Todd McShay 2019 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Nick Bosa to Cardinals, Josh Allen to 49ers

ESPN's Todd McShay released his second mock draft on Thursday, projecting that the Arizona Cardinals would make Ohio State edge-rusher Nick Bosa the top overall pick and that the San Francisco 49ers would select Kentucky edge-rusher Josh Allen No. 2.

McShay broke down his reasoning for Bosa at No. 1:

"With Kliff Kingsbury and Vance Joseph looking to bring back the 3-4 defensive scheme to the desert, look no further than the Chargers' use of Joey Bosa for a glance at how his younger brother would fit with the Cardinals. Expect Nick to play defensive end but also get some snaps standing up on the edge. Either way, Bosa will collect offensive tackles using his length, speed and power. He could get double-digit sacks as a rookie."

It isn't surprising to see Bosa atop McShay's draft board—he's long been considered one of the most talented, if not the most talented, player in this class. He was atop the big board of ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. on Wednesday, just ahead of Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and Allen.

Bosa registered 17.5 sacks, 77 tackles (29 for loss) and two forced fumbles in his three seasons, though a core muscle injury limited him to just three games in the 2018 season. Bosa looked primed for a monster campaign, with four sacks and six tackles for loss in those three games, but his shortened junior here hasn't hurt his stock. 

Allen, meanwhile, is a player who has climbed up draft boards all season long, and he now appears a lock to be a top-five pick. Kiper noted that "Allen is disruptive, and he has the length that NFL teams love as a 3-4 outside linebacker," while McShay broke down his potential fit in San Francisco:

"The Niners really want an edge rusher after only DeForest Buckner cracked six sacks for them in 2018 (Buckner had 12). Allen blew up offensive linemen all season en route to 17 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss (TFL) for the Wildcats. With his big 6'5", 260-pound frame, Allen could line up as a defensive end in the 49ers' 4-3 scheme if he tacks on some more weight."

That level of production in the SEC isn't to be ignored. Allen didn't come out of nowhere, either—he registered 14 sacks and 19 tackles for loss between the 2016 and '17 seasons. But his explosive 2018 campaign was the difference between Allen being a potential Day 2 pick and now projecting to be a top-five selection.

As for McShay's other notable picks, he had Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins coming off the board at No. 6 to the New York Giants, while Kyler Murray—who may yet play professional baseball for the Oakland Athletics—was projected at No. 13 for the Miami Dolphins.