Nick Popio | February 28th, 2019
Another historic NFL season is in the books. The New England Patriots outlasted everyone for its 6th title in nearly two decades. Now the tables will turn to the rapidly growing popularity of the offseason. The combine, free agency, and everything that has to do with the draft will take center stage from here on out. This is my initial first-round mock of the new year from thescorecrow.com. I hope you enjoy and please feel free to let the arguments flow!
1. Arizona–Josh Allen Edge Kentucky
Allen can be the prototype for Kliff Kingsbury‘s new 3-4 defense, even though the Cards know they must get Josh Rosen weapons.
2. San Francisco–Nick Bosa DE Ohio State
The 49ers sprint to the podium for arguably the best player in the draft that falls conveniently in their laps.
3. New York Jets–Quinnen Williams DT Alabama
The Jets need offense to supplement Sam Darnold desperately, but can’t pass up on a defender like Williams in this spot.
4. Oakland–Rashan Gary DL Michigan
Gary will get the spotlight to replace Khalil Mack, which is way easier said than done for the top high school recruit who underachieved at Michigan.
5. Cincinnati (via Tampa Bay)–Devin White LB LSU
The Bengals have to find ways to retool their porous defense and White is the leader they can do it with.
6. New York Giants–Jawaan Taylor OT Florida
Eli Manning has at least one quality year left in him, so they go protect him by continuing the offensive line shuffling.
7. Jacksonville–Dwayne Haskins QB Ohio State
Haskins will get the nod to bring the Jags back into contention unless Nick Foles gets dealt here.
8. Detroit–Montez Sweat Edge Mississippi State
Matt Patricia lands one of the edge rushers he’s got to get for his defense.
9. Buffalo–Jonah Williams OL Alabama
Buffalo has to select all the offensive prospects it can to help Josh Allen progress in year 2.
10. Denver–Greedy Williams CB LSU
John Elway got his quarterback, now he obtains his quarterback of the secondary.
11. Tampa Bay (via Cincinnati)-Deandre Baker CB Georgia
The Bucs trade down to secure the cornerback they want to improve their abysmal defensive backfield.
12. Washington (via Green Bay)-Kyler Murray QB Oklahoma
Risk taker, Daniel Snyder, can’t pass on the most polarizing figure in the draft to take over as his signal caller for Alex Smith.
13. Miami–Clelin Ferrell DE Clemson
Miami seems to be all in on the 2020 QB class, so they look elsewhere in the first round.
14. Atlanta–Devin Bush LB Michigan
This is a good landing-place for Bush who will bring his speed and skills to a defense that has to keep up with the other offenses in the NFC South.
15. Green Bay (via Washington)-Jachai Polite Edge Florida
Green Bay adds some serious pass rush from one of the fastest defenders off the line of scrimmage.
16. Carolina–Andre Dillard OT Washington State
The Panthers need players on both sides of the line so they could go either way with this selection.
17. Cleveland–Ed Oliver DL Houston
Going into the 2018 season Oliver was the #1 prospect, now he slides to a trendy team picked to win the AFC North in 2019.
18. Indianapolis (via Minnesota)-Byron Murphy CB Washington
A club on the rise chooses a pesky corner to continue their path to towards Super Bowl contention.
19. Tennessee–Christian Wilkins DT Clemson
Wilkins can bring an interior presence to the Titans already stout defense.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (via Pittsburgh)–Cody Ford OL Oklahoma
Ford is shooting up the draft boards, but if the Chargers can snag him here it’s quite a coup for Philip Rivers and company.
21. Seattle–Johnathan Abram S Mississippi State
His physicality would be a perfect fit in the reloading Seattle defense.
22. Baltimore–D.K. Metcalf WR Mississippi
The Ravens give Lamar Jackson a receiver he can grow with over the years.
23. Houston–Greg Little OT Mississippi
Houston selects a left tackle they have to find in this draft to protect the promising road ahead for Deshaun Watson.
24. Oakland–N’Keal Harry WR Arizona State
After dealing Amari Cooper to Dallas, Jon Gruden gains his new #1 wideout from Herm Edwards and Arizona State.
25. New England (via Philadelphia)–T.J. Hockenson TE Iowa
Bill Belichick actually deal up for Tom Brady‘s next security blanket, and possibly the next Rob Gronkowski.
26. Minnesota (via Indianapolis)-Daniel Jones QB Duke
Kirk Cousins doesn’t appear to be what the Vikings expected him to be and because of it they decide on a protection plan for him.
27. Oakland–Nasir Adderley DB Delaware
Adderley was coached by Gruden at the Senior Bowl and has the family NFL pedigree in Pro Football Hall of Famer Herb Adderley.
28. Pittsburgh (via Los Angeles Chargers)-Germaine Pratt LB N.C. State
Pratt possesses safety type speed at linebacker which is what Pittsburgh has been seeking since the devastating injury to Ryan Shazier.
29. Kansas City–Deionte Thompson S Alabama
Thompson can learn from a veteran like Eric Berry to be a constant in Kansas City for a long time to come.
30. Green Bay–Drew Lock QB Missouri
Aaron Rodgers is not going to be around forever so the Packers can let Lock study the brain of Rodgers until he’s ready to take over.
31. Los Angeles Rams–Brian Burns Edge Florida State
If Burns somehow falls this far, it has to be considered a major steal for the NFC Champions who will be looking for more sack artists.
32. Philadelphia (via New England)–Marquise Brown WR Oklahoma
Brown would be a nice slot complement for Carson Wentz if they let Golden Tate walk away.
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