Seven-round mock drafts are similar to a pitch of a TV series to a network executive. We see the characters and the general plot, but the details will be worked out when the final scripts are written.
Trades and surprising selections are the plot twists that make the NFL draft — the final script, in this case — the marquee event of the offseason.
In my final mock of 2019, I’ve projected some selections that may be off the beaten path, as well as five first-round trades. The order of the other six rounds are kept as scheduled, except for the selections exchanged in the projected Round 1 trades.
As always this time of year, keep in mind that there might be developments over the next several days leading up to the draft — be it a trade or some other information about a prospect — that changes the outlook for how things could play out.
I root for surprises during the draft to make things interesting, but here’s one 254-pick road map of how the 2019 NFL Draft (April 25-27) may play out.
To see every draft pick each team holds in the 2019 NFL Draft, click here.
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior (RS)
Murray’s the pick at No. 1 whether Kliff Kingsbury enacts a self-fulfilling prophecy or the
Cardinals trade out for a bevy of selections.
Drew Lock – QB
School: Missouri | Year: Senior
PROJECTED TRADE WITH 49ERS. Jon Gruden gets his quarterback by moving up two spots. Gruden coached Lock at the
Senior Bowl, and it’s easy to see him appreciating the former Missouri quarterback’s demeanor and physical tools. If he doesn’t move up to get him, Miami or Denver could makes a deal with the
Jets to land the Mizzou QB.
Nick Bosa – Edge
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
Bosa’s the base end new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will want in his front four.
Quinnen Williams – DT
School: Alabama | Year: Sophomore (RS)
PROJECTED TRADE WITH RAIDERS. Williams adds yet another elite talent to the
49ers‘ defensive front. The Niners get the
Raiders‘ second-round pick this year and one of their first-round picks next year (they have an extra one from the
Khalil Mack trade) in the move. As for that compensation, remember, the
Colts did receive three second-round picks so the
Jets could move up three spots in the top 10 last year. Anything can happen!
Daniel Jones – QB
Josh Allen – Edge
Ed Oliver – Edge
School: Houston | Year: Junior
Oliver is an interior disruptor who can help replace
Malik Jackson, who was released in March.
Montez Sweat – Edge
School: Mississippi State | Year: Senior
Signing
Trey Flowers was a smart move but adding Sweat gives the team a dynamic duo on the outside.
Dwayne Haskins – QB
School: Ohio State | Year: Sophomore (RS)
PROJECTED TRADE WITH BILLS. The
Dolphins move ahead of Cincinnati, Denver, and Washington to get their future starter while bridge quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick runs things in 2019 (or until the team thinks Haskins is ready).
T.J. Hockenson – TE
School: Iowa | Year: Sophomore (RS)
With the top four quarterbacks off the board, Denver picks an elite tight end prospect for
Joe Flacco and whomever takes over the Flacco in the future.
Jonah Williams – OT
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Williams can start at right tackle or guard for the
Packers, depending on the health of veteran
Bryan Bulaga.
Jawaan Taylor – OT
School: Florida | Year: Junior
PROJECTED TRADE WITH DOLPHINS.
Josh Allen will love having Taylor protecting him off the edge. The
Bills get Miami’s third- and fifth-round picks in the trade.
Christian Wilkins – DT
School: Clemson | Year: Senior
Wilkins and
Grady Jarrett make an excellent pair in the middle of the
Falcons‘ defense.
D.K. Metcalf – WR
School: Mississippi | Year: Sophomore (RS)
If Washington does not grab one of the top quarterbacks in the first round, it should bolster the receiving corps with Metcalf.
Andre Dillard – OT
School: Washington State | Year: Senior (RS)
Dillard to slides into the left tackle spot, where he will excel in pass protection.
Rashan Gary – Edge
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
It seems like every year a defender falls unexpectedly into the mid-first round.
Tremaine Edmunds last year,
Jonathan Allen two years ago — it could be Gary’s turn this year given the disparity between his athleticism and production while at Michigan.
Chris Lindstrom – OG
School: Boston College | Year: Senior
Josh Kline will secure one starting guard spot and Lindstrom can win the other in 2019.
Brian Burns – Edge
School: Florida State | Year: Junior
Signing
Cameron Wake was good for this year but Burns’ skills will be valued in 2020 and beyond.
Devin Bush – LB
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
Sometimes inside linebackers become available later in the first round than their talent would indicate. The
Steelers pinch themselves that a talent like Bush is still on the board.
Jaylon Ferguson – Edge
School: Louisiana Tech | Year: Senior (RS)
PROJECTED TRADE WITH SEAHAWKS. Re-signing
Dante Fowler to a one-year deal does not close the loop on the
Rams‘ need for pass rushers. Ferguson’s ability to reach the quarterback will be coveted in the second half of the first round.
Erik McCoy – C
School: Texas A&M | Year: Junior (RS)
Baltimore gets physical up front with McCoy, who can play multiple positions.
Deandre Baker – CB
School: Georgia | Year: Senior
The
Texans were looking under every rock at the NFL
Scouting Combine for a new cornerback to replace
Kareem Jackson. Baker’s a tough, heady player who will contribute immediately.
Clelin Ferrell – Edge
School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)
Jon Gruden hopes Ferrell can bring back the pass rush the team missed after trading
Khalil Mack.
Josh Jacobs – RB
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Yes, the
Eagles traded for
Jordan Howard, but he has only one year left on his deal and giving up a 2020 sixth-round pick (conditions could allow it to flex to a fifth) is not exactly the price one would pay for a top difference-maker. Jacobs is a beast of a runner and could take pressure off of
Carson Wentz.
Dexter Lawrence – DT
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
GM Chris Ballard is always looking to upgrade his team’s defensive line. Wilkins is a great value at this point of the round.
Byron Murphy – CB
School: Washington | Year: Sophomore (RS)
Gareon Conley gets a strong partner in Murphy, who possesses the best ballhawking skills in the class.
Cody Ford – OT
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior (RS)
The right side of the
Chargers‘ offensive line was exposed in the playoffs. Ford will tighten things up over there in a hurry.
Garrett Bradbury – C
School: N.C. State | Year: Senior (RS)
Replacing
Mitch Morse won’t be easy, but Bradbury is an experienced and agile lineman worthy of the challenge.
Noah Fant- TE
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
Matt LaFleur leaned heavily on three-tight end sets in Tennessee last year, so it won’t be a surprise if he wants to add an athletic receiver to play alongside
Jimmy Graham and
Marcedes Lewis.
Jeffery Simmons – DT
A.J. Brown – WR
School: Mississippi | Year: Junior
PROJECTED TRADE WITH PATRIOTS. The Niners desperately need a talent like Brown at receiver if Jimmy G. is to have a successful return from injury in 2019. There’s going to be a run on receivers and safeties early in Round 2, so it’s a safe bet that teams are already starting to call the Pats to find the price for an upward move.
Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter @chad_reuter.