The 2019 NFL Draft is just days away, and while there is plenty of chatter (and conversational evidence) that five (?!) QBs might be taken Thursday night in Nashville, I’m not totally convinced. We will all know by Round 1’s end on April 25. But for now, here’s how I see things shaking out.
To see every draft pick each team holds in the 2019 NFL Draft, click here.
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior (RS)
Plenty of chatter that the
Cardinals will now NOT take this terrific playmaker with the top choice, and may trade the selection. I believe they will weigh their options, but ultimately stay at No. 1 overall, moving forward with an innovative rookie head coach and a do-everything rookie QB.
Nick Bosa – Edge
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
Big-time pass rusher off the edge who can move inside in sub packages, too. Bosa LOVES the game and plays each snap accordingly.
Quinnen Williams – DT
School: Alabama | Year: Sophomore (RS)
Yes, the
Jets are open for business with this pick, but if they stick, pairing this star from Alabama with DL
Leonard Williams will make new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams VERY happy.
Josh Allen – Edge
School: Kentucky | Year: Senior
In addition to all of the college football awards he collected last season, he could have won “most improved” as well. His game will just keep getting better. However, if the
Raiders are indeed
planning a surprise pick here, I would keep an eye on linebacker
Devin White.
Devin White – LB
School: LSU | Year: Junior
With new coordinator Todd Bowles overhauling the defense, the Bucs can’t turn down the best inside linebacker in the draft.
Rashan Gary – Edge
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
Yes, this could be a quarterback, but my vibe says no. The
Giants need help on both the offensive and defensive lines, and they start by adding a strong edge rusher who’s a Jersey kid in Gary, despite any concerns
about the shoulder injury he’s been dealing with dating back to his college career.
Jawaan Taylor – OT
School: Florida | Year: Junior
The Jags want to get back to running the ball and throwing off of play-action — a formula that led them to an AFC title game in 2017. This fierce Gator helps achieve that in a big way.
Ed Oliver – DT
School: Houston | Year: Junior
People keep talking about his size being an issue, but the
Lions envision his quickness and skills wreaking havoc in the pocket.
T.J. Hockenson – TE
School: Iowa | Year: Sophomore (RS)
This could easily be a top offensive lineman in order to protect young quarterback
Josh Allen, but the top tight end on many boards would also protect Allen, both by blocking (mauler) and in the passing game (excellent receiver).
Drew Lock – QB
School: Missouri | Year: Senior
John Elway can’t resist this big-armed thrower who improved greatly in his last year at Mizzou. Lock will get a chance to learn behind
Joe Flacco for a season or more before inheriting the QB1 job.
Dwayne Haskins – QB
School: Ohio State | Year: Sophomore (RS)
Anytime there’s a new head coach, there’s speculation about a new QB. With
Andy Dalton not receiving
an extension this offseason, this pick makes sense.
Noah Fant – TE
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
The
Packers have some good TEs already in
Jimmy Graham and
Marcedes Lewis, but both are firmly in their 30s. My top-rated TE can be special for a long time.
Clelin Ferrell – Edge
School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)
Keep hearing the
Dolphins are waiting until 2020 to select a QB. They’ll ride with
Ryan Fitzpatrick for at least a year, and pick Ferrell to help build a foundation for Brian Flores’ defense.
Christian Wilkins – DT
School: Clemson | Year: Senior
The
Falcons‘ best defensive lineman,
Grady Jarrett, needs a running mate inside; the winner of
the Campbell Trophy (academic Heisman) fits the bill. Pretty darn good on the football field, as well. A CB could be in play, too.
Brian Burns – Edge
School: Florida State | Year: Junior
Many are thinking QB here, and that’s certainly a possibility. But, the selection of Burns gives Washington a pass rusher who can complement, and benefit from, the fellas from ‘Bama inside (
Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne). Veteran edge rusher
Ryan Kerrigan also applauds the pick.
Andre Dillard – OT
School: Washington State | Year: Senior (RS)
The best pass-protecting offensive tackle in the 2019 draft, Dillard can plug in at LT and allow the
Panthers to utilize
Taylor Moton‘s power inside at guard.
Jonah Williams – OG
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
Williams was a skilled left tackle in college and he can stay in that spot in the NFL. I like him better inside at guard, but wherever he plays, he’ll start from Day 1.
Cody Ford – OG
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior (RS)
Brass will address the team’s biggest need, helping the O-line with the All-American from Oklahoma, who can play tackle or move inside to guard.
Jeffery Simmons – DT
School: Mississippi State | Year: Junior
While no one likes to wait to unwrap their presents, Simmons’ rehab from ACL surgery will require some patience. But once he’s 100%, he will pair well with DL
Jurrell Casey. A top-10 value in my book.
Greedy Williams – CB
School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)
The buzz on this
Steelers pick is that they’re likely to go CB. The question is, which one? In this case, it’s the lengthy guy from the Bayou, who possesses great speed and excellent ball skills.
Montez Sweat – Edge
School: Mississippi State | Year: Senior
All this talk about DE
Frank Clark
potentially being traded makes Sweat attractive for a team that values speed at every position on defense.
Marquise Brown – WR
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
Head coach John Harbaugh wants a ”
tough guy” at WR. He won’t mind a blazer who will bring a little “Hollywood” to the “Charm City.”
Greg Little – OT
School: Mississippi | Year: Junior
The
Texans must protect their franchise QB
Deshaun Watson. He was hit way too often last year.
Josh Jacobs – RB
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
A lead runner is a big-time need in Oakland. In Jon Gruden’s offense, Jacobs can be his new “Charlie Garner,” a terrific combo back who creates big plays in the run and pass games.
Johnathan Abram – S
School: Mississippi State | Year: Senior
The
Eagles are thinking about the future at safety with
Rodney McLeod coming off injury and due to hit free agency in 2020. Abram will be a hard-hitting tone-setter in the secondary.
Dexter Lawrence – DT
School: Clemson | Year: Junior
The defensive front gets the call here, and fits a need, too. Division rivals Tennessee, Jacksonville and Houston all like to run the ball, and with big, powerful backs. Lawrence ups the power ratio to combat those attacks.
Byron Murphy – CB
Rock Ya-Sin – CB
School: Temple | Year: Senior
Tough and loves to get in a receiver’s face. Also, did I mention that he’s tough? The secondary keeps getting stronger for the Bolts. I could also see them taking safety
Taylor Rapp here to complement All-Pro
Derwin James.
Deandre Baker – CB
School: Georgia | Year: Senior
Baker will likely be upset that other CBs were drafted before him, but he can use that as continued motivation. He’s a true competitor who contests every ball in his area.
Devin Bush – LB
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
The
Packers cannot
believe their incredible fortune that this outstanding defender lasted this long in the first round, as he could have easily been a top-15 pick.
Garrett Bradbury – C
School: N.C. State | Year: Senior (RS)
John Sullivan performed very well in the pivot, but the
Rams declined his contract option for 2019. Second-year player
Brian Allen is currently penciled in to start, but that could change if Bradbury is available at No. 31. If L.A. wants defense, DT
Jerry Tillery could work well next to
Aaron Donald, and would allow the best defender in the league to continue to destroy offenses without being overly occupied by offensive linemen.
Dalton Risner – OT
School: Kansas State | Year: Senior (RS)
The
Patriots could easily trade this pick to a QB-needy team that wants to jump back into Round 1, but if New England stays put here, Risner could be the franchise’s next Logan Mankins. Versatile, and accomplished, he can play tackle, guard or center.
Follow Charles Davis on Twitter @CFD22.