Its time to update the selections based on the unbelievable amount of speculation circling the rumor mills. Every team is throwing out feelers, both real and fake, to position themselves to draft the best possible players for their needs and systems.
Nobody, outside of a select few from each organization, truly knows how this draft will play out, but the speculation is fun and shows the many different schools of thought surrounding the best way to build a roster.
So, without further ado, here are my updated predictions for the 2019 NFL Draft.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma: This one is no big secret. The Cardinals are shopping second-year Quarterback Josh Rosen and will end up dealing him before or during the draft. Murray is a much better fit for new head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense with his dual-threat ability.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State: While Bosa is the No. 2 player on my big board behind Quinnen Williams, the 49ers select Bosa who is a well-rounded edge player, able to defend both the run and the pass. I look for Bosa to be a very good player for a very long time.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade with NY Jets): Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State: The Jags move up to ensure they get their quarterback in Haskins. Despite signing Nick Foles this offseason, the Jags still try to acquire the long term solution at the most important position. The Jets are actively seeking a move down in the draft, and ultimately achieve their primary goal and acquire a second round pick (and more) to replace the pick they sent to Indianapolis last year in their move for Sam Darnold.
4. Oakland Raiders: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky: The dream scenario for the Silver and Black is for Allen to fall to them at No. 4. Their biggest need meets their top-ranked player on their draft board. A perfect match for Jon Gruden, Mike Mayock, and the rest of the Raiders organization.
5. Miami Dolphins (via trade with Tampa Bay): Drew Lock, QB, Missouri: The Dolphins get aggressive and jump up in front of the New York Giants to get their Quarterback of the future. Lock has had a fantastic draft season and has solidified himself as the second or third-best quarterback in this draft class. He’ll hold the clipboard in Year 1 behind newly signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, but the Dolphins will make sure he gains some experience late in the season.
6. New York Giants: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama: The Giants will not overthink this. Once the top 3 Quarterbacks are off the board, they simply take the best player available. As Williams is the top-ranked player on my board, he’s an easy selection for Dave Gettleman.
7. New York Jets (via trade with Jacksonville): Juwaan Taylor, OT, Florida: The Jets traded down and landed all important help for second-year man Sam Darnold. They have to find a way to protect him and allow him to develop. Taylor has elite potential at right tackle, but could also be deployed on the blind side. Either way, the Jets are making the right decision here.
8. Detroit Lions: TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa: The Lions have needed to land a tight end for years. Eric Ebron was supposed to be the guy, but the Lions gave up on him one year too early. Now, they jump on the most complete player at the position to enter the draft in a long time.
9. Buffalo Bills: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama: The Bills need to protect second-year quarterback Josh Allen. Williams was the best offensive lineman in college football last season, and, while some have questioned his ability to play tackle at the next level, he is as technically sound as they come. He will play on the blind side in Buffalo for the next decade.
10. Denver Broncos: Devin White, LB, LSU: The Broncos need to add playmakers, regardless of position. White could go as high as No. 4 to Oakland, but the Broncos are ecstatic to see him fall all the way to No. 10. The easiest transition for a defensive player from college to the pros is for a linebacker. Thus, White is my selection for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: DK Metcalf, WR, Mississippi: The Bengals are a great landing spot for the big, physical wideout from Ole Miss. They have all world receiver AJ Green already in the fold and Metcalf can step right in as a No. 2 option for Andy Dalton, ready to either make an impact when defenses roll coverage toward Green or to help lighten that same coverage.
12. Green Bay Packers: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State: Burns is the best pure pass rusher in this draft class. The Packers have a handful of needs and would love for Metcalf to fall to them, but they settle for Burns who will make a huge impact from Day 1 in the Black and Blue division.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan: Had the Bucs stayed at No. 5, they would have selected LSU LB Devin White. Instead, they move down eight spots, pick up some crucial draft pick capital, and select a player that many now believe is a better player than White himself. Bush is rangy, instinctive, physical, and athletic. He is an every down player right now.
14. Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston: Oliver is the No. 3 player on my big board. The Falcons cannot believe he’s fallen this far as the best player available fills a huge need along the Falcons defensive line. Oliver is an absolute freak of nature and has an excellent chance of being a perennial pro bowler.
15. Washington Redskins: Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan: I expect the Redskins to be the team to acquire Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen by way of a second round pick. If that doesn’t happen, Duke QB Daniel Jones could be the selection here. But, with Rosen in tow, they select Gary who is a polarizing prospect. He has the versatility, size, and athleticism to play anywhere along the defensive line. The Skins need help in a lot of areas so this type of versatility can only help.
16. Carolina Panthers: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State: Sweat has had a fantastic draft season. He showed up at the combine in unbelievable shape and ran a 4.41 40 yard dash. That time alone could be enough land him in the top 10 of this draft. While Carolina may have a bigger need at left tackle, Sweat’s pass rush ability may be too much for the Panthers to pass up here.
17. New York Giants: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke: The Giants still seem to be married to Eli Manning, but they have to address their long term need at the position. I simply do not see it with Jones as a top-shelf prospect, but the Giants seem to be infatuated. He comes from Duke where head coach David Cutcliffe has a strong relationship with the Manning family. Aside from that connection, I don’t understand the pick, but this is where I believe the Giants will go.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington St: Dillard is the best pass blocking left tackle in this draft. The Vikings have discussed moving incumbent left tackle Riley Reiff inside to guard, leaving Dillard as an obvious choice. They could also take an interior offensive lineman with Garrett Bradbury, Erik McCoy, or Dalton Risner as possibilities. That is, of course, if they leave Reiff outside.
19. Tennessee Titans: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa: Fant is the best pure receiving tight end in this draft. While he is not quite the blocker that his former teammate Hockenson is, Fant is not exactly a slouch. He gives the Titans an impact player and a long term replacement for Delanie Walker.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma: The Steelers would love for Bush to fall here. Or, they could take a cornerback But, there isn’t a cornerback really worthy of being selected this high. So, the Steelers select the best player on their board in Ford. Ford has a mean streak that fits well with Mike Tomlin and the city of Pittsburgh. He has versatility in that he could play guard or right tackle.
21. Seattle Seahawks: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame: The Seahawks add a big presence on the interior. Tillery is tall, but plays with outstanding leverage and has the burst to rush the passer. I love this fit for Seattle and their aggressive defense.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson: The Ravens may be the toughest team in the league to peg. They could certainly use a weapon for Lamar Jackson, but the run-heavy attack makes it unlikely they use a pick this high on a receiver. So, they simply add another high-level talent to the league’s best defense.
23. Houston Texans: Garrett Bradbury, OL, North Carolina State: Bradbury can play either guard or center. It doesn’t matter in Houston, where he will be the best player on an offensive line that needs to upgrade everywhere.
24. Oakland Raiders: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington: The Raiders have addressed a lot of positions this offseason. They’ve revamped the receiving corps, upgraded the linebackers, added safety help, and landed a lead back in Isaiah Crowell. They were lucky in this scenario to add Josh Allen, but could certainly double down with a player like Clelin Ferrell. But, they address their No.2 cornerback situation with the selection of Murphy, who is a playmaker and has a nose for the football.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson: The Eagles love to rotate bodies along their defensive line. They just traded Michael Bennett to New England, so there is a hole in the rotation. Ferrell is an excellent all-around player and will get plenty of snaps early on.
26. Indianapolis Colts: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU: The Colts could certainly add another weapon for Andrew Luck, but they think that Devin Funchess will be the big-bodied, physical, perimeter weapon they needed. So, they turn to the defensive side of the ball and add Williams who has the highest ceiling of any corner in the draft.
27. Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama: Jacobs is the only running back in this draft worthy of a first-round selection (and that is debatable). But, what might be most appealing about Jacobs is his relative lack of usage in college. He was always the lesser side of a committee, despite being the most complete back in the draft. He will certainly split duties with Isaiah Crowell, but I’d look for him to take the lead before too long.
28. San Francisco 49ers (via trade with LA Chargers): Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State: The 49ers jump back into round 1 to land the big, physical specimen from Iowa State. Butler is enormous for the position but doesn’t lack for speed or agility. Plus, he has outstanding hands and is near impossible to deal with in contested catch situations. They needed to add a weapon for Jimmy Garoppolo, and this is the perfect guy to do it.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Layne, CB, Michigan St: The Chiefs could go a number of different ways. They need help on all three levels of defense but go with Justin Layne who has measurables that stack up with some of the best corners in the league. Nobody at his size (6’3”) has shown his speed/agility combination among draft eligibles since 2000 other than Antonio Cromartie, Xavier Rhodes, and Jalen Ramsey. Pretty good company.
30. Green Bay Packers: Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State: The Packers offensive line has been decimated by injuries over the last couple of seasons. They know they need to find replacements and Risner can fill in anywhere from left guard to right tackle, though they will probably find a permanent home for him early on as a potential Day 1 starter.
31. Los Angeles Rams: DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia: Aqib Talib is not getting any younger and Marcus Peters was not good last season. Baker is a physical presence that can learn from the two veterans and step in if either goes down with another injury.
32. New England Patriots: Irv Smith Jr, TE, Alabama: Smith is an excellent talent that has been overshadowed by the pair of tight ends from Iowa. He is landing in the perfect situation with Rob Gronkowski retiring. He will make an immediate impact as an intermediary receiver catching passes from Tom Brady.
ROUND 2
33. Arizona Cardinals: Erik McCoy, G/C, Texas A&M
34. Indianapolis Colts: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
35. Oakland Raiders: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi St
36. Los Angeles Chargers (From SF): Chris Lindstrom, G/C, Boston College
37. New York Giants: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
38. New York Jets (from Jax): AJ Brown, WR, Mississippi
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware
40. Buffalo Bills: N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
41. Denver Broncos: Greg Little, OT, Mississippi
42. Cincinnati Bengals: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
43. Detroit Lions: Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
44. Green Bay Packers: Kelvin Harmon, WR, North Carolina State
45. Atlanta Falcons: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
46. Arizona Cardinals (from Washington): JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
47. Carolina Panthers: Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
48. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Miami): Chase Winovich, EDGE, Michigan
49. Cleveland Browns: Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
50. Minnesota Vikings: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
51. Tennessee Titans: Nate Davis, G, Charlotte
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
53. Philadelphia Eagles: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
54. Houston Texans: Tytus Howard, OT, Alabama State
55. Houston Texans: Miles Boykin, WR, Notre Dame
56. New England Patriots: Taylor Rapp, DB, Washington
57. Philadelphia Eagles: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
58. Dallas Cowboys: Jaylon Ferguson, EDGE, Louisiana Tech
59. Indianapolis Colts: Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
60. Los Angeles Chargers: Andy Isabella, WR, Massachusetts
61. Kansas City Chiefs: Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida
62. New Orleans Saints: LJ Collier, EDGE, TCU
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
64. New England Patriots: Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
