Workouts. Interviews. Trades. Predictions. Smokescreens. Rumors. It must be NFL Draft season. Indeed it is, with this year's edition taking place Thursday, April 25, at 8:00 PM, in Nashville, Tennessee. This week is probably the biggest week of the NFL offseason, and there has been (and will be plenty of buzz leading up to 8:00 Thursday night.
If you are a frequent visitor to this site, you may know that I do an NFL Draft preview every year, and you may know that I missed the mark a bit in 2018. I did not get a single pick right in my mock draft, and I had Baker Mayfield as my fifth-rated quarterback (for some reason). So I am by no means a draft guru. I'm just a guy who likes the NFL Draft. But hopefully I have learned from my mistakes, and hopefully this year's preview will be more on point. Let's get started.
Before I start my mock draft, here are some thoughts of mine regarding this year's draft class:
- Dwayne Haskins is the best quarterback in this class. He has the arm, the pocket presence, and the intelligence. Kyler Murray is second. My biggest concern with him is size.
- The strongest positions in this draft seem to be on defense, where there are a lot of quality defensive lineman and defensive backs.
- Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams, Ed Oliver, Josh Allen, and Jeffery Simmons are the top five prospects, talent-wise, in this draft (in my uneducated opinion).
Mock Draft
- This is a full first round prediction of what I believe WILL happen, not what I believe SHOULD happen
- This mock draft, unlike many, does include trades
- Nobody can truly predict the draft, but this is my best shot at doing so. I will be wrong.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
Although recent reports suggest that Arizona has gotten cold feet and head coach Kliff Kingsbury said Wednesday that they hadn't decided who they'll pick yet, I think Kyler has been their guy all along. Kingsbury, who coached against Murray in the Big 12, is reportedly enamored with him, and the Cardinals are treating incumbent starting quarterback Josh Rosen like he'll be gone soon.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
This should be a no-brainer for San Francisco. Joey's younger brother is widely thought of as the top prospect in this year's draft, even after sitting out most of last season to avoid further injury. If the Cardinals take Bosa first overall, I think the pick here will be Quinnen Williams. Otherwise, I think Nick Bosa is the obvious choice, and I think it's the choice the Niners will make.
3. Washington Redskins (via New York Jets): Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
The real fun starts with New York at number three. Word is that the Jets could be looking to trade down. There are also late rumblings that Washington is looking to trade into the top five for Haskins. Other possible destinations for Haskins include Oakland and New York, but right now, it look like D.C. will try to jump those teams to secure him.
4. Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
Oakland is another team that could be looking for a quarterback. The Raiders sent their scouts home in fear of potential leaks, so they could make a surprise pick at four. If Kyler Murray or Dwayne Haskins fall this far, I think one of them could be the surprise pick. LSU linebacker Devin White is also a name to keep and eye on, but in this scenario, I don't see the Raiders passing on Williams.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
While other teams are looking for quarterbacks, Bruce Arians, Todd Bowles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to plug up their porous defense. There is a lot a buzz about LSU linebacker Devin White going to the Bucs here, but if the stud pass rusher from Kentucky (who is not related to 2018 fifth overall pick Josh Allen) is still on the board, I think Tampa Bay pulls the trigger.
6. New York Giants: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
The Giants are a candidate to pick a quarterback, and they have been linked to Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins and Duke's Daniel Jones. But I think New York goes defense at number six. It will depend who is still on the board, but I think they take the ferocious tackle from Houston in this scenario. Josh Allen (if he is on the board) and Devin White (if Allen and Oliver are gone) are also possibilities.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
The two most common picks for Jacksonville at seven are Hockenson and Alabama offensive lineman Jonah Williams. I originally had Florida tackle Jawaan Taylor going here, but Taylor is reportedly not in play for the Jags here, and could fall due to medical concerns. So I am giving the Jaguars an explosive all-around tight end at number seven.
8. Atlanta Falcons (via Detroit Lions): Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
The Lions are reportedly looking to trade down, and the Falcons are a team that has been floated as a potential trade partner. If Atlanta does trade up, it will probably be for a defensive lineman. With Ed Oliver off the board, I think Wilkins is Atlanta's top target, and I think the Falcons could move up into the top ten to make sure they secure him.
9. Houston Texans (via Buffalo Bills): Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
The Bills, like the Lions, are reportedly looking to trade down. The Texans, who are in desperate need of offensive lineman, could be interested in moving up to get one of the top tackles in the draft. Alabama's Jonah Williams is also an option here, but sources say Houston covets Dillard. If the Lions stay put, I could see them taking Williams or a pass-rusher, depending on who's still on the board.
10. Denver Broncos: Devin White, LB, LSU
The Broncos did trade for Joe Flacco, but John Elway always seems to be in the market for a quarterback (probably because he was much better at playing the position than he is at evaluating the position). I think Missouri's Drew Lock is his guy, but he may resist the urge to go quarterback here. He'll go with a linebacker instead. With Devin White still on the board, the pick is easy.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Devin Bush Jr., LB, Michigan
The Bengals are yet another team to keep an eye on in the quarterback market. If Haskins falls this far, I think Cincinnati will pounce. Otherwise, I think the Bengals will look to add to the defense. At this point in the draft, at least one of the top two linebackers will probably be available, and I think that's who Cincinnati will take. If Bush and Devin White are still up for grabs, they'll take White.
12. Green Bay Packers: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
The second of Iowa's two talented tight ends, Fant would provide Aaron Rodgers with yet another weapon and eventually supplant aging Jimmy Graham as Green Bay's top tight end. Other possibilities here include a wide receiver (such as D.K. Metcalf), an offensive lineman, or an defensive lineman (like Brian Burns), but it seems like the Packers and Fant are a match.
13. Miami Dolphins: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
The rebuilding Dolphins have several different areas they could address here, but they will probably either look to strengthen the trenches or trade down. If Jonah Williams, who could go top ten, drops this far, he will likely be taken here, either by Miami or by a team trading up. I have the 'Fins giving whatever young quarterback they pick next year protection for years to come.
14. Detroit Lions (via Atlanta Falcons): Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
After trading down, the Lions could look in a few different directions. If one of the Iowa tight ends (Hockenson or Fant) is still available, I think that's who Detroit picks. If not, the Lions could look to fortify the offensive line (with someone like Jawaan Taylor), but I think they'll look to add to the other side of the ball, and Burns would be a good addition.
15. New York Jets (via Washington Redskins): Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
After trading down into the middle of the first round, the Jets are in a prime position to add the top cornerback in the draft. Not only does Greedy Williams have a great name, I think he's the best defensive back in the class. If Washington doesn't trade this pick, I think the Redskins pick a quarterback (such as Duke's Daniel Jones) or Ole Miss wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
16. Carolina Panthers: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
It looks like the Panthers will address either the wide receiving corps, the offensive line, or the defensive line. Offensive lineman Cody Ford is a possibility. If Brian Burns is still on the board, I think he is the pick. I think (in this scenario) the choice will come down to Ferell and D.K. Metcalf, with Carolina choosing to go defense over offense.
17. New York Giants: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
Who the Giants select with the pick they got from the Browns in the Odell Beckham Jr. trade (thank you, Giants) will depend on who they select with their first pick. Since I have them passing on a quarterback with their first pick, I'll give them Jones, whom some teams (including New York) seem to be very high on, here. I could also see the Giants not drafting a quarterback at six or 17.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
The Vikings will almost certainly be drafting an offensive lineman, and Ford seems like a fit. I could also see Minnesota trading up to take an offensive lineman. Every single mock draft I have seen has the Vikings taking an offensive lineman, so the only question is what offensive lineman they take. I think the draft board will determine that.
19. Tennessee Titans: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
I could see Tennessee using this pick on an offensive or defensive lineman, but I don't think the Titans pass on D.K. if he falls this far. This team isn't afraid of taking receivers early (see Corey Davis), and the muscular Metcalf is the top wideout in this class. If the Titans go with a lineman, I think it will be either Dexter Lawrence, Rashan Gary, or Jeffery Simmons.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
I am pretty confident that the Steelers will select a cornerback here. The question is which cornerback they will select. I originally had them taking Greedy Williams, but he's off the board. Even if he is on the board, it sounds like Rock Ya-Sin is Pittsburgh's corner of choice. Other options include Washington's Byron Murphy and Georgia's DeAndre Baker.
21. Seattle Seahawks: Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
After trading defensive end Frank Clark to Kansas City, the Seahawks now have two first round picks. I think they use one of them to find Clark's replacement. In this scenario, they dip back into the Michigan pool to select Gary, who has been more about potential than production to this point. Montez Sweat is also an option here, but he could fall out of the first round.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Garrett Bradbury, C, N.C. State
The Ravens will be looking for pieces to put around young quarterback Lamar Jackson. That could mean they go for a wide receiver (like Oklahoma's Marquise "Hollywood" Brown), a running back (Alabama's Josh Jacobs), or an offensive lineman. I think Baltimore chooses the third route. I could see interior linemen Erik McCoy or Chris Lindstrom going here, but I'll go with Bradbury.
23. Buffalo Bills (via Houston Texans): Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
I think the Bills would be extremely pleased to see Taylor sitting here after trading back. Taylor could go in the top ten, but reports also suggest he could slip this far. He would be a great value as protection for quarterback Josh Allen. If Buffalo doesn't choose Taylor, I think Washington cornerback Byron Murphy or Alabama tight end Irv Smith Jr. could be in play here.
24. Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Josh Jacobs is the only running back with a chance of going in the first round, and if he does, signs point to him going to the Raiders at 24 or 27. Marshawn Lynch just retired, and Oakland needs young offensive talent. I could definitely see Mike Mayock, Jon Gruden and company pulling the trigger on Jacobs. Also don't rule out a quarterback, if one that they like falls this far.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
Philadelphia shuffled through numerous cornerbacks last season. Byron Murphy, who could be the top corner in the draft, would bring some stability to the position. The Eagles could be tempted by Montez Sweat or Jeffery Simmons, who are both still on the board in this scenario, and they could go with wide receiver Marquise Brown, but Murphy seems like the best fit here.
26. Indianapolis Colts: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
I think this pick will come down to two Mississippi State products. Both Simmons and safety Johnathan Abram have been talked about in connection to the Colts, and I could see Indy taking either, but I think Chris Ballard and company will go the with the top-ten talent who has dropped due to a torn ACL and a video of him punching a woman in high school. He will go in the first round.
27. Oakland Raiders: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
Aside from Josh Jacobs, the other guy the Raiders have been most connected to in the late first round is Irv Smith out of Alabama. If the buzz is this loud surrounding it, it's more likely true than not. Smith would be yet another addition to Oakland's offense, and would really help provide Derek Carr (or whoever is playing quarterback) with more weaponry.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
The Chargers could be tempted to draft Phillip Rivers' successor, especially with Drew Lock still on the board, but I think they will resist that temptation. Lawrence could go higher than this (Tennessee is a team that could be interested), but if he is available here, I think the dominant disrupter would be a good fit in Los Angeles.
29. Seattle Seahawks: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
After finding a potential Frank Clark replacement with their first first round pick, I think the Seahawks address the secondary with the pick they got from the Chiefs. A cornerback, such as DeAndre Baker, is possible, but I think Abram, who might remind Seattle of Kam Chancellor, will be the pick if he is still on the board at 29.
30. Green Bay Packers: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
Mock drafts have the Packers going a few different directions here, including defensive lineman, quarterback, trade down, tight end, running back, and offensive lineman. I think it could be an offensive lineman, but with "Hollywood" on the board, I think Green Bay will add another offensive weapon (along with Noah Fant) for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
31. Denver Broncos (via Los Angeles Rams): Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
The Rams are said to be looking to trade out of the first round, and they should get plenty of calls with Drew Lock still on the board. I think John Elway will jump on the opportunity to trade into the first round to get his quarterback of choice. If the Rams don't find an offer they like, they could strengthen the trenches. If Jeffery Simmons is still available, he could be the pick at 31.
32. New England Patriots: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
The defending Super Bowl champs could trade out of this spot, and I could see them taking a defensive back, such as Vanderbilt's Joejuan Johnson or Kentucky's Lonnie Johnson Jr., or a quarterback, if one of the top four falls this far, but I just feel like Tillery will be New England's pick here (if he is still on the board).
Information via SI.com, CBSSports.com, BleacherReport.com, SBNation.com, Twitter.com, NFL.com, and ESPN.com
