2019 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Justin Herbert in Top QB Spot; 12 Defensive Linemen in the 1st Round
By Jason McIntyre
The 2019 NFL Draft is seven months away. As we approach the quarter mark of the NFL season, it’s becoming clear which teams are the bad teams, and what their needs are. Our 1st 2019 NFL mock draft was back in April, right after the 2018 draft.
1. Arizona Cardinals – Ed Oliver, DT, Houston. Just get ready for the Aaron Donald comparisons over the next eight months. Oliver next to Corey Peters and Robert Nkemdiche will be a problem in the NFC West.
2. SF 49ers – Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson. Yes, they need skill position players for Jimmy Garoppolo, meaning they’d probably trade this pick. But Lawrence would be the 4th horseman on a very talented defensive line.
3. Buffalo Bills – Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State. Surgery will keep him out until probably Thanksgiving. Will be in contention for the top overall pick.
4. Houston Texans – Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama. Deshaun Watson is not going to have a chance of succeeding or lasting a full season without an offensive line. Williams had a very good game in the Playoff against Clemson star Clelin Ferrell.
5. Oakland Raiders – Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State. There are needs on the offensive line, and all over the defense – even though Jon Gruden drafted three DL in 2018 – and all the picks in the Khalil Mack trade will help. The Raiders are allowing 5.1 ypc (29th) and have three sacks (32nd).
6. New York Giants – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon. Was my 3rd QB off the board back in April 2018. Herbert was 26-of-33 for 346 yards in a very impressive game against Stanford.
7. New York Jets – Rashan Gary, Edge, Michigan. The Jets have no pass rush, and Leonard Williams is getting all the attention. Gary’s skill at getting the QB should open things for Williams.
8. Detroit Lions – Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia. For now, I have Baker narrowly as the top corner above Greedy Williams (LSU).
9. Cleveland Browns – Greg Little, OL, Ole Miss. The Browns defense is rapidly coming around; the offensive line is the next order of business.
10. Denver Broncos – Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State. Case Keenum is a placeholder, and maybe John Elway finally gets his QB with the 6-foot-3 redshirt sophomore who gets his first big test this weekend at Penn State.
11. Dallas Cowboys – Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama. There are major needs at receiver, and we’ll see about center given the health status of Travis Frederick, but Thompson could be the Earl Thomas they tried to trade for.
12. Seattle Seahawks – Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State. The Seahawks have a historically bad offensive line, but fortunately, this is a better draft for OL than 2018.
13. Tennessee Titans – AJ Brown, WR, Ole Miss. The development of 2017 1st round pick Corey Davis has been slowed by injury, and when TE Delanie Walker returns, he’ll be 35.
14. Washington Redskins – Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma. The clock is ticking on 2016 1st round pick Josh Doctson (6 TDs in 21 games). Maybe Alex Smith gets his new Tyreek Hill in the 5-foot-10, 168-pound Brown.
15. Cincinnati Bengals – Devin White, LB, LSU. Between the suspension and unreliability of Vontaze Burfict and the rest of the Bengals linebackers, White is a plug-and-play option.
16. Tampa Bay Bucs – Greedy Williams, CB, LSU. The worst secondary in the NFL must draft a cornerback.
17. LA Chargers – Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama. The Chargers have an immensely talented roster, but could use some work in the trenches. Williams has soared up draft boards since his monster start to the season vs Louisville.
18. Indianapolis Colts – JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford. One of the breakout stars of the 2018 college football season so far. But if the 6-foot-3 WR runs a 4.4 40, he won’t fall this far.
19. Green Bay Packers – Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson. The Packers spent free agent money on Mo Wilkerson; now they need to spend a 1st on another pass rusher.
20. Carolina Panthers – Dre’mont Jones, DL, Ohio State. The Panthers have rebuilt their line in a hurry, and it may be better than advertised. There’s a need at receiver, though DJ Moore has played well so far.
21. Miami Dolphins – Zach Allen, DE, Boston College. Three Eagles were drafted in 2018, and Allen’s 15.5 TFL were overlooked.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Jalen Jelks, Edge, Oregon. Given the off-field issues of Everson Griffen, it’s possible the Vikings could need to replenish their pass rush, though the offensive line will be a need, too.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers – Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame. The Steelers have been trying to revamp this secondary for years, and it’ll continue in the 2019 draft.
24. Oakland Raiders (via Bears) – Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State. The Raiders may spend six picks on defense.
25. New England Patriots – Devin Bush, LB, Michigan. We’re about to see just how many needs the Patriots have, but we know the defense has holes everywhere.
26. Philadelphia Eagles – N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State. With Mike Wallace hurt, and Alshon Jeffery hurt, the Eagles are suddenly thin at receiver. Harry already has four TDs this year, after eight all of last year.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars – Drew Lock, QB, Missouri. Yes, they extended Blake Bortles, but if the Jaguars can’t recapture last year’s playoff run, would a QB really shock you here?
28. Atlanta Falcons – TJ Edwards, LB, Wisconsin. The Falcons have a loaded roster, but there could be a need at linebacker. Edwards, a four-year starter for the Badgers, is as solid as they come.
29. Baltimore Ravens – Jerry Tillery, DL, Notre Dame. The Ravens are one of the most underrated teams in the NFL, as the roster – when healthy – is one of the 10 best in the NFL.
30. Green Bay Packers (via Saints) – Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford. Pegged for stardom after catching 5 TDs last year, but he’s been the focus of defenses in 2018 and hasn’t found the end zone yet.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama. At 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, he’s one of the most physically imposing players in college football.
32. LA Rams – Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky. The Rams lone weaknesses through three games are on the edge and defending tight ends.