That sad sound in the distance? Those are the whimpers and wails of every football fan, softly sobbing into their foam fingers at the realization that Sunday night’s Super Bowl LIII victory by the New England Patriots (again) marked the end of another glorious gridiron season.
This week, the Pats and the Los Angeles Rams join the rest of the league in preparation for next year’s journey to the Lombardi Trophy, and all roads to championship glory start with the NFL draft.
With all the on-field action now wrapped up, let’s take another shot at projecting the first four rounds of the 2019 NFL draft, complete with a handful of blockbuster trades:
*=projected trade
1. Arizona Cardinals | Quinnen Williams | DL | Alabama
Nick Bosa is the odds-on favorite here, but the Cards already have one of the league’s best edge rushers in Chandler Jones. What they need is a dominant, disruptive force for the interior of their defensive line, and Williams is the perfect fit.
2. San Francisco 49ers | Nick Bosa | EDGE | Ohio State
This is a dream scenario for the 49ers, who get the best overall prospect in the draft, who also just happens to fill the team’s biggest need. Despite playing just a few games due to injury in 2018, Bosa is worthy of No. 1 overall consideration.
3. New York Jets | Josh Allen | EDGE | Kentucky
Similar to the 49ers, the Jets desperately need to come away from this pick with a difference-maker on the edge. Allen is a versatile weapon who was arguably the most dominant defender in all of college football last season.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (from OAK)* | Dwayne Haskins | QB | Ohio State
The Jags will start making calls in this range to make a move for this year’s top quarterback, and I’m betting they’ll find a willing partner in Oakland. In return for their second-round pick and perhaps another selection in next year’s draft, the Jags move up and find a new franchise passer.
5. Denver Broncos (from TB)* | Drew Lock | QB | Missouri
I’ve got a gut feeling Lock is John Elway’s guy in this QB class, which means he won’t wait around to see if he falls to No. 10 overall. Instead, the Broncos ship their picks in the second and third rounds to Tampa Bay to ensure they get the quarterback of their choice.
6. New York Giants | Jonah Williams | OT | Alabama
After getting sniped for two of the top passers in this draft, the Giants change directions and focus on improving the protection for Eli Manning and whoever his eventual successor ends up being. Williams was a rare freshman starter for the Crimson Tide, and has a long track record of success at both tackle spots.
7. Oakland Raiders (from JAX)* | Devin White | LB | LSU
This is a perfect scenario for the Raiders, who move back a few spots, get an extra pick, and still end up with a player they likely would have given strong consideration at No. 4 overall. White is exactly the kind of player who can transform the identity of an entire defense, and that’s what Oakland needs.
8. Detroit Lions | Greedy Williams | CB | LSU
Darius Slay is one of the better corners in the league, but the Lions need to upgrade the spot across from him. Williams is still growing into his physical tools, but his rare combination of size, length and athleticism could quickly be developed into a big-time playmaker.
9. Buffalo Bills | D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss
This pick has to be all about helping Josh Allen, whether that’s finding him a stud blocker or a premier playmaker. In this scenario, the latter gives Buffalo the better value. Metcalf has an ideal size/athleticism combo, and is reportedly fully recovered from a neck injury that ended his 2018 campaign prematurely.
10. Miami Dolphins (from DEN via TB)* | Kyler Murray | QB | Oklahoma
After spending the better part of a decade in quarterback purgatory with Ryan Tannehill, the Dolphins could look to make a big splash under new management. What better way to do that than trading a third-round pick to move up for Murray, this year’s biggest wild-card and a dynamic talent.
11. Cincinnati Bengals | Cody Ford | OT | Oklahoma
If the Bengals are going to keep rolling with Andy Dalton, he’s gonna need all the help he can get. There are weapons at the skill positions, but the protection needs improvement, and that’s where adding a polished, athletic blocker like Ford would be a huge boost.
12. Green Bay Packers | Jachai Polite | EDGE | Florida
Clay Matthews’ production is going down while his age is going up, and that’s not likely to go back in the other direction. The Packers have a pair of first-round picks to address their biggest needs, and this one should be spent on an explosive sack-master like Polite, who loves separating quarterback from the ball.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from MIA)* | Ed Oliver | DL | Houston
There are bigger needs elsewhere, but the potential departure of Gerald McCoy, an aging and expensive veteran, could make this a bigger one. After trading back twice, the Bucs still manage to get amazing value in Oliver, who is one of the best overall prospects in this year’s class.
14. Atlanta Falcons | Christian Wilkins | DL | Clemson
There’s some solid young talent along this defensive front, but the Falcons could still use a difference-maker to anchor the interior and improve the rotation. Wilkins is one of the most impressive athletes in this draft, with explosiveness to be a disruptive force at the next level.
15. Washington Redskins | Byron Murphy | CB | Washington
The trade for Alex Smith cost Washington their top cover man in Kendall Fuller, and they desperately need to fill the void he left behind. Murphy may not have the big frame some look for in a top corner, but his combination of instincts, intelligence and ball skills more than makes up for it.
16. Carolina Panthers | Clelin Ferrell | EDGE | Clemson
This pick could go a million different ways, but the Panthers would be smart to try and replace 17-year veteran Julius Peppers on the edge. Ferrell may not have Peppers’ rare athleticism, but his size, length and technique should still make him an effective pass rusher at the next level.
17. Cleveland Browns | Rashan Gary | DL | Michigan
There are fewer holes than you might expect on this roster, and while most of this defensive line is loaded with young talent, the Browns still need a disruptive force at the 3-technique spot. That’s where Gary would be a perfect fit, rather than on the edge, where the Wolverines lined him up most.
18. Minnesota Vikings | Dalton Risner | OT | Kansas State
This team has some dangerous offensive weapons and a capable quarterback, but the protection has to improve across the board. Risner’s experience and polish should make him an instant-impact player at the next level, and his versatility would make him an upgrade at multiple spots.
19. Tennessee Titans | Jeffery Simmons | DL | Mississippi State
Jurrell Casey is still one of the better interior defenders in the league, but he’s not getting any younger. This year’s draft is loaded at the position, which should give the Titans fantastic value, like they get in this scenario. In any other class, Simmons could easily be a top-10 pick.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Deandre Baker | CB | Georgia
Joe Haden has been a solid veteran presence for the Steelers, but there’s simply not another impact player on this roster at corner. Baker is a tough, instinctive player with a nose for the ball who could become an instant starter.
21. Seattle Seahawks | Deionte Thompson | S | Alabama
The reign of the “Legion of Boom” has ended, but that doesn’t mean the Seahawks can’t reload and try to build the next version. That starts with finding a rangy, athletic and physical playmaker at safety to replace Earl Thomas, and Thompson has all the traits to make it happen.
22. Baltimore Ravens | N’Keal Harry | WR | Arizona State
The Lamar Jackson era has officially begun in Baltimore, and the Ravens need to build a better supporting cast around their new franchise quarterback. First on the list? Finding him a true No. 1 receiver, with the big frame and complete skill set Harry brings to the table.
23. Houston Texans | Jawaan Taylor | OT | Florida
The Texans have one of the league’s best young quarterbacks, and a dangerous group of pass-catchers, but their offensive line is ruining it. If they want to protect Deshaun Watson and get the most out of their weapons, an athletic, physical blocker like Taylor would be a huge addition.
24. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) | Montez Sweat | EDGE | Mississippi State
After getting a stud linebacker earlier in the round, it’s time for the Raiders to address the departure of Khalil Mack with one of the picks they traded him for. Sweat has an ideal frame, a versatile skill set, and backed up his impressive tape with strong week at the Senior Bowl.
25. Philadelphia Eagles | Josh Jacobs | RB | Alabama
There are bigger needs elsewhere on both sides of the ball for the Eagles, but that won’t stop them from taking one of the most dynamic playmakers in this draft if he’s still on the board. Jacobs was part of a loaded backfield at Alabama, but has the skills to be a full-time problem for NFL defenses.
26. Indianapolis Colts | Jerry Tillery | DL | Notre Dame
General manager Chris Ballard is building one of the best young teams in the league, but there are still a few glaring holes to fill. One of them is along the interior of the defensive line, where the Colts could use a versatile, disruptive force like Tillery, who can line up in multiple spots.
27. Oakland Raiders (from DAL) | Noah Fant | TE | Iowa
After filling their two biggest needs, the Raiders can afford to make somewhat of a luxury pick with the last of their three first-rounders. Fant is a complete prospect with all the physical tools to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses at the next level.
28. Los Angeles Chargers | Greg Little | OT | Ole Miss
Philip Rivers isn’t showing signs of slowing down anytime soon, so the Bolts need to keep giving him everything he needs to play at his best. That starts with getting him a franchise left tackle who can protect him, and Little has all the tools to be an immediate upgrade.
29. Kansas City Chiefs | Nasir Adderley | DB | Delaware
A lackluster pass defense was a huge reason the Chiefs didn’t get farther in this year’s playoffs, and they have needs at both levels of the secondary. That makes Adderley a strong fit, given his size, skill set, and experience at both corner and safety.
30. Green Bay Packers (from NO) | Mack Wilson | LB | Alabama
After getting a dynamic edge rusher earlier in the first round, the Packers use their additional Day 1 pick to address their need for a similar impact player at the second level. Wilson is still smoothing out the rough edges in his game, but he’s a well-rounded player with a fiery, competitive style.
31. New York Giants (from LAR)* | Daniel Jones | QB | Duke
With the Patriots potentially in the market for a quarterback of the future, the Giants pull the trigger after missing out on this year’s best passers in the top 10. In return for an early pick in next year’s draft, the Giants leapfrog New England and get that extra fifth-year option for the raw but promising Jones.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from NE)* | Brian Burns | EDGE | Florida State
The Pats love to trade down, and with an explosive pass rusher like Burns still on the board, it wouldn’t be hard for them to find a trade partner. In this scenario, it’s Tampa Bay, which added some additional picks with earlier trades, and can use some of that ammo to grab a perfect fit for Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme.
SECOND ROUND
33. Arizona Cardinals | Yodny Cajuste | OT | West Virginia
34. Indianapolis Colts (from NYJ) | Trayvon Mullen | CB | Clemson
35. Oakland Raiders | Kelvin Harmon | WR | North Carolina State
36. San Francisco 49ers | A.J. Brown | WR | Ole Miss
37. Los Angeles Rams (from NYG)* | Taylor Rapp | S | Washington
38. Oakland Raiders (from JAX)* | David Montgomery | RB | Iowa State
39. New England Patriots (from TB)* | Zach Allen | DL | Boston College
40. Buffalo Bills | David Edwards | OT | Wisconsin
41. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from DEN)* | Amani Oruwariye | CB | Penn State
42. Cincinnati Bengals | Devin Bush | LB | Michigan
43. Detroit Lions | Chase Winovich | EDGE | Michigan
44. Green Bay Packers | T.J. Hockenson | TE | Iowa
45. Atlanta Falcons | Oshane Ximines | EDGE | Old Dominion
46. Washington Redskins | Deebo Samuel | WR | South Carolina
47. Carolina Panthers | Dexter Lawrence | DL | Clemson
48. Miami Dolphins | Gerald Willis III | DL | Miami (FL)
49. Cleveland Browns | Hakeem Butler | WR | Iowa State
50. Minnesota Vikings | Dre’Mont Jones | DL | Ohio State
51. Tennessee Titans | Chris Lindstrom | OL | Boston College
52. Pittsburgh Steelers | Tre Lamar | LB | Clemson
53. Philadelphia Eagles (from BAL) | Kaleb McGary | OT | Washington
54. Houston Texans (from SEA) | Julian Love | CB | Notre Dame
55. Houston Texans | Jaquan Johnson | S | Miami (FL)
56. New England Patriots (from CHI) | Kaden Smith | TE | Stanford
57. Philadelphia Eagles | Rock Ya-Sin | CB | Temple
58. Dallas Cowboys | Charles Omenihu | DL | Texas
59. Indianapolis Colts | JJ Arcega-Whiteside | WR | Stanford
60. Los Angeles Chargers | Khalen Saunders | DL | Western Illinois
61. Kansas City Chiefs | Michael Jackson | CB | Miami (FL)
62. New Orleans Saints | Marquise Brown | WR | Oklahoma
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR) | Jaylon Ferguson | EDGE | Louisiana Tech
64. New England Patriots | Ben Burr-Kirven | LB | Washington
THIRD ROUND
65. Arizona Cardinals | Riley Ridley | WR | Georgia
66. Oakland Raiders | Chauncey Gardner-Johnson | DB | Florida
67. San Francisco 49ers | Kris Boyd | CB | Texas
68. New York Jets | Damien Harris | RB | Alabama
69. Jacksonville Jaguars | Bobby Evans | OT | Oklahoma
70. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Andre Dillard | OT | Washington State
71. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from DEN)* | Benny Snell, Jr. | RB | Kentucky
72. Cincinnati Bengals | Irv Smith, Jr. | TE | Alabama
73. New England Patriots (from DET) | Juan Thornhill | S | Virginia
74. Buffalo Bills | Elgton Jenkins | OL | Mississippi State
75. Green Bay Packers | Johnathan Abram | S | Mississippi State
76. Washington Redskins | Will Grier | QB | West Virginia
77. Carolina Panthers | Te’Von Coney | LB | Notre Dame
78. New England Patriots (from MIA via TB)* | Anthony Nelson | EDGE | Iowa
79. Atlanta Falcons | Ross Pierschbacher | OL | Alabama
80. Cleveland Browns | Derrick Baity | CB | Kentucky
81. Minnesota Vikings | Kendall Joseph | LB | Clemson
82. Tennessee Titans | Anthony Johnson | WR | Buffalo
83. Pittsburgh Steelers | Christian Miller | EDGE | Alabama
84. Seattle Seahawks | Max Scharping | OT | Northern Illinois
85. Baltimore Ravens | Garrett Bradbury | OL | North Carolina State
86. Houston Texans | Michael Deiter | OL | Wisconsin
87. Chicago Bears | Miles Sanders | RB | Penn State
88. Detroit Lions (from PHI) | Khalil Hodge | LB | Buffalo
89. Indianapolis Colts | Joe Jackson | EDGE | Miami (FL)
90. Dallas Cowboys | Caleb Wilson | TE | UCLA
91. Los Angeles Chargers | Germaine Pratt | LB | North Carolina State
92. Kansas City Chiefs | Darrell Henderson | RB | Memphis
93. New York Jets (from NO) | Dennis Daley | OT | South Carolina
94. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | DaMarkus Lodge | WR | Ole Miss
95. Cleveland Browns (from NE) | Vosean Joseph | LB | Florida
FOURTH ROUND
96. Arizona Cardinals | Lonnie Johnson | CB | Kentucky
97. San Francisco 49ers | Amani Hooker | S | Iowa
98. New York Jets | JoeJuan Williams | CB | Vanderbilt
99. Oakland Raiders | Tyree St. Louis | OT | Miami (FL)
100. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | | Beau Benzschawel | OL | Wisconsin
101. New York Giants | Isaiah Buggs | DL | Alabama
102. Jacksonville Jaguars | Jalen Jelks | EDGE | Oregon
103. Cincinnati Bengals | Brett Rypien | QB | Boise State
104. Detroit Lions | Foster Moreau | TE | LSU
105. Buffalo Bills | Isaiah Johnson | CB | Houston
106. Denver Broncos | Daylon Mack | DL | Texas A&M
107. Green Bay Packers | Andy Isabella | WR | UMass
108. Carolina Panthers | Ben Powers | OL | Oklahoma
109. Miami Dolphins | Porter Gustin | EDGE | USC
110. Atlanta Falcons | Elijah Holyfield | RB | Georgia
111. Green Bay Packers (from WAS) | Dru Samia | OL | Oklahoma
112. Cleveland Browns | Marquise Blair | S | Utah
113. Minnesota Vikings | Connor McGovern | OL | Penn State
114. Tennessee Titans | D’Andre Walker | EDGE | Georgia
115. Pittsburgh Steelers | Rodney Anderson | RB | Oklahoma
116. Baltimore Ravens | Terry Beckner, Jr. | DL | Missouri
117. Seattle Seahawks | Sean Bunting | CB | Central Michigan
118. Denver Broncos (from HOU) | Martez Ivey | OL | Florida
119. Chicago Bears | Jamal Peters | CB | Mississippi State
120. Philadelphia Eagles | Terrill Hanks | LB | New Mexico State
121. Dallas Cowboys | Shareef Miller | EDGE | Penn State
122. Indianapolis Colts | Evan Worthington | S | Colorado
123. Los Angeles Chargers | Tyree Jackson | QB | Buffalo
124. Buffalo Bills (from KC) | Devin Singletary | RB | FAU
125. New York Giants (from NO) | Cameron Smith | LB | USC
126. Los Angeles Rams | Greg Gaines | DL | Washington
127. New England Patriots | Parris Campbell | WR | Ohio State
