawn Lynch will be re-signed, but either way, he is 32-years-old. Jacobs could be a fan-favorite and immediate starting running back for a Raiders team that has landed great players this entire offseason.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Bush, Linebacker, Michigan
Linebacker is one of the positions that the Eagles need the most, and Bush can fill that hole very well.
26. Indianapolis Colts: Dexter Lawrence, Defensive Tackle, Clemson
Last year, the Colts hit the jackpot with Darius Leonard in the second round. They can add another major piece to their front-seven in Lawrence this year.
27. Oakland Raiders (from DAL): Noah Fant, Tight End, Iowa
The Raiders can add their third threat of the first round with Noah Fant. He fills a major hole in this Oakland offense that, according to this mock draft, will now have a new running back in Josh Jacobs as well.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: Chris Lindstrom, Offensive Guard, Boston College
Guard is among the main offseason needs for the Chargers, and Lindstrom will surely be available here at the end of the first-round. He is the number one option at guard if Cody Ford is picked earlier in the first-round.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Garrett Bradbury, Center, North Carolina State
Last year’s center, Mitch Morse, signed with Buffalo this offseason, so the Chiefs can replace him with the best available center. If they decide to look elsewhere at this pick, maybe Erik McCoy from Texas A&M will be available later on in the draft.
30. Green Bay Packers (from NO): A.J. Brown, Wide Receiver, Ole Miss
Earlier in this mock draft, the Packers take top tight end T.J. Hockenson. With their second pick of the first round, they pair A.J. Brown with Davante Adams, ultimately getting many threats for Aaron Rodgers to throw to.
31. Los Angeles Rams: Greg Little, Offensive Tackle, Ole Miss
It looks like back-to-back Ole Miss players will be taken at 30 and 31. The Patriots have shown “significant interest” in Little, but won’t be able to get him if the Rams steal him one pick beforehand. Eventually, 37-year-old offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth will retire, but now Little will be there to fill the hole when it opens.
32. New England Patriots: Drew Lock, Quarterback, Missouri
Last year, the Patriots passed up on Lamar Jackson twice. Instead, they got Georgia running back Sony Michel, who dominated in the run game for the team. They also got Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn, who will return this year after a season-ending torn Achilles last year in training camp. Looking at Lock, he would be a great fit to learn behind Tom Brady and eventually be his successor.
Players that barely fall out of the first round: S Johnathan Abram (Mississippi State), CB Deandre Baker (Georgia), DT Dre’Mont Jones (Ohio State), OT Dalton Risner (Kansas State), WR Deebo Samuel (South Carolina), DT Jeffery Simmons (Mississippi State), TE Irv Smith (Alabama), DT Jerry Tillery (Notre Dame), DT Christian Wilkins (Clemson), CB Rock Ya-Sin (Temple)
