As the dust settles from the first wave of free agency, here’s my first mock of the 2019 NFL Draft.
To see every pick each team holds in the 2019 NFL Draft, click here.
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior (RS)
He won the NFL
Scouting Combine when he measured 5-foot-10 1/8 (we’ve come a LONG way in the NFL from being dismissive of undersized QBs) — and his arm, accuracy, touch, and all-around playmaking ability cannot be passed up by the
Cardinals.
School: Ohio State | Year: Junior
Considered by many to be the best player in the 2019 draft, Bosa is an intriguing mix of size, speed and ferocity. He will team perfectly with
Dee Ford and
DeForest Buckner to terrorize QBs.
School: Alabama | Year: Sophomore (RS)
The
Jets have earned their share of back pages in the NYC tabloids during free agency, and now they add a tag-team partner for stud DE
Leonard Williams.
School: Kentucky | Year: Senior
As terrific and relentless as Allen has been for the Wildcats, I think his best play is still ahead of him. The
Raiders ranked dead last in the league with 13 sacks in 2018.
School: Mississippi State | Year: Senior
A leader at ILB (like LSU’s Devin White) makes sense here, but head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles believe that speed and pressure drive a defense. Sweat provides both (his 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine was a modern record for a defensive lineman).
School: Ohio State | Year: Sophomore (RS)
Perfect spot for this prolific passer to land. With Haskins coming out as a redshirt sophomore, and landing in the N.Y. metropolitan area, it’s not a bad thing for him to have time to acclimate behind
Eli Manning.
School: Iowa | Year: Junior
Already a top prospect, Fant blew the doors off the combine in Indy, and provides a great — and
needed — target for new Jags QB
Nick Foles, who made great use of
Pro Bowl TE
Zach Ertz in Philadelphia.
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
Head coach Matt Patricia’s specialty is defense, and after Detroit’s signing of former Patriot
Trey Flowers in free agency, the building of a formidable defensive front continues with this talented youngster out of Ann Arbor. I expect he’ll be more productive in the NFL than he was in college.
School: Florida | Year: Junior
When you draft a QB in the first round, you have to do everything possible to keep him upright and healthy. Second-year signal-caller
Josh Allen will applaud getting another big body that can play in front of him.
School: LSU | Year: Junior
Expect GM John Elway to take a LONG look at Missouri QB
Drew Lock despite the acquisition of
Joe Flacco, but ultimately Denver opts for this multi-talented LB who leads vocally
and by example. Not to mention, he’s a hard hitter.
School: Michigan | Year: Junior
The
Bengals re-signed
Preston Brown, but they could still use more help at linebacker. This speedy playmaker diagnoses and finds his way to the ball quickly. Bush’s dad is a former NFL safety.
School: Clemson | Year: Senior
As injuries mounted last season, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine had to do a lot of mixing and matching along the DL. Wilkins’ size and versatility make him a good running mate for
Kenny Clark and
Mike Daniels.
School: Missouri | Year: Senior
The
Dolphins have been fairly quiet during free agency, but the QB position has to be addressed, and the best senior QB falls into Miami’s lap here. A big arm and plenty of moxie are headed to South Florida.
School: Houston | Year: Junior
Another upfield, penetrating DT who should complement and upgrade the play of fellow DT
Grady Jarrett.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
This organization certainly had to have QB
Drew Lock on its radar, but with him off the board, here’s a chance to shore up the OL. I like Williams better at guard, but he can certainly play OT. Washington has shown that it’s not shy about drafting Crimson Tide stars.
School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)
Following the retirement of
Julius Peppers, Carolina is thrilled to see this mature, aggressive pass rusher from Clemson is still available.
School: Washington State | Year: Senior (RS)
The
Giants find a building block for the O-line with this pick, acquired from the
Browns in the OBJ trade. Dillard, who many believe is the best pass protector in the draft, can grow with their top pick,
Dwayne Haskins.
School: Iowa | Year: Sophomore (RS)
The OL will get a long look, but Hockenson is a tremendous blocker who will help the run game get untracked — and he’s an excellent receiver, as well.
School: Florida State | Year: Junior
With
Brian Orakpo‘s retirement and the potential departure of free agent OLB
Derrick Morgan, the
Titans countered with the signing of veteran Miami DE
Cameron Wake. Burns and 2018 draftee
Harold Landry would benefit from his tutelage, as would the
Titans‘ pass rush.
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior
Amidst all the hand wringing after the loss of All-Pro WR
Antonio Brown, the man they call "Hollywood" — who happens to be Antonio’s cousin — steps into the breach, and provides instant big-play ability. He wasn’t able to work out at the combine or Oklahoma’s pro day due to a Lisfranc (foot) injury, but he’s expected to be ready for training camp.
School: Mississippi State | Year: Junior
Talented enough to be a top-10 pick, the ACL injury he suffered in February and
his 2016 arrest drop him down. The
Seahawks are willing to wait for him to heal up before turning him loose in Pete Carroll’s scheme.
School: Ohio State | Year: Senior (RS)
Extremely fast and elusive. A perfect match for the run-first
Ravens, who now have a true deep threat to throw it to over the heads of safeties creeping to the LOS to help slow down RB
Mark Ingram and QB
Lamar Jackson.
School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior (RS)
It’s time to invest in the offensive line to help keep
Deshaun Watson, who was sacked a league-high 62 times last season, upright.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
The heir apparent to Beast Mode — who’s currently a free agent — is here. Tremendous burst and excellent hands. The best RB in the draft.
School: Georgia | Year: Senior
Wasn’t the best combine for him, but his tape shows an ultra-competitive CB who contests all passes thrown in his area.
School: Mississippi | Year: Sophomore (RS)
A scary combination of size, speed and production when healthy. With WR
T.Y. Hilton and TE
Eric Ebron occupying attention from defenses, there will be ample opportunities for Metcalf to bully secondaries.
School: Washington | Year: Sophomore (RS)
The
Raiders‘ struggles to take the ball away have been well documented. I love this young man’s instincts, and toughness.
School: Washington | Year: Junior
Terrific range sideline to sideline and in the alleys. A sure, excellent tackler, Rapp will plug nicely into defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s attacking unit.
School: Mississippi State | Year: Senior
Abram will pair nicely with free-agent signee
Tyrann Mathieu. The
Chiefs will look to other avenues to fill their need for a pass rusher.
School: Kansas State | Year: Senior (RS)
The versatile O-lineman (Risner played center, guard and tackle at K-State) could easily be the heir apparent to OT
Bryan Bulaga.
School: N.C. State | Year: Senior (RS)
Impressed at the
Senior Bowl and the combine. The
Rams find a Day 1 starter to replace
John Sullivan, whose 2019 option was declined by the club.
School: Alabama | Year: Junior
While we await word from All-Pro TE
Rob Gronkowski on his plans for 2019, the Pats don’t pass up a chance to land this talented pass catcher and good blocker who can ascend to the No. 1 role in the near future.
Follow Charles Davis on Twitter @CFD22.