Written by JD Bagley
Post free agency is the time where mock drafts potentially come to fruition. Now that we know which team needs have/haven’t been filled and which direction prospects are trending after their Combine and Pro Day performances, it’s time to announce how I believe the first round will go down:
1. Arizona Cardinals- QB Kyler Murray (OKLA)
I am a believer in the Murray to Arizona hype. Pairing your rookie head coach with a quarterback who fits his system is a popular trend in today’s NFL.
2. San Francisco 49ers- EDGE Nick Bosa (OSU)
Even though the defensive line isn’t the biggest need for the 49ers, there is too much talent on the board to pass up one of these elite pass rushers. Bosa opposite Dee Ford will create one of the best pairings in the league.
3. New York Jets- EDGE Josh Allen (UK)
Jets satisfy need over BPA here in my opinion. With Bosa off the board, the Jets take the 2nd best edge player in this class. Allen will become what they hope is their future All-Pro pass rusher.
4. Oakland Raiders- IDL Quinnen Williams (ALA)
Arguably the best player in the draft falls to Oakland at 4. Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock should be thrilled about getting Williams to help rebuild a defensive line that was atrocious last year.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- LB Devin White (LSU)
Devin White is the versatile 3-down linebacker everyone would love to have. He fills Kwon Alexander’s shoes in the middle of Todd Bowles’ defense.
6. New York Giants- OT Jonah Williams (ALA)
I struggled with this pick because I truly don’t know what the Giants are doing. But, by taking Jonah Williams, they will have turned one of the worst O-Lines in the league two years ago to a team strength in 2019.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars- OT Jawaan Taylor (FLA)
Last year the Jaguars were decimated by injuries on offense. Grabbing Taylor to solidify the RT position will help the running and passing game.
8. Detroit Lions- EDGE Brain Burns (FSU)
The Lions need secondary help and trading back is a possibility, but #8 overall is too early to draft a CB or S this year. They decide to pair Brian Burns with the newly acquired Trey Flowers.
9. Buffalo Bills- WR D.K. Metcalf (MISS)
Giving Josh Allen a better supporting cast would be beneficial in his development into the franchise QB they think he is. With the top two tackles off the board, drafting Metcalf would give him an immediate playmaker on the outside.
10. Denver Broncos- IDL Ed Oliver (HOU)
Teams will have a wide variety of opinions on Ed Oliver, but I believe someone will take a chance in the top 10. Here, the Broncos try to bring out the untapped potential in Oliver.
11. Cincinnati Bengals- LB Devin Bush (MICH)
Even with Devin White off the board, the Bengals are still getting a real solid linebacker to replace Vontaze Burfict.
12. Green Bay Packers- TE T.J. Hockenson (IOWA)
After signing defensive heavy in free agency, the Packers go with Hockenson, a versatile tight end who can help the run game and be a nice safety blanket in the middle of the field for Aaron Rodgers.
13. Miami Dolphins- EDGE Rashan Gary (MICH)
In full rebuild mode, Miami has its eyes on the 2020 crop of QBs rather than this year’s class. They take super athlete Rashan Gary to try to replace Cameron Wake.
14. Atlanta Falcons- DT Christian Wilkins (CLEM)
The first Clemson D-lineman comes off the board at 14. With uncertainty regarding Grady Jarrett’s future, the Falcons bolster their front seven here.
15. Washington Redskins- QB Dwayne Haskins (OSU)
With no trades, Haskins falls to 15. After just one season as the starter at Ohio State, Haskins can sit for as long as needed behind Case Keenum. After the 2019 season concludes, the Redskins can readdress the QB room, potentially featuring Alex Smith.
16. Carolina Panthers- IOL Garrett Bradbury (NCST)
Not a sexy pick, but one that Panthers fans should appreciate. Bradbury is a stud that can play anywhere on the interior, stabilizing the O-line for Newton and Co.
17. New York Giants (via CLE)- EDGE Montez Sweat (MISS ST)
A month after the combine now, Montez Sweat’s stock has come back to reality. Still a solid player, the Giants could use his presence off the edge after shipping Olivier Vernon to Cleveland.
18. Minnesota Vikings- IOL Cody Ford (OKLA)
Similar to the Panthers situation, the Vikings draft Ford, who should help the overall fluidity of their offense.
19. Tennessee Titans- TE Noah Fant (IOWA)
The Titans saw what they had behind Delanie Walker after he suffered a season-ending injury in Week One last year, and it wasn’t pretty. Noah Fant brings young athleticism this position group lacks.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers- CB Byron Murphy (WASH)
The first CB to come off the board is Byron Murphy. Corner is a position of need, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pittsburgh trades up if Devin White or Bush begins to fall past #10 overall.
21. Seattle Seahawks- CB Greedy Williams (LSU)
Now that the entire “Legion of Boom” has walked out of the door, the Seahawks begin to rebuild their secondary by adding long and fluid corner Greedy Williams.
22. Baltimore Ravens- WR A.J. Brown (MISS)
Baltimore’s receiving corps is depleted after losing John Brown and Michael Crabtree. Even though they will be a run-heavy team, drafting A.J. Brown will give Lamar Jackson a target in the slot to make easier throws to.
23. Houston Texans- OT Andre Dillard (WSU)
Houston must address the offensive line with this pick. Dillard is one of the best pass blocking tackles in this class, and the Texans need to protect Deshaun Watson if they want to be Super Bowl contenders.
24. Oakland Raiders (via CHI)- EDGE Clelin Ferrell (CLEM)
Another addition to the defensive line for the Raiders after taking Quinnen Williams with their first pick.
25. Philadelphia Eagles- IDL Jeffery Simmons (MISS ST)
After signing Malik Jackson in free agency and having no glaring holes on the roster, the Eagles can afford to wait a year on the top-10 talent Simmons, letting him recover from his torn ACL.
26. Indianapolis Colts- S/CB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (FLA)
The Colts continue to add talent to their roster with the addition of Gardner-Johnson. A player that can fill numerous roles in the secondary.
27. Oakland Raiders (via DAL)- RB Josh Jacobs (ALA)
Oakland goes offense with their third pick of the 1st round. Derek Carr is now running out of excuses to return to his 2016 form with the additions Mayock and Gruden have made this offseason.
28. Los Angeles Chargers- OT Dalton Risner (KSU)
With Russell Okung turning 31 this season and no real future plan at tackle, the Chargers take the best remaining tackle on the board in Risner.
29. Kansas City Chiefs- EDGE Jachai Polite (FLA)
After a poor combine, Polite falls to the end of the first round, but the Chiefs see a polished pass rusher who can hopefully replace Justin Houston.
30. Green Bay Packers (via NO)- S Nasir Adderley
After loading up the front seven in free agency and taking T.J. Hockenson at #12, the Packers look to address safety here with Adderley, who could fill the shoes of Damarious Randall, the former Packer who had a great 2018 season with the Browns.
31. Los Angeles Rams- EDGE Chase Winovich (MICH)
With a roster that doesn’t have many holes, the Rams can add depth wherever they please. You can never have enough pass rushers, so they go with Winovich here.
32. New England Patriots- WR Hakeem Butler (ISU)
Losing Gronkowski is a big blow to the Patriots, but they go out and get another big-bodied playmaker for Tom Brady’s final years.