2019 NFL Mock Draft: Pick Predictions and Analysis of Top Prospects
Where will Kyler Murray and Nick Bosa begin their NFL careers? Who will the teams with the worst records in 2018 pick to try to turn around their franchises?
Soon enough, the answers to those questions and more will be revealed when the 2019 NFL draft takes place in Nashville, Tennessee, from April 25-27. For now, fans and experts can only speculate and try to predict how this year's draft will unfold.
This weekend's NFL Scouting Combine has helped show which former college stars could be early selections in the draft. It also provided some clarity on many of the prospects who participated in on-field workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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Below is a look at how the first round of this year's NFL draft could unfold, as well as a deeper look at the potential first five selections.
Mock First Round
1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, Edge, Ohio State
3. New York Jets: Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky
4. Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
6. New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Clelin Ferrell, Edge, Clemson
8. Detroit Lions: Rashan Gary, Edge, Michigan
9. Buffalo Bills: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
10. Denver Broncos: Montez Sweat, Edge, Mississippi State
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State
12. Green Bay Packers: Devin White, LB, LSU
13. Miami Dolphins: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
14. Atlanta Falcons: Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
15. Washington Redskins: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
16. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
17. Cleveland Browns: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
18. Minnesota Vikings: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
19. Tennessee Titans: Jeffery Simmons, DL, Mississippi State
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
21. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
22. Baltimore Ravens: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
23. Houston Texans: Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago): Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Jachai Polite, Edge, Florida
26. Indianapolis Colts: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas): Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
28. Los Angeles Chargers: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans): N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
31. Los Angeles Rams: Jaylon Ferguson, Edge, Louisiana Tech
32. New England Patriots: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
Top-5 Breakdown
Kyler Murray to the Cardinals
Leading up the draft, there will be debate over whether the Cardinals should move on from Josh Rosen after one season and select Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray, the talented 2018 Heisman Trophy winner who chose the NFL over a pro baseball career.
Arizona is beginning a new era with Kliff Kingsbury as head coach, and Murray could be the type of talent to lead a turnaround for the franchise.
NFL Network's Kimberly Jones reported over the weekend that many around the league expect the Cardinals to pick Murray at No. 1.
In his rookie season, Rosen passed for 2,278 yards (29th in the NFL) and 11 touchdowns (tied for 30th) while throwing 14 interceptions. The Cardinals were likely looking for better production in an offense that includes running back David Johnson and veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Murray (4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions for Oklahoma last season) would provide big-play ability to Arizona's offense. He can also make an impact on the ground, as he rushed for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Sooners in 2018.
Nick Bosa to the 49ers, Josh Allen to the Jets
This year's draft class is loaded with elite pass-rushers, none better than former Ohio State standout Nick Bosa.
When the Cardinals select Murray, that will allow the 49ers to pick Bosa, arguably the top defensive player in the class, at No. 2. The younger brother of the Los Angeles Chargers' Joey missed most of the 2018 season to recover from injuries and prepare for the draft, so he'll be ready to help improve San Francisco's pass rush.
The 49ers had 37 sacks in 2018, tied for eighth-fewest in the NFL. Bosa would immediately help improve that number and aid a defense that had the worst turnover differential (minus-25) last season.
Former Kentucky edge-rusher Josh Allen is another of the elite prospects in the class, so expect to see the Jets select the former Wildcat at No. 3 with Bosa off the board.
Like San Francisco, New York had a poor turnover differential last season (minus-10, sixth-worst in the NFL), so Allen (88 tackles, 17 sacks, five forced fumbles for Kentucky last season) could be depended on to help the Jets force more turnovers in 2019.
Quinnen Williams to the Raiders, Jonah Williams to the Buccaneers
Alabama is one of the top college football programs in the country, and the Crimson Tide have sent many talented players onto the NFL over the past decade. This year, their two best former players in the class are a pair of linemen—defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and offensive tackle Jonah Williams.
The Raiders have three first-round picks this year, and this will be a strong way to start their draft. Quinnen Williams is possibly the best defensive tackle in this year's class and will become an immediate force in the middle of Oakland's defensive line.
The former Crimson Tide defensive tackle had 71 tackles and eight sacks at Alabama last season.
The Buccaneers struggled up front on offense last season, so Jonah Williams should help stabilize their offensive line.
According to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter, Tampa Bay plans to start Jameis Winston at quarterback in 2019. Helping to fortify its offensive line will aid Winston during the upcoming season.
Also, the Buccaneers ranked 29th in rushing offense last season with 1,523 yards. Williams should be a large presence up front that can help improve that number this upcoming season.
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