Daniel Jones
Jordan Katz 2019 NFL Prediction Mock Draft 3.0: Final
Ladies and Gentleman, the spectacle that is the NFL Draft has arrived. Even though this draft class is not one of the stronger ones, this has still proven to be an incredibly interesting draft season. We still have no idea who the first overall pick will be, we still have no idea which teams are actually going to take quarterbacks, and we still have no idea how the New England Patriots will find enough talent in this draft to make it back to another Super Bowl next year.
Based on things I have read as well as pre-draft visits and workouts, this is my prediction for how I expect the NFL Draft will shake down next week. There’s some predictions in this mock draft that are to be expected, there are some curveballs, and as I alluded to earlier, the rest of the league just lets the Patriots clean up once again.
This is not one of my personal mock drafts where I assume the GM role for all 32 teams. This is strictly me trying to get every selection right, which is an exercise in futility, but it should help give you an idea of who your favorite team likes and what positions they are looking to target on draft day. As always, there are trades, and trades made in this mock draft are denoted with an asterisk next to the team.
Final Prediction Edition of #MockLyfeNeverSleeps. We are in the Endgame now.
ROUND ONE
1) *Oakland Raiders via Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma– There’s too much smoke here, right? Arizona has not only talked Murray up for weeks, they now appear to openly be fielding offers for Josh Rosen.
However, what if this truly is a smokescreen? The Cardinals still need multiple pieces in order to compete in 2019, and one way to accomplish that is to trade down and acquire some assets.
On the other hand, Oakland is definitely convinced they can win now. The one thing they do not seem to be convinced of is Derek Carr. The Raiders have met with both Murray and Dwayne Haskins a few times and appear to like both a lot. Now this would definitely be an out of the box move, but what if Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock use their assets in a weak draft to get a game changer at the QB position? Arizona and Oakland shock the world to start the Draft.
Editor’s Note: I have to give my brother Danny the credit for this prediction. For months he’s been telling me how bad the Raiders brass is at playing “the game,” that is the NFL Draft, and how Arizona and Oakland make sense as trade partners. He was first on this prediction and I’m now jumping on board.
2) San Francisco 49ers: Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama- Some may call this a curveball here, but I don’t think that’s apropos. Williams has dominated the athletic testing portion of the draft process, and many think he was equally as dominant as Nick Bosa was in college. I think more teams have Williams atop their board than the media realizes at this moment.
3) New York Jets: Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State- In just about every scenario, Mike Maccagnan will trade out of this pick. There should be enough buzz around Dwayne Haskins at this point for teams like Denver, Cincinnati or Washington to leapfrog the Raiders and Giants in order to land their QB of the future. If Kyler Murray is also available, the Jets could get a king’s ransom here.
However, this isn’t your normal scenario. If I’m right and the Niners take Quinnen Williams over Bosa, the Jets will have a massive dilemma on their hands. Is their roster good enough to compete if they do not trade down and pick Bosa? Do they still trade down even with Bosa on the board? It’s not a bad problem to have, but it will be very interesting to see how Maccagnan and company handle it.
4) *Arizona Cardinals via Oakland Raiders: Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida- Assuming Bosa and Quinnen Williams are both off of the board by this selection, which I’m not sure is a lock, Arizona would just move to their biggest need. Many think Taylor is the runaway best tackle in this draft and can slide over to the left slide while maintaining production. Arizona chooses to sure up their offensive line after narrowly missing the heist of the century in Bosa at the 4th overall pick.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White, ILB LSU- White to the Buccaneers has been rumored for a while now. They lost Kwon Alexander in free agency, and they need a three down linebacker that can do it all to replace him.
6) New York Giants: Daniel Jones, QB Duke- Okay Giants fans, I am so sorry to continue to obliterate your front office in these prediction mocks, but here we go again. David Gettleman can praise Eli Manning all he wants, but he’s still looking for a QB of the future in this draft. By not taking one last year in the best QB draft we’ve seen since 2004, and thinking his team was in a win now position, Gettleman backed himself into a corner. He had to settle for a lesser offer in order to get Odell Beckham out of the locker room and start a rebuild, and now he will have to settle for one of the QBs in this draft.
I know what you’re thinking though. “Okay Jordan, that explains them going quarterback. But why on earth would they pass on Dwayne Haskins for Daniel Jones?” Ladies and Gettleman (pun intended), allow me to introduce you to how David Gettleman will mess this up even further.
Jones has the “ideal size and build,” just like Haskins, but it’s his connection to David Cutcliffe that will have NFL teams ready to pick him much higher than he should go. Cutcliffe is most well known for his work with both Peyton and Eli Manning, and his relationship with David Gettleman is very strong as a result of working with Eli Manning. I think the Giants QB target in this draft is Daniel Jones, and they will either take him at 6 or 17 depending on how the board falls.
7) *Cincinnati Bengals via Jacksonville Jaguars: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State- I think Cincinnati is going to go all out for a QB in this draft. With Andy Dalton on the latter stages of his career, the Bengals need to find their quarterback of the future sooner rather than later. Having dodged a bullet with the Giants, the Bengals give the Jaguars a little extra to come up and get their guy.
8) Detroit Lions: Josh Allen, EDGE Kentucky- Allen has had multiple visits with the Lions during this draft process, including a private workout. Detroit needs a pass rusher opposite Trey Flowers to generate the havoc that Head Coach Matt Patricia would like. If Allen is on the board here, this is as far as he goes because Detroit is seemingly in love with him.
Editor’s Note: Assuming Allen is off the board before this spot, Detroit could be a candidate to trade down. I don’t think they are as enamored with Brian Burns and Montez Sweat as they are with Allen. Not to mention, a team looking to pick DK Metcalf will have to jump Buffalo to do so.
9) Buffalo Bills: DK Metcalf, WR Ole Miss- Speaking of Metcalf to Buffalo, allow me to introduce the layup of the Top 10. The Bills still need a game changer in their receiving core, and Metcalf is just that. He’s phenomenal off the line and he showed his deep ball ability with a freakish 40 time at the Combine. John Brown and Cole Beasley were nice additions in free agency, but Metcalf is the big playmaker they need.
10) Denver Broncos: Drew Lock, QB Missouri- Four QBs in the Top Ten of this draft class is absolutely abominable, but we’re trending that way. The Broncos have had multiple visits with Drew Lock, and it appears they are… Locked…. in to him should Dwayne Haskins land elsewhere on draft day.
Editor’s Note: If you’ve read my personal mock drafts, you know I’m not a fan of the QB class. Outside of Kyler Murray, I do not have a quarterback on my board with a round one or a round two grade. Having said that, this is a Quarterback driven league, and QBs will always be overdrafted because of the value they bring.
11) *Jacksonville Jaguars via Cincinnati Bengals: Rashan Gary, EDGE/DL Michigan- Jacksonville’s draft strategy is anyone’s guess at this point. They have a few obvious needs (OL, Pass Catchers, FS, DL), but the order in which they address them is a mystery.
Should the Jaguars trade down, a guy like Gary could be in play for them. He has the versatility to move all along the defensive front, and the athleticism to be productive at the next level.
12) Green Bay Packers: Ed Oliver, DL Houston- Green Bay has been very aggressive in attempting to improve their defense during the 2019 offseason. I expect that to continue during the first round of this draft.
Oliver would go right to 3-4 defensive end and solidify a new look front seven that should be much more productive than years past.
13) *Houston Texans via Miami Dolphins: Andre Dillard, OT Washington State- The Texans are desperate for offensive line talent early in this draft. They had a ton of money this offseason and chose not to spend it. With extra assets in a weak draft (and Miami’s willingness to trade down), the Texans come up for Dillard, who many people think is the top left tackle in the draft.
14) Atlanta Falcons: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson- Ed Oliver would be the ideal pick for Atlanta at 14, but Wilkins is a nice consolation prize. He possesses a quick first step like Oliver, he’s very technically sound in the little things (pad level, gap assignments, exc), and he has a high motor. All three of these will be very appealing to Head Coach Dan Quinn.
15) *Pittsburgh Steelers via Washington Redskins: Devin Bush, ILB Michigan- Bush has put together a phenomenal pre-draft process. He was a combine warrior, posting terrific numbers in the 40, vertical jump and 3-Cone drill. Then he went to his pro day and showed the ability to flip his hips like a defensive back. Pittsburgh trades up to land a necessary three down linebacker in the middle of their defense.
16) Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns, EDGE Florida State- Carolina loves the bigger, more physical edge players like Rashan Gary, and Brian Burns isn’t necessarily that. While he possesses good strength for his skill set, his biggest “strength,” is his ability to dip and bend around the edge.
Having said that, I think Carolina could go a different route here and take a player like Burns. Carolina has hinted at wanting to run more 3-4 sets and show multiple looks this season. They signed Bruce Irvin as well, making me think that the idea to go 3-4 could become more of a reality.
Whatever the decision winds up being, the selection at 16 will tell you all you need to know about their defensive game plan for the upcoming season.
17) New York Giants via Cleveland Browns: Montez Sweat, EDGE Mississippi State- Here’s why I sense the Giants going with a Quarterback at 6 instead of 17. There are so little quarterbacks this year and so many edge rushers, there is a much better chance to grab a talented pass rusher at 17 than a talented quarterback. Sweat had a terrific pre-draft process and should be a top 20 lock in a week’s time.
18) Minnesota Vikings: Jonah Williams, OT/OG/C/OL/Please Play Him at Tackle, Alabama- The fact that Jonah Williams will not be the top offensive lineman taken this year is an absolute disgrace. This is Zack Martin all over again. At some point, NFL teams will learn that technique and intelligence are what matters along the offensive line, and not just length and athleticism. Williams will be an All-Pro talent.
19) Tennessee Titans: Noah Fant, TE Iowa- Fant hs been my TE1 all year because of his athleticism and quickness when running routes. He’s an excellent blocker and a weapon in the middle of the field. Fant is an ideal fit in Tennessee’s offense and the heir to Delanie Walker’s throne at the TE position.
20) *Washington Redskins via Pittsburgh Steelers: Parris Campbell, WR Ohio State- Campbell is flying up draft boards after a very impressive combine. He displayed quickness in and out of cuts as well, something that we didn’t always get to see during his time at Ohio State. I think NFL teams view Campbell as a better version of Curtis Samuel, who went top 40 in his own right. Washington needs weapons for whoever their quarterback is, making Campbell a solid selection.
Editor’s Note: Obviously Washington is a great candidate to trade up for a quarterback, but a second option is them pursuing a QB already in the NFL like Josh Rosen or Derek Carr (hint hint, wink wink). If they choose the latter, they can trade backward, get some assets to further their pursuit of Rosen or Carr.
21) Seattle Seahawks: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB/FS Florida– CGJ is a definitive ball hawk, but it’s his versatility to man up in the slot and contribute from a single high position that will have him as the first safety off the board. Seattle is a tough team to predict, but a selection of Gardner-Johnson would help further advance the recreation of LOB 2.0.
22) Baltimore Ravens: N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State- Baltimore has to find weapons for Lamar Jackson during this draft. Harry can move all around the field, winning route combinations from the boundary as well as the slot. His tape during the season combined with quality testing in Indianapolis should help him be a first round selection.
23) *Miami Dolphins via Houston Texans: Jeffery Simmons, DT Mississippi State- It’s not much of a secret that Miami is looking to rebuild over the next few seasons. This makes them a perfect team to draft a player like Jeffery Simmons.
Simmons is viewed by many as a top talent in this draft, but he tore his ACL during a workout in February. The Dolphins do not need him to contribute right away in year one, so why not trade backward and take an elite talent for the future?
24) *Arizona Cardinals from Oakland Raiders via Chicago Bears: Hakeem Butler, WR Iowa State- Regardless of whether the Cardinals stay with Josh Rosen or select Murray first overall, they will need to find weapons for whoever their QB is. Butler has freakish athleticism for someone of his size. His potential is off the charts if he can fix the drops that plagued him in college.
25) Philadelphia Eagles: Nasir Adderley, FS Delaware- Philly is a tough team to judge for prediction purposes because they have the ammo to move up high in this draft and land a big fish. However, I think it’s more likely that they stay put in round one, and look to trade up into the early portions of round two.
If they do stay here, a safety is a very likely selection. Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod are two sizable contracts for a team that will need to save money over the next two years in preparation to pay Carson Wentz.
26) Indianapolis Colts: AJ Brown, WR Ole Miss- In my personal mock drafts, I have been talking about this potential fit for months. Brown’s quickness in the short to intermediate windows out of the slot would be a huge boost to the Colts offense. It would allow T.Y. Hilton to see less double teams. I expect wide receiver to be the target for the Colts at 26, and Brown makes the most sense to me.
27) Oakland Raiders via Dallas Cowboys: Byron Murphy, CB Washington- Murphy’s size was a question heading into the combine. However, when scouts saw his footwork and technique during the on-field drills, the concerns went away. His versatility to do a number of different things and excel in multiple coverage schemes will have many teams jumping at the chance to take him in the backend of round one.
28) Los Angeles Chargers: Greedy Williams, CB LSU- Williams may be the most polarizing player in the draft, but I’m not sure that stops him from being selected in round one. He still has phenomenal collegiate production and very good ball skills. The Chargers secondary took a hit this offseason, particularly at corner. Assuming Desmond King goes back to being a full time nickel player/third safety, LAC needs a second boundary corner to play opposite Casey Hayward.
29) Seattle Seahawks via Kansas City Chiefs: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Clemson- Ferrell has had a lackluster performance during the draft season, but I don’t think his draft stock will be too hampered by it. His tape is too good and his game is too complete for him to drop past the first 40 picks or so.
30) Green Bay Packers via New Orleans Saints: Chase Winovich, EDGE Michigan- Winovich has put together two terrific pre-draft workouts, both at the combine as well as the Michigan pro day. Throughout his tape he is constantly in the backfield, which shows in his tackles for loss totals during his final two years at Michigan. Now that he has answered some athletic questions, Winovich is most likely the surprise of the first round.
31) *New York Giants via Los Angeles Rams: Dexter Lawrence, DT/NT Clemson- The Giants appear to be in love with Lawrence’s skill set, but I don’t think he will make it to their selection at the top end of round two. To ensure they get their man, the Giants mortgage a few draft assets in a weaker draft class to come up and take a player they covet.
32) New England Patriots: TJ Hockenson, TE Iowa- Rob Gronkowski’s retirement puts offensive weapons at the top of the Patriots wish list for the 2019 draft. The Patriots will definitely attempt to move up for Noah Fant, but I think Bill Belichick is also very comfortable with staying put and seeing if he can land Hockenson or Irv Smith Jr. If he can somehow pull Hockenson, the rest of the NFL should be embarrassed and thoroughly terrified.
TRADES IN ROUND ONE
1- Oakland Raiders trade the #4, #24 and a 2020 1st Round Pick (from Chicago) to the Arizona Cardinals for the #1 and a 2020 3rd Round Pick.
2- Cincinnati Bengals trade the #11, #72 and a 2020 2nd Round Pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the #7 and a 2020 5th Round Pick.
3- Houston Texans trade the #23, #54 and #55 to the Miami Dolphins for the #13 and #78.
4- Pittsburgh Steelers trade the #20, #83 and #122 to the Washington Redskins for the #15 and #206.
5- New York Giants trade the #37, #108 and #180 to the Los Angeles Rams for the #31.
ROUND TWO
33) Arizona Cardinals: Rock Ya-Sin, CB Temple- Arizona needs cornerback depth in the worst way. Outside of Patrick Peterson, it’s a giant question mark. Ya-Sin is a competitor and a ball hawk, two things that should compliment Peterson nicely considering all the targets Ya-Sin will see.
34) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Anthony Nelson, EDGE/DE Iowa- I know Nelson is much higher on my personal board than he is being mocked by draft experts. Normally in this spot you would see a player like Jaylon Ferguson instead of my man Nelson.
However, I think NFL teams will agree with my analysis of Nelson. He’s just as technically sound as Clelin Ferrell, and despite the fact his first step isn’t quite as good on tape, he’s more adept at bending around the edge and running the arch.
Therefore, Nelson is the pick here and not Jaylon Ferguson.
35) Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB Alabama- Oakland is now the frontrunner to land Jacobs after Marshawn Lynch decided to step away from football again. Whether they make that selection in round one or at the top or round two, it would take a miracle for one of the few three down runningbacks in this draft class to wind up elsewhere on draft day.
36) San Francisco 49ers: Deebo Samuel, WR South Carolina- The Niners need to find more weapons for Jimmy Garoppolo during this draft. Samuel has had a terrific draft process, shining ever since the Senior Bowl week back in January. He’s one of many quality pass catchers that will be selected on day two.
37) *Los Angeles Rams via New York Giants: Jachai Polite, EDGE Florida- Polite’s only saving grace to go in the first two rounds right now is the Rams. While Polite has had one of the worst Combine and Pro Day performances that I can remember, the one team he interviewed well with was the Rams. I still believe Polite stands a chance to be a good pro because his ability to come off the edge and generate pressure is so prevalent throughout his collegiate tape. This is why the Rams trade backwards and take him in round two.
Editor’s Note: An alternative move for the Rams could be to trade up in round three and try to snag him at the top of that round. If they believe he is truly off of many teams draft boards, they could look to do the same strategy with Polite that the Raiders did with Arden Key.
38) Jacksonville Jaguars: Darnell Savage, FS Maryland- A sneaky need for the Jaguars that they will most likely address early in this draft is a single high safety to keep their defense at the elite level it should be. Savage is that kind of player.
39) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, WR Oklahoma- The Bucs used a pre-draft visit on Hollywood Brown, which makes sense seeing as they need a deep threat to replace Desean Jackson. I’m not sure I would spend a top 40 selection on a third wideout in their offense, but that appears to be the direction they are headed.
40) Buffalo Bills: Kaleb McGary, OT/OG Washington- McGary is nowhere near this evaluation on my personal board, but his athleticism and supposed versatility is what has a lot of teams chomping at the bit for him in round two.
41) Denver Broncos: Garrett Bradbury, C NC State- Matt Paradis was a big loss for the Broncos, but he’s replaceable in the front end of the draft. Even though Bradbury is likely to go higher than this, players fall to round two that should have gone in round one all the time. In this draft, that player is Bradbury.
42) Cincinnati Bengals: Cody Ford, OT/OG Oklahoma- Cincinnati signed Bobby Hart to… uhh… let up sacks? It surely wasn’t to protect the passer. One can only hope they’re wise enough to just draft offensive line anyway and act as if the Bobby Hart signing never happened.
43) *Kansas City Chiefs via Detroit Lions: Erik McCoy, C/OG Texas A&M- McCoy is a very similar player to Garrett Bradbury, showing good athleticism in short areas, as well as the technique necessary to excel in pass protection. Much like the Broncos a few picks earlier with replacing Matt Paradis, Kansas City needs to replace Mitch Morse. They trade up a few spots to land McCoy.
44) Green Bay Packers: Irv Smith Jr., TE Alabama- Aaron Rodgers loves throwing to tight ends. The problem is, Rodgers has not had one that is truly a matchup problem in a long time. Irv Smith can block and he’s improved as a route runner. He’s a much better fit for the Packers current offense than Jimmy Graham.
45) *Philadelphia Eagles via Atlanta Falcons: Chris Lindstrom, OG Boston College- Atlanta has teased that they could trade down in this draft. If that truly is the draft strategy, it might make more sense to happen in round two rather than round one. Philadelphia could also trade in this draft, but their goal is to trade up not backward. Both teams could be perfect trade partners at some point in this draft.
Editor’s Note: Lindstrom is a good fit for either of these teams, but based on pre-draft workouts I think he’s more of a target for Philly than Atlanta. Hence the trade.
46) *Oakland Raiders via Washington Redskins: Jaylon Ferguson, EDGE Louisiana Tech- For some reason Ferguson’s three cone shuttle, which was north of eight seconds, has not scared NFL teams from talking about him on day two. Oakland acquires this selection by sending Derek Carr to Washington and takes Ferguson to double up on pass rushers in day two.
47) Carolina Panthers: Greg Little, OT Ole Miss- I really don’t like Little as a selection before day three, but Carolina has visited with him a lot throughout the draft process. He is most likely going to be picked on day two, and Carolina is a very likely destination for the former 5-Star recruit.
48) Miami Dolphins: Dalton Risner, OT/OG Kansas State- The Dolphins need to improve in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Risner can start on the right side of their offensive line from day one.
49) Cleveland Browns: Juan Thornhill, SS Virginia- Thornhill’s athleticism and ability to play downhill has teams very interested in him early in this draft. Many teams think he can be a chess piece in the backend of their defense. Thornhill makes sense as a target for the Browns because he can move around the field like Julius Peppers did.
50) Minnesota Vikings: Jerry Tillery, DT Notre Dame- Tillery is extremely athletic and a quality pass rusher along the interior. Minnesota needs an athletic starter next to Linval Joseph, making Saunders a perfect fit for them at 50.
51) Tennessee Titans: Khalen Saunders, DL Western Illinois- One of the best pound for pound athletes in this draft is Khalen Saunders. He’s a perfect fit in a 3-4 because he’s successful from multiple positions along the defensive front.
52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Justin Layne, CB Michigan State- Layne has emerged as a day two lock during the pre-draft process. He’s long, he’s athletic, and he shows big time potential in man-to-man situations. The Steelers still need a number two corner, making Layne a very likely selection in the second round if he is available.
53) *Atlanta Falcons from Philadelphia Eagles via Baltimore Ravens: Tytus Howard, OT Alabama State- Howard has ideal size and length for a right tackle, but he needs to continue to refine his technique in order to become a quality starter. This makes Atlanta an ideal destination because he would not have to start day one, unless he earned it.
54) *Miami Dolphins from Houston Texans via Seattle Seahawks: Emanuel Hall, WR Missouri- The Dolphins have lacked an explosive deep threat for a long time. Hall is a definitive burner that separates with speed and athleticism down the field. He’s a good target for Miami at some point during this draft.
55) *Miami Dolphins via Houston Texans: Jamel Dean, CB Auburn- Here’s a classic reach on day two because of a good combine. Dean showed enough on tape to make teams covet his sheer athleticism over some more technical corners.
56) New England Patriots via Chicago Bears: Andy Isabella, WR Massachusetts- I know Patriots fans would rather see Isabella later in the draft, but I think he tested too well at the Combine for the Pats to do that. Isabella’s route running, athleticism and solid hands make him a perfect fit for the Patriots offense.
57) Philadelphia Eagles: Mack Wilson, ILB Alabama- The buzz around Wilson has cooled during the latter portions of the draft process. Having said that, the off ball linebacker class is so weak that his tape and collegiate production should still have him as the third player off the board in this position group.
58) Dallas Cowboys: Deionte Thompson, FS Alabama- The Cowboys have visited with a ton of safeties during this offseason, making a selection of one at 58 very likely. Thompson is easily the best cover safety still on the board, so he is the pick here.
59) Indianapolis Colts: Iman Marshall, CB/FS/SS USC- Marshall is going to go much higher than he should on draft day, and I still have not figured out why. Many teams think he possesses the versatility to play nickel corner or a cover two safety position. When I figure out what they are basing this off of, I will let you all know.
60) Los Angeles Chargers: Yodny Cajuste, OT West Virginia- Offensive tackle is a sneaky need for the Chargers during this draft. Okung has been up and down during the last few years, and Sam Tevi is better served as a backup. Cajuste steps in and competes for a starting job from day one.
61) *Detroit Lions via Kansas City Chiefs: Lonnie Johnson Jr., CB Kentucky- Teez Tabor has not stepped up and grabbed the number two cornerback slot like the Lions had hoped. Johnson’s length and athleticism combined with his (presumed) ability in press coverage are the two aspects of his game that NFL teams find attractive.
62) New Orleans Saints: Joejuan Williams, CB Vanderbilt- Williams had a tough combine, but redeemed himself during the athletic testing portion of his pro day. He’s a long, physical corner with the ability to press and solid ball skills. His traits on tape combined with his improved athletic testing should have him as a day two selection.
63) *Detroit Lions from Kansas City Chiefs via Los Angeles Rams: Amani Hooker, FS Iowa- Detroit continues to revamp their secondary by selecting the best cover safety left on the board. While this could be a thumper like Taylor Rapp or Johnathan Abram, I’m going to take a chance on Hooker because of his versatility in coverage.
64) New England Patriots: Blake Cashman, ILB Minnesota- New England does have a few defensive needs in this draft, one of which is addressing their linebacking core. Outside of Kyle Van Noy, it’s a weak unit. Cashman is an athletic three down linebacker who shows a great understanding for gap assignments on tape.
TRADES IN ROUND TWO
1- Kansas City Chiefs trade the #61 and #63 to the Detroit Lions for the #43, #111 and #224.
2- Philadelphia Eagles trade the #53, #127 and #163 to the Atlanta Falcons for the #45 and #230.
3- Washington Redskins acquire Derek Carr and a 2020 3rd Round Pick from the Oakland Raiders in exchange for the #46 and 2020 Conditional 5th Round Pick.
ROUND THREE
65) Arizona Cardinals: Dawson Knox, TE Ole Miss
66) Pittsburgh Steelers via Oakland Raiders: Dennis Daley, OT South Carolina
67) San Francisco 49ers: Jimmy Moreland, CB James Madison
68) New York Jets: Elgton Jenkins, C Mississippi State
69) Jacksonville Jaguars: Terry McLaurin, WR Ohio State
70) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Johnathan Abram, SS Mississippi State
X) New York Giants- Forfeit Due to the Selection of Sam Beal in the Supplemental Draft
71) Denver Broncos: Isaiah Johnson, CB Houston
72) *Jacksonville Jaguars via Cincinnati Bengals: Jace Sternberger, TE Texas A&M
73) New England Patriots via Detroit Lions: Charles Omenihu, DL Texas
74) Buffalo Bills: Maxx Crosby, EDGE Eastern Michigan
75) Green Bay Packers: Michael Dieter, OL Wisconsin
76) Washington Redskins: Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State
77) Carolina Panthers: Taylor Rapp, SS Washington
78) *Houston Texans via Miami Dolphins: Trysten Hill, DT/NT UCF
79) Atlanta Falcons: DeAndre Baker, CB Georgia
80) Cleveland Browns: Trayvon Mullen, CB Clemson
81) Minnesota Vikings: Michael Jordan, OG/C Ohio State
82) Tennessee Titans: JJ Arcega-Whiteside, WR Stanford
83) *Washington Redskins via Pittsburgh Steelers: Kelvin Harmon, WR NC State
84) Seattle Seahawks: LJ Collier, DL TCU
85) Baltimore Ravens: Ben Banogu, EDGE TCU
86) Houston Texans: Connor McGovern, OG/C Penn State
87) Chicago Bears: David Long, CB Michigan
88) Detroit Lions via Philadelphia Eagles: Dru Samia, OG Oklahoma
89) Indianapolis Colts: Renell Wren, DT Arizona State
90) Dallas Cowboys: Zach Allen, DL Boston College
91) Los Angeles Chargers: Kingsley Keke, DL Texas A&M
92) Kansas City Chiefs: Christian Miller, EDGE Alabama
93) New York Jets via New Orleans Saints: Sean Bunting, CB Central Michigan
94) Los Angeles Rams: Bobby Evans, OT/OG Oklahoma
95) New York Giants from Cleveland Browns via New England Patriots: David Edwards, OT Wisconsin
96) Washington Redskins: Nate Davis, OL Charlotte
97) New England Patriots: Tyree Jackson, QB Buffalo
98) Jacksonville Jaguars via Los Angeles Rams: David Montgomery, RB Iowa State
99) Los Angeles Rams: Sheldrick Redwine, FS/SS Miami
100) Carolina Panthers: Damien Harris, RB Alabama
101) New England Patriots: Riley Ridley, WR Georgia
102) Baltimore Ravens: Germaine Pratt, ILB NC State
Jordan Katz 2019 Prediction Mock Draft 2.0: Post Combine
Y’all know what time it is, lean wit it, mock wit it! Mock Lyfe never, eeeevvvveeeerrr, sleeps, and with the Combine wrapped up, it’s time for a prediction mock draft. This is a more traditional one; the goal here is to try to get every pick right. I base this off of what I see being reported as well as team visits with prospects. Team needs also play a factor. Obviously this is a challenge with Free Agency right around the corner and pro days still to come. However, this is the way I think teams would be leaning if the draft were to take place tomorrow. As always, trades are included, and they are denoted by an asterisk next to the team’s name. We also have a few player trades in this mock draft that shake up the draft board. Who are the players that move, you ask? Let’s find out (Big J level tease right there).
ROUND ONE
1) Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma- Personally, there’s no way I would get rid of Josh Rosen for Kyler Murray. Rosen is by far the better QB right now, and I think he has a higher ceiling than Murray as well.
Having said that, Kliff Kingsbury and the Cardinals brass really didn’t do a good job of convincing anyone that they are confident in Josh Rosen. This means one of two things; either the Cardinals will attempt to trade the pick by creating buzz around Murray, or they truly are enamored with the former Heisman trophy winner and want him to be the face of the franchise. I’ll bite on the hype train for now.
2) San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State- The 49ers would freak out if Bosa became available for them at two. That possibility becomes more and more of a reality the more the Cardinals refuse to deny the rumors surrounding Kyler Murray.
3) *New York Giants via New York Jets: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State- This is where the draft gets funky. It’s no secret that the Jets are the most likely team to trade out on draft day. They need assets in this draft to help build a competitive roster in 2019 At least one of the two QBs is more than likely going to be available at the third selection, so the Jets trading out is a strong possibility.
Where this gets interesting is the idea of the Jets and Giants doing a trade together. While one can argue it’s unlikely, it also makes the most sense. The Giants backed themselves into a corner by not coming out of last year’s draft with a quarterback, making them very likely to establish their draft strategy around Dwayne Haskins. They also have a unique opportunity to sit Haskins for a year or two without the fan base becoming restless. Nowadays rookie QBs are forced to play as soon as possible because teams stand such a better chance of building a championship contending roster while their franchise QB is on a rookie deal. The fans also contribute by putting pressure on the franchise to trot out their potential star player as soon as possible.
The Giants won’t have this issue. They still have a quarterback beloved by the fan base, which gives them the luxury of not throwing Haskins to the wolves on day one.
If the Jets and Giants can ignore the outside noise, they could be perfect trade partners in this year’s draft. The Jets get extra assets, the Giants get the heir to Eli Manning’s throne.
4) Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama- The Raiders need to hit on each one of their first round selections to expedite their rebuilding process. Williams is the best prospect on the board, and he will give Oakland a dominant pass rusher along the interior.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Montez Sweat, EDGE Mississippi State- The biggest winner of the combine on the defensive side of the ball was Sweat. He answered every question that scouts had of his ability to dip and bend around the edge… except ya boy who had him as a top ten player on his board (humble brag, not all heroes wear capes). If Tampa Bay cannot trade down here, I would expect them to take the best edge rusher on their board.
6) *New York Jets via New York Giants: Rashan Gary, DL Michigan- The Jets need versatility along their defensive front. Gary can come off the edge as well as rush from the interior. I think his athleticism combined with his potential make him a perfect target for the Jets if they can trade down and stay in the top ten.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars: DK Metcalf, WR Ole Miss- The Jaguars will open up the offense a bit more with Nick Foles under center. In order to do that successfully, they need a true number one receiver. Metcalf generated the most buzz during the combine and established himself as the clear number one receiver in this draft. He would give the Jaguars a legitimately playmaker on the outside.
8) Detroit Lions: Brian Burns, EDGE Florida State- Burns tore it up in Indianapolis and established himself as a top 15 lock. He bulked up to 250 pounds and still showed elite athleticism, which allows him to play either 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. The versatility he provides is what will land him in the Top 10.
9) Buffalo Bills: Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida- Taylor appears to be the top offensive tackle in this draft according to most. If the Bills miss out on DK Metcalf, I’d expect Taylor to be the selection, should he be available.
10) Denver Broncos: Devin White, ILB LSU- I know everyone’s mocking the Broncos to take Drew Lock because John Elway appears attracted to the idea of having Joe Flacco be a bridge quarterback. Here’s my counterargument; what if he just picks that guy next year instead of this year? Elway would have the option of taking Justin Herbert or Jake Fromm, two people that scouts think could play from day one (I disagree on Fromm, but that’s a different story for a different day).
Instead of Lock, the Broncos continue to revamp their front seven and take one of the only three down linebackers in the draft.
11) Cincinnati Bengals: Andre Dillard, OT Washington State- It feels like the Bengals have needed offensive line every year for the last five drafts. Dillard is deemed to be the top pass protector this year, and he one of the few true left tackles in the entire draft. The Bengals hopefully find their left tackle of the present and future with this pick.
12) Green Bay Packers: Josh Allen, EDGE Kentucky- There were a few edge rushers that outperformed Allen during the workouts in Indianapolis, which could lead to Allen sliding a bit on draft day. It’s not a knock on Allen as a player, it’s just the realization that players like Sweat and Burns may have more upside.
Assuming he does slide, the Packers are his floor. They need an impact player that can get to the passer on a routine basis. Allen would give them a legitimate rusher off the edge.
13) Miami Dolphins: Daniel Jones, QB Duke- Jones and Drew Lock are a complete toss up for who’s the third quarterback off the board this year. To me, Jones will edge out Lock because Duke’s Head Coach David Cutcliffe is revered in NFL circles for his work with Peyton and Eli Manning. Every advantage helps your draft stock and this is a big one.
14) Atlanta Falcons: Ed Oliver, DT Houston- Atlanta needs to dedicate the early portions of this draft towards strengthening their roster in the trenches. Oliver up front along with Grady Jarrett, Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley would make for an incredibly dominant front four.
15) Washington Redskins: TJ Hockenson, TE Iowa- Should the Cardinals select Kyler Murray first overall, I expect the Redskins to be the heavy favorite to land Josh Rosen via trade (which they do later on in this draft). Therefore, at 15 they look to address their next biggest need; offensive weapons. Even though Noah Fant wowed at the combine, TJ Hockenson proved he was very athletic as well. His blocking skills keep him as the first tight end off the board.
16) Carolina Panthers: Jonah Williams, OL Alabama- Williams is still easily my top offensive tackle, but teams view him as a potential all-pro if he moves to guard. Carolina needs both a starting tackle and a starting guard, so he’s an easy fit here.
17) Cleveland Browns: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson- The Browns feel like a lock to address interior defensive line with their first round selection. The question will be whether they still take Jeffery Simmons despite the ACL tear, or if they go with someone who will be healthy week one like Christian Wilkins.
18) *New England Patriots via Minnesota Vikings: Noah Fant, TE Iowa- Bill Belichick has been known for surprising the experts on draft day. With extra assets in a weaker draft class, there’s a chance Belichick opts to come up for one of the two Iowa tight ends if they fall farther than people expect. That’s exactly what happens here.
19) *Philadelphia Eagles via Tennessee Titans: Josh Jacobs, RB Alabama- Josh Jacobs may not have worked out during the Combine, but his stock still managed to rise. The rest of the running backs were so average that Jacobs solidified himself as the top running back by a wide margin. The Eagles jump past a few teams to get the running back they covet.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, ILB Michigan- If Devin Bush makes it to the Steelers pick at 20, I don’t expect much hesitation here. Bush is a three down linebacker with elite athleticism. He’s also a quality leader according to most things you read.
21) Seattle Seahawks: Greedy Williams, CB LSU- Williams definitely took himself out of the Top 10 conversation with his performance during the on the field drill portion of the combine. Having said that, he most likely remained the top corner because of his elite 40 time. Williams has technical issues, but his length and ball skills combined with his athleticism would make him a phenomenal fit in the Seahawks defense.
22) Baltimore Ravens: Marquise “Hollywood,” Brown, WR Oklahoma- Brown’s foot surgery shouldn’t affect his draft stock too bad because he will still be ready to go for the summer workouts. The Ravens need to give Lamar Jackson some weapons for him to succeed in 2019, and there aren’t many better weapons in this draft than Hollywood Brown.
23) Houston Texans: Cody Ford, OT/OG Oklahoma- I think you all know the drill by now; the Texans need to take offensive line early and often in this draft. Ford should still go in round one despite his athletic testing solidifying him as a guard at the next level.
24) Oakland Raiders via Chicago Bears: Byron Murphy, CB Washington- Murphy’s man cover skills and terrific footwork will make him an attractive option to a lot of teams selecting in the back end of round one. He can line up on the outside and force receivers to the boundary, or he can take away slot receivers with his ability to mirror route combinations.
25) *Tennessee Titans via Philadelphia Eagles: N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State- The Titans manage to slide down a few spots and still land the pass catcher they covet. Harry is an ideal weapon for Marcus Mariota because of his size in the red zone and his ability to win from the slot position.
26) Indianapolis Colts: Jeffery Simmons, DT Mississippi State- Simmons has reportedly put to rest any issues teams may have had about his off the field antics, which should keep his draft stock in the first 40 picks despite the ACL injury. His pass rushing skills is what makes him a very attractive option to the Colts here at 26.
27) *Pittsburgh Steelers from Oakland Raiders via Dallas Cowboys: Rock Ya-Sin, CB Temple- My prediction for Antonio Brown is that the Raiders use one of their late first round selections to land the star wide receiver. This gives Pittsburgh two first round selections to address their lackluster back seven on defense.
28) Los Angeles Chargers: Dexter Lawrence, NT Clemson- I will continue to call this until I sense the Chargers going in a different direction. Lawrence makes too much sense in the middle of the Chargers defense. He also has the athleticism to play on passing downs.
29) Kansas City Chiefs: Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, FS Florida- The Chiefs are yet another team in the backend of round one that needs secondary help. CGJ is deemed to be the top safety in this draft and the best ballhawk from the single high position. He would pair up nicely with Eric Berry.
30) Green Bay Packers via New Orleans Saints: Irv Smith Jr., TE Alabama- Jimmy Graham’s performance last season was up and down, and he’s a quality option to be a cap cut in either of the next two offseasons. Smith is a really solid blocker, he’s an athlete, and he’s developed into a very good route runner for the position. I think Smith and Aaron Rodgers would make a dynamic duo.
31) *Cincinnati Bengals via Los Angeles Rams: Drew Lock, QB Missouri- I like the idea of the fourth QB in this draft, be that Lock or Daniel Jones, coming off the board in the back end of round one like Lamar Jackson did last year. A likely team to make that move this year is the Bengals. They need the heir to Andy Dalton’s… uhh…. “Throne.” Instead of reaching for a guy at 11, they draft a need position in that spot and then come up into round one to get the fifth year option on their QB of the future.
32) *Minnesota Vikings via New England Patriots: Chris Lindstrom, OG Boston College- The fact that Lindstrom is not going to go in the first 20 picks is a crime. He’s an elite level prospect as a guard. Minnesota trades down and lands one of the best players in the draft.
TRADES IN ROUND ONE
1- New York Giants trade the #6, #37, #108 and a 2020 2nd round pick to the New York Jets for the #3.
2- New England Patriots trade the #32, #56 and #101 to the Minnesota Vikings for the #18, #209 and #247.
3- Philadelphia Eagles trade the #25, #57 and #163 to the Tennessee Titans for the #19 and the #82.
4- Pittsburgh Steelers trade Antonio Brown and a 2020 5th round pick to the Oakland Raiders for the #27.
5- Cincinnati Bengals trade the #42, #72 and a 2020 3rd round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the #31 and the #133 and a 2020 4th round pick.
ROUND TWO
33) Arizona Cardinals: Garrett Bradbury, C NC State- The Cardinals address their disastrous offensive line by selecting the top center in the draft.
34) Indianapolis Colts via New York Jets: Johnathan Abram, SS Mississippi State- Abram is a perfect scheme fit for the Colts because of Malik Hooker. Abram can be used as a chess piece close to the line of scrimmage with Hooker as the single high safety in the back.
35) Oakland Raiders: Clelin Ferrell, DE Clemson- More defense for the Raiders. Ferrell at the top of round two is a steal in my opinion, but it’s likely where he winds up come April.
36) San Francisco 49ers: Parris Campbell, WR Ohio State- Kyle Shanahan likes chess pieces that create matchup problems for the defense. Campbell’s speed makes him that kind of player.
37) *New York Jets via New York Giants: AJ Brown, WR Ole Miss- The one thing I think the Jets will miss in free agency is a pass catcher. Brown is a dynamic player in the short and intermediate passing game. He’d also be a terrific compliment to Robby Anderson.
38) Jacksonville Jaguars: Dalton Risner, OT/OG Kansas State- The Jaguars need some toughness and intensity up front. Nobody in this draft plays with more intensity than Dalton Risner.
39) *Houston Texans via Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DeAndre Baker, CB Georgia- Baker didn’t have the best weekend in Indianapolis. However, I think scouts like his tape too much for him to fall out of the Top 50. Houston uses assets to come up and get a number two corner.
40) Buffalo Bills: Hakeem Butler, WR Iowa State- Butler is a freakish athlete for someone who’s 6’5. He needs to become more consistent and eliminate drops, but a team is definitely going to gamble on him early in this draft.
41) Denver Broncos: Erik McCoy, C Texas A&M- McCoy can start right away and replace Matt Paradis in the middle of the Broncos offensive line.
42) *Los Angeles Rams via Cincinnati Bengals: Jachai Polite, EDGE Florida- The buzz around Polite was extremely negative coming out of the weekend in Indy, but I think his pass rushing ability will keep him in the first two rounds.
43) Detroit Lions: Nasir Adderley, FS Delaware- Adderley’s ball skills from the single high position will hopefully help the Lions secondary perform better in 2019.
44) Green Bay Packers: Mack Wilson, ILB Alabama- Even though the buzz on him has cooled, I think Wilson is still going to be a Top 50 pick in this draft. There’s a lot of teams that need linebacker help, and only a few that can truly play three downs.
45) Atlanta Falcons: Kaleb McGary, OT Washington- A lot of people like McGary’s potential in the NFL. His athleticism was on display during the athletic testing as well as the on-field drills. I expect him to go pretty high on day two.
46) *Arizona Cardinals via Washington Redskins: Khalen Saunders, DT/NT Western Illinois- Here is the Josh Rosen trade I alluded to earlier. The Redskins use multiple second rounders instead of one first round selection to trade for Rosen, making him their Quarterback of the present and future.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, land a 3-4 defensive lineman with the athleticism to line up all across the defensive front.
47) Carolina Panthers: Kelvin Harmon, WR NC State– The Panthers took DJ Moore in round one last year, but they still need more weapons heading into the 2019 offseason. Assuming Devin Funchess leaves in free agency, Harmon could be an interesting replacement option.
48) Miami Dolphins: David Long, CB Michigan- Long’s outstanding combine should solidify him as a day two selection in April. Miami has reportedly been shopping Xavien Howard, so it’s likely they look for a cornerback in the draft instead of re-signing Howard once the upcoming year ends.
49) Cleveland Browns: Justin Layne, CB Michigan State- Layne had a terrific showing at the combine, as many predicted he would. His ability to excel in multiple coverages makes him an attractive option to the Browns in round two.
50) Minnesota Vikings: Jerry Tillery, DT Notre Dame- One of the more underrated combine performances was posted by Jerry Tillery. He showed elite level quickness, which confirms what you see on tape. Minnesota needs a pass rusher next to Linval Joseph, making Tillery a perfect match here.
51) Tennessee Titans: Renell Wren, DL Arizona State- Wren would give the Titans some much needed versatility up front. He could play the nose tackle spot and allow Jurrell Casey to go back to 3-4 defensive end, or he can replace Bennie Logan at the aforementioned DE position.
52) Pittsburgh Steelers: Riley Ridley, WR Georgia- If the Steelers do trade Antonio Brown, they will need to find another threat on the outside. I don’t think they’ll jump at someone in the first round because of JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington, but Ridley in round two is a definite possibility.
53) Philadelphia Eagles via Baltimore Ravens: Amani Oruwariye, CB Penn State The Eagles two biggest needs this offseason are a three down running back and a number two cornerback. With the selection of Oruwariye, they’ve accomplished both in this mock draft.
54) *Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Houston Texans via Seattle Seahawks- Deionte Thompson, FS Alabama- Tampa Bay will trade down at some point in this draft because they have a lot needs to address this offseason. Thompson can help create turnovers and he gives Todd Bowles a single high safety for his aggressive minded defense.
55) Houston Texans: Tytus Howard, OT Alabama State- Eat, sleep, offensive line, repeat. Howard has good developmental skills and stands a chance to start at right tackle from day one.
56) *Minnesota Vikings from New England Patriots via Chicago Bears: Taylor Rapp, SS Washington- The Vikings have been rumored to be replacing Andrew Sendejo for a few offseasons now. With Sendejo entering the final year of his contract, this could finally be the draft they select his replacement.
57) *Tennessee Titans via Philadelphia Eagles: Dru Samia, OG Oklahoma- Samia’s intensity and toughness is a perfect match for the Titans physical offensive line. He would start at left guard from day one and contribute right away to the Titans run heavy offense.
58) Dallas Cowboys: Juan Thornhill, SS Virginia- Thornhill obliterated the athletic testing of the combine, posting absurd numbers in the vertical and broad jump. Then on top of that, he ran a 4.42 in the 40! Despite very inconsistent tape, he’s a lock for the top 75.
59) Indianapolis Colts: Emanuel Hall, WR Missouri- I think a more technical route runner would be a better scheme fit here because it would serve as a better compliment to T.Y. Hilton. That being said, Hall’s combine numbers should have him rising rapidly up teams draft boards.
60) Los Angeles Chargers: Trayvon Mullen, CB Clemson- Desmond King is most likely going to be the Chargers defensive chess piece, which means the Chargers need a CB on the boundary opposite Casey Hayward. Enter Trayvon Mullen.
61) Kansas City Chiefs: Damien Harris, RB Alabama- I think Harris earned the distinction of being RB2 at the Combine. He’s one of the few guys with three down potential that had a solid workout in Indianapolis.
62) New Orleans Saints: Jace Sternberger, TE Texas A&M- New Orleans is in a perfect position to replace Ben Watson with their first selection of the draft. Sternberger is a decent blocker for the position and has the ability to stretch the middle of the field as well.
63) Kansas City Chiefs via Los Angeles Rams: Christian Miller, EDGE Alabama- After cutting Justin Houston, the Chiefs will have to address the edge position early in this draft.
64) New England Patriots: Andy Isabella, WR UMASS- Isabella is a phenomenal route runner out of the slot with impressive athleticism to boot. He’s a perfect fit in the Patriots offense.
TRADES IN ROUND TWO
1- Houston Texans trade the #54, #86 and #161 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the #39 and the #215.
2- Washington Redskins trade the #46 and a 2020 2nd round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for Josh Rosen.
DraftStock.Net 