AJ Brown
Jordan Katz 2019 NFL Mock Draft 6.0: Final
The culmination of the Draft Process is finally upon us.. THE NFL DRAFT IS HERE! With this being my final personal mock draft for 2019, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading my draft coverage and interacting with me throughout the draft season. It means a lot to me that you all enjoy my draft coverage and continue to read it each and every year.
At this point, y’all know how this works by now. This mock draft is strictly what I would do if I was in charge of all 32 teams. If you’re looking for my prediction mock draft, aka how I think the draft will actually, play out, you can find that here (https://draftstock.net/2019/04/18/jordan-katz-2019-nfl-prediction-mock-draft-3-0-final/). All trades made in this mock are denoted with an asterisk next to the team name. The only difference from my other personal mocks is that there is a little less analysis in this one. By now, you all know the players I like and do not like. You all know who I think possesses NFL traits and who does not. So while this mock definitely has in depth analysis, it’s not as in depth as my other personal mock draft.
Thank you all once again for your support throughout the year. #MockLyfe rolls into town one final time. Let’s get to it.
ROUND ONE
1) Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State- Bosa is still my number one overall player, and he’s still a position of need for the Cardinals. Terrell Suggs is a one year fix at best. Truth be told, he’s a rotational rusher at this stage in his career. Bosa can make an impact and take this defense to the next level.
….and no, this still should not be Kyler Murray.
2) San Francisco 49ers: Brian Burns, EDGE Florida State- Yet another change from my most recent personal mock draft. Truth be told, this is where I should have been all along. Burns is an elite pass rusher off the edge. His dip and bend ability is second to none in this draft, and that includes Mr. Bosa. The Niners move Arik Armstead inside to play Burns off the edge.
3) *Oakland Raiders via New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama- The obvious question here is why would the Jets not just select Quinnen Williams? The answer is simple. The Jets desperately need more assets in this draft. One player alone does not make this a 10-6 roster, but assets and depth might.
Oakland has four picks in the first 35 selections, which means they can get creative and move up a spot to land a game changer, even if they pay a little extra.
4) *New York Jets via Oakland Raiders: Jonah Williams, OT/OG/Ten Year All Pro Wherever You Want To Play Him, Alabama- Williams should still be a tackle in the NFL because his footwork and technique are elite. Despite sometimes being thrown by a first punch, Williams, is agile enough to handle it, stay on balance and redirect an oncoming rusher. He does this time and time again on tape. That is the making of an elite left tackle in the NFL.
5) *Washington Redskins via Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma- If there’s a team that should trade into the top ten for Murray in this draft, it’s Washington. Assuming it works and Murray is the dynamic playmaker we saw at Oklahoma, Washington will get exponentially better over the next two years and solve their need for a franchise QB.
On the other hand, should it flop and not work out, Washington will be in a very good position in two years to take Trevor Lawrence. Their competition is the Giants, who seem committed to a quarterback this year, the Dolphins, who seem like they will be bad enough for the top pick next year, and the Raiders, who will either stick with Derek Carr or take a QB in this draft.
6) New York Giants: Montez Sweat, EDGE Mississippi State- Since I am running all 32 teams in this mock, guess what I refuse to do Giants fans? SELECT A QUARTERBACK WHEN THE ROSTER HAS SO MANY HOLES! Sweat is a dynamic pass rusher, possessing the ability to win with power and technique. He showed the ability to dip and bend at the combine as well. If a team teaches him how to become a multifaceted pass rusher (Sweat doesn’t run the arch a lot on tape), Sweat could be an All-Pro in the future.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars: DK Metcalf, WR Ole Miss- I know the Jaguars need to fix the right side of their offensive line, but I’m higher on DK Metcalf than I am the remaining offensive linemen. And because the Jaguars also need playmakers in order for Nick Foles to truly open up the offense and make it multidimensional, “Superman,” lands in Jacksonville.
8) Detroit Lions: Rashan Gary, DL Michigan- If you remember from the “Fans Only Mock Draft,” I gave the Lions Gary because of his versatility. Gary can rush from a five tech, using his power to collapse the pocket. I think he can also slide inside and use his quickness to beat interior offensive lineman. Head Coach Matt Patricia comes from New England, where versatility is king. That’s why this pick is the perfect fit.
9) Buffalo Bills: Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida- The Bills signed an entire new offense this offseason. The only problem is, they really didn’t make a move that should lead to significant contribution besides Mitch Morse. Taylor can start at right tackle from day one, and he will bring toughness and intensity to the Bills front line. Even though this is a reach on my personal board, the fit, coupled with no one wanting to trade up, makes too much sense.
10) Denver Broncos: Chris Lindstrom, OG Boston College- Hey Broncos fans, guess what position I’m also not going to give you in round one? A QUARTERBACK! Just be smart, take the best player on your board at a position of need, and move on. For me, that’s Lindstrom, who is as complete a prospect along the interior since Zack Martin (and Martin is technically cheating cause he was a tackle at Notre Dame).
11) Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White, ILB LSU- The Bengals linebacking core is a mess right now. White would not only provide stability to the group, but he would also be the only true three down linebacker they would have. Easy selection here.
12) Green Bay Packers: Ed Oliver, DL Houston- Oliver falls right into the Packers lap, which is exactly the scenario the Packers could wind up with on draft day. Oliver is an ideal three technique at the next level, but a 3-4 scheme would allow him to use his quickness and power at multiple spots along the defensive line like JJ Watt or Aaron Donald do. I’m not saying Oliver is as good as those players, but his game is molded after Donald, which makes his ideal fit the exact same as those players.
13) Miami Dolphins: Jeffery Simmons, DT Mississippi State- Full disclosure, Miami tried to trade out here but was unsuccessful. Simmons is unlikely to play a lot this year, but that’s not a huge concern to the Dolphins because they aren’t looking to win in 2019. This makes them the perfect team to select the dynamic interior pass rusher who to tore his ACL back in February.
14) Atlanta Falcons: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson- Atlanta has a decision to make this upcoming offseason. Do they pay Vic Beasley or do they pay Grady Jarrett? Jarrett looks like the much better player at the moment, but Beasley still has the upside to return to the dominant pass rusher he once was.
Regardless of their decision, the smart play would be selecting Wilkins and figuring it out later. If Jarrett stays, the Falcons have a terrific interior pass rush. If Jarrett walks, the Falcons have his replacement.
15) *Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Washington Redskins: Anthony Nelson, EDGE Iowa- Call me crazy, but Carl Nassib and an aging Jason Pierre-Paul do not seem like the answer to generating a dominant pass rush.
Nelson is a technically sound player, showing good discipline in his gap assignments, and the power to collapse the pocket on passing downs. Nelson shows solid ability to run the arch as well. At 6’7, Nelson has the game and athleticism to be a quality edge player at the next level.
16) *New England Patriots via Carolina Panthers: Noah Fant, TE Iowa- The Patriots have the ammo to move all around this draft for players they covet. After the retirement of Rob Gronkowski, you best believe that Bill Belichick is looking to come up this draft board for one of the Iowa tight ends.
Carolina is unlikely to trade out of 16, but based on the way the board fell and the needs they have in this draft, it makes a lot of sense for them to do so in this particular mock. Plus, I’m running the show here, so if you ain’t down with that, I’ve got two words for ya.
17) New York Giants via Cleveland Browns: Byron Murphy, CB Washington- The Giants continue to rebuild their defense with this selection. Murphy is elite in off coverage, his footwork is outstanding and his ability to mirror receivers is very impressive. There’s not many defensive backs in this draft class with big time upside, but Murphy is one of them.
18) Minnesota Vikings: Erik McCoy, C/OG Texas A&M- The difference between other mocks and my board for this selection is that McCoy, not Garrett Bradbury, is my top center this year. Both players are very close on my board, and both players are very similar. McCoy, like Bradbury, does an excellent job of finishing blocks in the run game, and both possess quality footwork. I like McCoy’s ability in pass protection slightly better than Bradbury, which is why he’s my top Center.
Despite having Pat Elflein, the Vikings take McCoy because he can slide over to guard and succeed. Just like Bradbury, both players are athletic enough to become pulling guards at the next level.
19) Tennessee Titans: N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State- N’Keal Harry is a perfect fit for Tennessee. He’s explosive with the ball in his hands, he runs clean routes from the slot, and he wins one-on-ones along the sideline with his size and the ability to high point the football. Whether it’s Harry, a tight end like TJ Hockenson, or a different pass catcher all together, Tennessee needs a weapon early in this draft.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, ILB Michigan- Pittsburgh needs a signal caller in the middle of their defense, as well as a three down linebacker. Bush is a big time athlete, he shoots gaps, and he flips his hips effortlessly. If the Steelers can find a way to land him, it’s a massive win.
21) Seattle Seahawks: TJ Hockenson, TE Iowa- Hockenson is an elite player in this draft. He’s a phenomenal blocker, a red zone threat, and he wins down the field with size. Russell Wilson operates better when he has a tight end as an option, and there is no better option for the Seattle Seahawks offense in this draft than TJ Hockenson.
22) Baltimore Ravens: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, WR Oklahoma- I still love this fit for the Ravens. Hollywood Brown is a playmaker down the field, and he’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands. What makes him an ideal pick for the Ravens is that Brown is a sneaky good route runner. “Desean Jackson 2.0,” becomes Lamar Jackson’s newest offensive weapon.
23) Houston Texans: Andre Dillard, OT Washington State- Insert offensive lineman here remains the selection for the Texans. Dillard steps in from day one and protects Deshaun Watson’s blindside.
24) Oakland Raiders via Chicago Bears: Rock Ya-Sin, CB Temple- The Raiders secondary was very inconsistent in 2018. One of these two backend first round selections should be used on addressing that issue. Ya-Sin mirrors receivers well and has the ability to excel in multiple coverage schemes at the next level. While he may not go round one during the actual draft, I think he is well deserving of a first round selection.
25) Philadelphia Eagles: Deionte Thompson, FS Alabama- This is a bit of a reach, but as I mentioned in my prediction mock draft, safety appears to be the Eagles biggest need. Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod are taking up a fair amount of cap room for a team that will need to pay Carson Wentz soon.
Thompson is my top safety this year because of his ball skills and range from the single high position. He does need to improve on his angles to the football, but every one of the safeties in this class has flaws.
Editor’s Note: I know many have Johnathan Abram or Chauncey Gardner-Johnson as their top safety. While I don’t agree, I can’t really argue if you have one of about six different safeties as your top guy.
26) Indianapolis Colts: AJ Brown, WR Ole Miss- The Colts primary need has shifted with the acquisition of Justin Houston. I think defensive line is still in play in round two, but a receiver will be one of the first two selections.
Brown is a perfect scheme fit for the Colts, as I have said on a number of occasions. I think Andrew Luck would look his way a lot on third downs.
27) Oakland Raiders via Dallas Cowboys: Josh Jacobs, RB Alabama-Jacobs isa smart runner between the tackles, he contributes in the pass game and he makes defenders miss in open space. The late retirement of Marshawn Lynch has the Raiders in desperate need of a running back, so they take Jacobs a little higher than he should go.
28) Los Angeles Chargers: Greedy Williams, CB LSU- Just like the prediction mock draft, Greedy Williams goes to the Chargers at 28. I still like the idea of them selecting a player along the defensive front at some point, but a boundary corner is definitely the more pressing need.
Now it is true that Williams remains the most polarizing player in the draft. However, I’m trusting my analysis of his tape on this one. He showed terrific ability to mirror and trail in cover one and cover three, and strong ball skills. If he cleans up his backpedal (pretty much his footwork in general), Williams can be one of the better players in this draft.
29) Seattle Seahawks via Kansas City Chiefs: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Clemson- I’m standing by Ferrell despite his rough showing this past month. He’s a power rusher with a good sense of gap assignments and he’s able to gain leverage against opposing tackles on a consistent basis.. Ferrell may never be a double digit sack player, but I think he can be a quality pro for a long time.
30) Green Bay Packers via New Orleans Saints: Irv Smith Jr., TE Alabama- While one could argue this is a reach because the tight end class is incredibly strong top to bottom, the big three of Smith, Noah Fant and TJ Hockenson are all worthy of round one selections. All three are very good blockers, each one of them runs terrific routes for the tight end position, and they all have good hands. That’s why even though the class is talented, Irv Smith is the pick here for Green Bay.
31) *Denver Broncos via Los Angeles Rams: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State- Even though I’m not as high on Haskins as many seem to be, I still think he’s one of two quarterbacks worthy of a first round selection. He has a great knowledge of the game and explosive arm talent. Assuming he refines his technique, and sits for a year (I cannot overstate how important that is for Haskins), I think he possesses enough value for a QB needy team to trade back into round one and get the fifth year option on him.
32) *Carolina Panthers via New England Patriots: Josh Allen, EDGE Kentucky- Assuming the Panthers are true to their word and wish to give more 3-4 looks in 2019, Allen would be a great selection. His dip and bend ability has been well documented, but he can also drop into coverage and react out of a zone defense. The versatility he provides would mesh nicely with Ron Rivera’s schemes.
Editor’s Note: Obviously Allen is not falling to this spot. I have him lower on my personal board than most, which is why he is picked later in this mock.
TRADES IN ROUND ONE
1- Oakland Raiders trade the #4 #35, #140 and to the New York Jets for #4 and #105.
2- Washington Redskins trade the #15, #46, a 2020 1st Round Pick and a 2020 4th Round Pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the #3 Overall Selection.
3- New England Patriots trade the #32, #56, and #134 to the Carolina Panthers for the #16 Overall Selection.
4- Denver Broncos trade #41, #125 and #148 to the Los Angeles Rams for the #31 and #251.
ROUND TWO
33) *Houston Texans via Arizona Cardinals: Garrett Bradbury, C NC State- The Texans offensive line needs a massive makeover during this draft. Bradbury is one of two very talented, all around centers in this draft. He has the athleticism and power to be a quality starter for years to come. Houston trades up to land a second day one starter on the offensive line.
34) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Khalen Saunders, DT/NT Western Illinois- Saunders is an elite athlete with the ability to play anywhere from a zero tech to a three tech. Something the Colts lack along their defensive front is explosive athleticism, hence why they signed Justin Houston. Saunders is a perfect fit along the Colts defensive line.
35) *New York Jets via Oakland Raiders: Jachai Polite, EDGE Florida- Unfortunately, I am not privy to the information that scouts have on Polite’s horrific interviews. Obviously he struggled during the draft process, that is well documented. What is unknown is if his interviews were so bad that his quality tape should be thrown out the window.
Assuming it was not, I think a team could look to snag him in round two. He’s still a quality rusher on tape and an impact player if his off the field issues checked out.
36) San Francisco 49ers: Deebo Samuel, WR South Carolina- The lock of round two seems to be the Niners selecting the best available pass catcher. Samuel’s route running ability will match up nicely with the Niners west coast offense.
37) New York Giants: Dalton Risner, OT/OG Kansas State- Risner has the versatility to play guard or tackle at the next level. His toughness, leadership and physicality in the run game are three qualities the Giants will love to have in their locker room and on their offensive line.
38) Jacksonville Jaguars: Cody Ford, OG Oklahoma- Ford is a much better prospect at guard than at tackle. Despite not being the most agile guy, Ford is a physical player. He keeps his shoulder pads square at the second level, and he’s also able to get his hands on defenders quickly. Jacksonville’s offensive line needs work so this is an easy fit.
39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nasir Adderley, FS Delaware- The Buccaneers secondary was beyond subpar in 2018. Adderley’s ability to play single high, as well as his willingness to come into the box and make tackles, should help the Bucs defense immediately.
40) Buffalo Bills: Kelvin Harmon, WR NC State- Harmon would be a nice compliment to the rest of the Bills receiving core. He’s an excellent route runner and he high points the ball well. Harmon may not have tested as well as some of the other receivers during the draft process, but his tape is very strong. He is still worthy of a high selection in this draft.
41) *Los Angeles Rams via Denver Broncos: Dexter Lawrence, DT/NT Clemson- Lawrence is a beast in the middle of a 3-4. One could argue that, pound for pound, he is a top five athlete in the class. He eats space, stacks and sheds blockers when put in one-on-one situations, and he can collapse the pocket as a pass rusher. The Rams need a nose tackle in the middle of their 3-4, making Lawrence a perfect fit.
42) Cincinnati Bengals: Yodny Cajuste, OT West Virginia- Hey Cincinnati, DO NOT START BOBBY HART! Back to you, Jim.
43) Detroit Lions: Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State- I like Oruwariye’s ability to mirror receivers and make plays on the football. Detroit uses a lot of different coverages and defensive sets, something I think Oruwariye can do from the boundary position. I like this fit.
44) Green Bay Packers: Mack Wilson, ILB Alabama- The Packers have a glaring hole in the middle of their linebacking core. Wilson may come with some athletic concerns, but his tape is very good and he’s arguably the best cover linebacker in the draft. I still think he’s a day one starter in the right scheme.
45) Atlanta Falcons: Tytus Howard, OT Alabama State- Howard has the potential to be one of the top offensive lineman in this draft class. He’s smart, he has ideal size and length, and his technique continues to improve. A perfect fit for him would be going to a team that would not have to start him right away unless he earned it.
46) *Tampa Bay Buccaneers via Washington Redskins: Justin Layne, CB Michigan State- Layne’s man cover skills get the bulk of the conversation, but I like his footwork in off coverage equally as much. I think Layne is one of the more underrated players in this draft because his upside is significantly higher than the middle of round two.
47) Carolina Panthers: Amani Hooker, FS Iowa- Hooker has an interesting skill set for a free safety, mainly because his best attribute might be his ability to play nickel corner. Having said that, he still shows good range and reaction time in cover two and cover three. His versatility should fit nicely in the Panthers secondary.
48) Miami Dolphins: Hakeem Butler, WR Iowa State- It’s been quite some time since the Dolphins had a legitimate deep threat. Butler is 6’5 and runs a sub 4.5. If that’s not a mismatch down the field, I’m not quite sure what is. Whoever the QB of the future is for the Dolphins, they do not stand much of a chance with the receiving core as it is currently constructed. Butler gives them a legitimate target.
49) Cleveland Browns: Joejuan Williams, CB Vanderbilt- Joejuan Williams corrected the athletic questions surrounding him after the combine with a very strong pro day. That went a long way towards reassuring me my tape evaluation of his make up speed was correct. His press skills are very good, but as a press corner you need to be able to make up ground if you are beat. Since he showed he can, he’s a top 50 target in this draft.
50) Minnesota Vikings: Charles Omenihu, DL Texas- Omenihu is a very good pass rusher and he’s quick off the ball. The athletic three tech was a perfect fit last year next to Linval Joseph. I’m not saying Omenihu is the next Sheldon Richardson, but my guess is that the Vikings defensive formula should remain the same up front.
51) Tennessee Titans: Renell Wren, DT/NT Arizona State- The Titans need depth along their defensive front; I’ve said that for the past few mock drafts. Just like the past few mock drafts, I once again have given them the athletic run stuffer that is Renell Wren.
52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jordan Brown, CB South Dakota State- Brown is another underrated corner in this draft class. He flips his hips effortlessly, and he’s able to drive off his back foot well in zone coverage to make up ground. I like his ball skills as well, he locates the ball well when put in one-on-one situations. This is an ideal pick for the Steelers in round two, should they land Devin Bush in round one.
53) Philadelphia Eagles via Baltimore Ravens: Parris Campbell, WR Ohio State- Campbell’s ability at the next level will be dependent on his route running. He’s so explosive with the ball in his hands that if he can separate at all and sink his hips into his route combinations, he could be a matchup nightmare in the slot. He did show the quickness at the combine to be a good route runner, but his route tree was simple at Ohio State. Only time will tell just how good he can truly be.
54) *Arizona Cardinals from Houston Texans via Seattle Seahawks: David Edwards, OT Wisconsin- Much like Campbell, Edwards has an obvious key to his NFL success as well. Despite being very intelligent, his footwork needs to improve to be effective on the right side at the next level. Arizona is desperate for offensive line talent, so they select Edwards in hopes that his technique will continue to improve.
Editor’s Note: This could be one player that falls flat on my “intelligence over sheer athleticism,” theory for offensive line. Edwards really struggled with his pad level and his technique in pass protection last year. I’ll roll the dice though and say Edwards can contribute at the next level.
55) *Arizona Cardinals via Houston Texans: Emanuel Hall, WR Missouri- Hall is a big time deep threat. He wins with speed at the top of his route, and he can beat DB’s on 50/50 balls with size and athleticism. Hall would be a terrific compliment to Christian Kirk in the present and the future.
56) *Carolina Panthers from New England Patriots via Chicago Bears: Nate Davis, OG Charlotte- Nate Davis is one of my favorite players in this draft because he finishes blocks with power and intensity. He’s consistently competing and it shows in the run game. I like his athleticism as well, I think his footwork is good and he pops out of his stance with his pad level on plane. This may be a little high for him, but Carolina needs a starting guard and that can definitely be Davis.
57) Philadelphia Eagles: Damien Harris, RB Alabama- Another player who may be a little too high, but the Eagles need of a running back demands it. Howard is a two down running back at best, and I honestly question if he’s even that anymore. I have not seen a player take this much of a nose dive in a long time.
Harris is essentially insurance for everyone currently on the Eagles roster. He has good vision between the tackles, he can block, and despite Josh Jacobs being the primary pass catcher at ‘Bama, Harris can catch the ball out of the backfield as well.
58) Dallas Cowboys: Trysten Hill, DT UCF- Dallas is a tough team to gauge because they have two glaring needs on day two; defensive tackle and safety. The order in which you give them those players depends on who is on the board. With most of the safeties still available and defensive line flying off the board, the Cowboys jump on Trysten Hill.
59) Indianapolis Colts: Johnathan Abram, SS Mississippi State- Abram is a quality in-the-box safety. He shoots gaps and makes tackles around the line of scrimmage. Putting him in the same secondary with Malik Hooker is a perfect match.
60) Los Angeles Chargers: Jerry Tillery, DL Notre Dame- Much like Tennessee a few spots ago, the idea of giving the Chargers more talent along their defensive front remains the same as my previous mocks. Tillery would wreak havoc with all the one-on-ones he would see playing opposite Joey Bosa and next to Melvin Ingram.
61) Kansas City Chiefs: Trayvon Mullen, CB Clemson- Mullen is a tough guy to grade because he excels in mirroring receivers in man-to-man coverage, but he’s not great in press, nor is he stellar in off coverage. Having said that, he is my best available corner at this point, and the Chiefs need secondary.
62) New Orleans Saints: Blake Cashman, ILB Minnesota- With only one pick in the first three rounds, the Saints will have to decide on trading backwards or selecting their best player available at this spot.
Cashman is clearly the next best off ball linebacker, and it’s by a sizable amount. Therefore, the Saints just select him and worry about the rest of their needs on day three.
63) Kansas City Chiefs via Los Angeles Rams: Elgton Jenkins, C Mississippi State- Jenkins is a really good option for the Chiefs as a starting center on day two. Should they pass and go elsewhere, look for the Chiefs to try and convince a veteran like John Sullivan to sign a one year deal in hopes of winning a championship after the draft.
64) New England Patriots: Andy Isabella, WR UMASS- The ideal Patriots wideout once again finds his way to New England at the end of round two. The buzz on Isabella has grown, but his athleticism and ability to run routes out of the slot still make his ideal fit the New England Patriots.
TRADES IN ROUND TWO
1- Houston Texans trade the #54 and #55 to the Arizona Cardinals for #33 and #103.
ROUND THREE
65) Arizona Cardinals: Dennis Daley, OT South Carolina
66) *Green Bay Packers from Pittsburgh Steelers via Oakland Raiders: Chase Winovich, EDGE Michigan
67) San Francisco 49ers: Darnell Savage, FS Maryland
68) New York Jets: Corey Ballentine, CB Washburn
69) Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Miller, EDGE Alabama
70) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB/FS Florida
X) New York Giants- Forfeit Due to the Selection of Sam Beal in the Supplemental Draft
71) Denver Broncos: Jace Sternberger, TE Texas A&M
72) Cincinnati Bengals: Daniel Jones, QB Duke
73) New England Patriots via Detroit Lions: Zach Allen, DL Boston College
74) Buffalo Bills: Rodney Anderson, RB Oklahoma
75) *Pittsburgh Steelers via Green Bay Packers: Max Scharping, OT Northern Illinois
76) Washington Redskins: Riley Ridley, WR Georgia
77) Carolina Panthers: Tyree Jackson, QB Buffalo
78) Miami Dolphins: Connor McGovern, OG/C Penn State
79) Atlanta Falcons: Oshane Ximines, EDGE Old Dominion
80) Cleveland Browns: Juan Thornhill, SS Virginia
81) Minnesota Vikings: Kaleb McGary, OT Washington
82) Tennessee Titans: Dru Samia, OG Oklahoma
83) Pittsburgh Steelers: Damarkus Lodge, WR Ole Miss
84) Kansas City Chiefs via Seattle Seahawks: Miles Sanders, RB Penn State
85) Baltimore Ravens: Maxx Crosby, EDGE Eastern Michigan
86) Houston Texans: David Long, CB Michigan
87) Chicago Bears: Sean Bunting, CB Central Michigan
88) Detroit Lions via Philadelphia Eagles: Dawson Knox, TE Ole Miss
89) Indianapolis Colts: DeAndre Baker, CB Georgia
90) Dallas Cowboys: Sheldrick Redwine, FS/SS Miami
91) Los Angeles Chargers: Bobby Evans, OL Oklahoma
92) Seattle Seahawks via Kansas City Chiefs: BJ Autry, OG Jacksonville State
93) New York Jets via New Orleans Saints: JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR Stanford
94) Los Angeles Rams: Kahale Warring, TE San Diego State
95) Cleveland Browns via New England Patriots: Ben Banogu, EDGE TCU
96) Washington Redskins: Shareef Miller, EDGE Penn State
97) New England Patriots: Isaiah Buggs, DT Alabama
98) Jacksonville Jaguars via Los Angeles Rams: Karan Higdon, RB Michigan
99) Los Angeles Rams: Julian Love, CB Notre Dame
100) *Baltimore Ravens via Carolina Panthers: Mecole Hardman, WR Georgia
101) New England Patriots: Vosean Joseph, ILB Florida
102) Baltimore Ravens: Germaine Pratt, ILB NC State
TRADES IN ROUND THREE
1- Green Bay Packers trade the #75 and #114 to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the #66 and #192.
2- Baltimore Ravens trade the #113 and a 2020 4th Round Pick to the Carolina Panthers for the #100 and a 2020 6th Round Pick.
2019 NFL Combine Winners and Losers
With the NFL Draft prospects departing from Indianapolis, it’s time for a recap on how the two days went for both sides of the ball. Even though the NFL Combine is a point of contention among the draft community, the Combine serves a purpose. It is meant to seek out weaknesses in a player, both in terms of technique that you see on the field during the drills, as well as their fluidity as an athlete.
The question that trips up scouts and analysts is how much do you weigh what you see in Indianapolis against the tape? If an offensive lineman looks stiff in the hips during the drills, do you knock him down a peg even if his tape is good? Let’s say a wide receiver shows an elite 40 time, but struggles with the 3-Cone drill. Where does that put his athletic score? Does a defensive lineman that crushes the 3-Cone get a pass if he struggles in the 10 yard split because he has bad technique on his 40 yard dash?
Regardless of your views on the combine, down here there’s always winners and losers, and you don’t want to be caught on the wrong side of that line (to paraphrase Bruce Springsteen). So with that in mind, here’s who I feel were the winners and losers of the Combine this weekend.
Day One Winners (RBs and OL)
1- Chris Lindstrom, Garrett Bradbury and Erik McCoy: The top players along the interior really stepped up and made their presence felt this weekend. Garrett Bradbury and Chris Lindstrom were big breadwinners, dominating the athletic testing and showing elite level fluidity in their hips and ankles during the drill portion of the combine. I thought Erik McCoy stayed stride for stride with Bradbury throughout the day as well, and he remained my top center in this draft. All three of these guys should be quality starters at the next level.
2- Josh Jacobs: How do you win the combine without participating? When the rest of the position group performs incredibly average. Jacobs was easily most people’s RB1, but there was some buzz around the running backs you could get in rounds two and three, like Damien Harris, David Montgomery and others.
However, none of the potential three down backs tested well enough to challenge Jacobs for the top spot. This makes Josh Jacobs even more of a commodity come April, and a potential Top 20 lock.
3- Miles Sanders and Justice Hill: Keeping in mind the aforementioned analysis about the running backs, there were two players that did shine at the position. Sanders and Hill showed explosive athleticism, and both players on tape are shifty backs that show explosiveness in the open field. Sanders in particular is a favorite of mine. He’s a willing blocker and a terrific pass catcher out of the backfield. Teams should look at both of these guys as game changers out of the backfield in the pass game.
Day One Losers
1- Elijah Holyfield: Not many players had a worse combine than Elijah Holyfield. Holyfield tested extremely poorly during the athletic portion of the combine, with the pinnacle being a 4.79 and a 4.81 in the 40 yard dash. Even as a bigger back, you have to be able to show quality quickness and some breakaway ability. Holyfield showed none of that. His stock is definitely down.
2- Greg Little: This isn’t a shocker for me, but Little tested extremely poorly. His tape was constantly underwhelming because the supposed five star recruit and big time athlete never showed up. This weekend, Little confirmed that he is a right tackle at the next level, and he needs to be developed even further He was too stiff during the drills and too slow during the athletic tests.
3- Wisconsin Offensive Linemen: The buzz on the Wisconsin players was already low heading into this weekend. After the on field drills at the Combine, their collective stock might have dipped even further. David Edwards was a little high out of the stance when hitting the pads, and he was a little stiff in the hips during the other drills. The same goes for Michael Dieter. While I think Edwards still gets drafted between the third and the fourth round because of his intelligence at the position, this could be a rough go for a group that was deemed the best offensive line in college football just six months go.
Day Two Winners (QB, WR and TE)
1- Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins: The top QB’s had themselves a good weekend. First off, we have to start with the most anticipated measurement in the history of the combine. Kyler Murray came in at 5’10 and over 200 pounds, then decided to call it a Combine because he physically couldn’t help his draft stock any further. Now some will question his decision not to throw, and we’ll get to that later on in the article (Big J tease right there). The reason he didn’t is because he couldn’t further his draft stock by throwing. All the rumors were surrounding his measurements. People were questioning if Murray would come in over 5’9. Once he matched Russell Wilson, the only way his draft stock could fall is if he stunk it up during the drills throwing to receivers he didn’t know. So he took his paycheck and exited stage left.
On the other hand, Dwayne Haskins chose to let it rip, and boy did it work out. The ball popped effortlessly out of his hands. At least once a drill he showed some elite level anticipation, which was his big question mark for me. There were definitely still some questions on my end, a few throws were behind guys and a tad late. The other Quarterbacks were so average though, that Dwayne Haskins looked elite. He’s a top ten lock.
2- DK Metcalf and AJ Brown: The Ole Miss duo absolutely crushed the Combine. Metcalf’s freakish performance has been well documented, but that doesn’t mean it’s being over exaggerated. His athletic testing was otherworldly for his size. Don’t get trapped into his slow three cone either. This dude sinks his hips on tape and gets a clean release almost every time. Metcalf is an elite wide receiver at the next level if he stays healthy, and that was confirmed this weekend.
AJ Brown was someone who I thought would test much better than people realized. Not to brag, but he proved me right. Brown had a sub 4.5 40 and almost a 37 inch vertical. He could definitely wind up in the first round of my personal mock draft, and you should see him off the board in the first 50 picks come April.
3- N’Keal Harry and Hakeem Butler: Speaking of receivers, N’Keal Harry and Hakeem Butler put to rest any questions about their ability to win down the field. Harry was a quality prospect before this event, the one thing that he needed to answer to put himself into the round one conversation. He did that, so expect to see Harry off the board on day one.
Butler might have been the most impressive player in this position group not named DK Metcalf. At 6’5 he posted a 4.48 40 yard dash, a ridiculous number for someone of that size. I still have reservations about his tape; he often has drops and double catches. With that being said, I’d be shocked if Butler made it out of round two.
4- Noah Fant: TE1 is a legitimate conversation now. If you’ve read my mock drafts, you know I’ve had Fant higher than TJ Hockenson from day one because Fant does more in the passing game without losing a step as a blocker. Fant blew the combine away, testing through the roof and showing clean cuts in and out of route combinations on the field during the drills. TJ Hockenson had a great day in his own right, but a 4.51 40 yard dash and a 6.81 3 Cone drill have teams salivating at the idea of selecting Noah Fant.
5- Parris Campbell: Campbell was going to be extremely fast, so it’s not his athletic testing that wowed me. It’s how smooth he was during the drills. I didn’t love his route running on tape, and I thought he had some double catches as well. Campbell showed none of that this weekend. I will have to go back and rewatch Campbell’s tape because he showed none of the weaknesses I thought he would. Expect to see him go off the board early in a month or so.
Honorable Mentions: Tyree Jackson (ran a 4.6 at 6’7! He also flashed at times during the drills, showing that massive arm strength), Emanuel Hall and Andy Isabella (both receivers absolutely torched the athletic portion of the event), Josh Oliver and Kahale Warring (two small school TE’s that could be day three steals)
Day Two Losers:
1- Kyler Murray: Here is the wrap up to the Big J tease I alluded to earlier in the article. Murray obviously put on water weight to get up over 200 pounds, and this is why he chose not to participate in any drills or athletic testing. He wasn’t comfortable doing so at the weight he was at. For me, that would stem the conversation of if he is able to take NFL punishment. Murray will still be fine in terms of his draft value, but I can see teams not being thrilled about this decision.
2- Kelvin Harmon: Harmon really struggled in the athletic portion of the combine, which was a major concern for him. Obviously Harmon was not a blazer at NC State, but he showed quickness in and out of cuts on tape and the ability to high point the ball. He did not show the measurables to have those skills translate against more athletic NFL Defensive Backs. I’m still sticking with him as a high end round two pick, but he fell down my big board a bit.
3- Isaac Nauta and Kaden Smith: Here’s the deal; if you run a 4.9 as a skill position player, you’re out. It’s that simple. Both these guys tested dreadfully slow this weekend. They gone.
Day Three Winners (DL and LBs)
1- Brian Burns: Burns has been in my top five players the entire draft process, and he dominated this weekend. He moves so fluidly for someone that is nearly 6’5, and weighing in at 249 did not slow him down at all. This dude is a freight train coming off the edge.
2- Montez Sweat: Speaking of freight trains coming of the edge, Montez Sweat confirmed every reason why I had him in my top ten players. His technique was never a question, but he proved this weekend he was a better athlete than he was given credit for. He answered questions about his ankle flexibility with a good 3 Cone Drill, and you can’t ignore his 1.55 10 yard split. A great showing for Sweat in Indy.
3- “The Big Fellas,” Dexter Lawrence and Khalen Saunders: Both these guys were deemed to be phenomenal athletes for their size, and they proved it. These two beasts rolled into the combine over 320 pounds (D-Law was 340) and both came in with impressive 10 yard splits for their size. In my opinion, their tape matches their combine performances.
Lawrence is a behemoth in the run game and he can collapse the pocket to help his teammates get to the passer. Saunders was moved all over the lot at Western Illinois, he even stood up at times and rushed from the edge. He’s explosive for his size with a great first step.
These two will be quality starters in the NFL.
4- Anthony Nelson: Here’s another edge player that I expected to test better athletically, and he proved me right. Nelson showed good ankle flexibility with a terrific 3 Cone, and he was a fluid mover during the on field drills. I had him a little too low on my previous big board, partially because I was hedging my bets. That won’t happen next time.
5- Blake Cashman: Cashman won the “I need to go watch this player ASAP,” award this week. In a weak linebacker class, he made himself some money. To list off the athletic testing, 4.5 flat on the 40, a 37.5’’ vertical, 10’2 on the broad jump, sub 7 on the 3 Cone and a 4.12 short shuttle. Supposedly the production is there on tape, which would make him a very attractive option for teams that miss out on the big three off ball linebackers.
Day Three Losers:
1- Jachai Polite: Polite is a puzzler. His tape is really impressive, and everything you heard out of the Florida camp about him was positive. Having said that, he didn’t interview well at all, and he tested even worse, posting a 1.71 10 yard split at 258 pounds. He wasn’t particularly great at the start of the on-field drills either, and then inexplicably stopped the workout with a hamstring injury. Polite’s tape should still keep him in the first 75 picks, but the former Gator has definitely lost the first round hype. A big story on draft day will be how far Polite falls.
2- Clelin Ferrell: Ferrell showed very little dip and bend ability during the 3 Cone and Short Shuttle, and his drills weren’t much better. Now this isn’t a surprise to many, but as someone who thought he was a better athlete than his tape showed, he drops down my board a bit.
I do still think he will be a very productive pro. He’s great against the run and he collapses the pocket by long arming tackles.
However, Ferrell has to fall because his ceiling is just not as high as some of the other defensive linemen in this draft. That was confirmed this weekend.
3- LJ Collier: I was never on the LJ Collier bandwagon because I wasn’t high on his tape. For those that were, the athletic testing should have you extremely concerned. Collier never looked fluid and struggled all throughout the day. Maybe he can bulk up and kick inside, but I don’t think he has the technique to do so.
Honorable Category of Confusion: Ed Oliver- Okay, we all knew Ed Oliver put on some weight to measure in bigger, and that’s why he didn’t want to run. However, he could’ve ran and done all the drills at that weight and still tested in at least the 80th percentile across the board. He was made for weekends like this. Heck, he posted a workout video this summer where he was doing linebacker and defensive back drills! His stock could have received a freebie boost this weekend, but alas, he refused. I’ll never understand why.
Day Four Winners
1- The Safeties: The safety class was deemed to be ridiculously weak, and day four could’ve gone real bad for them with Deionte Thompson and Nasir Adderley sitting out. However, players like Jonathan Abram, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, and Amani Hooker stepped up and showed some surprising athleticism throughout their portion of the Combine. It’s still not a strong class, but this group did surprise a bit.
2- Byron Murphy, Justin Layne, David Long and Rock Ya-Sin: Here’s why this group is so big; these four were the only players among the cornerbacks to put up even an average performance during the drills on the field.
Murphy was the cleanest in and out of his backpedal, he flipped his hips fluidly and he never lost momentum coming out of his T-Step in the “W-Drill.” He confirmed CB1 for me despite an average 40 time.
Layne is a long, athletic corner that stepped up and showed precision in his backpedal down the hash marks. He also tested very well athletically.
Long was the biggest winner of the combine, catapulting his draft stock with a clean backpedal and natural footwork. His tape is a bit confusing, but some team will gamble on him in day two.
Ya-Sin ran a solid 40 on his second run, but he started slow during the drill process. However, there’s a reason they call it “Temple Tough.” The former Temple corner got better as the day went on and confirmed the first round player I saw on tape.
Day Four Losers
1- The Cornerbacks Not Named Above: This group is by far the biggest loser of the combine. The question about the corners was simple; would the athletic testing match the collegiate tape and production? The answer was a resounding no. Almost every guy struggled with their backpedal, many players flipped their hips before the coaches asked them to, and the technique was just stiff across the board. This will become a massive storyline during the NFL Draft because these cornerbacks furthered the polarizing analysis about him.
2- Trayvon Mullen and Greedy Williams: These two cornerbacks are worthy of their own category because of how rough their days were. Mullen never looked comfortable during the drills. He was often flat footed and stiff in the hips. His tape was inconsistent, and that was confirmed this weekend. It’ll be interesting to see where he winds up.
Greedy Williams is the biggest culprit of the polarizing analysis. He came out of the blocks and ran a 4.38, a terrific time. Then he got in the drills and couldn’t get it right. He stumbled out of his backpedal and he flipped his hips early on three separate occasions, once coming out of the backpedal in the first drill and twice during the backpedal and weave drill. Then he announced that he had cramped up, and his day was done. The guy who is by far the toughest evaluation for NFL teams became even more of a question mark this weekend.
2019 NFL Combine Preview: Offense
Three Things to Know
1- The Running Back Class May be Sub-par, but the Combine is a Very Important Day: Let’s get things started with the most obvious statement this year; athletic testing will be huge for this class. I can’t recall a year where the athletic test portion of the combine was more important. This class as a whole lacks depth, and the running back position is no different.
The athletic testing is going to be huge for the running backs. Outside of Josh Jacobs, there isn’t anyone with elite home run speed, or so we think. If a running back can test well athletically, they can establish themselves as RB2 and a top 50 pick. So when watching the Combine this weekend, look for the 40 yard dash, the short shuttle and the 3-Cone Drill. The guys that show athleticism this weekend to match or exceed their tape will be the ones picked in the first few rounds.
2- Do NOT Get Trapped by Day Two of the Combine: Day two is the Quarterbacks and Pass Catchers, which typically has a lot of eyes and can generate a lot of buzz. For the life of me, I still can’t figure out why. The Quarterbacks don’t have any report with the receivers, so timing is a complete guessing game. The receivers run basic route combinations and the most ridiculous drill of the weekend; the gauntlet. The gauntlet may be the dumbest thing throughout this weekend, and that includes the Combine committee’s ridiculous stance on who deserves an invite and who doesn’t.
Now there are some things that can provide some value. If a QB noticeably struggles with the three, five and seven step drops, that is a very bad sign. If a QB is noticeably off on their timing out of the receiver’s break, even without knowing tendencies, that is still not good.
However, for the most part, this day is useless after the receivers and tight ends do their athletic testing. Stick with your opinions based on what you see on tape and in game action, don’t get trapped into gym shorts scouting.
3- You Can Learn the Most about Offensive Linemen This Weekend: NFL Draft analysts love the offensive linemen portion of the combine because you see who has the necessary NFL length, and you see who is willing to go the extra mile by working hard to improve workout numbers that largely don’t matter. Sure the ten yard split can be an indicator towards quickness and athletic ability, and you don’t want to see low bench press numbers, but for players being selected with a day one or day two selection, you rarely see blemishes in these areas.
I like the Offensive Line portion for a different reason; the drills. During the drill segment you’ll see which offensive linemen move fluidly, and which ones are stiff in the hips or the ankles. You will see who’s willing to compete and give 110%, and which one’s get tired and lose technique. One drill to keep your eye on in particular is the mirror drill. Try to watch their footwork and their hand placement. If they kick their feet together, or their hands sag, those are two indications that should make you question their abilities at the next level.
Overall, the Combine is meant to reaffirm what you see on tape, or in some cases disprove it and make you have to re-watch the film. The Offensive Linemen provide the most for a scout to work with out of the offensive players that will test this weekend.
Players With the Most to Prove
1- David Montgomery: Many love his vision on tape and elusiveness in between the tackles. He makes the first man miss a lot, and he shows the quickness to bounce a play outside and turn the corner. However, he doesn’t show elite top end speed to break off home run type plays. If Montgomery shows a good 40 time, he can raise his draft stock.
2- DK Metcalf: Okay, putting Metcalf in this category is cheating because he’s going to dominate. Here’s why this is important though; there’s four teams in the top five that need pass catchers. Metcalf is projected to come in at 6’4 and 240 pounds, essentially Tight End like measurements. If he runs a low 4.4, and all his medicals check out, this guy could easily go top five. His tape is terrific and he has an elite catch radius. Metcalf could be the biggest riser this weekend.
3- The Second Tier Offensive Tackles: Once you get past Jonah Williams (yes he’s still a tackle), Jawaan Taylor, Cody Ford and Andre Dillard, the tackle class takes a massive drop. This is a very important weekend for this position group. Someone needs to emerge with NFL length and athleticism because so many teams need offensive line, both starting caliber guys and depth players. Bobby Evans, Kaleb McGary, Tytus Howard and others will need to show up this weekend. If they do, they can find themselves going in day two rather than day three.
4- AJ Brown and N’Keal Harry: The buzz has cooled on these two players, and both can put the spotlight back on them with big weekends. Neither guy is viewed at as having elite top end speed, and for Harry, a 40 time is going to be very important to put to rest questions about his down the field playmaking. For Brown, I’m most interested in his short shuttle and 3-Cone numbers. I think he’s a dynamic playmaker out of the slot with elite quickness in and out of cuts. If those two numbers are where I think they will be, Brown will catch the eyes of many this weekend.
5- Kaden Smith: Kaden Smith is falling rapidly down draft boards because his tape is a little underwhelming. If you are a fan of Kaden Smith, you will cite his athleticism, both in terms of his explosiveness up the seam as well as his ability in jump ball situations. This is why the combine is so important for him. Assuming Smith tests the way people think he should, his draft stock should stay the same, or even rise a bit. Having said that, if Smith underwhelms in Indy, he could find himself as a late day three selection.
Sleepers of the Combine
1- Andy Isabella: Isabella is on many people’s radar because he looks like the prototypical Patriots Wide Receiver at 5’9, but this dude is a former track star and is going to wow this weekend. He’s a very crafty route runner, and when you combine that with his athletic testing, scouts and teams will be salivating over Isabella come round three.
2- Oli Udoh: Admittedly, I haven’t finished watching Udoh, but all signs point to this guy having a great weekend. He has NFL size and length and assuming he shows fluidity in the drills, Udoh could be a day three gem.
3- Miles Sanders: The buzz isn’t there on Sanders because he’s not a great runner between the tackles, but this guy has home run ability and can excel as a third down back. I think the combine is the perfect venue for him to boost his stock. He will be one of the best in the pass catching drill and he will be one of the few players at the RB position who will test well across the board athletically.
Jordan Katz 2019 Big Board 1.0: Part Two (26-50)
This is part two of my top 50 players for the 2019 NFL Draft. For part one, players 1-25, click the link. (https://draftstock.net/home/https-draftstock-net-2019-01-28-jordan-katz-2019-big-board-1-0-top-50-1-25/)
26) Dexter Lawrence, DT/NT Clemson: Lawrence is a behemoth along the interior. He’s a prototypical one tech, showing the ability to eat blockers and be dominant the run game. Lawrence has some upside as a pass rusher as well. While he wasn’t used that way at Clemson, I think he has the power to collapse the pocket and help out the edge rushers. Lawrence may not have elite upside, but he’s the one true NFL quality nose tackle in this draft.
27) AJ Brown, WR Ole Miss: I know many will think this is a little high for Brown, and I’ll admit this is pending a quality showing in Indianapolis in a month or so. However, Brown has unique ability out of the slot, and I think his quickness and precision in and out of cuts can allow him to separate on the outside as well. If he tests well and proves he’s more than just a slot receiver, and I think he will, Brown will prove to be another reliable target in a strong pass catching class.
28) Mack Wilson, ILB Alabama: Wilson is being a bit undervalued, in my opinion. He’s not Devin White athletically, but Wilson moves fluidly and flips his hips effortlessly in coverage. I think he can mirror TE’s at the next level and he can read in zone very well. Wilson also takes good angles to the ball and plays downhill with poise. He should be a quality linebacker at the next level.
29) Cody Ford, OT/OG Oklahoma: Offensive line in this draft isn’t wonderful, but Cody Ford is one of the bright spots. Ford is a unique athlete for someone with his size and stature (6’3, 340). He’s got quick feet, showing the ability to win in pass protection by beating the edge player to the spot. He needs to improve his hand placement, but I think Ford’s athleticism help him project to be a solid right guard or right tackle.
30) N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State: Harry’s buzz has cooled recently, but I think that’s because he hasn’t been in the spotlight. He’s explosive with the ball in his hands and he wins with size and athleticism when the ball is in the air. If he tests well in Indianapolis and proves he can outrun NFL corners, Harry could wind up much higher on my board later on in the Draft Season.
31) Josh Jacobs, RB Alabama: I’m not as high on Jacobs as others, but there’s no question he’s the top running back in this draft. He’s slippery through the hole, his pad level is perfect on almost every carry,l and he has a powerful base, allowing him to break a number of arm tackles. Jacobs isn’t the best in pass protection, and since he can be a weapon in the pass game with his soft hands and route quickness, he will have to improve there to hit the evaluation that he’s at on many people’s big boards.
32) Irv Smith Jr, TE Alabama: Much like OJ Howard before him, Irv Smith’s ceiling in the NFL is higher than his usage rate at Alabama. He’s a big time athlete, a precise route runner, and he has good hands. He lines up all over the field and can create separation versus linebackers and safeties. Smith is yet another great tight end in this draft class.
33) Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State: Oruwariye had a case of the good, the bad and the ugly during Senior Bowl week, but I still trust him as an early day two pick based on his tape. He shows good ball skills and a unique ability to mirror receivers for someone of his size and length. If he can become better at using his hands early in receivers routes, he could have a long, productive career ahead of him.
34) Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida: Taylor is a right tackle all day at the next level. He’s a mauler in the run game, gaining leverage with inside hands and strength in his frame. I know many think he’s an elite prospect, and while I’m not quite on board with that (his footwork in the vertical and 45 degree sets have me concerned against the athletic pass rushers he’ll see in the NFL), I do think he projects as a day two pick at right tackle.
35) Andre Dillard, OT Washington State: Dillard is a bit of a puzzler for me. He’s smart and he’s very good in pass protection, with the ability to counter both a first and second move from opposing edge rushers. He gains leverage with inside hands and even when he is beat physically, he can counter it. Having said that, the latter of that statement is the part that’s concerning. Despite his athleticism and solid footwork, he lacks the upper body strength to play at the next level. He’s often pushed backward and I think he’s susceptible to being long armed be defensive ends. So in short, I’m hedging here by giving him a late first/early second round grade. Dillard is either going to be much better than my evaluation because of his kickslide and ability to stall edge rushers, or his lack of power will have him in the bust category.
36) Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma: Murray is an interesting prospect. There’s a lot of things he does well. For instance, he shows NFL level anticipation when throwing to receivers, laying the ball on them as they come out of their break. He’s got a pretty big arm as well. Now obviously the go to criticism is going to be his size, and while it’s accurate, it’s not in the way many are portraying. The issue with small quarterbacks is having passes batted at the line of scrimmage, not necessarily them being under 6’2. Guys like Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson didn’t have that issue, but I think Murray does. Having said all of that, Murray is easily my QB1 this year because he throws into NFL windows and gets aggressive with the football.
37) Dalton Risner, OT/OG Kansas State: Risner was one of the biggest winners from Senior Bowl week. He was significantly better at keeping his hands inside the defender’s shoulder pads and that allowed him to really use his power in order to gain leverage. Risner is a leader too, his competitiveness was evident all week and his energy was infectious from what I saw. I like him as a starting right guard at the next level.
38) DeAndre Baker, CB Georgia: Baker has some athletic questions to answer, but technique wise he’s very solid. Press coverage is where he excels, and he can open it up and mirror receivers as well. My question is his straight line speed, and if he can improve his footwork out of his T-Step. Overall, Baker is a smart player that can play in multiple schemes and be an effective starter.
39) Joejuan Williams, CB Vanderbilt: Williams is a massive cornerback (6’2, 205) with the ability to press up on receivers and get them off their route combinations using his hands. I like Williams’ ball skills as well; he posted 13 PBU’s and 4 picks this season. He’s a good athlete as well, he’s got long strides and can run with receivers down the field. Williams can move up this board if his footwork improves out of his T-Step and he becomes quicker, although the latter is tough to do at this position for someone of his size.
40) Yodny Cajuste, OT West Virginia: I’m willing to go down with the ship on Cajuste. His draft buzz has cooled because scouts question his athleticism, but I think he has the capability to be a starting left tackle. I don’t think he’s refined to one scheme in particular, although he shows big time strength in the run game, with the ability to wall off defenders and gain leverage by keeping his hands high. However, I think he’s a better athlete in space than he’s given credit for, and his kickslide improved drastically in 2018. I see a lot of upside in whoever lands Cajuste in April.
41) Charles Omenihu, DL Texas: Omenihu was someone who came across my twitter feed because of others in the draft community that I follow. They talked about how he had an extremely quick first step and won with his hands in many different ways, and boy were they right. He can long arm guards and push the pocket back, and he can rip past guards as well. Omenihu has plenty of moves in his arsenal, which makes him another coveted commodity along the defensive line in this draft.
42) Jonathan Abram, SS Mississippi State: Abram is a quality player, but his best role is when he plays close to the line of scrimmage. He’s a big hitter with good instincts and a feel for shooting gaps. Sometimes he’s over aggressive, and he does miss plays. But for the most part, he flies to the ball and levies some punishing hits. In coverage, he plays a solid cover two, and has decent instincts in the back. Overally, Abram is a very quality strong safety prospect at the next level.
43) Trayvon Mullen, CB Clemson: Mullen is a weird study on tape. On the one hand, he has elite ball skills and he’s solid in man-to-man coverage. On the other hand, he should read and react better in off coverage, but he seems to be a step slow most of the time. Now it is true that he’s rarely challenged on tape, because he’s far and away the best secondary player on Clemson’s defense. The lack of targets does show his prowess in man coverage, but I still think there’s technical aspects he needs to work on to excel at the next level.
44) David Edwards, OT Wisconsin: There’s not a lot of buzz around David Edwards because his feet are not particularly quick. However, I think his intelligence at the position is second to none in this draft. Edwards is a converted tight end, and he played quarterback in high school as well. He’s become a quick study at tackle over the last few years, understanding who to pick up in blitzes and stunts. I would take Edwards over the majority of offensive linemen in this draft because his technique will continue to get better, and he’s smart.
45) Jerry Tillery, DL Notre Dame: Tillery put together a really good season at Notre Dame this past year. Despite some inconsistencies in his performances from game to game, I thought his size and length was apparent in each game. With a quick first step and the ability to beat one on one blocks along the interior, Tillery could be a nice fit for a team looking for a pass rushing three technique, either in a 4-3 at defensive tackle, or as a 3-4 defensive end.
46) Devin Bush, ILB Michigan: Bush surprised me when I broke him down on film. He’s a much better cover guy than I expected, showing the ability to flip his hips and recover with speed (Ohio State game has a great example of this). His strength is in the run game, he’s a punishing tackler and he fills gaps well. Despite this, it’s his inability to get off blocks that has him graded out in round two rather than round one.
47) Damien Harris, RB Alabama: The second Alabama running back on here is yet another potential three down back. Harris is a smart, patient runner and he’s a solid blocker as well. He’s not the most explosive runner, but he keeps his pads low and he excels in short yardage areas. I think Harris has the effectiveness similar to Mark Ingram at the next level, and in a weak running back class that puts him near the top of the list at the position.
48) Kaden Smith, TE Stanford: For those scoring at home, this is my fourth tight end in my top 50. Smith is an impressive athlete, winning with his size when the ball is in the air. He high points the ball extremely well, which makes him a big time red zone threat at 6’5. Smith needs to improve his route running, particularly his ability to separate out of the break, to really be a big time player at the next level. If Smith becomes better at the top of the stem, the sky’s the limit.
49) Deebo Samuel, WR South Carolina: Shoutout to my brother Justin with this one. For months we debated whether Samuel was a quality day two wide receiver, with the ability to separate with quickness and precision at the top of the stem, or if his double catches and lack of a catch radius would hamper his ability to win plays at the next level. After watching his highlights throughout Senior Bowl week, it’s safe to say I was wrong, and Justin was right. Samuel even showed the ability to high point the ball and grab passes outside what I thought was his range. He’s a solid day two pass catching option.
50) Oshane Ximines, EDGE/OLB Old Dominion: Ximines has big time ability off the edge. He’s technical in his pass rush, winning reps with his hands and quality moveset. He can counter a first punch from an offensive lineman, and he can long arm tackles as well. Ximines does gets bodied in the run game, and he’s not the most fluid athlete around the edge. Despite this, there’s some real upside here if he can improve his get off at the line and continue to refine his pass rushing moveset.
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