2019 NFL Draft: Top 150 draft prospects big board, surprise in top three
By Ian Cummings
No. 6-10
10. Oklahoma OT Cody Ford (OT2)
Jonah Williams bests Cody Ford by a hair with his all-around attention to detail and lighting fast processing, but if you want an offensive tackle who has all the tools, Oklahoma’s Cody Ford is your man. From lateral athleticism to length, and from relentless motor to menacing strength at the anchor point, Ford is a nearly complete offensive line prospect who can further dominate with more precise hand usage. Linemen who are nimble, long, and powerful don’t lose often. It’s no wonder that Ford’s an elite prospect, whether he plays at guard or tackle.
9. Iowa TE Noah Fant (TE2)
A top-tier athlete at the tight end position, Noah Fant projects as a dynamic weapon for any NFL offense. The kind of versatility that Fant brings with his route running quickness and big play ability is matched by few on the offensive side of the ball in this class. Fant tested better than ninety-seven percent of tight ends all time in six athletic tests on Kent Lee Platte’s RAS athletic scorecard. He offers tremendous upside as a receiving threat, and he’ll help keep the chains moving wherever he goes.
8. Washington CB Byron Murphy (CB1)
Byron Murphy’s size is almost the only thing you can take issue with when watching his film, and even then, he’s still 6-foot-0, with room to add to his 175-pound frame. Murphy didn’t test incredibly well at the NFL Combine, raising concerns about his long speed, but as long as he continues to cover like he did on tape, it won’t be a problem. Murphy has a combination of elite closing speed, mirroring abilities, tackling ability, and ball skills to warrant an early pick. If his size caused any problems, it would matter. But it doesn’t.
7. Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray (QB1)
The debate has dragged on surrounding Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray and his outlook at the NFL level. Some have asserted that he simply isn’t big enough to sustain himself, but if one doesn’t look past the size, then they don’t see the sheer potential that Murray has. Murray has a very enticing tool box as a quarterback, possessing elite speed and arm talent, as well as unwavering accuracy. Murray’s precision to all three levels isn’t matched by anyone in the 2019 NFL Draft, and matched by few in the NFL, and whether he goes No. 1 or No. 3, Murray has the skill set to be the rare explosive playmaker at quarterback.
6. Alabama OT Jonah Williams (OT1)
Athleticism is important for offensive linemen; in the trenches, the little edges granted by natural gifts do count, and more often than not, less athletic linemen get washed out. But Alabama’s Jonah Williams is different. Only an average athlete with less-than-stellar length, Williams makes up for his natural deficiencies with astute mental processing, deadly precision with his hands, and the brute strength to solidify his anchor on every play. Williams’ win rate in college exceeded 90 percent, per offensive line analyst Brandon Thorn, and as a testament to his attention to detail, Williams’ win rate shows that he’ll succeed in the NFL, whether he ends up being a guard or a tackle.