5 Most Controversial Prospects in the 2019 NFL Draft

The 2019 NFL Draft boasts a handful of compelling characters. These prospects may not be controversial in the sense that they’ve committed crimes or have legal histories. Instead, the opinions on these players will be divided because of one reason or another.

Keeping that in mind, here’s a look at the most controversial prospects in this upcoming draft class.

5. Any first-round running back

Will any of this class’ running backs be worth a first-round pick? There doesn’t seem to be consensus No. 1 back. Alabama’s Josh Jacobs is a potential first-rounder. But there has been some suggestion that his former backfield mate Damien Harris is better than Jacobs. Iowa State’s David Montgomery is also in the conversation.

Even if one of the players gets a first-round grade, there’ some question as to whether a first-round running back is worthwhile.

Bill Belichick, who is seemingly ahead of every league trend, decided to draft a running back in the first round, and then asked that rookie, Sony Michel, to run for over 300 yards and six touchdowns in three playoff games this year. Michel had the only touchdown in Super Bowl LIII. Contact running backs, when they come at the right price (see: Rams running back C.J. Anderson), can be useful in a version of the NFL where teams are flooding the field with defensive backs and lighter, coverage linebackers that look suspiciously like safeties (see: Rams linebacker Mark Barron).

In 2018, Michel had the 31st highest cap hit among running backs after getting picked at No. 31 overall. Rookie running back Saquon Barkley, meanwhile, was seventh highest paid back in 2018 after going second overall. Fiscally speaking, Barkley was probably worthwhile, but few backs make a general manager look good for drafting a ball-carrier that high. A late-first round back makes sense, even if Anderson, Alvin Kamara or Marlon Mack’s deals provide more bang for the buck.

Any first round running back is sure to stir up hubbub, especially in a draft that seems to be devoid of top-end talent.

4. Daniel Jones, QB, Duke

He’s a watered down version of Josh Allen in good ways and bad. Jones played at Duke, and the ACC was generally down this year if you exclude Clemson — but the competition was not as low as Allen, who played at Wyoming. Jones has a strong arm and excelled pushing the ball downfield — but few have an arm like Allen. Jones had a weak college career completion percentage (59.9) — but it’s not as bad as Allen (56.2). And finally, Jones runs the ball well — but he probably won’t turn into Josh Vick during his rookie season.

So you know where I’m going with this, right? Allen shot all the way up the board to No. 7 overall. Jones, who was originally pegged as a potential second or third round pick, looks like he will land in the middle of the first round. He’s a less risky pick than Allen, but Jones carries less upside. Unlike Dwayne Haskins or even Drew Lock, Jones will be the prospect which will leave analysts wondering if his next team reached.

3. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

During his college career, he logged 67 receptions for 1,228 yards and 14 touchdowns. If it were one season, of course, that’d be outrageous production. But that production fell over three seasons and 21 games.

So why is he landing in the top five in some mock drafts? What kind of madman would do that? (Me.)

Metcalf showed so much explosiveness, so much physical ability and so much raw talent in his limited playing time that he’s a likely first-round selection. If he somehow falls out of the first round, that team should thank their lucky stars. If he lands in the top 15, fans will be scratching their heads over why their team picked a player with a recent neck injury and with little production to show for his college career. The neck injury, in particular, could be why he falls out of the first round.

2. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

After the 2017 season, Oliver was a favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He is no longer.

That’s natural for a player’s draft stock to fluctuate, especially when expectations get as high as they were for Oliver. Now, he’s looking like a top 15 pick, but he’s completely out of the discussion for No. 1 overall, even though the Arizona Cardinals are looking for defensive line help.

Oliver had a bizarre incident during the 2018 season when he resorted to screaming at Houston coach Major Applewhite, who asked Oliver to take off a jacket which was reserved for players who were playing in the game. Oliver was not playing, and thus shouldn’t have been wearing the jacket, Applewhite argued. That triggered Oliver in a big way.

That example of out-of-control behavior wasn’t the only reason why Oliver’s draft stock fell out of favor, though in a way they are related. Oliver wasn’t playing in that game because he suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss extended time (and it’s worth wondering whether Applewhite was prodding Oliver to play again instead of sitting and waiting for the draft.).

On the field, Oliver is an undersized but impressive player. That size (6-foot-3, 292 pounds) proved problematic at times in college.

1. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

He’s the most interesting prospect in the 2019 class, partially because no one knows if he’ll be a part of the NFL draft. He may choose baseball over football, and forgo the NFL in order to begin his career with the Oakland Athletics. Right now, his only answer to questions about that decisions is awkward silence.

But we’re only getting started.

In 2018 with the Sooners, Murray completed 69.0 percent of his passes for 4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns. His video game numbers made NCAA Football roll over in its grave. Looking at what Murray has done — especially in the context of the last Oklahoma quarterback, Baker Mayfield — there’s little reason for concern.

Right?

Well, Murray could measure in at 5-foot-9 at the combine. If that happens and he chooses to play in the NFL, he’d be the shortest quarterback in the league. He’d be the same height as Wes Welker and Steve Smith. No one knows if a quarterback that small can play. Still, amid all this discussion and dissent, if Murray commits to the NFL, he could be a top five pick.

Prospects like Murray are what make the NFL Draft compelling.