by Matt Fischer
The 2019 NFL Draft is here! Live tonight from Nashville, the first round of the NFL Draft will happen live on ESPN beginning at 8 PM ET.
Here’s my best guess for what each team should/will do in my 2019 NFL Mock Draft.
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- ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Birds were bad last year and fired their coach after just one season. The new sheriff in the desert is Kliff Kingsbury who should bring in his high powered spread offense.
THE PICK: KYLER MURRAY (QB – OKLAHOMA)
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Jimmy G got injured and missed most of the season last year. He could use more weapons on the offensive side of the ball but there aren’t many worthy of taking second. There are several defenders that could become elite so the Niners improve their pass rush.
THE PICK: NICK NOSA (DE – OHIO STATE)
3. NEW YORK JETS
The Jets need help all over. However, they acquired Le’Veon Bell this offseason and bring back second year QB Sam Darnold. It’s time to look at the defense and take someone who could become a force off the edge.
THE PICK: JOSH ALLEN (OLB – KENTUCKY)
4. OAKLAND RAIDERS
The Raiders struggled in Jon Gruden’s first year back. This is the first of three first rounders in 2019. With reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes and future Hall of Famer Phillip Rivers still in the division, they’ll address the defense early in this draft.
THE PICK: QUINNEN WILLIAMS (DT – ALABAMA)
5. TAMPA BAY BUCS
New coach in Tampa, Bruce Arians. Is this Famous Jameis’ last season with the Bucs? They could look to draft a QB here. I think they have to look for value and draft a difference maker. Don’t be surprised if Tampa doesn’t trade down to a team wanting to move ahead of the Giants to draft a QB.
THE PICK: ED OLIVER (DT – HOUSTON)
6. NEW YORK GIANTS
Do they find the successor to Eli Manning at 6 or do they go for an impact player in 2019? After two disappointing seasons I’ve got to think the G-men are going to look for someone who can start open day. I think they’d be wise to move down and collect picks.
THE PICK: JAWAAN TAYLOR (OT – Florida)
7. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
The Jags brought in Nick Foles this offseason at QB. Can they get him a weapon here? It might be a stretch but a TE is coming off the board at 7.
THE PICK: T.J. HOCKENSON (TE – IOWA)
8. DETROIT LIONS
The Lions need a pass rusher. They can pick one up from the Wolverines.
THE PICK: RASHAN GARY (DE – MICHIGAN)
9. BUFFALO BILLS
They’ve been adding weapons for Josh Allen this offseason. I think they’ll still go after another WR but it’ll be later in the draft. They go with the best defensive lineman available
THE PICK: MONTEZ SWEAT (DE – MISSISSIPPI STATE)
10. DENVER BRONCOS
Even though they acquired Joe Flacco this offseason, QB could be an area John Elway addresses here. I think corner is the biggest position of need for the Broncos. Elway will roll the dice on another first round QB.
THE PICK: DREW LOCK (QB – MISSOURI)
11. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Marvin Lewis is gone. Zac Taylor is in. The Bengals need playmakers. Will Taylor go for an Andy Dalton replacement or take the best available player? If he’s smart, he’ll take the best available player here.
THE PICK: DEVIN WHITE (LB – LSU)
12. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Will the new HC get Aaron Rodgers a new weapon? I think the Packers could move back and add picks. This is a good spot for a team wanting to move up and draft a QB in front of the Dolphins. I’ll assume the Packers stay here.
THE PICK: JONAH WILLIAMS (OT – ALABAMA)
13. MIAMI DOLPHINS
With only one QB off the board here at 13, the Dolphins should be ecstatic. They get to draft a QB without having to use any other picks to move up.
THE PICK: DANIEL JONES (QB – DUKE)
14. ATLANTA FALCONS
The Falcons need help on defense. With Drew Brees still carving up NFC South defenses, I think they look to the secondary and get a playmaker.
THE PICK: GREEDY WILLIAMS (CB – LSU)
15. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
After the brutal leg injury to Alex Smith last season, the Redskins need to find a new signal caller. They get an accurate arm from the Buckeyes.
THE PICK: DWAYNE HASKINS (QB – OHIO STATE)
16. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Cam Newton needs to stick in the pocket. The Panthers simply can’t afford to have him take much punishment week after week. Offensive line is addressed here with the sixteenth pick.
THE PICK: ANDRE DILLARD (OT – WASHINGTON STATE)
17. NEW YORK GIANTS (FROM CLEVELAND BROWNS)
The Giants address the offensive line with pick six. With the pick they acquired from trading Odell Beckham Jr to the Browns, they draft his replacement.
THE PICK: MARQUISE BROWN (WR – OKLAHOMA)
18. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
The Vikings were a disappointment last season missing the playoffs despite bringing Kirk Cousins in at QB. They get the centerpiece of their offensive line here at 18.
THE PICK: GARRETT BRADBURY (C – NC STATE)
19. TENNESSEE TITANS
Can Tennessee find a go to receiver for Marcus Mariota? They’ve tried several times but are lacking a playmaker. They take a chance on a TE here.
THE PICK: NOAH FANT (TE – IOWA)
20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
With Antonio Brown off to Oakland, the Steelers need to get a new receiver for Big Ben.
THE PICK: DK Metcalf (WR – Ole Miss)
21. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Seattle has two first round picks thanks to trading DE Frank Clark to Kansas City earlier in the week. They can use this pick to draft a winner and a force off the edge.
THE PICK: CLELIN FERRELL (DE – CLEMSON)
22. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Baltimore was a playoff team last season with one of the league’s most boring offenses. They have to develop a passing attack if they want to be Super Bowl contenders.
THE PICK: A.J. BROWN (WR – OLE MISS)
23. HOUSTON TEXANS
Giving up 62 sacks is an issue that must be improved. The Texans bolster the O-line here.
THE PICK: CODY FORD (G – OKLAHOMA)
24. OAKLAND RAIDERS (FROM CHICAGO BEARS)
The second of three first rounders for the Raiders. They draft DL with their first pick. The Raiders still look to address the pass rush. They go with a guy they can pair up to Quinnen Williams to get pressure on the QB.
THE PICK: Brian Burns (DE – Florida State)
25. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Not many holes on the roster as the Eagles are just one season removed from a championship and won a playoff game last year. They take the best available to fit a need here
THE PICK: DEVIN BUSH (LB – MICHIGAN)
26. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Colts were division winners but the loss in Kansas City in the divisional round showed they need more playmakers to be a Super Bowl contender. They take the best player on the board at 26.
THE PICK: CHRISTIAN WILKINS (DT – CLEMSON)
27. OAKLAND RAIDERS (FROM DALLAS COWBOYS)
The Gruden/Mayock duo has their third first rounder here at 27. After two defensive picks, they look to the offensive side of the ball. Protection of Derek Carr needs to be improved.
THE PICK: DALTON RISNER (OT – KANSAS STATE)
28. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
The Chargers won a playoff game last year but against fell to New England the next week. They have a great rush from the edge. Now it’s time to address caving in the pocket.
THE PICK: DEXTER LAWRENCE (DT – CLEMSON)
29. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (FROM KANSAS CITY CHIEFS)
It’s time for the Seahawks to build a new Legion of Boom. Several safeties will be available here.
THE PICK: CHAUNCEY GARDNER-JOHNSON (S – FLORIDA)
30. GREEN BAY PACKERS (FROM NEW ORLEANS SAINTS)
With Clay Matthews gone, this is a good spot to look for his replacement. Luckily there’s someone in that mold available.
THE PICK: CHASE WINOVICH (DE – MICHIGAN)
31. LOS ANGELES RAMS
This pick is probably going to be traded as the Rams look to add picks. If they stay here, offensive line is a need or wide receiver.
THE PICK: PARRIS CAMPBELL (WR – OHIO STATE)
32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Champs like to trade down. A good chance a team will want to trade up here. If the Patriots make the final pick of round 1…
THE PICK: JEFFERY SIMMONS (DT – MISSISSIPPI STATE)
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