Givanni Damico & Mike Fanelli | March 21st, 2019
The 2019 NFL draft is just under six weeks away and with free agency mostly over, NFL teams can focus on upcoming pro days and the draft. With some teams filling their top needs and others having new needs to fill, mock drafts are starting to undergo serious changes.
In part two of a three-part series, Gio and myself split up the 32 teams and made picks for 16 each. There are hypothetical trades in this mock draft because what fun would it be without them. Make sure you check out the first round of this mock draft as well. Please remember two things; we are not professional NFL general managers and we do hate your favorite team.
33) Arizona Cardinals- Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
No matter who is playing quarterback for the Cardinals in 2019, the offensive line needs a lot of work. The trade of Marcus Gilbert is a nice start but D.J. Humphries needs to be challenged at left tackle. Humphries is also entering a contract year and could be allowed to leave in free agency next offseason. Little is a raw prospect but his upside is as good as any left tackle in the draft class. – Mike
34) Indianapolis Colts (via Jets)- Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
If the Colts make Devin Funchess their number two wide receiver next season; that would be a big mistake. The Colts need to add a young wide receiver to pair with T.Y. Hilton. Butler’s great size yet surprisingly good quickness could end up getting him selected in the first round come draft time. – Mike
** Raiders trade pick #35 to the Jaguars for picks #38, #109 **
35) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Raiders)- Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
With the Packers picking next and needing a replacement for Jimmy Graham, the Jaguars flip a fourth-round pick to the Raiders to move up three spots to secure Smith’s services. The Jaguars did sign Geoff Swaim away from the Cowboys in free agency but they still don’t have a starting caliber tight end on the roster. Smith’s good run blocking will fit in well for a team built around running the ball. – Mike
36) Green Bay Packers (via 49ers)- A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
Randall Cobb isn’t expected to re-sign with the Packers and Aaron Rodgers can’t just reply on Davante Adams again. Brown would step in day one as the slot receiver, allowing last year’s three rookies and Geronimo Allison to battle it out for the other outside spot. The Packers need to add at least one playmaker in this draft, otherwise, that contract they gave Rodgers was a waste. – Mike
37) New York Giants- Yodny Cajuste, OT, WVU
Cajuste was once regarded as a mid-to-late first round pick but his value has fallen off as struggled at the end of the season while others rose up draft boards. This is the second offensive lineman that the Giants will take in this draft as they need all protection they can get, whether it be Eli Manning or a rookie, and more importantly; Saquon Barkley. – Gio
38) Oakland Raiders (via Jaguars)- Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
After sliding back and picking up a fourth-round pick, the Raiders still get the player they were targeting at pick 35. Currently, Marquel Lee, Jason Cabinda and Tahir Whitehead are projected to be the starting linebackers for the Raiders. Vontaze Burfict may end up a Raider at some point but he can’t be trusted to stay on the field. It doesn’t matter where Wilson lines up, he will start from day one. – Mike
39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
With the DeSean Jackson trade and Adam Humphries leaving in free agency, the Buccaneers find themselves in need of wide receiver help. Signing Breshad Perriman is a nice start but isn’t enough. Campbell blew up the combine, running a 4.31 40 yard dash and is in the conversation for a top 50 pick. Pairing Campbell with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans will give defensive coordinators nightmares. – Mike
40) Buffalo Bills- Damien Harris, RB, Alabama
The Bills filled major holes in the offseason by signing Cole Beasley and John Brown at wide receiver and Mitch Morse, Jon Feliciano, and Ty Nsekhe on the offensive line. They already took an offensive lineman at nine, and running back is their next biggest need. They have the entire retirement home at the position right now with LeSean McCoy, Chris Ivory, and Frank Gore. Harris can do it all and would fit the scheme perfectly. – Gio
41) New York Giants (via Broncos)- Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
Jones is not the most talented quarterback in the draft by any stretch of the imagination. His mechanics aren’t polished whatsoever, but he would be a great project quarterback for the Giants. Especially since it seems that the Giants want to stick with Eli Manning for another year. Jones really needs to work on his ball placement and his field vision. It is amazing to me that some experts have him going top 15. – Gio
42) New York Jets (via Bengals)- Elgton Jenkins, IOL, Mississippi State
Adding Kelechi Osemele in a trade with the Raiders was a nice start to rebuilding the offensive line, but there needs to be at least one more addition. Last year’s starting center, Spencer Long, was a flop free agent signing and was released earlier this offseason. Jenkins should be able to step in day one and start for the Jets; protecting Sam Darnold. – Mike
43) Detroit Lions- Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
The Lions spent big money on Justin Coleman in free agency but he is expected to play the nickel cornerback spot, leaving 2017 second round pick Jalen Tabor as the other outside cornerback opposite of Darius Slay. Tabor has struggled so far in his career and needs to have his starting spot challenged. Ya-Sin could easily come in a rookie and take Tabor’s starting spot. – Mike
44) Green Bay Packers- Nasir Adderley, SAF, Delaware
Even after adding Adrian Amos in free agency the Packers still need to add another safety this offseason. After trading away Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at the trade deadline last year, the Packers used a trio of Tramon Williams, Josh Jones and Kentrell Brice at safety. Brice recently signed with the Buccaneers while Adderley could easily beat the other two for the starting spot next to Amos. – Mike
45) Atlanta Falcons- Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
The Falcons lost Brian Poole and Robert Alford this year while Desmond Trufant was less than good last season, so the cornerback position needs serious help. Oruwariye is good in zone coverage and is very physical in press coverage. He struggles in man coverage and is unproven, only being a full-time starter his senior season. – Gio
46) Washington Redskins- Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
The Redskins were expecting to lose Jamison Crowder in free agency and even if he had returned, wide receiver was still a major position of need. While there have been rumors that the Redskins may trade for either A.J. Green or Stefon Diggs, neither is likely to happen. Currently, last year’s Mr. Irrelevant, Trey Quinn, is projected to start in the slot. The Redskins need to upgrade that spot and Samuel could easily do that. – Mike
47) Carolina Panthers- Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt
Williams is a long press corner who plays with a lot of aggression in contested catch battles. He is not fast, but he is athletic and is able to keep up with the most talented receivers. He is good at flashing his hands into the passing lanes to deflect passes. He is one of the more underrated players in the draft. He won’t blow you away with freakish speed or athleticism, but he is a smart player who makes big plays. – Gio
** Dolphins trade pick #48 to the Chiefs for pick #61 and a 2020 third round pick **
48) Kansas City Chiefs (via Dolphins)- N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
The Dolphins trade down again to stack up on 2020 picks. Harry is a big body wide receiver who will win the contested catch battle 90% of the time. Many people haven’t had concerns about his speed but he blew people away at the combine, running a 4.53 40 time. Harry is the master of the back-shoulder catch and overall, he plays with a vengeance. Harry is a pretty solid blocker as well and would be a steal here for the Chiefs. – Gio
49) Cleveland Browns- Johnathan Abram, SAF, Mississippi State
After trading away Jabrill Peppers in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade, the Browns have a big hole at strong safety and needs a physical presence in the box. Insert Abrams, who might be the heaviest hitter in the entire draft class. With the moves the Browns made so far this offseason, adding Abrams would make their defense one of the best in the league. – Mike
50) Minnesota Vikings- Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State
One of the players the Browns added in free agency was former Vikings’ defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. The Vikings have depth at the position as they have spent their last two fourth-round picks on defensive tackles but neither offers the upside Simmons does. Simmons tore his ACL in February preparing for the NFL draft and likely will miss his rookie season, but before the injury, he was a lock for a top 15 selection. – Mike
51) Tennessee Titans- Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida
Polite did not interview well at all at the combine. He has a pretty low floor and lost some strength when he lost weight. He is quicker now than he has ever been and is a very intelligent pass rusher. Polite has a good bend and doesn’t tend to get stuck on blocks. The Titans surprisingly don’t have any major needs on paper, but you can never have too many edge rushers and Polite could be a great addition. – Gio
52) Pittsburgh Steelers- Sutton Smith, EDGE, Northern Illinois
Smith is one of my favorite players in the draft because of his versatility. He could play defensive end, although he is quite undersized, or he could play outside linebacker as a pass rusher. Smith will fit better as a pass rusher because, with his size, it would be easy for him to get stuck on blocks and not be able to penetrate the zone. He is very fast and can play coverage if need be. Smith could be seen as a project, but I think he could be a solid rotational pass rusher in the Steelers’ system as a rookie. – Gio
53) Philadelphia Eagles (via Ravens)- Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
Coming from a small school, it’s hard to see how well Howard’s talent will translate into the NFL. Howard contains a unique mixture of speed, power, and agility. He won’t step up as a day one starter, but he could easily develop into a long-term starter for the Eagles. Jason Peters is 37 years old and the Eagles need to find his long term replacement, making this selection an important pick for them. – Gio
54) Houston Texans (via Seahawks)- Trayvon Mullens, CB, Clemson
After the Texans released former first-round pick Kevin Johnson, they lost longtime starter Kareem Jackson in free agency to the Broncos. The cornerback spot was already a need prior to the start of free agency but now it’s even more of a need. They did sign Bradley Roby in free agency but adding Mullens would improve the depth at the position. – Mike
55) Washington Redskins (via Texans)- Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, DB, Florida
Gardner-Johnson is one of my favorite players in this draft and would fit in very well with the Redskins. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix left as a free agent and Montae Nicholson is facing a suspension to start next season. Landon Collins is a box safety, opening up the free safety spot for Gardner-Johnson. He can also play in the slot as well, providing more versatility to the defense. – Mike
** Patriots trade pick #56 to the Cardinals for pick #65 and a 2020 third round pick **
56) Arizona Cardinals (via Patriots, Bears)- Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State
For years the Cardinals have ignored the starting cornerback spot opposite of Patrick Peterson. Earlier this offseason they signed Robert Alford after he was released by the Falcons. Problem is Alford is 30 years old and his contract is really just a one year deal. Layne had a good combine performance and will challenge Alford for the starting spot from day one. – Mike
57) Philadelphia Eagles- Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame
The Eagles are back on the clock and have a very young secondary with Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Avonte Maddox, and Rasul Douglas. Love could jump in and immediately get reps in this system. Eagle fans aren’t very big fans of Mills and for good reasons. Currently, Mills is on the trading block and Love could come in and easily replace him. – Gio
58) Dallas Cowboys- Andy Isabella, WR, UMass
With Cole Beasley now a member of the Bills, the Cowboys need to find a replacement at slot receiver. The signing of Randall Cobb puts a band-aid on the problem but doesn’t solve it. Cobb’s deal is only for one year and he has missed 11 games over the last three seasons because of injuries. Isabella ran a 4.31 40 time at the combine and would be the perfect long term fit next to Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. – Mike
59) Indianapolis Colts- Taylor Rapp, SAF, Washington
Former first-round pick Malik Hooker starts at one safety spot but the other is wide open. Clayton Geathers, Mike Mitchell, and J.J. Wilcox all played a role at the other safety spot last year but currently, only Geathers has been re-signed. Rapp could easily come in day one and take over as the starter opposite of Hooker. – Mike
60) Los Angeles Chargers- Dennis Daley, OT, South Carolina
Currently, the projected starting right tackle is Sam Tevi. Needless to say, the Chargers can easily upgrade at that spot. Daley could start day one at right tackle. Even if he doesn’t win the starting spot this season, Russell Okung will be 32 years old next season and the Chargers can save $13.5 million dollars against the cap by releasing him next offseason. – Mike
61) Miami Dolphins (via Chiefs)- David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
Other than quarterback the offensive line is the biggest need for the Dolphins. They lost Ja’Wuan James and Ted Larsen in free agency. Even if they were re-signed the offensive line was very underwhelming. Edwards has a great point of attack and his hand usage is phenomenal. He’s one of the strongest players in the draft, but he often struggles as a pass blocker. The best word to describe his pass blocking is “uncoordinated” as he tends to lack force. Edwards would more than likely start right away on this team. – Gio
62) New Orleans Saints- Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss
Benjamin Watson announced his retirement earlier this offseason making Josh Hill the current projected starter at tight end. Hill isn’t a starting caliber tight end. Knox was not utilized properly at Ole Miss, resulting in a very minimal route tree. Knox is very athletic and has great ball skills as well as speed. Knox is a solid blocker, but he needs to improve in this area. Scouts say that Knox is a man of character which is always a plus. If he was utilized properly, I could see Knox as a first-round prospect. – Gio
63) Kansas City Chiefs (via Rams)- Connor McGovern, IOL, Penn State
McGovern struggles mightily against the blitz, but outside of that, he doesn’t have any major red flags in his game. He is very “rough around the edges” but he can be molded into a very solid starter. He does manage to stay attached to a block for too long and his length isn’t phenomenal. However, McGovern is someone that can become a future pro-bowler if he puts all the tools together. – Gio
64) New England Patriots- Juan Thornhill, DB, Virginia
After adding a cornerback in the first round, the Patriots double down in the secondary, adding Thornhill. The Patriots like to use three safeties set a lot and they have three really good ones. However, all three have two or fewer years left on their contract and are in the back end of their prime. Adding Thornhill, who could even play some cornerback, would give the team options next offseason. – Mike
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