We’re coming up on the one month mark until the 2019 NFL draft, and time is running out for top prospects and underrated gems alike to impress decision-makers around the league.
With the all-star game circuit and the NFL Scouting Combine both in the books, pro day workouts give players one last chance to show off their skills for coaches and general managers. After that, it’s time to prepare for draft weekend and hope for the best.
Free agency has also given teams a chance to fill some of their biggest needs with veteran talent before heading into the draft, and many teams have used trades to do the same.
For this four-round projection of this year’s draft, I’m including a rare player trade, as this scenario has the Arizona Cardinals spending the No. 1 pick on a quarterback. This being the case, for the sake of this mock, I have the Cards sending quarterback Josh Rosen to the New England Patriots in return for a third-round selection.
I’ve also included a handful of pick-for-pick trades in this mock, so let’s get rolling:
1. Arizona Cardinals | Kyler Murray | QB | Oklahoma
It seems crazy that the Cards would spend the No. 1 pick on a quarterback just one year after trading into the top 10 to pick one, but the draft is full of crazy every year. Don’t be surprised if this is what goes down, with the Cardinals sending Josh Rosen to the highest bidder.
2. San Francisco 49ers | Nick Bosa | EDGE | Ohio State
John Lynch and company have to be pulling for the Cardinals to take a quarterback at No. 1, because that would leave the draft’s best player on the board, at their biggest position of need. Bosa would be a steal here.
3. New York Jets | Josh Allen | EDGE | Kentucky
After losing out on Anthony Barr in free agency, the Jets are still in desperate need of an impact edge defender. Allen is one of the most complete, versatile prospects in this year’s draft, and would be the perfect fit.
4. Oakland Raiders | Devin White | LB | LSU
I would expect the Raiders to try and trade out of this pick in this scenario, but if they can’t find a taker, taking the best available pass rusher or off-ball linebacker makes the most sense. In this scenario, the best value of the two comes at linebacker, where White gives them a three-down playmaker.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (from TB)* | Dwayne Haskins | QB | Ohio State
Finally, a team pulls the trigger and moves up for a quarterback. While other teams are signing veteran stop-gaps, the Bengals could make a bold move to end the Andy Dalton era by trading their picks in the second and third rounds of this draft (and likely a high pick in 2020) to land my top passer in the class.
6. New York Giants | Quinnen Williams | DL | Alabama
It seems like the Giants are going to stick with Eli Manning, so expect Dave Gettleman to build up the trenches with his two first-round picks. In this scenario, he lands arguably the top overall prospect in the draft with the dominant, disruptive Williams.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars | D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss
Now that Nick Foles is clearly the team’s franchise quarterback, the Jags need to surround him with as much help as possible, whether that’s up front or in terms of weapons. In this situation, teaming him up with a big, fast pass-catcher like Metcalf would be ideal.
8. Detroit Lions | Greedy Williams | CB | LSU
Trey Flowers fills the Lions’ biggest need, but the defense still needs help at every other level. Darius Slay is one of the league’s better corners, but pairing him with a long, athletic cover man like Williams would give them a formidable tandem.
9. Buffalo Bills | Jawaan Taylor | OT | Florida
Helping Josh Allen has to be the focus of this draft, and while free agency has added some solid pieces to the offensive line and receiver group, they could still use a stud for each. Here, they give Allen the top tackle in the draft, who can play either side.
10. Denver Broncos | Devin Bush | LB | Michigan
This may seem like a reach, but Bush backed up his impressive film with a fantastic performance at the combine. Given his complete skill set, with rare athleticism for his size, don’t be surprise if Bush cracks the top 10 for a team that needs that kind of playmaker at the heart of their defense.
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from CIN)* | Ed Oliver | DL | Houston
While some might be surprised to see the Bucs trade out of No. 5 with Quinnen Williams still on the board, picking up extra picks and still landing an elite defensive lineman in Oliver would be a preferable scenario. The Bucs have too many needs on both sides of the ball to stand pat if they get the right offer.
12. Washington Redskins (from GB)* | Drew Lock | QB | Missouri
What, you’re not excited about a quarterback battle between Case Keenum and Colt McCoy? Didn’t think so. With Alex Smith’s future in doubt, Washington should be poised to make a short jump like this (in return for a third-round pick) for the right passer, and Lock could be their man if he lasts this long.
13. Miami Dolphins | Brian Burns | EDGE | Florida State
After signing Ryan Fitzpatrick, it seems clear the Dolphins are punting on this year’s quarterback class. If that’s the case, they need to use this pick on one of this year’s top defensive lineman, whether it’s an edge rusher or an interior guy. In this scenario, their best bet is the explosive and technically sound Burns.
14. Atlanta Falcons | Rashan Gary | DL | Michigan
Any other year, a rare talent like Gary would likely be a top-10 lock, but this year’s defensive line class is loaded. Though injuries, inconsistency and playing somewhat out of position held back Gary at Michigan, Dan Quinn and company should be able to maximize his gifts.
15. Green Bay Packers (from WAS)* | T.J. Hockenson | TE | Iowa
This is an ideal situation for the Packers, who filled their big needs on defense via free agency. Here, they move back a few spots, pick up an extra third-rounder, and still land a well-rounded tight end in Hockenson, who will give Aaron Rodgers yet another dynamic target.
16. Carolina Panthers | Montez Sweat | EDGE | Mississippi State
With Julius Peppers retiring, the Panthers could look for another big, athletic pass rusher with this pick. Sweat’s combine performance was incredible, but medical test also revealed a pre-existing heart condition that could impact his draft stock. That said, I don’t see him getting out of the top 20.
17. New York Giants (from CLE) | Jonah Williams | OT | Alabama
After shoring up the defensive line with their first pick, the Giants use the one of the picks they received for Odell Beckham, Jr. to improve Eli Manning’s protection. Williams may not have some of the physical traits NFL teams want in a left tackle, but he’s still a beast of a blocker.
18. Minnesota Vikings | Cody Ford | OT | Oklahoma
Restocking the offensive line has to be the Vikings’ top priority in this draft, whether at tackle or along the interior. In this scenario, they get a versatile blocker in Ford who can play guard or tackle, with the power and athleticism to start from Day 1.
19. Tennessee Titans | Garrett Bradbury | OL | North Carolina State
While some may consider this early for an interior offensive lineman, last year’s draft (Quenton Nelson at No. 6) proved top prospects are top prospects, regardless of position. Bradbury is a complete player with a fantastic combination of athleticism, power and physicality.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Byron Murphy | CB | Washington
It’s no secret corner is the Steelers’ biggest need, so it won’t be a surprise to see them grab the best one available at this pick. They luck out in this scenario, landing my top cover man in this year’s class. Murphy may not have elite physical traits, but his instincts, intelligence and ball skills set him apart.
21. New England Patriots (from SEA)* | Noah Fant | TE | Iowa
Rob Gronkowski’s status will likely be in question every offseason from now on, and with his injury history, the Pats are better off planning for the future sooner than later. Fant is the most athletic playmaker in this year’s tight end class, and well worth giving up a second-round pick and a third-round pick, especially since New England has more than one selection in each of those rounds.
22. Baltimore Ravens | Hakeem Butler | WR | Iowa State
Lamar Jackson already has a solid stable of tight ends and a new running back in Mark Ingram, but he desperately needs a true No. 1 receiver. With his rare combination of size, speed and athleticism, Butler is exactly what Jackson needs to take his game to the next level.
23. Houston Texans | Andre Dillard | OT | Washington State
The Texans have one of the league’s best young quarterbacks in Deshaun Watson, and plenty of weapons at his disposal, but their porous offensive line keeps them from maximizing their skill-position talent. Dillard has all the tools to be a quality starter at left tackle from Day 1, and an immediate upgrade for Houston.
24. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) | Clelin Ferrell | EDGE | Clemson
After filling a big need at linebacker with their first pick, the Raiders need to find a pass rusher here. Thanks to this year’s deep class, they’re still able to get fantastic value with Ferrell, who is one of the most complete players at the position in the 2019 class.
25. Philadelphia Eagles | Dalton Risner | OT | Kansas State
The Eagles need to find a young tackle they can groom to eventually take over for Jason Peters, and a versatile blocker like Risner would be ideal, Given his skill set and experience at other positions, he could make an immediate impact as an interior player before eventually sliding outside.
26. Indianapolis Colts | N’Keal Harry | WR | Arizona State
The Colts already have a burner in T.Y. Hilton, but Andrew Luck could use a big-bodied pass-catcher to move the chains and take pressure off the rest of the offense. Harry’s massive frame and impressive athleticism makes him an effective chain-mover, and a terror after the catch, as well as in the red zone.
27. Oakland Raiders (from DAL) | Deandre Baker | CB | Georgia
It’s an all-defense first round for the Raiders, who use their last of three picks on Day 1 to fill another big need at corner. There are bigger, faster corners in this class, but Baker has been battle-tested against SEC competition, and has a fantastic combination of ball skills and instincts.
28. Los Angeles Chargers | Christian Wilkins | DL | Clemson
The Bolts have one of the league’s best edge-rushing tandems in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, but they need to reload the interior with young talent. Wilkins is a rare athlete for a 300-pounder, with the explosiveness to be a disruptive force for any team, in any scheme.
29. Kansas City Chiefs | Marquise Brown | WR | Oklahoma
Sure, the Chiefs have bigger needs on defense, but that won’t stop them from giving Patrick Mahomes as many weapons as possible. After filling more pressing needs with veteran free agents, the Chiefs can splurge with an undersized but explosive playmaker in Brown.
30. Green Bay Packers (from NO) | Mack Wilson | LB | Alabama
After getting their tight end earlier in the first round, and filling their other defensive needs in free agency, the Packers can use this pick to address the linebacker spot. Wilson is still a bit raw, but his ceiling is through the roof thanks to top-level physical tools.
31. New York Giants (from LAR)* | Daniel Jones | QB | Duke
After filling the trenches on both sides of the ball with their first two picks, the Giants indeed make a bold move to find Eli Manning’s successor. If Jones falls this far, don’t be surprised if a team like New York gives up a third-round pick to jump back into the first round and secure him on a rookie deal for up to five years.
32. Seattle Seahawks (from NE)* | Nasir Adderley | S | Delaware
After dropping back 11 spots and picking up a pair of much-needed Day 2 picks, the Seahawks continue their rebuild of the “Legion of Boom.” Adderley still needs some polish, but he’s a fantastic athlete with experience at both corner and safety.
SECOND ROUND
33. Arizona Cardinals | Yodny Cajuste | OT | West Virginia
34. Indianapolis Colts (from NYJ) | Jerry Tillery | DL | Notre Dame
35. Oakland Raiders | Josh Jacobs | RB | Alabama
36. San Francisco 49ers | Amani Oruwariye | CB | Penn State
37. Los Angeles Rams (from NYG)* | Dexter Lawrence | DL | Clemson
38. Jacksonville Jaguars | Greg Little | OT | Ole Miss
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jachai Polite | EDGE | Florida
40. Buffalo Bills | Kelvin Harmon | WR | North Carolina State
41. Denver Broncos | Irv Smith, Jr. | TE | Alabama
42. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from CIN)* | Chris Lindstrom | OL | Boston College
43. Detroit Lions | A.J. Brown | WR | Ole Miss
44. Green Bay Packers | Deebo Samuel | WR | South Carolina
45. Atlanta Falcons | Chase Winovich | EDGE | Michigan
46. Washington Redskins | Riley Ridley | WR | Georgia
47. Carolina Panthers | Deionte Thompson | S | Alabama
48. Miami Dolphins | Zach Allen | DL | Boston College
49. Cleveland Browns | Rock Ya-Sin | CB | Temple
50. Minnesota Vikings | Taylor Rapp | S | Washington
51. Tennessee Titans | Dre’Mont Jones | DL | Ohio State
52. Pittsburgh Steelers | Jaylon Ferguson | EDGE | Louisiana Tech
53. Philadelphia Eagles (from BAL) | Trayvon Mullen | CB | Clemson
54. Houston Texans (from SEA) | Erik McCoy | OL | Texas A&M
55. Houston Texans | Julian Love | CB | Notre Dame
56. New England Patriots (from CHI) | Jeffery Simmons | DL | Mississippi State
57. Philadelphia Eagles | David Montgomery | RB | Iowa State
58. Dallas Cowboys | Charles Omenihu | DL | Texas
59. Indianapolis Colts | Chauncey Gardner-Johnson | S | Florida
60. Los Angeles Chargers | Kaleb McGary | OT | Washington
61. Kansas City Chiefs | Elgton Jenkins | OL | Mississippi State
62. New Orleans Saints | Blake Cashman | LB | Minnesota
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR) | Joejuan Williams | CB | Vanderbilt
64. Seattle Seahawks (from NE)* | David Edwards | OT | Wisconsin
THIRD ROUND
65. Arizona Cardinals | JJ Arcega-Whiteside | WR | Stanford
66. Pittsburgh Steelers (from OAK) | Germaine Pratt | LB | North Carolina State
67. San Francisco 49ers | Emanuel Hall | WR | Missouri
68. New York Jets | Max Scharping | OT | Northern Illinois
69. Jacksonville Jaguars | Jace Sternberger | TE | Texas A&M
70. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Parris Campbell | WR | Ohio State
71. Denver Broncos | Khalen Saunders | DL | Western Illinois
72. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from CIN)* | Justin Layne | CB | Michigan State
73. New England Patriots (from DET)* | Johnathan Abram | S | Mississippi State
74. Buffalo Bills | Amani Hooker | DB | Iowa
75. Green Bay Packers | Michael Deiter | OL | Wisconsin
76. Washington Redskins | Oshane Ximines | EDGE | Old Dominion
77. Carolina Panthers | Te’Von Coney | LB | Notre Dame
78. Miami Dolphins | Ross Pierschbacher | OL | Alabama
79. Atlanta Falcons | Beau Benzschawel | OL | Wisconsin
80. Cleveland Browns | Juan Thornhill | S | Virginia
81. Minnesota Vikings | Gerald Willis III | DL | Miami (FL)
82. Tennessee Titans | Christian Miller | EDGE | Alabama
83. Pittsburgh Steelers | Andy Isabella | WR | UMass
84. Seattle Seahawks | Isaiah Johnson | CB | Houston
85. Baltimore Ravens | Lamont Gaillard | OL | Georgia
86. Houston Texans | Josh Oliver | TE | San Jose State
87. Chicago Bears | Miles Sanders | RB | Penn State
88. Detroit Lions (from PHI) | Darnell Savage, Jr. | S | Maryland
89. Indianapolis Colts | Anthony Nelson | EDGE | Iowa
90. Dallas Cowboys | Jaquan Johnson | S | Miami (FL)
91. Los Angeles Chargers | Terrill Hanks | LB | New Mexico State
92. Kansas City Chiefs | Daniel Wise | DL | Kansas
93. New York Jets (from NO) | Lonnie Johnson, Jr. | CB | Kentucky
94. Los Angeles Rams | Joe Giles-Harris | LB | Duke
95. Los Angeles Rams (from NE via CLE/NYG)* | Joe Jackson | EDGE | Miami (FL)
96. Green Bay Packers (from WAS)* | Devin Singletary | RB | FAU
97. Seattle Seahawks (from NE)* | D’Andre Walker | EDGE | Georgia
98. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | Marquise Blair | S | Utah
99. Los Angeles Rams | Tytus Howard | OT | Alabama State
100. Carolina Panthers | Ben Powers | OL | Oklahoma
101. Arizona Cardinals (from NE)* | Michael Jackson | CB | Miami (FL)
102. Baltimore Ravens | Renell Wren | DL | Arizona State
FOURTH ROUND
103. Arizona Cardinals | Dru Samia | OL | Oklahoma
104. San Francisco 49ers | Sheldrick Redwine | S | Miami (FL)
105. New York Jets | Terry McLaurin | WR | Ohio State
106. Oakland Raiders | Foster Moreau | TE | LSU
107. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Vosean Joseph | LB | Florida
108. New York Giants | Khalil Hodge | LB | Buffalo
109. Jacksonville Jaguars | Maxx Crosby | EDGE | Eastern Michigan
110. Cincinnati Bengals | Drue Tranquill | LB | Notre Dame
111. Detroit Lions | Ben Burr-Kirven | LB | Washington
112. Buffalo Bills | Darrell Henderson | RB | Memphis
113. Baltimore Ravens (from DEN) | Anthony Johnson | WR | Buffalo
114. Green Bay Packers | Malik Gant | S | Marshall
115. Carolina Panthers | DaMarkus Lodge | WR | Ole Miss
116. Miami Dolphins | Antoine Wesley | WR | Texas Tech
117. Atlanta Falcons | Damien Harris | RB | Alabama
118. Green Bay Packers (from WAS) | Nate Davis | OL | Charlotte
119. Cleveland Browns | Tre Lamar | LB | Clemson
120. Minnesota Vikings | Justice Hill | RB | Oklahoma State
121. Tennessee Titans | Miles Boykin | WR | Notre Dame
122. Pittsburgh Steelers | Benny Snell, Jr. | RB | Kentucky
123. Baltimore Ravens | Ben Banogu | EDGE | TCU
124. Seattle Seahawks | Isaiah Buggs | DL | Alabama
125. Denver Broncos (from HOU) | Will Grier | QB | West Virginia
126. Chicago Bears | Jamel Dean | CB | Auburn
127. Philadelphia Eagles | David Long, Jr. | LB | West Virginia
128. Dallas Cowboys | Bobby Evans | OT | Oklahoma
129. Indianapolis Colts | Sean Bunting | CB | Central Michigan
130. Los Angeles Chargers | Tyree Jackson | QB | Buffalo
131. Buffalo Bills (from KC) | Bobby Okereke | LB | Stanford
132. New York Giants (from NO) | Shareef Miller | EDGE | Penn State
133. Los Angeles Rams | Kris Boyd | CB | Texas
134. New England Patriots | Malik Reed | EDGE | Nevada
135. Indianapolis Colts | Gary Johnson | LB | Texas
136. Dallas Cowboys | Mecole Hardman | WR | Georgia
137. Atlanta Falcons | Dax Raymond | TE | Utah State
138. Philadelphia Eagles | L.J. Collier | DL | TCU
