The draft is nearly upon us! With all the anticipation, projection and debate out of the way, let’s jump into the Defy Life 2019 NFL Mock Draft.
ROUND 1
1. Arizona Cardinals-Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
–With all the last minute back-and-forth on whether the Cardinals will go in a different direction than Murray, I think they go with the Heisman winner after all. Cliff Kingsbury loves him and they’ll figure out a way to move Josh Rosen on draft day.
2. San Francisco 49ers-Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
–The Niners have been in dire need of a dominant edge rusher for years. Bosa fills that need and can make an immediate impact on games and for years to come.
3. New York Jets-Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
–While Oliver may not be the highest rated DT prospect in the draft, he’s the apple of Jets’ defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams’, eye. He’s also disruptive as hell and a perfect fit next to Leonard Williams.
4. Oakland Raiders-Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
–There has been talk of a surprise Raiders’ pick, but they go with the best EDGE on the board at the end of the day. Allen will replace a lot of what was lost in the Khalil Mack trade.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Devin White, LB, LSU
–It’s no secret that the Bucs love Devin White. With Quinnen Williams still on the board (and the likely trade of Gerald McCoy), they may sway. That being said, White is the guy.
6. New York Giants-Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
-The Giants are big on Williams and Dave Gettleman believes in building a roster from the inside-out. Williams can start off at guard and push Nate Solder for the LT spot in short time.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars-T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
–Hockenson to Jacksonville is one of the more matched pairs in mocks across the board. It’s a logical fit for a guy who would be a prime target for new QB Nick Foles.
8. Detroit Lions-Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
–The Lions need a difference-maker on the edge, to pair with free agent acquisition, Trey Flowers. Burns is a slippery pass rusher who would be a new toy for Matt Patricia.
9. Buffalo Bills-Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
–What a coup for Buffalo! The top rated player in the draft falls right into their laps. Williams has the makings of a 10-year stud for the Bills.
10. Denver Broncos-Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
–The perpetual-position-of-need in Denver takes another shot at another first-round signal caller. Lock has all the physical tools one could ask for in a QB, but will he be able to put it all together as a professional?
11. Cincinnati Bengals-Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
–With Vontaze Burfict out the door, the Bengals go with Bush to be the new face of the defense.
12. Green Bay Packers-Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
–The Packers brought in the ghost of Jimmy Graham last year in free agency. Now, they still need a tight end who can be a threat down the middle of the field. Fant is that guy and will be a huge get for Aaron Rogers.
13. Miami Dolphins-Jawaan James, OT, Florida
–No way the Dolphins can go into the season with a dude named Zach Sterup at right tackle. Jawaan James is the most naturally-gifted tackle in this class. Also, going to Miami will allow him to remain on the right side, as he played in college.
14. Atlanta Falcons-Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
–The Falcons brought back Grady Jarrett on the Franchise Tag. With him in place for at least 2019, the Falcons give him a stud running-mate. Wilkins is a versatile, athletic lineman who plays with a lot of energy.
15. Washington-D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi
–The fall of D.K. Metcalf comes to an end. While I think he’s a legit prospect, he’s no sure thing. He could be the steal of the first round if all works out, however. Washington sure hopes so.
16. Carolina Panthers-Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
-With the retirement of Julius Peppers, the Panthers have a bit of a void at end. Sweat is physical specimen, as was Peppers. It’s now a matter of Sweat maturing into the football player that Peppers turned out to be.
17. New York Giants (from Cleveland)-Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
–I know at least one Giants’ fan that would cut back flips if this happens (here’s looking at you, Yosh!). It makes so much sense, it’s sure not to happen. Remember, Dave Gettleman is making the picks for the Giants…
18. Minnesota Vikings-Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
–The Vikings need help all up and down the offensive line. Ford is a great fit at right tackle, and could be a dominant guard as well.
19. Tennessee Titans-Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
–Adding Harold Landy in last year’s draft was huge. Now the Titans add a bookend with the selection of Ferrell. He’s another pass rusher with a quick first step and relentless rush pursuit.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers-Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
–With no viable LB on the board, the Steelers go with the ballhawking Williams. Franchise leadership has spoken about the need to bring in defenders who have shown the ability to make plays on the ball. That’s Greedy Williams’ forte’.
21. Seattle Seahawks-Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
–Gary is a an ultra-talented defender, who doesn’t always play up to that level. He’s got loads of potential, and the Seahawks they can bring it all out of him.
22. Baltimore Ravens-Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
–There may not be a more imposing player in the draft than Butler. He’s every bit of 6’6″, 225 and can fly. The Ravens desire is that he turn into the star of their wide receiver room.
23. Houston Texans-Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
–The Texas need help all up and down the offensive line…well you know the rest.
24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago Bears)-Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
–The Raiders use their 2nd pick in round one to take the feisty Murphy. He’ll definitely fit in, in Oakland with his balls-to-the-wall style of play.
25. Philadelphia Eagles-Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
-The Eagles’ top 3 safeties (Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McCleod, Andrew Sendejo) are all either past or nearing age 30. Gardner-Johnson is a fireball, who has learned to play more under control. He could be a star in this defense.
26. Indianapolis Colts-Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
-The Colts need a big body in the middle who can clog up lanes, eat up blocks and push the pocket on pass downs. Dexter Lawrence is a big body who can clog up lanes, eat up blocks and push the pocket on pass downs.
27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas Cowboys)-Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
-And it’s on Oakland again. With Marshawn Lynch apparently hanging up his cleats, Jacobs provides another big, talented back. And allows the Raiders not to have to rely heavily on Isaiah Crowell as the lead back over the long haul.
28. Los Angeles Chargers-Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State
-Simmons is recovering from a torn ACL and has some off-field baggage. But, now is the right spot to take the leap on a player who could have been a top-10 pick before the injury.
29. Seattle Seahawks (from Kansas City)-Darnell Savage, S, Maryland
-The Seahawks continue to rebuild a once-legendary secondary. Savage has made a meteoric rise during the off-season and would be an ideal fit in Seattle’s defense.
30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans)-Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State
-With their 2nd pick in the first round, the Packers select Risner, talented blocker who could be the next in a long line of solid Packers’ tackles.
31. Los Angeles Rams-DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia
-Baker may not be the biggest, fasted or flashiest corner in this draft. But, all he did was consistently lock down SEC receivers. The Rams’ desire is that he do the same in LA.
32. New England Patriots-Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
-The Pats take the latest of the post-Brady projects. This time, taking Jones in round 1, to give themselves that 5th year of players rights. Maybe he’s the one!
ROUND 2
33. Arizona-Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame
34. Indianapolis (from N.Y. Jets)-Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
35. Oakland-Irv Smith Jr, TE, Alabama
36. San Francisco-Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State
37. N.Y. Giants-Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
38. Jacksonville-Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware
39. Tampa Bay-Erik McCoy, OG, Texas A&M
40. Buffalo-Greg Little, OT, Mississippi
41. Denver-Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
42. Cincinnati-Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M
43. Detroit-Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
44. Green Bay-Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia
45. Atlanta-Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State
46. Washington-Garrett Bradbury, C/OG, North Carolina State
47. Carolina-Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
48. Miami-Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College
49. Cleveland-Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame
50. Minnesota-Elgton Jenkins, C/OG, Mississippi State
51. Tennessee-N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
52. Pittsburgh-Kelvin Harmon, WR, North Carolina State
53. Philadelphia (from Baltimore)-Bobby Evans, OT, Oklahoma
54. Houston (from Seattle)-Amani Hooker, S, Iowa
55. Houston-Michael Deiter, OG, Wisconsin
56. New England (from Chicago)-Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina
57. Philadelphia-Chase Winovish, EDGE, Michigan
58. Dallas-Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State
59. Indianapolis-Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
60. L.A. Chargers-Will Grier, QB, West Virginia
61. Kansas City-Sean Bunting, CB, Central Michigan
62. New Orleans-Dax Raymond, TE, Utah State
63. Kansas City (from L.A. Rams)-Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
64. New England-Charles Omenihu, DL, Texas
ROUND 3
65. Arizona-Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida
66. Pittsburgh (from Oakland)-Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
67. San Francisco-JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
68. N.Y. Jets-A.J. Brown, WR, Mississippi
69. Jacksonville-Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia
70. Tampa Bay-Zach Allen, EDGE, Boston College
71. Denver-Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State
72. Cincinnati-Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
73. New England (from Detroit)-Dawson Knox, TE, Mississippi
74. Buffalo-Stanley Morgan Jr, WR, Nebraska
75. Green Bay-Vosean Joseph, LB, Florida
76. Washington-D’Andre Walker, EDGE, Georgia
77. Carolina-Dru Samia, OG, Oklahoma
78. Miami-Miles Sanders, RB, Penn State
79. Atlanta-Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis
80. Cleveland-Renell Wren, DT, Arizona State
81. Minnesota-Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
82. Tennessee-Kahale Warring, TE, San Diego State
83. Pittsburgh-Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford
84. Kansas City (from Seattle)-Damien Harris, RB, Alabama
85. Baltimore-Connor McGovern, OG, Penn State
86. Houston-Mike Edwards, CB, Kentucky
87. Chicago-Michael Jackson, CB, Miami (FL)
88. Detroit (from Philadelphia)-Nate Davis, OG, Charlotte
89. Indianapolis-Sheldrick Redwine, S, Miami (FL)
90. Dallas-Devin Singletary, RB, Florida Atlantic
91. L.A. Chargers-Bobby Chuma Udoga, OT, USC
92. Seattle (from Kansas City)-Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky
93. N.Y. Jets (from New Orleans)-Christian Miller, EDGE, Alabama
94. L.A. Rams-Ben Banogu, EDGE, TCU
95. N.Y. Giants (from New England viaCleveland)-Emanuel Hall, WR, Missouri
96. Washington*-Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston
97. New England*-Mark Fields, CB, Clemson
98. Jacksonville (from L.A. Rams)*-Max Scharping, OT, Northern Illinois
99. L.A. Rams*-Andy Isabella, WR, Massachusetts
100. Carolina*-Tyree Jackson, QB, Buffalo
101. New England*-Anthony Nelson, EDGE, Iowa
102. Baltimore*-Ugo Amadi, S, Oregon
Defy Life 