2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projections for Event's Fastest-Rising Prospects
March 27, 2019
It's amazing just how quickly an NFL prospect can go from a draft afterthought to a surefire first-round pick.
Last year, for example, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield was barely considered a borderline first-rounder because of his modest six-foot stature, but after he wowed in interviews and on whiteboards, he worked his way up to being the No. 1 overall pick.
Something similar is currently going on with fellow Oklahoma product Kyler Murray. Though just 5'10", he has weaved his way through the process to go from potential first-rounder to possible target for the Arizona Cardinals at No. 1.
Murray isn't the only prospect rapidly rising heading into the draft, though. Here, we'll examine some of the others, along with an updated first-round mock.
2019 NFL Mock Draft Round 1
1. Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
3. New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
4. Oakland Raiders: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
6. New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
8. Detroit Lions: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
9. Buffalo Bills: Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
10. Denver Broncos: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
11. Cincinnati Bengals: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
12. Green Bay Packers: Devin White, LB, LSU
13. Miami Dolphins: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
14. Atlanta Falcons: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
15. Washington Redskins: N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
16. Carolina Panthers: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
17. New York Giants (from Cleveland): Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
18. Minnesota Vikings: Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama
19. Tennessee Titans: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State
21. Seattle Seahawks: Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
22. Baltimore Ravens: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
23. Houston Texans: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma
24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago): Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
26. Indianapolis Colts: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas): Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
28. Los Angeles Chargers: Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Jachai Polite, Edge, Florida
30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans): Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama
31. Los Angeles Rams: Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware
32. New England Patriots: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
Devin White, LB, LSU
LSU linebacker Devin White came into the draft process with some hype because of his statistical production and some solid game tape. He amassed 123 tackles in 2018 alone, to go with 12.0 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks and five passes defended.
However, the 21-year-old's stock started to take off after he rocked the NFL combine. He measured in at a solid 6'0" and 237 pounds while also running a ridiculous 4.42-second 40, recording a 39.5-inch vertical and repping out 22 on the bench press.
Even former LSU star and current Cardinals cornerback ace Patrick Peterson was impressed:
NFL teams have been so impressed by White's rise that he might even be in the conversation to go within the first few picks of the draft, a spot not usually reserved for inside linebackers.
White and Michigan's Devin Bush may be riding the wave of momentum started by off-ball linebackers Leighton Vander Esch and Darius Leonard last season, but White is certainly adding to it through the draft process.
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson wasn't getting a ton of draft buzz in early January. In fact, he was even being overshadowed by teammate Noah Fant, who was then widely regarded as the top tight end in this class.
This was largely due to the fact Hockenson was an underclassman. Once he declared for the draft, his stock started to skyrocket.
"Iowa's John Mackey Award winner, T.J. Hockenson, has emerged as the best in this class," Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller wrote in early February. "Hockenson has it all."
The 21-year-old's stock has only continued to climb since then. He ran a 4.7-second 40 at the combine, which seems a bit slow until you consider he's a 6'5", 250-pound tight end.
Hockenson has gone from potential first-rounder to possible top-10 selection in a matter of months. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. even has him going to the Denver Broncos at 10 in his latest mock.
Montez Sweat, Edge, Mississippi State
Mississippi State edge-rusher Montez Sweat first started gaining steam during the Senior Bowl. He dominated in practices and forced NFL scouts to take notice.
"I projected him for the late teens in Round 1 coming into this week, but that might be too low for him," NFL Media's Lance Zierlein wrote of the 22-year-old.
He then took to the combine and really started turning heads. He ran a blazing 4.41-second 40, which is impressive for a 6'6", 260-pound edge-rusher.
It's worth noting Sweat isn't just a workout warrior—he flashes on game film and produced 22.0 sacks over the last two seasons—but his workouts do have him rising fast.