In one month, the NFL Draft will arrive.
It’s not a high-octane event. There’s no high-speed contact. No dirt smeared on jerseys. No pads clapping together. There’s only a stage. A podium. And a pick.
The NFL Draft doesn’t have the action that the games themselves have, and yet, it may be the most exciting event on the NFL calendar, every year. The suspense has built up for almost three months now, and when the NFL Draft nears, rumors will be rampant. No one knows what will happen until the card is read. Until then, all we can do is wait. And wonder.
In honor of the NFL Draft’s perpetual intrigue, we’ve put together our NFL Draft Mock 5.0 for you. This mock features two full rounds of selections, some surprising early picks, and a trade up by a team looking for its franchise quarterback. Turn the page, and take a look at the possibilities.
All prospect visit information was acquired from walterfootball.com.
The Cardinals interest in Kyler Murray defies all kinds of logic. The Cardinals traded up in Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft to pick Josh Rosen last year. Josh Rosen was a borderline elite prospect coming out of college, and he showed flashes despite being the victim of an all-around awful situation.
Now situated with the No. 1 overall pick, the Cardinals could add more top-end talent to help Rosen, and to build around him as their franchise quarterback. Instead, it seems as if the Cardinals want to start over again, pick Kyler Murray, and pass up the chance to construct their core a year early.
The Cardinals interest in Murray defies logic; Murray would come at a higher cost than simply keeping Rosen. But at the same time, the interest, in a certain light, makes sense. Kliff Kingsbury is the Cardinals new head coach, and he’s been advertised as a radical, outside-the-box thinker. He has a pre-existing connection with Kyler Murray, and while he’s given votes of confidence to Rosen, Kingsbury’s interest in Murray, and his interest to have his “own guy”, is very realistic.
Will the Cardinals’ interest prove to be genuine? That remains to be seen. But Kingsbury and Steve Keim are hard to predict. They’ll do what it takes to instill Kingsbury’s new vision, even if that involves moving backwards at quarterback. In the event that Murray is selected, the Redskins would have to pick up the phone for Rosen immediately.
The Cardinals selection of Kyler Murray is a big win for the San Francisco 49ers. Since they’re not in play for a quarterback with Jimmy Garroppolo returning in 2019, the No. 2 pick is essentially a No. 1 pick for them; they have their choice of a plethora of top talents in the NFL Draft.
Of course, of all the top talents, there are a select few that rise above even the highest tier. Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams first come to mind as this NFL Draft’s bonafide stars, although Brian Burns is right behind them, and players like Devin White, Ed Oliver, Byron Murphy, and T.J. Hockenson are in the mix as well.
For a different team, the decision could be made tough with a few more surefire needs. But the 49ers checked some boxes off in free agency, and now the consensus is that they’ll find an edge rusher to pair with Dee Ford in the NFL Draft. At this pick, both Nick Bosa and Brian Burns should garner consideration, but Bosa ultimately goes to the bay area.
Bosa rivals his brother as one of the most refined edge rusher prospects to enter the NFL Draft in recent years. While he’s a bit smaller than his elder sibling, Nick Bosa isn’t any less twitchy or energetic, and he has the combination of hand precision, high rushing I.Q., and functional strength to be a consistent winner opposite Ford and DeForest Buckner for the 49ers, and a top sack getter for years on end.
The Jets have their franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold, and they’ve placed an emphasis on offense with the hiring of Adam Gase as their head coach. Now, after spending big in free agency on skill position players for Darnold to utilize, the Jets need to make sure he has time to work his magic.
Offensive tackle remains an area of need for the New York Jets after free agency, as the team failed to bring in any high-quality tackles off the open market. Luckily for them, the No. 3 pick provides flexibility, control, and plenty of competent options to choose from.
The Jets could ultimately trade back from the No. 3 spot; they’re rumored to be considering that course of action. But in this mock, they stay put, and fill a pressing need with Florida State tackle Jawaan Taylor.
Depending on your opinion of Taylor, this could be too high for the former Gator. He’s not the best athlete, and his movement can be a bit clunky at times. But Taylor is a heavy-handed blocker who wins off of power, leverage, and focused strength more than anyone else in this class. Even if his ceiling may be a bit limited, he should be able to provide the Jets with high quality tackle play for a long time.
Last time I did a first-round NFL Draft mock, I had the Oakland Raiders select Josh Allen at this pick. Since then, I’ve watched tape of both Brian Burns and Josh Allen, and I have what might be considered a hot take to present to you:
Brian Burns >>>> Josh Allen.
While Allen has some redeemable qualities, his tape leaves something to be desired. Burns, meanwhile, showed off his well-rounded skill set, and he generated pocket penetration far more often than Allen. Burns has the burst, flexibility, bend, length, and technical precision to flourish in the NFL as a top-tier edge rusher.
Despite all his positive traits, however, Burns has, more often than not, been mocked far below Josh Allen. Allen is often a surefire top ten pick in mocks, while Burns has fallen as far as outside the top twenty. While it’s possible that Burns could drop, for whatever reason (It’s the NFL Draft; anything can happen), he shouldn’t.
This selection is more a testament to Burns’ prowess than a representation of what is likely, but it can’t be ruled out as a possibility. Jon Gruden said, after trading Khalil Mack, that great edge rushers are hard to find. As long as his watches the tape, he should see a great edge rusher in Brian Burns, and he shouldn’t hesitate to fill his team’s most pressing need with a top five player in the class.
The Buccaneers lost Kwon Alexander in free agency, so they’ll be in the market for linebackers early in the 2019 NFL Draft. And with the No. 5 pick, they have the opportunity to add an immediate upgrade from Kwon Alexander, with high upside to add to their resume.
That upgrade is Devin White, a standout defender from LSU who only recently started playing linebacker. White is a tremendous athlete as his position; he tested at the top of his group at the NFL Combine, with only Devin Bush sticking with him on the leaderboards.
White has some development left to realize, as his instincts in pass coverage are streaky, and play action fakes could be a problem for him in initial action. But the potential long-term rewards far outweigh any potential early snags; White is still fairly new to his position, and as he learns, he should only get better.
With White, the Buccaneers get better on defense, and they add a player who, with time and development, could help them deal with the underneath receivers that caused them so much trouble in 2018. White is just one piece to the puzzle, but he could be an important one, in due time.
The saga surrounding the Giants interest in Dwayne Haskins has been a strange one.
There first was a report that the Giants had very little interest in Haskins, to the point where they weren’t even scouting him. Then there were rumors that John Mara didn’t like Haskins because radio personality Mike Francesca didn’t like Haskins. Then the Giants hosted Haskins to a private meeting.
Is it interest? Or is it just a team trying to cover its own reputation? It makes sense for the Giants to do this kind of thing, but theoretical interest in Haskins would also make sense, if the Giants took the time to study him. Haskins isn’t a home run prospect, but he’s a very smart player who processes quickly on the field and has an arm just good enough to make all the throws.
Haskins isn’t the transcendent quarterback talent, but he’s a more-than-capable distributor for a Giants offense that needs an upgrade, from both a performance quality and a value standpoint.
Don’t let the Jacksonville Jaguars fool you; they may have signed Nick Foles to a deal worth $50 million in guarantees, but Tom Coughlin and Doug Marrone still intend to win by rebuilding their once-elite defense.
Whether that strategy will work or not, in the offense-leaning modern NFL, remains to be seen. But the Jaguars will try, and if an elite prospect like Quinnen Williams drops to the No. 7 pick, then they won’t hesitate to add to their defensive front.
The Jaguars drafted an interior defensive lineman in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft as well, picking up Florida’s Taven Bryan. After losing Malik Jackson in free agency, however, a need exists once again, and Williams is a defensive lineman with the monumental upside to make Jaguars fans forget about Jackson entirely.
Williams emerged onto the scene after just one year starting in Alabama’s defense. That’s all it took for Williams to cement himself as a top talent with his combination of burst, athleticism, sheer power, and flexibility at the line. Jacksonville’s defense, still stocked with talented players, is a perfect match for the best player in the NFL Draft, if he makes it this far down the board. And Jacksonville has four IHOP’s, so Williams himself should take no time to get comfortable.
If you ask me, Josh Allen isn’t all that he’s hyped up to be. But the Detroit Lions still can’t complain with him falling to No. 8.
The Lions, after letting Ezekiel Ansah walk in free agency, need to add another pass rushing presence on the outside. The Lions will have some semblance of a decision to make at No. 8 if they wish to go edge rusher. Brian Burns could very well be available here in Allen’s place, and Montez Sweat and Clelin Ferrell could win over Matt Patricia’s staff as well.
In this mock, however, Allen’s production wins over the Lions, and they take him, with the belief that they’ve grabbed a steal. Allen isn’t necessarily a steal at No. 8, but his does offer some impressive qualities.
Allen is perhaps the most productive edge rusher in this NFL Draft class, as he logged 17.0 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in his final season with the Kentucky Wildcats. For all his production, however, Allen lacks consistent elite traits. His burst, at its best, is explosive, but it doesn’t show up as often as you’d like. He’s not as long as Burns or Sweat, and he doesn’t showcase the functional strength or power that other edge rushers boast. His stats suggest that his tape is dominant, but I didn’t see the dominance or the stellar upside that people have spoken about.
That said, what Allen has going for him is his motor, and his well-rounded skill set. He might not have elite traits, but he doesn’t have any worrisome weaknesses either, and the traits that he flashed in spurts could be magnified under the tutelage of Matt Patricia.
The Bills were the subject of ridicule when they traded up to grab Josh Allen in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Many labeled Allen as a surefire bust with his low completion percentage, and even the most ardent Allen supporters had to admit he was a project.
Well, one year in, it appears as if the project might be slowly paying off. Allen still needs to work on honing in his accuracy, and he might never be the pinpoint passer that some franchise quarterbacks are. But what Allen lacks in precision, he makes up for with athleticism, arm strength, competitive fire, and a personality around which players rally. Allen did what no one expected him to do in 2018: He took hold of the Bills’ franchise quarterback position.
Whether Allen can hang onto it remains to be seen; even quarterbacks can only flash in the pan. But the Bills saw what he could do, and the excitement and production he could provide, with almost no weapons and no protection from the offensive line. Now, it’s up to the Bills to give him some help.
The Bills accomplished part of that in free agency, adding offensive linemen such as Ty Nsekhe, Spencer Long, and Mitch Morse to compete a starting blocking unit. They also added wide receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley to strengthen the receiving core. Now, in the NFL Draft, they’ll add to his talent core, and nab not just the best tight end, but one of the best offensive weapons in the class: Tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Hockenson provides the Bills with both a stellar blocker and a receiving threat with dominant upside. At the catch point, he’s strong and aggressive, and after the catch, he’s just as explosive. Hockenson is the kind of player that can improve an offense’s overall efficiency, and for a quarterback like Josh Allen, Hockenson could become an indispensable compliment to the speed of Robert Foster and John Brown. All of a sudden, the Bills offense, once unwatchable, is impossible to miss.
The Broncos have a quarterback with starting experience in Joe Flacco, but if that’s the kindest thing you can say about a quarterback, then you need to keep sifting through the market. That’s what the Broncos have done this offseason; they’ve met with multiple quarterback prospects, including Drew Lock, who they’ve met with several times.
Early on in the NFL Draft process, Lock seems to be the favorite of John Elway, and it’s the closest Elway has come to a “hit” in the NFL Draft. Lock has undeniable arm talent and athleticism, and his infectious personality makes him a desirable leader for any 53-man roster. His footwork needs a complete overhaul, but if it can be fixed, Lock can be the best quarterback out of this class. I wrote as such in an NFL Draft profile of Lock earlier in the year:
"With his inconsistency, Lock relates [somewhat] to Jay Cutler as a prospect, in some aspects. But when his fundamentals check out, Lock is perhaps more accurate than Cutler, and his arm is more elastic. Lock’s mentality also factors into the equation. While Cutler was labeled as hard to work with at times, Lock has shown at every juncture that he’s the kind of quarterback you want leading your team. As a leader, he helped turn around a Missouri football program reeling from boycott and underperformance, bringing them back to a bowl game in his final two seasons as starter. At the Senior Bowl, Lock’s charismatic, yet thoughtful personality was placed under the spotlight, and off of limited encounters, he seems like the type of quarterback who would respond well to coaching and constructive criticism. Combine his mentality with his undeniable physical talents, and he could have the highest upside in the 2019 class. Mentally, Lock may have some refinement to do. But make no mistake; he’s a smart quarterback. Bad habits are limiting his development, and if they can be broken, Lock can be the best quarterback out of this class."
Lock would fare best in a situation where he isn’t required to start right away, and in Denver, that precious time is what Lock would be afforded. He’d be able to sit behind Joe Flacco for however long it takes for him to fix his mechanics, soaking in knowledge along the way. It’s a less direct path to a franchise quarterback, but for Elway, it could be the end of a long, arduous search.
The possibility of a quarterback selection was contemplated at this pick. The Bengals did meet with Duke quarterback Daniel Jones at the 2019 NFL Combine, and Jones is the only quarterback left available who’s garnered first-round talk.
While it’s possible that the Bengals could draft a quarterback, and either trade Andy Dalton or release him with no dead cap penalty, Zac Taylor was a quarterbacks coach with Sean McVay. He should know better than to force the issue at the game’s most important position. At pick No. 11, that’s what drafting Daniel Jones would be.
Taylor’s desire to have “his guy” could complicate things, if Jones is in fact a preferred target, but Taylor seems to have grown well-acquainted with Dalton since arriving at Cincinnati, and he could commit to the veteran in 2019, with hopes of rekindling his earlier success. If that’s the case, then the Bengals can spend their first-round pick elsewhere. Offensive line naturally materializes as a pressing need, as does linebacker.
In this mock, the Bengals go with the latter position, and insert Michigan’s Devin Bush into their lineup as an immediate starter. Bush is a bit on the short side, but he’s the best coverage linebacker in this NFL Draft class, and he possesses all the necessary traits to perform at a high level. Taylor’s first pick needs to hit, and Bush does just that, in many different ways.
Jonah Williams was a contender for this pick, but I ultimately went against the presumption that he’d automatically shift inside in the NFL. Williams was a high-quality tackle in college, so for our purposes, let’s assume the Packers see both him and Cody Ford at the same position in the NFL.
In that case, the Packers have an interesting predicament on their hands. They could still draft an interior lineman, but Garrett Bradbury at No. 12 might be too rich for Brian Gutekunst. Edge rusher isn’t a need anymore, after the Packers signed Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith in free agency, but with two edge rushers who thrive working off of interior pressure, the selection of another defensive tackle becomes a possibility.
And it just so happens that that possibility aligns with the “best player available” philosophy, with Ed Oliver still on the board.
Oliver size (6-foot-1, 290) will turn some away, but the Houston product has unparalleled athleticism on the line. His short-area agility and acceleration from his stance is very impressive, and he has the leverage and power to go along with his athletic traits.
The Packers met with Oliver at the NFL Combine, and if he drops to the No. 12 pick, the Packers have plenty of reason to draft him. Kenny Clark is entering a contract year, and Mike Daniels turns 30 later this year. Adding Oliver to the rotation not only improves the potency of the Packers pass rush immediately, but it also sets them up for sustainable success in the future.
Cameron Wake spoiled the Dolphins. Coming to the NFL in 2009 after making a name for himself in the CFL, gave the Dolphins stellar edge play from age 27 to age 36, amassing five Pro Bowl berths and an All-Pro bid in 2012, when he logged 15.0 sacks.
Now, 98.0 sacks and an improbable, yet illustrious decade later, Wake has moved on to the Tennessee Titans, and the Dolphins do, in fact, have a need on Wake’s side of the line.
With defensive head coach Brian Flores now in tow, it’s safe to assume the Dolphins, who are rumored to be tanking in 2019, will strongly consider the best player available at pick No. 13. And after his Combine performance, Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat has a case to be just that.
Sweat is far from a carbon copy of Wake, but he should be able to seamlessly complete a transition as the starter. Sweat isn’t nearly as quick off the line, or as flexible, but he has stellar length and anchor, possessing the strength to wrench linemen out of his path and spring to the quarterback. His 4.41 40-yard dash time will be the biggest talking point, but the best part of Sweat’s game is his power and fortitude, not his speed. And the Dolphins, who met with Sweat at the Combine, pay the No. 13 pick to lock down Sweat’s skills for at least four years.
For a long time, the Atlanta Falcons hadn’t needed to worry about their right tackle slot. Since 2014, it had been occupied by Ryan Schraeder, who, if not a Pro Bowl tackle, was the next best thing.
Schraeder gave the Falcons security for five years, but after a down season in 2018, the soon-to-be 31-year old was released, and now, the Falcons need to perform maintenance on their most important offensive unit.
Keeping Matt Ryan clean is a priority if Dan Quinn’s Falcons want to get back to the postseason in 2019, and the best way to keep Ryan clean, after losing Schraeder, is to draft Alabama’s Jonah Williams if he drops to the No. 14 pick.
Williams has been pegged as a candidate to move to guard in the NFL by many, but the former five-star recruit played tackle in college, and he played it at a high level. With nimble, methodical feet, and precise, powerful hands, Williams asserts all of his strength and leverage onto his opponents, and his ability as a technician compensates for his short wingspan, and makes him a very safe pick with the upside to lock down the edge for a decade.
We have a trade!
It’s not necessarily realistic for the Chargers, a generally respected organization, to trade up 13 spots for a quarterback prospect like Daniel Jones. It’s not that Jones won’t be able to produce at the next level; it’s that his ceiling might not be worth the coinciding lack of upside.
Still, some are higher on Jones than others, and he does have some redeemable qualities. He’s an above-average athlete who worked with Peyton Manning’s college mentor, David Cutcliffe, while at Duke. Jones has just enough talent where sitting behind Philip Rivers for a year could help him emerge onto the scene. The Chargers, knowing they need a succession plan, and knowing that the Redskins could have interest in Jones, gave their best offer to sway Washington. The following trade is the result:
The Chargers met with Daniel Jones at the Combine, so if they came away with a good enough impression, they could be interested in negotiating with the Redskins for this pick. Jones is the most likely of the quarterbacks to slip to No. 15, but even then, he offers enough talent for a team like Los Angeles to imagine what he might be after a year of mentorship from Philip Rivers. So the Chargers get their quarterback of the future, or at least they hope. And the Redskins trade back for a treasure trove of picks, with the leverage they have at No. 15.
The Panthers said good-bye to a legend in Julius Peppers earlier this offseason. The veteran had spent the better part of two decades with the Carolina Panthers, amassing 159.0 career sacks over his time on the east coast.
Now, with Peppers gone, there’s a spot open on the Panthers defensive line. A spot that Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell can fill nicely.
Ferrell isn’t the athlete that Peppers was coming out, but Ferrell has his own penchant. His attention to detail as a rusher is through the roof, and he’s very technically sound. Standing at 6-foot-5, 260, Ferrell uses his length, strength, and diverse set of counters to get into the backfield as often as possible.
Ferrell doesn’t have the elite bend that Brian Burns boasts, and he isn’t as long as Sweat, or as explosive as Jachai Polite. But Ferrell is solid in almost every area, and that lack of weakness goes a long way in the NFL.
In case you haven’t heard, the Giants are in need of a new No. 1 wide receiver. Historically, Dave Gettleman hasn’t been very keen on investing too much in his receiving core. But the last time his receiving core was this bare, that’s exactly what he did: He drafted Kelvin Benjamin with the No. 28 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Gettleman has also displayed a preference for big-bodied receivers. In his four years at Carolina, Gettleman only drafted two receivers: Benjamin and Devin Funchess. Both were at least 6-foot-4, and known for their jump ball abilities and their use of natural size as a mismatch for defensive backs.
With Odell Beckham Jr. gone, the stage is set for Gettleman to draft his third career wide receiver, and no one in the 2019 NFL Draft fits his preferences better than Ole Miss’ D.K. Metcalf.
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Every NFL Draft season, some players are prematurely labeled as busts. Last year, current Bills quarterback Josh Allen was a common victim of such a wave, and this year, with his underdeveloped route tree, injury history, and his poor agility numbers at the Combine, D.K. Metcalf is the next polarizing prospect to prey on.
Yes, Metcalf’s game needs some refinement. But he’s far from a lock to be a bust. In fact, he has the tools to light the NFL on fire, as I wrote in a recent scouting report on the Ole Miss receiver.
"Metcalf has an innate understanding of how to gain leverage at the line of scrimmage, and create separation. He knows when he’s attained that leverage, and he has the flexibility to bend around cornerbacks and peel off into open space from there. Metcalf dishes out physicality to cornerbacks of similar fire, but he’s not all strength; he’s very coordinated with his movements, and the tape does not show the stiff athlete that many convinced themselves to see at the combine. Metcalf’s physical traits, including his 4.33 speed, show up on tape, and it’s good to see. His long arms allow him to extend for balls outside the preferred catch radius. His strong hands can win in contested catch situations, even if his consistency wanes when he’s off-balance. He has the ability to high point the ball in tight situations, and he’s very fluid when navigating loose coverage and finding seams in his area. This fluidness bodes well for his NFL career, as does his ball tracking ability. He rarely loses sight of the ball, even in congested situations. And after he catch, Metcalf is tough and explosive, with the traits to develop more skills."
By pairing Metcalf with No. 6 overall pick Dwayne Haskins, Pat Shurmur’s Giants can gear themselves for eventual success, with an offense that once again boasts top-end positional talent and a keen distributor in Haskins to get his weapons the ball.
The Vikings just straight up need offensive line help. Kirk Cousins is closest to being worth $30 million a year when the structure doesn’t fail around him, so the Vikings need to make a serious investment in Cousins’ support structure. They already have the weapons. Now it’s time to add blockers.
In need of both tackles and interior linemen, the Vikings have a bit of flexibility at pick No. 18, and they can pick the best offensive lineman available on the NFL Draft board. In this mock, that decision is a toss-up between Cody Ford and Garrett Bradbury, but Ford makes the pick in this scenario.
What was the deciding factor between Ford and Bradbury? Well, the Vikings have Riley Reiff playing left tackle, and 2018 second-round pick Brian O’Neill playing right tackle. Reiff, already no more than an average tackle, turns 31 years old this year, and O’Neill, while having showed promise in flashes last season, has a ways to go in his development.
Drafting Cody Ford would give the Vikings some surefire talent and flexibility, all in one. They could move Reiff out of the picture, shift O’Neill to left tackle, and put Ford at right tackle, and get the most out of him at his natural position.
The Tennessee Titans could use a boost on the defensive line. Even with Jurrell Casey, who’s growing older with every passing season, the Titans have room to generate more pressure, and room to make their front unit more effective.
Luckily for the Titans, Clemson’s Chrisitan Wilkins is still available at this pick, and he’s the best available interior lineman from the Tigers famous trio, even if he has his own fine tuning issues.
Wilkins, standing at 6-foot-4, 301, has a decent combination of size and athleticism. His short area quickness in the trenches, and his ability to flex through and around gaps is impressive. He’s a master at using leverage to win out in trench battles, and while his wingspan isn’t anything to write home about, he’s able to win in other ways.
By pairing Wilkins with Jurrell Casey, the Titans could form one of the better interior lineman duos in the NFL. Wilkins enters the NFL as an asset that’s trending up. If the Titans buy low, they could find themselves in a good situation fairly soon.
Look, the Steelers just need help at cornerback. It’s as simple as that. Joe Haden, while still serviceable, is growing older, and Artie Burns hasn’t given the team the returns they desired.
The Steelers did sign Steven Nelson in free agency, to a three-year, $25 million deal. He wasn’t worth that much money from a performance perspective, but the Steelers might prefer him as a band-aid, to using a first-round pick on a position they might not see as a pressing need. In this mock, however, “best player available” coalesces with need, and the Steelers can’t say no to Byron Murphy.
If the Steelers are looking to add a long-term starter at cornerback with low bust potential, then Byron Murphy is the guy to target in the 2019 NFL Draft. Murphy is a bit underweight, but that’s almost the only bad thing you can say about him as a prospect. Otherworldly movement ability? Check. Spatial awareness and closing speed? Check. Ball skills? Check. Tackling prowess? Check. Awareness and processing speed? Double check.
Byron Murphy is the best cornerback in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he’s a top ten player in the class on talent alone. Due to size, he could slip, but to put it bluntly, he shouldn’t. And if the Steelers have popped the tape, they should see the same thing.
People are sleeping on Hakeem.
Hakeem Butler, if you ask me, has a genuine case to be the No. 1 receiver prospect in this NFL Draft class. Our own Kyle Hundley recently pegged him as a potential gem in Round 2, citing Butler’s combination of size and nimbleness.
It would be a dream scenario for the Redskins to have Hakeem Butler available in Round 2, but I just don’t see it happening. His combination of range and mobility is too rare, and he’s garnered comparisons to A.J. Green, among others. At this point, Butler can be expected to go in the first round, and who better to take him than a team that needs a No. 1 receiver?
For a long time, Doug Baldwin has been the Seattle Seahawks’ No. 1 receiver. But injuries took their toll on him last season, and now, it appears as if his stock may be trending down.
The Seahawks’ receiving core isn’t very inspiring behind Baldwin, but judging by the value Brian Schottenheimer (wrongfully) places in the running game, Seattle could neglect their franchise quarterback for another year. But for now, while we can still dream, let’s imagine Hakeem Butler in cobalt blue and electric green, fulfilling his role as the target of every broken play saved by Russell Wilson. When you unite a playmaker at quarterback with a playmaker at receiver, you can bet there’ll be fireworks.
Even before the Ravens lost John Brown to the open free agency market, I still had them picking Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Here’s what I had to say about this pick in my last mock NFL Draft:
"[N’Keal} Harry is a player who showed off his versatility over the course of his career with the Sun Devils. At 6-foot-3, 217, he has the size and vertical ability to high-point 50-50 balls, but his best trait is, surprisingly, his run-after-catch ability. He excels as a runner, using crafty direction changes and shifty moves to make defenders miss. Harry will enable the Ravens to magnify the creativity that Lamar Jackson allows them to use, and in time, he could develop into a clear-cut No. 1 receiver."
I still like the idea of pairing Lamar Jackson with a versatile offensive threat like Harry, so this pick remains the same for now.
In quite literally every NFL Draft mock typed into existence this offseason, the Houston Texans have drafted an offensive lineman. It’s a foregone conclusion that, when the 2019 NFL Draft hits in April, they’ll add to their blocking unit, in order to keep Deshaun Watson from matching his 62-sack total. Turn the page. It’s over. Done deal.
But what if it wasn’t?
The Texans lost three starters in the secondary in free agency, and while they signed Bradley Robey, Briean Boddy-Calhoun, and Tashaun Gipson in an attempt to offset their losses, they still have a need for more talent. Johnathan Joseph isn’t getting any younger, and there will be questions over what roles the other corners will take.
Were Greedy Williams to fall to the Texans, there’s no question what role he’s taking; he’s the No. 1 cornerback. At 6-foot-1, he has the length and ball skills to be disruptive, and he showed off his 4.37 speed both at the NFL Combine and on tape, when keeping up with receivers in man coverage.
With eight interceptions and 19 pass deflections in two years at LSU, Williams lives up to his nickname, and he should bring plenty of potential to the Texans defensive backfield. He isn’t a perfect prospect, hence his light slip in this mock. Tackling is a big concern for Williams; it’s a big part of what cornerbacks do in the NFL, and Williams doesn’t like to do it. But if Romeo Crenel can get Williams to be more tenacious as a defender after the catch, his upside as a cover man is too good to pass up.
I wouldn’t say the Raiders give me confidence heading into NFL Draft season. Jon Gruden didn’t use his high picks very well last year. But with three first-round picks, the potential is there for Gruden to absolutely crush this NFL Draft, and this mock shows some of that potential.
After picking Brian Burns, the second-best edge rusher in the 2019 NFL Draft, with the No. 4 overall pick, the Raiders come back at pick No. 24 and grab the best interior lineman in the NFL Draft: North Carolina State’s Garrett Bradbury.
Bradbury has been a riser throughout the NFL Draft process. There was a time when he was regarded as a second-rounder who could possibly slip into the first. Now, after a very strong NFL Combine performance, Bradbury is soaring up the charts, and he’ll have a chance to go as early as the mid-first.
With Bradbury, the Raiders get an instant replacement for former Pro Bowl guard Kelechi Osemele, and it wouldn’t take long for Bradbury to potentially become an upgrade. He has the athleticism to maintain his leverage in the middle of the field, and his hands have been constantly improving. Put him in a line with Trent Brown and Rodney Hudson, and Bradbury can flourish. With this pick, the Raiders’ offensive overhaul continues, and they aren’t done yet.
Another year, another one-year contract extension for Eagles left tackle Jason Peters.
Now 37 years old, Peters is somehow still playing at one of the most physical positions in the NFL. He’s carved out a very respectable career with the Eagles; at times, he was dominant. But last year, Peters’ Pro Football Focus grade dropped from 84.2 to 69.5, and he allowed 38 pressures – not a bad number, but his worst since 2013.
At 37 years old, Peters is surely on the decline, and the Eagles need to make sure they aren’t caught by surprise when their stalwart left tackle suddenly isn’t so stalwart anymore. By drafting a high-potential tackle prospect to groom for a year, they can ensure that any transition will be seamless.
For their specific tackle needs, Andre Dillard matches well with the Eagles. He needs to work on improving his functional strength, but he checks all the boxes athletically. He has the length to clamp down on rushers, and the mobility to stay with them step for step. Dillard needs to sit for a year and learn how to best assert his power and leverage, but in Philadelphia, he’ll be able to do just that, learning from Jason Peters himself. It’s a perfect situation for a developmental prospect with very high upside.
The Indianapolis Colts are an interesting team to study in the lead-up to the 2019 NFL Draft. Many thought their roster wasn’t strong enough to contend in the offseason last year, but they came out and surprised everyone, with the help of some breakout campaigns from less-heralded players.
At some prospective positions of need for the Colts, there sit players who could be cheap fixes, if coached up. On the defensive line, Margus Hunt will return for two years after his career season earned him an extension. On the edge, Kemoko Turay could develop into a solid starter with another year, and recent signing Justin Houston still has enough in the tank to hold down the fort.
Still, the defensive line could use an addition or two, but it isn’t in dire need. The Colts have shown that they can make more with less. So imagine what they could do with an athlete like Michigan’s Rashan Gary.
Gary is a popular early pick in many mocks, but he could ultimately slip; he’s unrefined as a rusher, in terms of understanding and using leverage, and he’s a positional “tweener”. Standing at 6-foot-4, 281, he could function as either an edge or a defensive tackle. He played both positions at Michigan, and he’s not confirmed to fall into either category.
The positional confusion might scare some teams away, but the Colts could relish at the opportunity to mold a superbly athletic talent such as Gary. Chris Ballard likes high-character guys, and Gary fits the bill. Combine that with solid power and hand strength, immense athletic potential, and a high motor? There’s some work to do for the position coaches with this pick, but in the long run, it could be more than worth it.
Trust me, I’m not a fan of the Raiders. Trust me.
I know it may seem hard to believe, when the Raiders keep their three first-round picks, add a top-five prospect in Brian Burns, then add the best interior lineman in the NFL Draft in Garrett Bradbury, and then add one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL Draft in Noah Fant. But trust me. The Raiders are probably around fourteen or fifteen on my list of favorite teams.
That said, part of this exercise was me wanting to convey the kind of value and talent that the Raiders can get with three first-round picks. Jon Gruden’s golden plan is a long-term one; he’s been given ten years, after all. But if he plays his cards right in the NFL Draft, he can drastically speed the progress of his franchise.
Of course, winning the NFL Draft is a lot to ask from a coach who drafted Kolton Miller at No. 15 overall last year. A coach who drafted P.J. Hall in Round 2. A coach who drafted Brandon Parker (who they’ve already given up on) at the top of Round 3. Gruden still has plenty to prove. With this class, he would prove it.
The Redskins traded back from pick No. 15; Daniel Jones didn’t fit their situation as well as he fit Los Angeles’, and in this scenario, the Chargers were willing to give the Redskins their first-round pick, a 2019 second-rounder, and a first and third-rounder in 2020.
The trade is bittersweet for Washington, who could’ve picked a higher-caliber talent at No. 15, like D.K. Metcalf, Noah Fant, or Garrett Bradbury. But with their new picks, they could package a trade for Josh Rosen, while also improving the team’s overall depth. What’s in the past is in the past. The Redskins have the No. 28 pick. And with it, they select Delaware safety Nasir Adderley.
Many have assumed that the Redskins will emphasize offense in the 2019 NFL Draft after going defense-heavy in free agency, but they still have yet to find a partner for strong safety Landon Collins. Adderley is a safety whose rangy skill set could mesh very well with Collins’ punishing style over the middle. Here’s what I had to say about Adderley in a recent scouting report:
"There isn’t much tape on Nasir Adderley, but it doesn’t take long to see what kind of player he is, and what kind of player he can become in the NFL. The potential jumps off the screen with Nasir Adderley. He’s a very good athlete, with clear developmental upside. He can generate lots of momentum very quickly, encapsulating his excellent burst. Adderley isn’t just a vertical athlete, either. His hips flip with ease, and he has the flexibility to maintain speed and leverage all at once. His Pro Day results, shared by Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal, accentuate his athletic talent. Adderley’s brightest moments are in coverage, where he flashes the range to cover large chunks of the field very quickly, and where he punishes receivers over the middle of the field. He’s very physical when contesting passes, and he attacks the ball at the catch point with definite ball skills. Adderley can be late diagnosing out-breaking routes, but he follows the play wherever it goes, and he reads the quarterback’s eyes well. With some development and NFL film work, he can be an impact starter."
Adderley impressed on the limited film of him, and it’s clear that he has the traits to adequately play off of Landon Collins’ strengths. With this pick, the Redskins end the merry-go-round at safety, and lock in a solid safety duo for the foreseeable future.
Less than two months ago, the Kansas City Chiefs had Justin Houston and Dee Ford starting on the edges. Now, they have neither.
Houston was released by the Chiefs, still in his prime, and he went on to sign with the Indianapolis Colts. Ford, meanwhile, was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a second-round pick.
The Chiefs did sign Alex Okafor, an unheralded pass rusher out of New Orleans who has desirable qualities as a starter. But they still need a starter opposite him. At the tail end of Round 1, in a top-heavy edge class, they’re able to luck into drafting Florida’s Jachai Polite.
Polite was incredibly productive in his final year with the Florida Gators, racking up 11.0 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and a whopping six forced fumbles. He’s a strip-sack machine, and he’s able to get around the edge with his quick burst and motor. While Polite isn’t a very well-rounded edge prospect, with lacking length and functional power, and while he’ll drop down team’s boards due to a poor Combine showing, the tape shows too much promise for the Chiefs to ignore at this juncture.
The Green Bay Packers receiving core is, to put it politely, completely and utterly barren. Behind Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the next best receiving option. While he showed some promise in 2018, the Packers can’t trot this group out without one more key addition in 2019.
In the 2019 NFL Draft, there are plenty of receivers who could interest the Packers in Rounds 1 and 2. Round 2 is perhaps the best place to pick a wide receiver; it’s where the depth of the class settles, and multiple roles can be found.
In this mock, however, the Packers don’t wait until the second round. Instead, they poaching enticing receiver prospect at the tail end of the first-round: South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel.
Samuel’s selection is a fitting one for Green Bay, as they recently lost a similar receiver to Samuel in Randall Cobb. Samuel is a sturdy, compact pass catcher who offers brisk change-of-direction speed with his route running. Matt LaFleur will need receivers who can handle his various route concepts and work them to perfection. Thus, he’ll quickly find Deebo Samuel to be an invaluable asset for a team that direly needed an investment at wide receiver.
The Rams canceled out the loss of Lamarcus Joyner in free agency by signing Eric Weddle, who’s older and better than his predecessor. Weddle should be able to hold down the starting job in Los Angeles for at least one more year, but Sean McVay and Wade Phillips need to be conscious of potential replacements in the NFL Draft.
One player who jumps off the screen as a good match for the Rams, at this point, is Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Gardner-Johnson has a case to be the best safety in the 2019 NFL Draft class. While Nasir Adderley has him beat in terms of athletic potential, Gardner-Johnson is just as explosive and versatile, and he brings perhaps more polish with him to the NFL.
With Weddle and John Johnson already manning the Rams’ starting slots, Gardner-Johnson could enter the lineup as a slot cover man on certain downs, and he could filter in if the Rams use any big nickel sets, with Weddle, Johnson, and Gardner-Johnson all out on the field.
The addition of Gardner-Johnson would allow the Rams to be very creative right away, and when Weddle inevitably leaves in the near future, Gardner-Johnson could seamlessly transition into a full-time starting role.
If this isn’t a Patriots pick, I don’t know what is.
Mississippi State’s Jeffery Simmons was in line to be a top ten draft pick ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft. With a rare combination of size and suddenness, Simmons racked up 33.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks over his last two years with the Bulldogs. He was widely regarded as a top prospect.
Then he tore his ACL.
Now, Simmons’ status for the 2019 season is in doubt. But with ample time to recover and prepare for his next opportunity, Simmons should come back with the same explosion and strength that made him a force to be reckoned with at the collegiate level. And the Patriots, who have a need for disruptors on the interior and can afford to wait, will be happy to have him.
Picks 33-36
33. Arizona Cardinals – Oklahoma WR Marquise Brown
Marquise “Hollywood” Brown shouldn’t go this high. He brings undeniable speed and playmaking ability, but he’s still a bit one-dimensional, and he’ll have to add weight if he wants to hold up at the NFL level. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Kliff Kingsbury’s desire to draft Kyler Murray, it’s that he’s a mad scientist who’s willing to make bold, high-risk decisions to complete his desired concoction. Pairing Murray with his go-to college weapon shows there’s a method to the madness, even if it is, ultimately, madness.
34. Indianapolis Colts (via NYJ) – Penn State CB Amani Oruwariye
The Colts have three starting cornerbacks as is. Kenny Moore had a breakout year in 2018, Quincy Wilson underwent some development, and Pierre Desir was re-signed to provide quality play in a substantial role as well. That said, cornerback is one position you can never be too deep at, and with this pick, the Colts add immense starting potential in Penn State’s Amani Oruwariye. Oruwariye has all the tools to flourish in the NFL, and with low bust potential, he’s the kind of high-floor, high-upside prospect Chris Ballard should covet.
35. Oakland Raiders – Alabama RB Josh Jacobs
The Oakland Raiders’ offensive overhaul isn’t done yet. After adding Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, and Trent Brown in free agency, then Garrett Bradbury and Noah Fant in Round 1, the Raiders turn to their running back stable, where there is a void to be filled. Running backs have become fairly replaceable over the years, but if you can add a talented one, it’s another weapon to balance your offense. Josh Jacobs, with his vision, tenacity, and later quickness, is an immediate upgrade at running back for Oakland, and he offers yet another dynamic weapon to a much-improved core.
36. San Francisco 49ers – Boston College OG Chris Lindstrom
Before free agency, cornerback would have been a very compelling choice at this NFL Draft pick for the 49ers. But then the 49ers added Jason Verrett to play with Richard Sherman and Akhello Witherspoon. Verrett, if he can stay healthy, is one of the most naturally gifted cornerbacks in the league, and while such a thing is no guarantee, the 49ers simply have to give him the chance. So with their second-round pick, they instead address the interior line, where an upgrade can be had over Joshua Garnett and Laken Tomlinson. Chris Lindstrom is that upgrade; he’s a do-it-all lineman whose technical proficiency gives him an edge in any arena.
Picks 37-40
37. New York Giants – Georgia CB Deandre Baker
The Giants are short-staffed at cornerback, and they weren’t able to add any such players in their short, strange trade saga with the Cleveland Browns. As of now, outside of Janoris Jenkins, who allowed seven touchdowns to just two interceptions in 2018, and enters his age 30 season in 2019, the Giants have only Sam Beal, Tony Lippett, and Grant Haley as prospective starters. With the opportunity to add a long, disruptive, quick processor like Georgia’s Deandre Baker, the Giants can’t submit to the pressure of the clock.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars – North Carolina State WR Kelvin Harmon
The Jacksonville Jaguars got their quarterback. They’ve tied up $50 million worth of guarantees in Nick Foles, so his starting opportunity won’t be ending anytime soon. Thus, it’s time for the Jaguars to give Foles some weapons. After going defense in Round 1, there still exists a well-rounded pass catcher for the Jaguars to grab, in the form of NC State’s Kelvin Harmon. With excellent size, strength, and fluidity as a mover, Harmon fills a need as a No. 1 receiver. He’s not the explosive prospect that Hakeem Butler and D.K. Metcalf are, but he can improve an offense right away.
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ole Miss WR A.J. Brown
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense took a hit in free agency; Speed threat DeSean Jackson defected back to his old team, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the team’s up-and-coming slot receiver Adam Humphries left to join the Tennessee Titans. With a role open in the slot, and a quarterback who needs weapons to capitalize on the generous chance Bruce Arians has given him, A.J. Brown is a good match for the Buccaneers. Using solid hands, rushing physicality, and a vast route tree as his main weapons, Brown fills a need in Tampa Bay, by terms of both talent and circumstance.
40. Buffalo Bills – Notre Dame DT Jerry Tillery
After losing Kyle Williams, the Buffalo Bills will need to strengthen their interior presence on defense. Jerry Tillery isn’t the same type of interior defensive lineman, but he can provide a similar degree of impact. At 6-foot-5, 306 pounds, Tillery has very good size and length to compliment his burst and torque as an interior lineman. Pass rushing from the inside is Tillery’s specialty, and he’ll be able to make life easier for Trent Murphy, Jerry Hughes, and Lorezno Alexander from his very first snap.
Picks 41-44
41. Denver Broncos – Texas A&M OL Erik McCoy
Congratulations, Denver. You got a player who could very well become your franchise quarterback in Drew Lock. But if you throw him out onto the field without a competent offensive line, you might permanently stunt his development. With both his reputation and the return of high-value investments at stake, John Elway needs to make sure his new quarterback has a line he can trust. Drafting Erik McCoy is a step in the right direction; McCoy is one of the most athletic linemen in the 2019 NFL Draft, and he has high upside at the next level. Denver has a need at both guard and center, and McCoy can play both spots, if called upon.
42. Cincinnati Bengals – Alabama TE Irv Smith Jr.
The Bengals re-signed Tyler Eifert to another one-year deal in free agency, but as talented as Eifert is when he’s healthy, it’s becoming wishful thinking to imagine that he might eventually see the field for an entire season. They also re-signed C.J. Uzomah, but even though Uzomah is coming off a career season, more reliable weapons can always be added. Reliable is exactly what Alabama’s Irv Smith Jr. is. Smith has great ability as an all-around tight end, and as a receiving threat in Zac Taylor’s offense, his upside is substantial. Smith Jr. models his game after Jordan Reed, and with his quick twitch and route running refinement, he can have a similar impact early in the Bengals’ offense.
43. Detroit Lions – Michigan State CB Justin Layne
The Detroit Lions locked down their slot cornerback position by picking up Justin Coleman in free agency, but they still need a starter opposite Darius Slay. Who better to take that job than the hometown kid out of Michigan State: Justin Layne? Layne has been an NFL Draft board riser all offseason, and he capped off his ascent with a tremendous NFL Combine performance. Layne offers the utilities of 6-foot-2 length and a wingspan over 80 inches, while also providing the movement skills and developmental upside of a former wide receiver. Disruptive, dangerous, and ultimately due to keep improving, Layne is a must-get for a defense that needs another playmaker.
44. Green Bay Packers – Wisconsin OL Michael Deiter
The Packers had a home run first-round, picking the best player available in Ed Oliver at pick No. 12, and then the ever reliable Deebo Samuel at No. 30, to fill the void left by Randall Cobb. With top-end talent added on defense, and another sturdy weapon added on offense, the Packers can turn to the trenches, where a need exists at guard. Wisconsin product Michael Deiter projects well to fill such a need. He played tackle in college, but with a relatively small wingspan, and good anchor and mobility, Deiter projects best as an interior blocker at the next level. There, he can help facilitate Matt LaFleur’s offense, and keep Aaron Rodgers clean.
Picks 45-48
45. Atlanta Falcons – Michigan EDGE Chase Winovich
The Falcons chose not to give up on Vic Beasley when they had the chance in Round 1. But that doesn’t mean they won’t add an edge at some point. Regardless of Beasley’s status, more pressure is needed outside the pocket, and in Round 2, Chase Winovich is a safe pick, if you want added pressure. Big, brutish, and boisterous on the field, Winovich has the strength and rush move repertoire to win one-on-one battles, while also possessing a motor that simply never quits. He’s a potential starter, even if his athleticism isn’t superb.
46. Washington Redskins – Kansas State OL Dalton Risner
In a perfect world, a lineman like Garrett Bradbury or Chris Lindstrom would drop to the Redskins in the second round, but neither possibility seems likely, as Bradbury is rising into Round 1, and Lindstrom’s all-around prowess shouldn’t send him dropping far past Bradbury. Thus, in the second round, with a lingering need at guard, the Redskins select Dalton Risner, a tackle out of Kansas State who should make the switch inside. Risner isn’t as athletic as his counterparts in the NFL Draft, but he brings a mean, relentless mauler style that would fit well on the interior opposite Brandon Scherff.
47. Carolina Panthers – Notre Dame CB Julian Love
Whether its an outside starter or a nickel cornerback, the Carolina Panthers still need help in their secondary. They’ve been marred by inconsistency in recent years, and using a high NFL Draft pick in 2019 on the cornerback position could alleviate some concerns. While Julian Love isn’t the most versatile coverage player, he provides good physicality and mirroring abilities when assigned to a man. A smart player who enters the NFL on the uptrend, Love could be the one to end the Panthers’ search for starters at cornerback, if the cards fall the right way.
48. Miami Dolphins – Alabama LB Mack Wilson
There’s a trio of linebackers far ahead of the rest of the pack in the 2019 NFL Draft, and Mack Wilson constitutes the tail end of that trio. In this mock, the two Devin’s separate themselves, but in the right situation, Wilson could find himself entering the first round as well. He’s a linebacker who’s fast enough to make an impact in coverage, able to change directions on a dime, and he has upside, as long as he can keep refining his mental game. Brian Flores, formerly a well-renowned linebackers coach for the Patriots, would love to get Wilson in his building. He’s one coach who could undoubtedly help him reach his full potential.
Picks 49-52
49. Cleveland Browns – Maryland S Darnell Savage
The Browns are suddenly in a position to slip into the driver’s seat of the AFC North. With a stacked offensive cast and a defense with top-end talent at all levels, the Browns could make a case for being the best team in their division. But with the Ravens right behind them, they still need to add talent. After trading Jabrill Peppers to the Giants, Damarious Randall is the only starter at safety in Cleveland. Derrick Kindred has experience in the role opposite him, but he played at a poor level last year. Darnell Savage, with his athleticism and aggressive play style, is an upgrade, and he brings exceptional upside to a team that will trend up as he does.
50. Minnesota Vikings – Oklahoma OG Dru Samia
The Minnesota Vikings double-dip on the offensive line in this mock, and can you really blame them? Kirk Cousins needs a strong structure to succeed, and their offensive line provided anything but that in 2018, giving up substantial pressure both up the middle and around the edges. After addressing their offensive tackle slot in Round 1, the Vikings take a guard in Oklahoma’s Dru Samia. The only guards currently rostered by the Vikings are backup Danny Isidora and veteran depth player Josh Kline. Samia has some development to undergo, but as an athletic lineman with an understanding of leverage, he’ll get a chance to start right away.
51. Tennessee Titans – Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger
The Titans, at first glance, seem set at the tight end position with Delanie Walker and Jonnu Smith. Walker, however, is 34 years old and coming off a season-ending injury, and Smith has never caught over 20 passes in his two-year career, even when Walker was out. The Titans need to keep adding weapons to their offensive cast for Marcus Mariota (or Ryan Tannehill?), and the long-term outlook at tight end is cloudy. Thus, Texas A&M’s Jace Sternberger is the pick here, and he fits exactly what the Titans need. He’s a dynamic receiving threat right out of the gate, with good size, speed, and route running versatility. While he’s not quite there yet as a blocker, he has room to develop into a high-level starter, and be the successor to Delanie Walker’s positional dominance.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ohio State WR Parris Campbell
As was the case with Hollywood Brown, Parris Campbell is drafted too high in this mock. He’s certainly dynamic, but his game is underdeveloped, and his speed is more long, linear speed than lateral speed. But it’s speed, nonetheless, and some team will fall in love with it. History shows us that. The Steelers are an easy candidate to do so, as they’re desperate for a rebound after losing star receiver Antonio Brown to the Raiders for minimal compensation. Campbell won’t provide a rebound right away, and he might not ever develop into the multi-faceted threat that some expect him to be. But his speed would be a nice compliment for JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington, and he could contribute on special teams.
Picks 53-56
53. Philadelphia Eagles (via BAL) – Minnesota LB Blake Cashman
After losing starting linebacker Jordan Hicks to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, the Eagles need to find a player who can fill his role in the NFL Draft. While an immediate replacement for Hicks won’t be found this late, Minnesota’s Blake Cashman is a player who could become a long-term starter for Philadelphia. His game I.Q. is through the roof, and he’s a very productive linebacker who has the speed to go sideline-to-sideline. He’s not the biggest player, but he has an undeniable impact.
54. Houston Texans (via SEA) – West Virginia OT Yodny Cajuste
The Texans’ offensive line overhaul continues, this time with West Virginia tackle Yodny Cajuste. Cajuste projects well as a starter in the NFL. His size and length are exceptional, and while he’s not a top-shelf athlete, his footwork is solid, and he’s coming to the NFL Draft as an ascending offensive line prospect. The Texans have had a lot of NFL Draft whiffs at the offensive tackle position. For Deshaun Watson’s sake, hopefully Cajuste will stick.
55. Houston Texans – Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence
The Texans could double down on offensive linemen here, but instead, they picked a defensive tackle to strengthen the depth behind D.J. Reader. Clemson’s Dexter Lawrence has been hyped as a first-round NFL Draft pick in some circles. While I don’t think he should be considered in that range, he offers nice size as a potential nose tackle, and his brute strength will be an asset for him at the next level.
56. New England Patriots (via CHI) – Ole Miss TE Dawson Knox
Out with Gronk, in with Knox. The Patriots couldn’t have been surprised when Rob Gronkowski retired on Sunday afternoon. The future Hall of Famer has taken a beating over the course of his NFL career. But with him gone, the Patriots have a massive hole to fill on offense. They’ll do their best to prepare Dawson Knox to pick up where Gronk left off. Knox didn’t produce as much as some would like at the collegiate level, but he flashed impressive strength and athleticism for a tight end. He certainly looks the part. Now the Patriots just have to make him *be* the part. That’s never been a problem for them.
Picks 57-60
57. Philadelphia Eagles – Virginia S Juan Thornhill
With two starting safeties entering the twilights of their respective careers, the Eagles need to start planning for the future at the safety position, via the NFL Draft. It was a toss-up between Deionte Thompson and Juan Thornhill, but the Eagles took Thornhill for his athletic upside. They don’t need a player who can start right away, and Thornhill’s potential trumps the limitations of Thompson.
58. Dallas Cowboys – Alabama EDGE Chrisitan Miller
With the Demarcus Lawrence situation in flux, the Dallas Cowboys could do well to add some depth at the edge rusher position in the NFL Draft. Alabama’s Christian Miller might never become a full-time starter; he’s a bit undersized, and he lacks the athletic traits that most starters possess. But that said, he has a workmanlike approach to his role, and he’s shown flashes of modest bend on tape. Miller is an insurance pick for the Cowboys; one who could be provided a starting opportunity if negotiations with Lawrence sour.
59. Indianapolis Colts – Washington S Taylor Rapp
Taylor Rapp seems like Chris Ballard’s kind of NFL Draft prospect. He’s not the most athletic safety, but he’s solid in just about every area. The Colts re-signed Clayton Geathers, but that doesn’t mean they can’t add another safety into the mix as a special teamer with starting upside. Rapp has the smarts and the skills to have a long career in the NFL, and with the Colts, he’ll eventually get his long-awaited opportunity.
60. Washington Redskins (via LAC) – Stanford WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
The Redskins need more dynamic talent on offense, but they can’t just draft for speed alone; not with Paul Richardson set to earn $8 million a year. That’s why I’ve been low on Marquise Brown throughout this process, and that’s why I passed on Andy Isabella for J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. Isabella is the faster player, but Arcega-Whiteside might be just as dynamic. He’s an extraordinary vertical athlete, and while he doesn’t have the top-end speed Isabella does, he’s athletic enough to hone his skills as a route runner. With a high football I.Q. and an even higher vertical, Arcega-Whiteside earns the pick here.
Picks 61-64
61. Kansas City Chiefs – Alabama S Deionte Thompson
The Chiefs signed Tyrann Mathieu in free agency, and they have third-round pick Armani Watts in the fold at free safety, if they feel comfortable with his development. But ultimately, after the loss of Eric Berry, the Chiefs need to add someone at safety, and late in the second round, Alabama’s Deionte Thompson is fairly good value. Fluidity as an athlete can be a problem for Thompson, but he has the instincts and feel to potentially earn a starting role down the road.
62. New Orleans Saints – Iowa State RB David Montgomery
Mark Ingram defected to the Ravens in free agency, leaving Alvin Kamara without the thunder to his lightning. The Saints signed Latavius Murray, adding to their running back room, but Murray is largely a downhill runner without many defining traits to his game. The Saints need to bring back some of Ingram’s physicality, and they can do that by drafting Iowa State’s David Montgomery. Montgomery has the contact balance to churn out tough yards, and his burst is good enough for him to rush through lanes as they open and close. He’d be a good compliment for Kamara in New Orleans’ offense, although his receiving ability leaves something to be desired.
63. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR) – Massachusetts WR Andy Isabella
It’s unclear if the legal issues surrounding Tyreek Hill will lead to any repercussions, but in spite of that situation, the Chiefs could stand to add to their receiving core, as they lost Chris Conley to the Jacksonville Jaguars. By drafting Andy Isabella, they’d institute a “death by speed” philosophy, as Isabella is a dynamic threat who can flip the field with the snap of a finger. He is a bit undersized, and other elements of his game are lacking, but you can’t teach speed, and Andy Reid will enjoy scheming his weapons open with another big play threat in tow.
64. New England Patriots – Boise State QB Brett Rypien
The only quarterback to be drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft is Boise State’s Brett Rypien. This could be a bit high for the East-West Shrine Game MVP, but Rypien has the kinds of tools the Patriots may want to lock up early, especially with Tom Brady set to turn 42 years old this coming August. Rypien doesn’t have a strong or elastic arm, but he can cultivate some zip with his quick throwing motion, and he’s one of the more accurate quarterbacks in the 2019 NFL Draft class. Rypien reminds me of Kirk Cousins, in the sense that he’s a mid-round quarterback who could start in the right situation. In New England, he’d have the requisite conditions.