We’re officially less than a month away from the 2019 NFL draft, and with the pro day circuit winding down, little is left for this year’s top prospects but to play the long waiting game until Nashville.
Free agency has slowed to a near-complete halt, with team needs changing across the league, which heavily impacts draft projections.
Keeping all that in mind, it’s time to updated my four-round mock draft, complete with a handful of big trades involving some of this year’s most polarizing prospects.
*=projected trade
1. Arizona Cardinals | Nick Bosa | EDGE | Ohio State
It’s entirely possible that the rumors of Kyler Murray going here are completely true, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Bosa is arguably the most complete player in this entire draft, and he’s well worth this pick if the Cardinals want to stick with Josh Rosen.
2. San Francisco 49ers | Josh Allen | EDGE | Kentucky
The 49ers would hate to see Bosa off the board here, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they tried to trade back in that scenario. If they can’t, this year’s draft class gives them a fantastic consolation prize in Allen, who is one of the most versatile and productive players in the draft.
3. New York Giants (from NYJ)* | Dwayne Haskins | QB | Ohio State
After trading Odell Beckham, Jr., the Giants now have the draft capital required to make a move up the board for a franchise quarterback like Haskins. With the top two edge rushers off the board, the Jets should be more than willing to move back in return for the 17th overall pick, the Giants’ second-round pick, and likely another Day 2 selection in the 2020 draft.
4. Oakland Raiders | Quinnen Williams | DL | Alabama
With three first-round picks, the Raiders have tons of flexibility, and they’ll be looking to make moves. In this scenario, if they can’t get the right return to swap with a team targeting Murray, they should simply take the best available player. In this scenario, Williams is the clear choice.
5. Washington Redskins (from TB)* | Kyler Murray | QB | Oklahoma
After seeing the Giants trade up for Haskins, another team pulls the trigger and makes a massive jump up the board for another franchise passer. If Murray doesn’t go No. 1, don’t be surprised if a team like Washington trades their 1st-rounder in 2020, along with their picks in the second and third round this year, to land a difference-maker at the game’s most important position.
6. New York Jets (from NYG)* | Montez Sweat | EDGE | Mississippi State
This is an ideal scenario for the Jets, who move back just three spots while getting an additional pair of premium picks, and still have top prospects available at all their biggest positions of need. They could go wide receiver or offensive tackle, but pass rushers with Sweat’s combination of athleticism and SEC production don’t last long.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars | D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss
Now that Nick Foles is entrenched as the team’s franchise quarterback, the Jags need to build around him, both up front and by adding dynamic weapons. Metcalf’s incredible combination of size and speed would give them something far beyond anything currently on the roster.
8. Detroit Lions | Brian Burns | EDGE | Florida State
Sure, the Lions just inked free agent Trey Flowers to a massive deal, but that shouldn’t keep them from adding another explosive pass rusher here. Burns proved at the combine he could add weight and still retain his athleticism, and his technique sets him apart from a deep class of edge rushers.
9. Cincinnati Bengals (from BUF)* | Drew Lock | QB | Missouri
With two quarterbacks already off the board and the Broncos lurking at No. 10 overall, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Bengals use a fourth-round pick to flip spots with the Bills and snag Lock. Andy Dalton has hit his ceiling, and while Lock isn’t a finished product, his physical tools give him far more upside.
10. Denver Broncos | Devin White | LB | LSU
Quarterback is off the board here, but the Broncos still have some fantastic options at other positions of need in this scenario. After backing up his strong tape against SEC competition with a dominant performance at the combine, White is well worth a top-10 selection.
11. Buffalo Bills (from CIN)* | Jawaan Taylor | OT | Florida
If the board falls this way, the Bills should be happy to oblige a team like the Bengals, who trade up into the top 10 for their franchise quarterback just as Buffalo did a year ago. Speaking of Josh Allen, the Bills need to use this pick to better protect him, and Taylor is this year’s top tackle prospect.
12. Green Bay Packers | T.J. Hockenson | TE | Iowa
Free agency gave the Packers an opportunity to fill some of their biggest needs on defense, and they took full advantage by adding some of this year’s best available veterans. That should free them up to use this pick on a dynamic weapon for Aaron Rodgers, and Hockenson has all the tools to be an elite playmaker.
13. Miami Dolphins | Ed Oliver | DL | Houston
It sure looks like the Dolphins are prepared to punt on this year’s quarterback class, and if that’s the case, they should be targeting the best defensive lineman available here. Luckily for them, they land one of this year’s top talents in Oliver, who wasn’t used to his full potential at Houston.
14. Atlanta Falcons | Rashan Gary | DL | Michigan
Missing out on Oliver by just one slot would hurt, but this year’s defensive line class is loaded, which means the Falcons can still land a disruptive player here. Gary was held back by injuries and playing out of position in college, but his rare athleticism should be maximized by Dan Quinn and company.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from WAS)* | Devin Bush | LB | Michigan
After moving back 10 spots and loading up on extra picks, the Bucs are still able to fill one of their biggest needs with a stud prospect. With Kwon Alexander gone via free agency, Bush’s combination of athleticism, physicality and leadership would be the perfect replacement.
16. Carolina Panthers | Nasir Adderley | S | Delaware
Locking up Eric Reid takes care of one safety spot, but the Panthers could still use another playmaker on the back end. While some might bristle at a small-schooler going this high, Adderley’s size, skill set and experience at both corner and safety could easily make him a top-20 pick.
17. New York Jets (from CLE via NYG)* | Jonah Williams | OT | Alabama
Getting a stud pass rusher was a top priority, but so will be surrounding Sam Darnold with as much talent as possible. That starts by improving his protection, and in this scenario, the Jets get a fantastic value by landing Williams outside the top 15.
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. Oakland Raiders (from TEN)* | Greedy Williams | CB | LSU
After taking the best available player at No. 4 overall, the Raiders could look to move up with their additional first-round picks if the right players fall. That’s what happens here, as the Raiders send a Day 2 pick next year and a fourth-rounder this year to move up for Williams, who has a fantastic combination of height, length and athleticism.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Byron Murphy | CB | Washington
While the Raiders appear to move up and snipe the Steelers here, Murphy is hardly a consolation prize for a team desperate to upgrade at corner. 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 retirement leaves the Pats needing a weapon to replace him. 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. Tennessee Titans (from OAK)* | Garrett Bradbury | OL | North Carolina State
This is a pick the Titans would likely be comfortable with at No. 19 overall, but they’d feel even better if they were able to trade back and add another pick in the process. Bradbury is a complete player with a fantastic combination of athleticism, power and physicality.
25. Oakland Raiders (from PHI)* | Clelin Ferrell | EDGE | Clemson
Another top prospect at a position of need falls, and the Raiders can’t help but make another move up the board. With the Colts lurking at No. 26, Oakland sends another mid-round pick in next year’s draft to the Eagles to make sure they land one of the most complete edge defenders in this year’s deep class.
26. Indianapolis Colts | Christian Wilkins | DL | Clemson
Getting sniped for Ferrell might hurt, but there’s still a dominant Clemson defensive lineman who would help fill a need for the Colts. Wilkins is a rare athlete for his size, and his explosive, versatile skill set would be a fantastic addition to one of the league’s best young defenses.
27. Philadelphia Eagles (from DAL via OAK)* | Rock Ya-Sin | CB | Temple
After moving back just two spots and adding another pick in next year’s draft, the Eagles spend this pick on a player they likely would have been happy with at their original slot. Corner is still a huge need for Philly, and with Ya-Sin playing in town for the Owls, they won’t have to look for for a stud prospect.
28. Los Angeles Chargers | Jerry Tillery | DL | Notre Dame
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. Tillery has a rare combination of size, length and versatility that makes him a dominant force regardless of where he lines up along the defensive line.
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. Denver Broncos (from LAR)* | Daniel Jones | QB | Duke
Passing on a quarterback at No. 10 makes sense in this scenario, but for all of John Elway’s confidence in Joe Flacco being “in his prime,” I doubt he could watch Jones drop so far without pouncing. In return for at least their second-round pick in this draft, the Broncos land their franchise quarterback of the future to learn behind the veteran.
32. Seattle Seahawks (from NE)* | Dalton Risner | OT | Kansas State
Just because Russell Wilson can run around for his life and still make plays doesn’t mean the Seahawks should keep forcing him to do it. After moving back 11 spots and adding a pair of Day 2 selections, Seattle gets a versatile blocker who can play both guard and tackle.
SECOND ROUND
33. Arizona Cardinals | Yodny Cajuste | OT | West Virginia
34. Indianapolis Colts (from NYJ) | N’Keal Harry | WR | Arizona State
35. Oakland Raiders | Josh Jacobs | RB | Alabama
36. San Francisco 49ers | Kelvin Harmon | WR | North Carolina State
37. New York Jets (from NYG)* | A.J. Brown | WR | Ole Miss
38. Jacksonville Jaguars | Greg Little | OT | Ole Miss
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jachai Polite | EDGE | Florida
40. Buffalo Bills | JJ Arcega-Whiteside | WR | Stanford
41. Los Angeles Rams (from DEN)* | Dexter Lawrence | DL | Clemson
42. Cincinnati Bengals | Blake Cashman | LB | Minnesota
43. Detroit Lions | Irv Smith, Jr. | TE | Alabama
44. Green Bay Packers | Deebo Samuel | WR | South Carolina
45. Atlanta Falcons | Chris Lindstrom | OL | Boston College
46. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from WAS)* | Deandre Baker | CB | Georgia
47. Carolina Panthers | Kaleb McGary | OT | Washington
48. Miami Dolphins | Chase Winovich | EDGE | Michigan
49. Cleveland Browns | Amani Oruwariye | CB | Penn State
50. Minnesota Vikings | Dre’Mont Jones | DL | Ohio State
51. Tennessee Titans | Zach Allen | DL | Boston College
52. Pittsburgh Steelers | Riley Ridley | WR | Georgia
53. Philadelphia Eagles (from BAL) | David Montgomery | RB | Iowa State
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 | Jaylon Ferguson | EDGE | Louisiana Tech
58. Dallas Cowboys | Charles Omenihu | DL | Texas
59. Indianapolis Colts | Deionte Thompson | S | Alabama
60. Los Angeles Chargers | David Edwards | OT | Wisconsin
61. Kansas City Chiefs | Trayvon Mullen | CB | Clemson
62. New Orleans Saints | Jace Sternberger | TE | Texas A&M
63. Kansas City Chiefs (from LAR) | Khalen Saunders | DL | Western Illinois
64. Seattle Seahawks (from NE)* | Taylor Rapp | S | Washington
THIRD ROUND
65. Arizona Cardinals | Emanuel Hall | WR | Missouri
66. Pittsburgh Steelers (from OAK) | Chauncey Gardner-Johnson | DB | Florida
67. San Francisco 49ers | Justin Layne | CB | Michigan State
68. New York Jets | Elgton Jenkins | OL | Mississippi State
69. Jacksonville Jaguars | Maxx Crosby | EDGE | Eastern Michigan
70. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Parris Campbell | WR | Ohio State
71. Los Angeles Rams (from DEN)* | Johnathan Abram | S | Mississippi State
72. Cincinnati Bengals | Josh Oliver | TE | San Jose State
73. New England Patriots (from DET) | Amani Hooker | DB | Iowa
74. Buffalo Bills | Lonnie Johnson | CB | Kentucky
75. Green Bay Packers | Bobby Evans | OL | Oklahoma
76. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from WAS)* | Miles Sanders | RB | Penn State
77. Carolina Panthers | Te’Von Coney | LB | Notre Dame
78. Miami Dolphins | Max Scharping | OT | Northern Illinois
79. Atlanta Falcons | Oshane Ximines | EDGE | Old Dominion
80. Cleveland Browns | Juan Thornhill | S | Virginia
81. Minnesota Vikings | Terrill Hanks | LB | New Mexico State
82. Tennessee Titans | Christian Miller | EDGE | Alabama
83. Pittsburgh Steelers | Germaine Pratt | LB | North Carolina State
84. Seattle Seahawks | Joejuan Williams | CB | Vanderbilt
85. Baltimore Ravens | Lamont Gaillard | OL | Georgia
86. Houston Texans | Darnell Savage, Jr. | S | Maryland
87. Chicago Bears | Damien Harris | RB | Alabama
88. Detroit Lions (from PHI) | Isaiah Johnson | CB | Houston
89. Indianapolis Colts | Joe Jackson | EDGE | Miami (FL)
90. Dallas Cowboys | Andy Isabella | WR | UMass
91. Los Angeles Chargers | Drue Tranquill | LB | Notre Dame
92. Kansas City Chiefs | Darrell Henderson | RB | Memphis
93. New York Jets (from NO) | Michael Jackson | CB | Miami (FL)
94. Los Angeles Rams | Tytus Howard | OT | Alabama State
95. New York Giants (from NE via CLE) | Jaquan Johnson | S | Miami (FL)
96. Washington Redskins | Terry McLaurin | WR | Ohio State
97. New England Patriots | Anthony Nelson | EDGE | Iowa
98. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) | Foster Moreau | TE | LSU
99. Los Angeles Rams | Vosean Joseph | LB | Florida
100. Carolina Panthers | Miles Boykin | WR | Notre Dame
101. Seattle Seahawks (from NE)* | Ross Pierschbacher | OL | Alabama
102. Baltimore Ravens | D’Andre Walker | EDGE | Georgia
FOURTH ROUND
103. Arizona Cardinals | Jamel Dean | CB | Auburn
104. San Francisco 49ers | Marquise Blair | S | Utah
105. New York Jets | Kris Boyd | CB | Texas
106. Tennessee Titans (from OAK)* | Anthony Johnson | WR | Buffalo
107. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Nate Davis | OL | Charlotte
108. New York Giants | Ben Banogu | EDGE | TCU
109. Jacksonville Jaguars | Gerald Willis III | DL | Miami (FL)
110. Buffalo Bills (from CIN)* | Beau Benzschawel | OL | Wisconsin
111. Detroit Lions | Joe Giles-Harris | LB | Duke
112. Buffalo Bills | Devin Singletary | RB | FAU
113. Baltimore Ravens (from DEN) | Tre Lamar | LB | Clemson
114. Green Bay Packers | Justice Hill | RB | Oklahoma State
115. Carolina Panthers | Austin Bryant | EDGE | Clemson
116. Miami Dolphins | Ben Powers | OL | Oklahoma
117. Atlanta Falcons | Drew Sample | TE | Washington
118. Green Bay Packers (from WAS) | Renell Wren | DL | Arizona State
119. Cleveland Browns | David Long, Jr. | LB | West Virginia
120. Minnesota Vikings | Sheldrick Redwine | S | Miami (FL)
121. Tennessee Titans | Will Grier | QB | West Virginia
122. Pittsburgh Steelers | Malik Reed | EDGE | Nevada
123. Baltimore Ravens | Mecole Hardman | WR | Georgia
124. Seattle Seahawks | Isaiah Buggs | DL | Alabama
125. Denver Broncos (from HOU) | Daylon Mack | DL | Texas A&M
126. Chicago Bears | Mark Fields | CB | Clemson
127. Philadelphia Eagles | Dennis Daley | OT | South Carolina
128. Dallas Cowboys | Dax Raymond | TE | Utah State
129. Indianapolis Colts | Sean Bunting | CB | Central Michigan
130. Los Angeles Chargers | Tyree Jackson | QB | Buffalo
131. Buffalo Bills (from KC) | L.J. Collier | DL | TCU
132. New York Giants (from NO) | Kendall Sheffield | CB | Ohio State
133. Los Angeles Rams | Dru Samia | OL | Oklahoma
134. New England Patriots | James Williams | RB | Washington State
135. Indianapolis Colts | Bobby Okereke | LB | Stanford
136. Dallas Cowboys | Michael Deiter | OL | Wisconsin
137. Atlanta Falcons | Benny Snell, Jr. | RB | Kentucky
138. Philadelphia Eagles | Daniel Wise | DL | Kansas
