It’s finally time to draft these guys. From the college perspective, here’s pre-draft analysis on every pick, along with the right answer for each team over the first two rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft.
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2019 NFL Draft: April 25-27
You have so many better things to do with your life than sit through the 2019 NFL Draft. Or maybe you don’t, but you want to know what’s going to happen.
Of course there will be trades to screw this all up, but until those happen – by the way, never, ever, ever, ever bother with any mock draft that projects trades – here are the correct answers …
Note … this will be updated Thursday morning just before the fun really kicks in.
2019 NFL Draft Prospects
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | OGs & Cs | OTs
DTs | DEs | Edge Rush | LBs | CB | Safs
1. Arizona Cardinals
The Pick Will Be: QB Kyler Murray, OKlahoma
In a day and age when finding a decent starting quarterback just isn’t that hard, and in a draft loaded up top with prototype of prototype defensive prospects, Arizona – if it’s not bluffing and really is going with Nick Bosa – is making one giant “whatever, dude” No. 1 overall pick.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The Pick Will Be: DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Yeah, there might need to be a PR spin to sell Bosa to the Bay Area, but if Arizona is going to pass on the obvious-to-everyone-else No. 1 player in the draft, the Niners will 1) send Cardinal GM Steve Keim a basket of mini-muffins with a note saying 2) thanks for the perennial All-Pro pass rusher, or they’ll 3) trade down a spot or two and be given a massive haul to then 4) select Quinnen Williams.
3. New York Jets
The Pick Will Be: DE/LB Josh Allen, Kentucky
There might be a whole slew of goofy things happening in the top two, but here’s where this really gets weird. Quinnen Williams is right there for the taking – assuming he doesn’t go second overall – but if the Jets stay here, they essentially get the guy they were hoping to land when they rolled out the love for Minnesota’s Anthony Barr in free agency.
4. Oakland Raiders
The Pick Will Be: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
The Gruden/Mayock reality show starts here. With four picks in the top 35, they can play around with a whole slew of options and parlay them into an even bigger haul – or go with a quarterback here. There will be some thoughts about Houston DT Ed Oliver or Michigan DE Rashan Gary, but the defense works around the star of star defensive tackles in this draft. Williams isn’t Warren Sapp, but … this is the guy to build a franchise around.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Pick Will Be: DT Ed Oliver, Houston
The Bucs will hang out right here and let Bosa, Allen, Williams or Oliver fall right into their lap. There’s a chance they go linebacker with LSU’s Devin White, or with Gary, but assuming Murray really does go No. 1 overall – or before the five – this is the best spot in the draft.
6. New York Giants
The Pick Will Be: QB Daniel Jones, Duke
There might be a few other chances early on in the draft for the Giants to grab a quarterback of some sort, but they need to land the one they want. Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins, Missouri’s Drew Lock, and Jones will all be on the table. Jones has become the high-riser through the process – and the Giants fan will rightly boo.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Pick Will Be: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Need, need, need. There might be some other terrific options on the board – especially if Rashan Gary slides – but the Jaguars have to help out the offensive line. Watch out for Iowa TE TJ Hockenson to possibly be the call, but finding a steady offensive tackle is the bigger need.
8. Detroit Lions
The Pick Will Be: DE Rashan Gary, Michigan
How concerned is Detroit about Mississippi State DE Montez Sweat’s heart condition? They desperately need a sure-thing pass rusher, but an end like Gary works for the Lion line, too.
9. Buffalo Bills
The Pick Will Be: TE TJ Hockenson, Iowa
What do you give a young quarterback like Josh Allen? A fun toy to play with. Don’t be stunned if Hockenson goes a a few picks earlier than this – he’s a special talent with instant star potential.
10. Denver Broncos
The Pick Will Be: LB Devin White, LSU
The defensive front has to come up with more options and more playmakers. There’s a chance the Broncos go quarterback here – especially with Dwayne Haskins sliding – but White would be the one to build up the run D around.
