And here we go with the 2019 NFL Draft with breakdowns, thoughts and analysis of every first round pick.
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Welcome my self-serving, pretentious stream-of-consiousness notes for the first round of your 2019 NFL Draft, commenting during and after each and every pick.
2019 NFL Draft Prospects
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | OGs & Cs | OTs
DTs | DEs | Edge Rush | LBs | CB | Safs
– 2018 1st Round Pick Breakdown & Thoughts
– 2017 1st Round Pick Breakdown & Thoughts
NFL Draft: Predraft
– Either the cheerleaders on the NFL Draft red carpet are massive, or Kyler Murray is really, really puny.
– Before we start, of course I want Murray to be awesome. I want him to be a transcendent superstar who makes the game of football better, and I’d love it if he shoved it right in my 6-2 stupid-ass face. Of course I hope this pick works – but I don’t think it will.
– When Kurt Warner says he’s worried that Murray is too small to hold up in the pocket for a 16-game NFL season, you listen.
– It’s not that Murray is short, but that doesn’t help. It’s that he’s not all that big, and as the No. 1 overall pick, he’s going to have to not only break a mold as the Cardinals blow off prototype defensive prospects in Nick Bosa, Quinnen Willams and Josh Allen to take him.
– Take him at the 15, and he can be a starting quarterback. Take him at the No. 1, and he has to be a franchise-maker who carries everything on his shoulders and takes the Cardinals to Super Bowls, plural.
– And now, for the next several hours, it’s going to be the Kyler Murray Fan Club on all three of the network broadcasts.
– It’s not that Murray can’t play or won’t be good, it’s that in today’s NFL, finding a competent starting quarterback just isn’t that hard. It’s about the value more than the player. Taking him with the first overall pick is bad value, however …
– With the current state of rookie contracts, taking a chance on greatness isn’t that bad. If Murray busts out, whatever.
– Nick Bosa, please, go up to the podium with the Deadmau5 gear on (it’s his twitter header).
– It’s sort of crazy that there’s really no other national story here other than Murray. After he goes with the No. 1 to Arizona, it’ll be interesting to see where the next quarterback goes, but this draft is really, really light on the skill guys.
– Even in this alpha male setting, Clemson DT Christian Wilkins is still the leader of the pack. Someone’s getting a Face of the Franchise with him.
– I’m honestly at a loss for which broadcast to pay the most attention to. I don’t want to hear gushing – I want hard-ass analysis. I worked with Mike Mayock on the old – sky point – College Football Now show on NFL Network, but now that he’s gone, it’s old school time with Mel Kiper as the guy I want to hear. David Shaw is great, and Kirk Herbstreit’s the best, but I already know and do the college perspective. It’ll be interesting to see where the ratings come in between ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
– And here we go …
– Seriously … who really wants NFL season tickets for the next 100 years? Who wants to go through the pain in the butt eight Sundays a year when it’s SO much better to sit at home at watch the red zone channel. You say “thank you,” and you sell them immediately.
1. Arizona Cardinals
PICK: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
– Lost in the shuffle here is that Arizona really, really needs defensive line help and the top part of this draft is really, really loaded with amazing defensive line prospects.
– The Cardinals also need cornerback help, too. They don’t have a whole lot of picks in this thing – they don’t have multiple picks until the seventh – but they really, really need them.
– It’s not that Murray isn’t a fantastic pocket passer, or if he can protect himself. It’s if he can survive after throwing that pass.
– How is Josh Rosen not the “perfect fit” for the Kliff Kingsbury system, too?
– How is Dwayne Haskins not the “perfect fit” for the Kliff Kingsbury system, too?
– Let’s have some fun. If nothing else, Arizona is going to be a blast to watch with Murray in this system to see what he can do to make it fly. Go get them, Kyler. Be amazing.
2. San Francisco 49ers
PICK: COMING
– Well that was easy, San Francisco. Let Arizona pick the puny quarterback, and you get the prototype defensive end to fall right in your lap.
– At some point, the Niners need help for the offensive line, and they could use a dangerous receiver, but if it’s possible to get good value at the two, they just did.
– No, he’s not Joey. He’s not as dangerous, as productive, or as good. And he still should be a perennial Pro Bowl talent.
– New York Jets … TRADE THIS PICK. Find some sucker who needs a quarterback and believes Oakland is going to take one, and turn this into a motherlode of selections.
– The Jets are going to make this pick? Hello, Quinnen Williams … it has to be. Ed Oliver is a good call, but Williams might just be the best prospect in this draft.
3. New York Jets
PICK: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
– The Jets just nailed it … sort of. It would’ve been nice to get a few picks to trade down, but how do you not take a superstar defensive tackle?
– Read the room. Yeah, the Ram offense did a great job to get to the Super Bowl, but those two tackles – Aaron Donald and Ndamakong Suh – had a whole lot to do with it.
– This is your franchise defensive star. Sam Darnold needs to be the franchise offensive star. Put the rest of the puzzle together, New York.
– NYC will love him. Williams is a good dude who’ll be ultra-media friendly.
– And now the fun begins. Let’s roll, Oakland.
– The correct call is Josh Allen, but do the Raiders mess around and try to trade down for even more picks? Is this where they go quarterback to get that out of the way?
– This would be wild if, all of a sudden, Josh Rosen and Derek Carr are out there for the taking if Oakland goes QB. If you need a passer, you don’t mess around with this draft and go grab one of those two.
– Will Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden let the guys at the desk with the helmet phone know what the pick is, or will they kick them out of the room?
4. Oakland Raiders
PICK: LB Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
– Clelin Ferrell?! … Good, but Oakland just did Vontae Mack, No Matter What in real life.
– A rookie move. If you wanted Ferrell, kids, you trade down a few spots for him.
– He’s hardly a bad pick, but he’d better be a transcendent pass rushing superstar and perennial Pro Bowl star with the talent left on the table.
– Clelin Ferrell, go be as good as Khalil Mack. No pressure.
– YOINK … that’s the sound you just heard with Ed Oliver with Tampa Bay needing defensive linemen. Josh Allen would be a brilliant pick, too. No matter what, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was just handed a gift of a value get. Including …
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PICK: LB Devin White, LSU
– WOW … White’s NFL career started out by getting TOTALLY denied by whoever that is he tried to smooch.
– Like Josh Allen and Ed Oliver more, but no complaints whatsoever with a sideline-to-sideline killer of a linebacker. He’s going to be an instant leader and a need pick for a Buc D that could use a whole lot of everything.
– The Giants ran that card up to the podium in a hurry. They don’t need to go quarterback here with a pick at 17. There’s no way they came into this thinking they had a shot at Allen or Oliver.
– It’s got to be Allen. He’s the one to rebuild the defensive line around …
6. New York Giants
PICK: QB Daniel Jones, Duke
– Ugh. Did they watch him play any game other than the bowl win over Temple?
– He’s got good size, he can move, but he’s not consistent or accurate. He’s got a whole lot of skills, but he’s a guy. The Giants just passed on epic defensive prospect for … Daniel Jones.
– David Shaw: “This guy reminds me of Mitchell Trubisky.” That’s not a positive, coach.
– Lord help you, New York Giants, if Dwayne Haskins becomes what we think he will in two years.
– Let’s try this again. Jacksonville, congrats … Josh Allen is going to fall right to you …
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
PICK: LB Josh Allen, Kentucky.
– BOOM. The defense already has a bunch of killers, and now … look out. Allen is a special talent and a special leader who’ll fit in right away and be fantastic.
– The Jaguars can figure out the offensive side later. This is one of the two or three best players in the draft falling to three. He’s always, always, always around big plays.
– There’s one. Now comes the other great value guy. Detroit, I know you need an offensive lineman, and Jawaan Taylor is right there, but Ed Oliver has been gift-wrapped to you. Don’t overthink this.
8. Detroit Lions
PICK: TE TJ Hockenson, Iowa
– Yeah, Ed Oliver is a better pick here, but Hockenson is a real deal prototype tight end who’s going to be a superstar. He’s going to be a part of your fantasy team for the next ten years.
– Buffalo has to be really, really ticked Hockenson went here. He would’ve been the exact right weapon and safety valve for Josh Allen.
– Matthew Stafford just got a guy who’ll become a big-time go-to guy for an already solid passing game. Hockenson is special – totally worth the eight.
– Buffalo is a bit of a wild card here. Again, Ed Oliver is right there for the taking for a team that needs a stud defensive lineman, but …
– It’s going to be Oliver. According to Ian Rappaport, Buffalo tried to trade down to get him. Now it doesn’t have to.
– Buffalo, one word of advice. With your winters, let the guy wear a coat on the sidelines.
9. Buffalo Bills
PICK: DT Ed Oliver, Houston
– Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. The guy is pumped up and jacked to go to … Buffalo. Awesome.
– Ten years from now, we’re going to look back on this pick and say, “really, Giants … Daniel Jones?”
– Rich Eisen made my Ed Oliver jacket joke. It wasn’t funny when I made it, either.
– Denver, Dwayne Haskins is right there in your lap. Take him, and develop him for the next two years.
– Joe Flacco is going to break something tasteful if he’s on another team that takes a quarterback in the first round.
– Pittsburgh trades up for this Denver pick. It’s not going to be Haskins. The Steelers aren’t messing around – this has to be for Michigan LB Devin Bush. But DT Rashan …
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Denver)
PICK: LB Devin Bush, Michigan
– This just in … Rich Eisen went to Michigan.
– I could TOTALLY pull off the Devin Bush outfit. I just don’t feel like it.
– The Broncos get the 20th overall pick. That’s where Haskins might go.
– Cincinnati had to have wanted Bush. Watch it go back-to-back Wolverines with DT Rashan Gary still on the board.
– And with the 11th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft …
NEXT: Picks No. 11-20
11. Cincinnati Bengals
PICK: OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
– Solid. The Bengals really, really need defense, but Williams is the best offensive lineman in this draft.
– Try him at tackle. The draft world wants to put him at guard, but he’s a total technician who has to be tried out first on the outside.
– He was announced as a tackle, not a guard. He’s going to be terrific for a line that needed a rock to work around.
– Green Bay would’ve loved to have Williams or Devin Bush on the board, and it would’ve been a dream to have TJ Hockenson still there. This now becomes one of the bigger wild-card options considering the Packers have the 30th pick, too.
– Andre Dillard from Washington State? It would make sense to bulk up the offensive line in a Best Player Available moment, but they could go curveball with TE Noah Fant …
12. Green Bay Packers
PICK: DT Rashan Gary, Michigan
– Terrific value pick. It wouldn’t have been a shocker if he went in the top five overall.
– He wasn’t as productive as he should’ve been considering he was the one of ones as a recruit, but he’s a prototype 3-4 defensive end and a fantastic get at the 12.
– Gary is going to be a big, big problem for the NFC North. Watch out for him to be a better pro than a collegian.
– For a while, the word has been that Miami wasn’t going quarterback here. But that was before Dwayne Haskins slipped all the way down to this spot.
– Hmmmmmmm, when has a great college quarterback slipped to Miami’s spot before in the first round? That worked out well.
– And that’s the last time we compare Haskins to Dan Marino for a long, long while.
– The Dolphins also need a top corner, a receiver …
13. Miami Dolphins
PICK: DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
– Love, love, LOVE him. The concept of leadership gets thrown out there too easily – that’s totally Wilkins. Elite character, personality, and … leadership. That was his Tiger D line.
– And he can play, too. The Dolphins needed a defensive lineman, and they just got a gem. They can build around him.
– Pass rusher Brian Burns is right there for you, Atlanta, with the next pick. Or, the Falcons can take whatever corner they want.
– This just in … in the 2019 NFL Draft, the New York Giants still took Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick.
14. Atlanta Falcons
PICK: OG Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
– Infrastructure is never boring. He’s a tough, versatile blocker who can be a tone-setter on the line.
– There were several good defensive players there for the Falcons to take, but the O line needed a little help, too. It’s not a sexy pick, but it should work out just fine.
– Lindstrom can be tried out at tackle, too, but his ten-year career will be on the inside.
– And NOW it’s Dwayne Haskins time. Washington has its pick of wide receivers and cornerbacks, but it can’t mess around. Take Haskins, work him behind Case Keenum, and let him grow into the system and the job.
– Unless Josh Rosen is on the way to DC.
– If Haskins doesn’t go here, where does he go? Denver at the 20?
15. Washington Redskins
PICK: QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
– All’s well that ends well. He might have slid a bit, but he’s in a good situation and should be able to ease his way in.
– He’s the best quarterback in this draft. He’ll need a whole lot of at-bats, and Washington needs more receivers, but he’s it. Give it a few years, and he’s going to be a fun bomber.
– Oooooooh, Daniel Jones to the Giants at the 6 and Dwayne Haskins at the 15 to Washington. This is going to be a fun, fun, fun compare and contrast in the NFC East for the next several years.
– Great pick, great value, great time. Considering where Jones and Kyler Murray went … boom.
– Carolina needs to do something splashy with the next pick. I called this on a Charlotte radio hit today that it would be an offensive tackle like Andre Dillard, or a pass rusher like Clelin Ferrell or Brian Burns …
16. Carolina Panthers
PICK: DE Brian Burns, Florida State
– Burns didn’t get a whole lot of love in the draft hype world, but he’s a really, really nice get for the Panthers.
– He’s a pure pass rushing talent, but that one trick is a good one. It was a need pick for the Panthers that should work out in a hurry. This is exactly what Ron Rivera needed considering the FSU star was still available.
– This pick will get blown off with everyone talking about Dwayne Haskins to Washington before, and with the Giants coming up next, but it was terrific.
– Okay, Giants. The world is killing you for that Daniel Jones pick at the six. Make your fans happy here. Somehow.
– How do you make the Giants fan happy now? DK Metcalf or Hollywood Brown. Neither one will be Odell Beckham Jr., but at least Jones would get a weapon.
17. New York Giants (from Cleveland)
PICK: DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
– Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes …
– Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes …
– Lawrence is a dream of a killer for the interior of a D line. He might need to be more consistent, and he might need a wee bit of a fire lit under him, but … yes, yes, yes, yes …
– Minnesota, offensive line. Offensive line, offensive line, offensive line, offensive line …
18. Minnesota Vikings
PICK: C Garrett Bradbury, NC State
– Very, very nice. It might not be like taking a quarterback or a big-time defensive player, but stick him in the middle of the Viking line right away, and everything is set.
– There’s a whole lot to like on the Vikings, but the O line needed to be beefed up. They’re going to get more, but the scouting world gets all squishy for Bradbury. He’s a strong pick at a great time.
– The Titans need defensive line help, but this is where the receiver and defensive back value is. Maybe one of the Mississippi State defensive linemen in Montez Sweat or Jeffery Simmons, but I’m guessing receiver …
19. Tennessee Titans
PICK: DT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
– He still needs to get over the torn ACL he suffered this offseason, but if he was healthy, he’d be a top ten pick.
– He’s going to be healthy. There’s nothing crazy about the knee injury and it should heal up just fine. It’s a good investment in the near future.
– But the Titans had to go receiver at some point early in the next few rounds. They need something for this year, too.
– Does Denver believe in Drew Lock? That would be a nice value pick after moving down, but the defense needs a whole bunch of work. Simmons went, and this would be where fellow Bulldog Montez Sweat should go … if there aren’t concerns about his heart condition.
20. Denver Broncos (from Pittsburgh)
PICK: TE Noah Fant, Iowa
– Not bad. He’s not TJ Hockenson, but he’s more explosive, a better athlete, and a wonderful pass catcher. He’s not the blocker Hockenson is, but he’s a starting tight end who’ll make your fantasy team.
– A few teams are going to be very, very ticked. Fant was one of those guys who seemed like he should’ve been there around 25ish and on. Not bad that Denver was able to trade down and get him.
– And nowwwwwww Seattle. Throw everything you know about the NFL Draft at the wall, and hope it sticks. This is the most unconventional drafting franchise, but it needs defensive back help, and a whole slew of corners are there for the taking.
– Oooooooh, Green Bay trading up with Seattle for the next pick? This HAS to be for a wide receiver one pick ahead of Baltimore. Wait … or maybe this is when Montez Sweat goes as an amazing value get here. Wait … or maybe Florida OT Jawaan Taylor. Wait … or …
NEXT: Picks No. 21-32
21. Green Bay Packers (from Seattle)
PICK: S Darnell Savage, Maryland
– Uhhhhhhh okay. He’s really, really fast – he ran a 4.36 at the combine – but did Green Bay really need to trade up for him?
– Some in the scouting world swore he’d be a first rounder, but conventional wisdom was that he’d go somewhere around the 50. Fast safeties are never a bad thing.
– Philadelphia jumped up by trading with Baltimore for the next pick. The cornerback – especially at corner – and the offensive line value here is fantastic with tackles Jawaan Taylor and Andre Dillard on the board.
– Rock Ya-Sin? Deandre Baker? Byron Murphy? Greedy Williams? The corners are all there for the Eagles, but guessing offensive tackle …
22. Philadelphia Eagles (from Baltimore)
PICK: OT Andre Dillard, Washington State
– Nice pick at a nice time. Florida’s Jawaan Taylor is the better prospect, but there’s no issues with Dillard. He could’ve gone in the top 15 without a problem, and he’s a good value here.
– Very long with great athleticism, he’s an elite pass protector to keep Carson Wentz upright and alive.
– Absolutely worth moving up to get him – Houston was going to grab him with the next pick. Now watch out for Taylor to be a Texan.
– But Houston needs corner help, too, and they’re all there. It’s going to be an offensive tackle, though.
23. Houston Texans
PICK: OT Tytus Howard, Alabama State
– Really, really nice. He might not be a big name from a big school, but he’s got the size, athleticism, and toughness to grow into the job.
– Something must be wrong with Florida’s Jawaan Taylor. Nothing wrong with taking Howard here, but Taylor has top ten overall talent and is sliding right on down.
– Okay, Raiders. You reached a wee bit by taking Clelin Ferrell at the four. There’s your replacement for Khalil Mack … sort of. Now you need a replacement for Amari Cooper, and DK Metcalf and Hollywood Brown are on the board.
– Drew Lock is on the board, too. That’s a nice value get here compared to Daniel Jones.
24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago)
PICK: RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
– Good value and at a good time. I’m not the biggest fan in a light class of running backs, but at the 24 – considering there was talk he’d go at the top ten – go for it.
– There’s a whole lot of tread on the tires after not getting a ton of work relative to most star backs. He can catch, and he can bring the power and the pop. But he wasn’t the Alabama starting running back.
– It doesn’t matter that Marshawn Lynch retired – the Raiders could’ve found a running back anytime. They wanted a big-time back to work around. Remember, Gruden and Mayock are old school types.
– Baltimore moved down after the trade with Philly, and this is where they go for the value. A wide receiver like DK Metcalf or Hollywood Brown? It’s asking for the world to get another Terrell Suggs, but Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat is still there …
25. Baltimore Ravens (from Philadelphia)
PICK: WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
– Lamar Jackson and Hollywood Brown? LET’S GO …
– The Ravens need a do-it-all speedster to help take the heat off of Jackson, and he’s going to be like another Tyreek Hill – on the field – every time he gets the ball in his hands.
– Just find a way to feed him, and he’s gone. With Lamar’s deep arm, and Brown’s speed … again, LET’S GO.
– The concerns about Montez Sweat’s heart condition appeared to be answered, but he’s still falling. Indianapolis could use another pass rusher. This wouldn’t be a bad spot, but ….
– Washington just traded up for Indy’s spot. The Redskins already got their quarterback in Dwayne Haskins. Now to they get their receiver in DK Metcalf?
– They need corner help, too, and a slew of good ones are right there for the taking. Deandre Baker and Greedy Williams are still around.
26. Washington Redskins (from Indianapolis)
PICK: DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
– He CRUSHED the offseason workout circuit. He was amazing at the combine, and destroyed the Senior Bowl. He has elite athleticism and is a dream of a pass rushing get at the 26.
– Brilliant, brilliant move to get up to this spot. The Raiders took Clelin Ferrell with the fourth pick. Sweat is better.
– Washington got a whole lot of value with its first two picks. There’s a whole lot to get excited about.
– It’s being reported that Oakland wanted him with the next pick. That’s inexcusable considering how many picks it had. Get Ferrell AND Sweat, and this would’ve been a killer draft for the defensive front.
– DK Metcalf? These are the Raiders … of course they have to go with the measurable guy. Or, with all the corners on the board, they have their pick of all the good ones. Or …
27. Oakland Raders (from Dallas)
PICK: S Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
– He’s a measurables guy who can do a little of everything. He’s got good size, he’s a massive hitter, and he can fly. It would’ve been nice to have had Montez Sweat fall here, but there’s no arguing with everything Abram brings.
– Is he worth Amani Cooper? He’d better be.
– The Chargers have their pick of a whole lot of fantastic guys who are falling. To be a broken record, the corners are all there, and that’s what LA needs.
– Give Phil Rivers DK Metcalf? Maybe help him out with sliding Florida OT Jawaan Taylor? It’ll be hard to whiff on this – it’s going to be a strong first round finishing kick.
– Assuming corner here. The guess … Byron Murphy from Washington.
28. Los Angeles Chargers
PICK: DT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
– Interesting. It’s hardly a bad pick considering he’s an amazing interior pass rushing prospect, and he’s got great length and a nice frame, but this might be just a wee bit of a reach considering the talent in other spots still on the board.
– That’s actually not that true. 28th is more than fine. He’s a good value defensive tackle who might not be Jeffery Simmons or Quinnen Williams, but if he’s in one piece – he’s a bit banged up – he’s a disruptive force.
– No way, no how Seattle keeps both of these next two picks. That’s not how it rolls.
– The Seahawks never go the conventional route, so if they stay with these two selections, watch out for a reach of a pass rusher of some sort, but corners are the play. There are too many good ones still alive.
– With one of the two picks, it’s time to give Russell Wilson some help. This would be where DK Metcalf goes for any other normal drafting team.
29. Seattle Seahawks (from Kansas City)
PICK: DE LJ Collier, TCU
– And Seattle goes Seattle. No one knows how to get less value out of a first round selection better than the Seahawks.
– And Seattle goes Seattle by trading away the 30th pick to the Giants.
– It’s not that Collier isn’t good – he’s actually a great fit for the Seahawks – but they blew off Montez Sweat and they took a mid-second round guy at the 29.
– New York nailed it with the Dexter Lawrence pick, paid a lot for that muffler with Daniel Jones at the six, and now with this trade, there has to be a corner they like. Byron Murphy or Deandre Baker? ….
30. New York Giants (from Seattle)
PICK: CB Deandre Baker, Georgia
– Baker isn’t the speed guy you might like in a top corer, but he’s tough, he’ll tackle, and he’ll work. He’s great at getting after the ball, and now the Giants have him.
– It’s a good value get this late. The corners are going to come flying off the board in the second round, and the Giants got their guy … but they had to give up three picks, including their second rounder, to do it.
– Oooooooh, the Falcons traded with the Rams for the next pick. There aren’t any pass rushers there …
31. Atlanta Falcons (from Los Angeles)
PICK: OT Kaleb McGary, Washington
– Apparently, Atlanta would like to block someone. With Chris Lindstrom at the 14, and now McGary, the cornerstones of the line are there for a long, long time.
– Again, infrastructure is never boring. These are two nice pieces.
– New England could’ve used a tight end with this final pick, but there isn’t one worthy of the spot.
– D … K … Metcalf? How fun would THAT be?
32. New England Patriots
PICK: WR N’Keal Harry, Arizona State
– WOW … the Patriots pass on DK Metcalf for Harry. That’s hardly a bad pick. He’s a tough, good No. 1 receiver who should see time right away.
– Why not give Tom Brady more weapons for yet another run? He’s not a blazer like Metcalf – 4.5ish speed compared to 4.3ish – but he’s a baller.
