It’s officially draft month! With that being the case, our team of draft and analytical writers are working hard to pump out draft content that will help prepare you for the NFL’s 2019 Draft!
With free agency now simmering on the back-burner, the NFL Draft has taken president as the main topic of conversation in the world of football. All 32 fan bases are starved for the adrenaline rush that comes with each selection, so I have pieced together a sample for what each team should/could do in this year’s draft.
Without further ado, the Arizona Cardinals are on the clock…
1st Round
1 Arizona: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
The Cardinals need to make the all-too-obvious plunge here and get the most dynamic player in the draft. With an insurmountable amount of holes on the roster, new head coach Kliff Kingsbury will be tasked with creating a competitive offense and Murray should be at the forefront.
2 San Francisco: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
Easily the most talented prospect in the draft from all angles. Bosa not only helps an ailing defensive unit, but has the potential to completely reshape the impact that it provides on the field.
3 NY Jets: Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama
The Jets need help. While their offense ideally will begin to mesh and blossom this season with the addition of running back Le’Veon Bell, the defense has been as bad, if not worse than the offense as of late. Williams provides an anchor along the defensive line that should help put pressure on the opposition week-in and week-out.
4 Oakland: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
As it pertains to pass rushers, Allen and Brian Burns are fairly parallel, so scheme fits will be important here. Although I’m sure John Gruden would love to draft a D.K. Metcalf or a quarterback here, the more logical option should be to try to replace Khalil Mack. Allen is certainly not a Mack clone, but could make a big difference for a very leaky Oakland defense.
5 Tampa Bay: Devin White, LB, LSU
Simply put, Devin White is a thumper. He has a nose for the ball and the agility to not just be a one-dimensional pony at the linebacker position. White, alongside Lavonte David would be a terror for NFC opponents.
6 NY Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
The Eli Manning era HAS to be coming to a close. The Giants have continued to show loyalty that few franchises not named the New England Patriots have displayed. Manning gave the Giants two Super Bowls, but has failed to show any sort of difference making in years since. So, with the 6th overall selection, the Giants move towards the future with the most well-rounded quarterback in the draft.
7 Jacksonville: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
As mentioned before, Burns could jump Allen depending on preference. However, Burns is more of a straight speed rusher and is not as refined as Allen when it comes to setting the edge and helping in run support. The benefit is that the Jaguars are lacking speed rushers so this should be an ideal landing spot.
8 Detroit: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
At some point the Lions just have to make a move to fix one side of the ball. In recent years, the offense has been competitive with Matthew Stafford at the helm, but the team suffered from an absent defense. The team should focus on “Patriot Way” here and nab the number one corner back in the 2019 draft class.
9 Buffalo: Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State
With some young secondary pieces in place and a young quarterback set to make a jump in his sophomore season, the Bills work towards solidifying the defensive front. Simmons is a multi threat defensive weapon that can play anywhere along the front and will be a problem for opposing coordinators.
10 Denver: Devin Bush Jr., LB, Michigan
Devin Bush is a long-range linebacker who should fit nicely as an interior leader within the Broncos front-seven. Elway may flirt with the idea of taking a quarterback here, but his draft history should not provide confidence in his evaluation of young QB’s.
11 Cincinnati: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
Much like the Broncos, the future in Cincinnati does not appear to include Andy Dalton. However, rather than entrusting their rookie head coach with a rookie quarterback, the Bengals should look to solidify one of the most glaring roster holes here and select the best lineman in the draft.
12 Green Bay: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Jones, Davante Adams and D.K. Metcalf? This move will have NFC North defensive coordinators wetting themselves before facing this lineup. In an effort to replace a rotation of second tier receivers outside of Adams, the Packers choose to make their offense just that much more ridiculous in 2019.
13 Miami: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Again, like the Bengals before them, the Dolphins have a serious quarterback issue. However, the Dolphins seem to be very high on a couple of 2020 quarterbacks and may look to beef up the protection upfront.
14 Atlanta: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
Atlanta has struggled to mimic the defenses that head coach Dan Quinn guided in the Seattle, but grabbing a mammoth like Wilkins to disrupt the middle off the offense would sure be an asset towards that goal.
15 Washington: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
With Alex Smith’s injury and the incompetence of Case Keenum and Colt McCoy as starting quarterbacks, this move just makes too much sense. Regardless of whether Jones would start this season or not, Washington must find a future at the position that doesn’t include any more stop-gaps.
16 Carolina: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma
The Panthers will always ride or die with Cam Newton at the helm, but the team lands much more towards the former when he is healthy. How do you keep a quarterback healthy? You protect him. Ford isn’t a flashy guy, but has a lunch-pale mentality that should be welcomed by his quarterback.
17 NY Giants (CLE): Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
The Giants already nabbed the quarterback of the future, so taking a swing at a top EDGE rusher only seems appropriate. Ferrell is a very good edge setter, but can lack the speed to rack up a ton of sacks. Regardless, the Giants need some pressure and stability along the defensive line and Ferrell will certainly provide that.
18 Minnesota: Garrett Bradbury, OL, NC State
Bradbury is a versatile interior lineman that should be able to step in on Day 1 and command a starting role. His versatility should be welcomed by an offense that has struggled to keep guys healthy and productive upfront.
19 Tennessee: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
Whether it’s Marcus Mariota or Ryan Tannehill at quarterback this season, this offense needs some true weapons. It is clear that a run-first attack can’t win a Super Bowl in this day and age, so the Titans choose to add some artillery to its arsenal.
20 Pittsburgh: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
With the departure of Antonio Brown this offseason, the Steelers have a hole across from Smith-Shuster and Harry fits that mold. No, he is not Brown, but his production and catch radius shouldn’t be ignored.
21 Seattle: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
Seattle will be tasked with repairing a defense that has lost a ton of talent within the past 2-3 offseasons. Gardner-Johnson is a versatile defensive back that can fit almost anywhere within the secondary. He has played corner back and safety in college, providing productivity at both spots, and can be a tone setter.
22 Baltimore: Chris Lindstrom, OL, Boston College
The Ravens lost a lot of pieces on defense this offseason, but providing protection for their sophomore quarterback takes priority here. Lindstrom can play anywhere on the interior of the offensive line and has a great motor in the run game, something that should be attractive for Baltimore.
23 Houston: Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State
Deshaun Watson has taken a beating in his first two NFL seasons. The resolution for that problem begins with Risner, a lineman who has played guard and tackle in college and can make a big impact on a weak offensive front.
24 Oakland (CHI): Joshua Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Derek Carr has not developed into the top of the line quarterback that the Raiders thought he would be at this point, but part of that may be the absent running game in Oakland. Marshawn Lynch was a nice fill in last season, but did not provide the spark necessary to keep defenses from focusing on the passing game.
25 Philadelphia: Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware
How do you make a Super Bowl contending team significantly better? You mesh the youth with the experience. Malcolm Jenkins and Nasir Adderley provide a combination that can be a nightmare for offenses. With the return of Ronald Darby, the Eagles defense could be a nuisance for offenses in 2019.
26 Indianapolis: Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
An undersized defensive lineman with an amazing motor, Oliver is a blue-collar player who fits the mold of a Chris Ballard type of player. The Colts should look to add to a revamped defensive unit that surprised many in 2018.
27 Oakland (DAL): T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Another move to help Derek Carr would be to fill the void left by Jared Cook’s departure. Hockenson is one of the best tight ends in the class and is a well rounded weapon at the position.
28 LA Chargers: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
The Chargers are not in desperate need of a quarterback, but Lock falling in this mock may effect their outlook on the position. The team’s brass has been rumored to be interested in Arizona quarterback Josh Rosen, so that situation may also adjust the expectation here.
29 Kansas City: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
The Chiefs are in the midst of a complete defensive overhaul. They have made a flurry of second-tier moves along the front-seven and should look to land a mainstay within the defensive secondary. Williams is one of the top corner backs in the class and has the skill to play both man and zone given the versatility of new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme.
30 Green Bay (NO): Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Along with Hockenson, Fant is a true weapon at the tight end position. Drafting Fant and adding him to that before-mentioned arsenal of weapons in Green Bay would give Rodgers everything he could ever want within his offense.
31 LA Rams: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
Sweat falls a bit in this mock due to team needs and the overall depth of the position in this year’s class. With the Rams sitting pretty here, they choose to add a dynamic pass rusher to make the Super Bowl runner-up even that much more scary.
32 New England: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
The Patriots always find a way of landing great roster fits. Smith is not as good of a blocker as Hockenson or Fant, nor is he the consistent weapon that they are in the passing game. But, with time he could blossom as Rob Gronkowski’s replacement.
2nd Round
33 Arizona: Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame
34 Indianapolis (NYJ): A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
35 Oakland: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
36 San Francisco: DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
37 NY Giants: Michael Deiter, OT, Wisconsin
38 Jacksonville: Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
39 Tampa Bay: Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
40 Buffalo: Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida
41 Denver: Charles Omenihu, DL, Texas
42 Cincinnati: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
43 Detroit: Chase Winovich, EDGE, Michigan
44 Green Bay: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
45 Atlanta: Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State
46 Washington: Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State
47 Carolina: Christian Miller, EDGE, Alabama
48 Miami: Erik McCoy, OL, Texas A&M
49 Cleveland: Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame
50 Minnesota: Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson
51 Tennessee: Ben Powers, OL, Oklahoma
52 Pittsburgh: Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
53 Philadelphia (BAL): Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
54 Houston (SEA): Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia
55 Houston: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
56 New England (CHI): Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
57 Philadelphia: Devin Singletary, RB, FAU
58 Dallas: Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
59 Indianapolis: Amani Hooker, S, Iowa
60 LA Chargers: JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
61 Kansas City: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
62 New Orleans: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
63 Kansas City (LAR): Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
64 New England: Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
3rd Round
65 Arizona: De’Andre Walker, EDGE, Georgia
66 Pittsburgh (OAK): David Long, CB, Michigan
67 San Francisco: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
68 NY Jets: Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt
69 Jacksonville: Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss
70 Tampa Bay: Miles Sanders, RB, Penn State
71 NY Giants (Forfeited)
72 Denver: Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
73 Cincinnati: Dru Samia, OL, Oklahoma
74 New England (DET): Dre’Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State
75 Buffalo: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
76 Green Bay: Khalen Saunders, DL, Western Illinois
77 Washington: Elgton Jenkins, OL, Mississippi State
78 Carolina: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
79 Miami: Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
80 Atlanta: Zach Allen, EDGE, Boston College
81 Cleveland: Renell Wren, DL, Arizona State
82 Minnesota: DaMarkus Lodge, WR, Ole Miss
83 Tennessee: Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State
84 Pittsburgh: Wyatt Ray, EDGE, Boston College
85 Seattle: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
86 Baltimore: Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State
87 Houston: Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis
88 Chicago: Damien Harris, RB, Alabama
89 Detroit (PHI): Andy Isabella, WR, UMass
90 Indianapolis: Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford
91 Dallas: Daylon Mack, DL, Texas A&M
92 LA Chargers: Emanuel Hall, WR, Missouri
93 Kansas City: L.J. Collier, EDGE, TCU
94 NY Jets (NO): Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
95 LA Rams: Vosean Joseph, LB, Florida
96 NY Giants (NE): Saivion Smith, CB, Alabama
97* Washington: Malik Gant, S, Marshall
98* New England: Marquise Blair, S, Utah
99* Jacksonville (LAR): Connor McGovern, OL, Penn State
100* LA Rams: Mike Edwards, S, Kentucky
101* Carolina: Devine Ozigbo, RB, Nebraska
102* New England: Oshane Ximines, EDGE, Old Dominion
103* Baltimore: David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State
4th Round
104 Arizona: Stanley Morgan Jr., WR, Nebraska
105 San Francisco: Daniel Wise, DL, Kansas
106 NY Jets: Antoine Wesley, WR, Texas Tech
107 Oakland: Tre Lamar, LB, Clemson
108 Tampa Bay: Lonnie Johnson Jr., CB Kentucky
109 NY Giants: Drue Tranquill, LB, Notre Dame
110 Jacksonville: Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State
111 Cincinnati: Josh Oliver, TE, San Jose State
112 Detroit: Foster Moreau, TE, LSU
113 Buffalo: Elijah Holyfield, RB, Georgia
114 Baltimore (DEN): Jaylon Ferguson, EDGE, LA Tech
115 Green Bay: Chuma Edoga, OT, USC
116 Carolina: Isaiah Buggs, DL, Alabama
117 Miami: Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma
118 Atlanta: Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State
119 Green Bay (WSH): Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington
120 Cleveland: Ugochukwu Amadi, S, Oregon
121 Minnesota: Joe Jackson, EDGE, Miami
122 Tennessee: Justin Hollins, EDGE, Oregon
123 Pittsburgh: Benny Snell, RB, Kentucky
124 Baltimore: Gerald Willis, DL, Miami
125 Seattle: Nate Davis, OL, Charlotte
126 Denver (HOU): Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford
127 Chicago: Bobby Evans, OT, Oklahoma
128 Philadelphia: Terrill Hanks, LB, New Mexico State
129 Dallas: Jakobi Meyers, WR, NC State
130 Indianapolis: Anthony Nelson, EDGE, Iowa
131 LA Chargers: Kingsley Keke, DL, Texas A&M
132 Buffalo (KC): Anthony Ratliff-Williams, WR, North Carolina
133 NY Giants (NO): Hunter Renfrow, WR, Clemson
134 LA Rams: Montre Hartage, CB, Northwestern
135 New England: Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo
136* Indianapolis: Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston
137* Dallas: Alize Mack, TE, Notre Dame
138* Atlanta: Oli Udoh, OT, Elon
139* Philadelphia: Chris Slayton, DL, Syracuse
5th Round
140 Arizona: Beau Benzschawel, OL, Wisconsin
141 Oakland (NYJ): Dillon Mitchell, WR, Oregon
142 Pittsburgh (OAK): Mike Bell, S, Fresno State
143 NY Giants (SF): Ross Pierschbacher, OL, Alabama
144 NY Giants: Jaquan Johnson, S, Miami
145 Cleveland (JAX): Joe Giles-Harris, LB, Duke
146 Tampa Bay: Dennis Daley, OT, South Carolina
147 Detroit: Te’Von Coney, LB, Notre Dame
148 Buffalo: Isaac Nauta, TE, Georgia
149 Denver: David Sills V, WR, West Virginia
150 Cincinnati: Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
151 Green Bay: Ben Burr-Kirven, LB, Washington
152 Miami: Jordan Ta’amu, QB, Ole Miss
153 Atlanta: David Long, LB, West Virginia
154 Washington: Malik Carney, EDGE, North Carolina
155 Carolina: Jalen Hurd, WR, Baylor
156 Cleveland: Max Sharping, OT, Northern Illinois
157 Denver (MIN): Kris Boyd, CB, Texas
158 Tennessee: Demarcus Christmas, DL, Florida State
159 Buffalo (PIT): Jahlani Tavai, LB, Hawai’i
160 Seattle: Sutton Smith, EDGE, Northern Illinois
161 Baltimore: Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo
162 Houston: Lamont Gaillard, OL, Georgia
163 Chicago: Sheldrick Redwine, S, Miami
164 Philadelphia: Ben Banogu, EDGE, TCU
165 Indianapolis: Terry Godwin, WR, Georgia
166 Dallas: James Williams, RB, Washington State
167 LA Chargers: Ryan Bates, OT, Penn State
168 Kansas City: Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M
169 New Orleans: Preston Williams, WR, Colorado State
170 LA Rams: Armon Watts, DL, Arkansas
171 Cleveland (NE): Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego State
172* NY Giants: Karan Higdon, RB, Michigan
173* Atlanta: Zach Gentry, TE, Michigan
174* Washington: Michael Jackson, CB, Miami
6th Round
175 Arizona: Mark Fields, CB, Clemson
176 Pittsburgh (OAK): Trysten Hill, DL, UCF
177 San Francisco: Mecole Hardman, WR, Georgia
178 New Orleans (NYJ): Blace Brown, CB, Troy
179 Jacksonville: Penny Hart, WR, Georgia State
180 Arizona (TB): Evan Worthington, S, Colorado
181 NY Giants: Kevin Wilkins, DL, Rutgers
182 Buffalo: Hamp Cheevers, CB, Boston College
183 Denver: D’Cota Dixon, S, Wisconsin
184 Cincinnati: KeeSean Johnson, WR, Fresno State
185 Detroit: Dontavius Russell, DL, Auburn
186 Green Bay: Alex Bars, OL, Notre Dame
187 Atlanta: Gardner Minshew, QB, Washington State
188 Washington (Forfeited)
189 Carolina: Tommy Sweeney, TE, Boston College
190 Miami: Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Eastern Michigan
191 Cleveland: Darius Slayton, WR, Auburn
192 Minnesota: Jalen Jelks, EDGE, Oregon
193 Baltimore (TEN): Khalil Hodge, LB, Buffalo
194 Pittsburgh: Tyler Jones, OT, NC State
195 Baltimore: Will Harris, S, Boston College
196 Green Bay (SEA): Terronne Prescod, OL, NC State
197 Houston: Michael Dogbe, DL, Temple
198 NY Jets (CHI): Byron Cowart, EDGE, Maryland
199 Philadelphia: Cody Thompson, WR, Toledo
200 Cincinnati (DAL): Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan
201 Indianapolis: Phil Haynes, OL, Wake Forest
202 LA Chargers: Kendall Sheffield, CB, Ohio State
203 Kansas City: Germaine Pratt, LB, NC State
204 New Orleans: Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State
205 LA Rams: Tyler Roemer, OT, San Diego State
206 Detroit (NE): B.J. Blunt, S, McNeese State
207* New England: T.J. Edwards, LB, Wisconsin
208* Washington: Terry Beckner, DL, Missouri
209* Pittsburgh (ARI): Drew Sample, TE, Washington
210* Tampa Bay (PHI): Lukas Denis, S, Boston College
211* Minnesota: Isaiah Prince, OT, Ohio State
212* Cincinnati: Andrew Wingard, S, Wyoming
213* Cincinnati: Jordan Scarlett, RB, Florida
214* San Francisco: Tre Watson, LB, Maryland
215* Cincinnati: Ricky Walker, DL, Virginia Tech
216* Kansas City: Jamel Dean, CB, Auburn
7th Round
217 Tampa Bay (ARI): Greg Dortch, WR, Wake Forest
218 Kansas City (SF): Ryan Finley, QB, NC State
219 NY Jets: Myles Gaskin, RB, Washington
220 Oakland: Javon Patterson, OL, Ole Miss
221 Pittsburgh (TB): Andrew Beck, TE, Texas
222 Houston (NYG): Shareef Miller, EDGE, Penn State
223 Cleveland (JAX): Ryquell Armstead, RB, Temple
224 Chicago (DEN): Tim Harris, CB, Virginia
225 Cincinnati: Chase Hansen, LB, Utah
226 Detroit: Garrett Brumfield, OL, LSU
227 Buffalo: Bunchy Stallings, OL, Kentucky
228 Green Bay: Travis Fulgham, WR, Old Dominion
229 Washington: Deshaun Davis, LB, Auburn
230 Buffalo (CAR): Derrick Baity, CB, Kentucky
231 Detroit (MIA): Gary Jennings Jr., WR, West Virginia
232 Atlanta: Joshua Miles, OL, Morgan State
233 New Orleans (CLE): Ulysees Gilbert III, LB, Akron
234 NY Giants (MIN): Neville Gallimore, DL, Oklahoma
235 Miami (TEN): Donnie Lewis Jr., CB, Tulane
236 Miami (PIT): JoJo McIntosh, S, Washington
237 Oakland (SEA): Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
238 Jacksonville (BAL): Bruce Anderson, RB, North Dakota State
239 Denver (HOU): Mitch Hyatt, OT, Clemson
240 Chicago: Austin Bryant, EDGE, Clemson
241 New England (PHI): Cece Jefferson, EDGE, Florida
242 Indianapolis: Caleb Wilson, TE, UCLA
243 Dallas: Malik Reed, EDGE, Nevada
244 LA Chargers: Dakota Allen, LB, Texas Tech
245 New England (KC): Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, WR, Texas
246 New Orleans: Carl Granderson, EDGE, Wyoming
247 NY Giants (LAR): Trye Brady, WR, Marshall
248 New England: Donald Parham, TE, Stetson
249* Minnesota: Kendall Joseph, LB, Clemson
250* Arizona: Ryan Connelly, LB, Wisconsin
251* Arizona: Tyree St. Louis, OT, Miami
252* Minnesota: Marvell Tell, S, USC
253* LA Rams: Michael Jordan, OL, Ohio State
254* New England: Jonathan Ledbetter, EDGE, Georgia
255* Washington: Miles Boykin, WR, Notre Dame
256* Arizona: Easton Stick, QB, North Dakota State
