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 pick each team holds in the 2019 NFL Draft, click here.
Round 2
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
Brown’s 166-pound frame may scare teams off in the first round, but as a comparison, former second-round pick
DeSean Jackson weighed 169 pounds in Indy coming out of Cal in 2008.
Deebo Samuel – WR
School: South Carolina | Year: Senior (RS)
Andrew Luck is thrilled after the team lands a receiver who can work all parts of the field.
Darnell Savage Jr. – S
School: Maryland | Year: Senior
PROJECTED TRADE WITH RAIDERS. Bolstering the secondary should be a priority for San Francisco, and Savage’s versatility and toughness would be a nice fit.
Irv Smith, Jr. – TE
N’Keal Harry – WR
School: Arizona State | Year: Junior
Harry’s a size-speed prospect who wins in the red zone, something the team needs after trading
Odell Beckham, Jr.
Kaleb McGary – OT
School: Washington | Year: Senior (RS)
McGary’s a similar player to
Braden Smith, who solidified the right tackle spot for the
Colts in 2018 as a second-round pick.
Miles Sanders – RB
School: Penn State | Year: Junior
Peyton Barber re-signed for one year, but he isn’t the all-purpose threat that Sanders is, and
Ronald Jones disappointed in Year 1. Bruce Arians, who coached
David Johnson in Arizona, will be happy to have a versatile back in his offense.
Amani Oruwariye – CB
School: Penn State | Year: Senior (RS)
The
Bills hope
Kevin Johnson can stay healthy in 2019 but they hedge their bets with Oruwariye, a future outside partner for
Tre’Davious White.
Dalton Risner – OL
Parris Campbell – WR
School: Ohio State | Year: Senior
Campbell’s speed gives the
Bengals a nice third option with
A.J. Green and
Tyler Boyd drawing the opposition’s best corners.
Taylor Rapp – S
School: Washington | Year: Junior
Rapp is a nice replacement for
Glover Quin in the
Lions‘ secondary because of his instincts and leadership qualities.
Johnathan Abram – S
School: Mississippi State | Year: Senior
The
Packers are thrilled to find a quality leader and athlete available at a need position in the mid-second round.
Chase Winovich – Edge
School: Michigan | Year: Senior (RS)
I won’t be surprised if GM Thomas Dimitroff moves up in the second round to get a pass-rush stud like Winovich.
Ryan Finley – QB
School: N.C. State | Year: Senior (RS)
Washington is in quarterback purgatory right now, with the future of
Alex Smith unclear and the acquisition of
Case Keenum only a band-aid solution. Finley’s going to be a solid NFL quarterback, even if he does not rise to elite-starter level.
Juan Thornhill – S
School: Virginia | Year: Senior
Thornhill will pair with
Eric Reid to make a formidable safety duo for years to come.
Tytus Howard – OT
School: Alabama State | Year: Senior (RS)
The powerful and agile Howard plugs into the
Dolphins‘ open right tackle spot, vacated by
Ja’Wuan James.
Rock Ya-Sin – CB
School: Temple | Year: Senior
Cornerback is a major area of need for the
Browns, so Ya-Sin’s unwillingness to back down from any receiver will give him a shot to start right away.
Amani Hooker – S
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
Hooker will join
Harrison Smith to form a talented safety tandem for the
Vikings.
L.J. Collier – DE
School: TCU | Year: Senior (RS)
Collier’s a powerful player who will step in at defensive end for the
Titans as a rookie.
Greedy Williams – CB
School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)
Guys like
Josh Jackson and
Isaiah Oliver ended up lasting well into the second round in 2018, and Williams is the top-tier CB prospect who could very well be available in Round 2 this year.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson – S
School: Florida | Year: Junior
Philly signed
Rodney McLeod to a one-year deal after he missed all but three games of the 2018 season due to injury, but Gardner-Johnson offers versatility and will eventually start for the
Eagles.
Jace Sternberger – TE
School: Texas A&M | Year: Junior (RS)
Sternberger has become a favorite of scouts for his hands and ability to run past linebackers and safeties.
Julian Love – CB
School: Notre Dame | Year: Junior
It is not unusual for teams to use two early picks at cornerback if their need is dire. The
Texans take advantage of value here in selecting Love to join Baker, their first-round pick, in the secondary.
Zach Allen – Edge
School: Boston College | Year: Senior
Allen’s a high-motor edge player who’s able to line up across from tackles or off their outside shoulder.
Mack Wilson – LB
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Wilson’s experience in Alabama’s defense should help him step in to replace
Jordan Hicks early on.
Damien Harris – RB
School: Alabama | Year: Senior
Harris is a nice fit behind Zeke, as he can take the load off in third-down situations because of his catching ability and pass protection skills.
Nasir Adderley – S
School: Delaware | Year: Senior
Clayton Geathers was re-signed to a one-year deal, but Adderley is the team’s future starter next to 2017 first-round pick
Malik Hooker.
Jerry Tillery – DT
School: Notre Dame | Year: Senior
Tillery’s labrum injury may push him down boards a bit, but he’ll be a steal for the
Chargers, who have a huge need on the defensive interior.
Lonnie Johnson Jr. – CB
School: Kentucky | Year: Senior
Johnson gives the
Chiefs the size and length that they need at cornerback.
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside – WR
School: Stanford | Year: Junior (RS)
Drew Brees is going to love throwing to this guy, as he is as competitive as any receiver prospect we’ve seen enter the draft in recent years.
Mecole Hardman – WR
School: Georgia | Year: Junior
Tyreek Hill‘s status could be affected by the outcome of an
ongoing police investigation into alleged battery of a juvenile in which Hill may be involved. Kansas City could look to Hardman’s electric after-the-catch and return ability.
Joejuan Williams – CB
School: Vanderbilt | Year: Junior
William’s slow 40-yard dash times probably won’t hurt his stock too much. New England must add youth to the secondary in this draft.
Follow Chad Reuter on Twitter @chad_reuter.