With a deep QB class and talent across the board, most of the first round is uncertain. Will Tua Tagovailoa’s injuries drop him into the late first, even second round? How much do teams value the Lineman, both defensive and offensive, that feature talents such as Nick Bosa and Derrick Brown? No one truly knows until April, but this is where the major young talent should land, assuming the draft order is the same as it was in week 16.
#1: Bengals select QB Joe Burrow
Despite the 49ers success teambuilding defense first, young coach Zac Taylor will surely jump at the opportunity to acquire a cool and collected QB in Joe Burrow. The Bengals front office are all on the hot seat due to the horrendous year they’ve had thus far, ensuring that they will reach for a potential star QB.
Not that Burrow is undeserving, the Heisman winner makes smart passes against tough opponents and set NCAA records in completion percentage and SEC records in passing yards and TDs (tie).
#2: Redskins select OL Andrew Thomas
Dwayne Haskins needs protection to allow him to show off his ability as he did at Ohio State 2 years ago. Thomas, a UGA lineman, is ranked as the no. 1 offensive lineman and is perfect for Dan Snyder and the Redskins front office, whose jobs depend on their ability to salvage their QB talent after incidents last year exemplified the struggles up front on the offensive end of the ball.
The Redskins will likely trade this pick because Thomas will be available later around pick 5-7.
#3: Lions select DE Chase Young
The most surefire prospect in the draft, Chase Young exhibits both quick feet and power, a deadly combo that’s a scout’s dream. The Lions need an upgrade defensively to help their horrific pass rush that is producing only 27 sacks through 15 games and Young will surely have double-digit sacks and take the league by storm.
The Lions, with this selection, could be hoping to mimic the success of the 49ers by building up the defense first in their rebuild and build off of their young runningbacks in Bo Scarborough and Kerryon Johnson.
#4: Giants select CB Jeffrey Okudah
The second Ohio State Buckeye selected in the top 4, Okudah is the best cornerback in this draft class and fits the Giants need in the secondary. This pick comes following a season where the Giants let go of Janoris Jenkins, leaving their secondary without significant talent.
Secondary struggles are one of the main contributors to the Giant’s allowing of 27 points per game on average.
#5: Dolphins select QB Tua Tagovailoa
All the hype entering the 2019 NFL season was the “Tank for Tua” movement, however, after recent injuries to the ankle and hip, his draft stock has plummetted from his consensus number 1 rating. The Dolphins, despite the recent success of Ryan Fitzpatrick, desperately need new leadership at QB, especially knowing the history of Fitzpatrick’s inconsistency as a decision-maker.
Tua meets the modern QB mould as a playmaker in the backfield that is a threat with both his legs and arm, which perfectly fit the Dolphins who are likely attempting to modernize their organization.
#6: Jaguars select DL Javon Kinlaw
The second best interior defensive lineman of his class, the Jaguars reach down the board for this selection to fill their pass rush needs. His versatility among the d-line and football IQ combined with his constant grit will help the Jags stuff the run and get after the passer.
At a staggering 6’6, 310 pounds, the South Carolina alumni should wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines.
#7: Chargers select QB Justin Herbert
Following a season where Philip Rivers, now 38 years old, threw 18 interceptions and only 21 touchdowns, the Chargers should be looking to move on while Rivers can mentor the next generation. Herbert is the most NFL ready QB in this draft class who, standing at 6’6, threw for 32 TD and only 5 INT at Oregon. He has the mould and potential to become an elite passer of the football in the NFL.
#8: Panthers select DL Derrick Brown
While the Panthers have the best pass rush in the league, totalling at 52 sacks, their run defense has been horrific. They have given up over 2000 rushing yards, which is second-worst in the NFL. Brown is a literal clog in the interior at 320 pounds with crazy explosiveness and football awareness as shown at Auburn where he faced the best competition in the nation.
#9: Cardinals select OL Jedrick Willis
Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury are hoping to run a modern spread offense, however, their o-line inhibits their ability to do so. Murray has been sacked 49 times this season, good for 5th worst in the NFL. Without Murray’s elite running ability, the sack statistic would surely be pushing 60. Jedrick Willis specializes in pass protection, especially at Alabama, making him perfect to protect Murray’s blindside.
#10: Jets Select WR Jerry Jeudy
A nightmare for opposing defensive backs, Jeudy is a big-play threat that would help spice up an offense lacking star WR’s. Le’veon Bell will open up the play-action attack for Sam Darnold to deliver the deep ball to speedster Jerry Jeudy. This selection will be a steal for the Jets who landed the Alabama stud solely because previous teams picked out of necessity.
#11: Broncos select WR Ceedee Lamb
The Broncos, while it was clear that this season wouldn’t be great in terms of their playoff chances, found a diamond in the rough in Drew Lock. Lock looks to be the QB of the future for Denver and Ceedee Lamb is an explosive playmaker that adds to the Broncos playmaker repertoire featuring Courtland Sutton and Noah Fant.
This selection will make the Broncos a must-watch wildcard team next year for all the league pass junkies.
#12: Browns select S Isaiah Simmons
With a great likelihood that linebackers such as Joe Schobert will depart from the Browns, a versatile defender such as Isaiah Simmons is ideal for their team. He can play both linebacker and safety as he showed at Clemson. The Browns, alongside their need for players in the second level, also have a need at safety, making Simmons a picture-perfect fit that could allow the Browns to be imaginative in their defensive scheme.
#13: Falcons select DE AJ Epenesa
While many reports suggest that Epenesa could return to Iowa, his increasing draft stock should be too enticing for him to pass up. The Falcons would be greatful for him to fall all the way to 13 to fill their need at edge rusher. In the 2019 regular season, the Falcons are ranked in the bottom half in the league in terms of sacks.
Epenesa was a beast at Iowa and should help out Grady Jerret and Vic Beasley Jr. rush the passer.
#14: Raiders select LB Kenneth Murray
Despite being slightly undersized at 6’2, 234 pounds, Kenneth Murray has world-class athleticism that allows him to fly all over the field with his 4.6 40-yard dash speed that will likely increase at the combine. This allows him to cover both TEs and RBs regularly, and occasionally a slot WR if a heavy blitz is called. Apart from pass defense, Murray is always involved in the play, mainly due to his speed, no matter if it is all the way on the opposite sideline.
Really, Murray is the Raiders only option at LB if Isaiah Simmons does not drop to 14 to replace their atrocious LB’s.
#15: Cowboys select WR Tee Higgins
With the uncertainty of Amari Cooper’s future in Dallas, Higgins will allow the Cowboys to ensure that their receiving core remains elite enough to relieve pressure off of both Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot. Many highly ranked o-line prospects are still here at this pick, but the Cowboys have a top 3 offensive line so they reach at 15 to pick up the former Clemson deep threat who stands at 6’4.
#16: Colts select WR Henry Ruggs III
The 4th receiver off the board will be Ruggs III who is a perfect fit for the Colts who showed their lack of playmakers after TY Hilton went down. The Colts need explosive receivers desperately, as they are third-worst in the league in terms of yards per catch. Ruggs III has jet speed at 6’0 tall and will slide in perfectly with the Colts west coast offense which relies on yards after the catch, which Ruggs has shown as a punt and kick returner at Alabama.
#17: Buccaneers select OL Tristan Wirfs
While Wirfs naturally plays RT, Demar Dotson’s success at that position will allow Wirfs to protect Jameis Winston’s blindside at LT. He showed that he can make such a switch last season at Iowa where he took over that responsibility after his teammate was injured for a few games. Currently, defensive pressure is forcing Winston into horrendous decisions which are exemplified in the 46 times he has been sacked.
Tristan Wirfs will surely help limit the turnovers caused by the pass rush in Tampa Bay.
#18: Raiders (via Bears) select CB Kristian Fulton
The Raiders currently give up 8.4 yards per passing attempt, good for worst in the NFL. Fulton’s plummet to 18 would be a godsend to the Raiders who basically have no quality defensive backs. Fulton brings great athleticism and turnover potential to the Raiders secondary as a great man-to-man corner. He is also great in press coverage which will allow him to be left on an island while the other corners receive help over top.
#19: Dolphins (via Steelers) select WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
After previously drafting Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins decide to populate their receiving core and pair Shenault Jr. with DeVante Parker. With needs all around the field, this selection will be purely to sell tickets in hopes of an explosive offense. Shenault Jr. has great YAC ability and size making him an explosive playmaker. His size at 6’2 and high vertical leap should allow him to catch fade routes in the RedZone as well.
#20: Jaguars (via Rams) select S Grant Delpit
The Jaguars have some dispensable players in their secondary that have contributed to their poor performance in the regular season. Delpit has great ball skills and direct line speed matched with savvy pursuit angles. The LSU standout has great size at 6’3 and hands that allow him to easily snatch the ball away from the league’s best receivers. The Jaguars current offense requires turnovers for good field possession due to their lack of threats outside of Leonard Fournette.
Delpit and Kinlaw together should cause some disruption against opponents next year, allowing the Jags to take advantage offensively.
#21: Eagles select CB Trevon Diggs
Diggs, with his above-average athleticism and great technique, should help bolster the Eagles inconsistent secondary.
#22: Titans select WR Jalen Reagor
Reagor will provide the Titans with a redzone threat who likes to elevate for the football which will allow Tannehill to prosper, opening up the run game for Derrick Henry.
#23: Bills select RB Jonathan Taylor
With the class’s best WRs already selected, the Bills will look to create a great backfield duo between Dylan Singletary and one of the best college football running backs ever in Jonathan Taylor.
#24: Vikings select LB Dylan Moses
The Vikings rank 30th in run defense, something that Moses has proved to be exceptional in with his sideline-to-sideline tackle radius and willingness to jump in the pile.
#25: Dolphins (via Texans) select DE Julian Okwara
At 6’4, 248 pounds, Okwara will give Miami a much-needed pass rush which has only produced 22 sacks on opposing QBs, by far a league-low.
#26: Chiefs select CB Shaun Wade
The Chiefs will likely lose at least 2 of their starting corners to free agency and Shaun Wade from Ohio State is an aggressive, speedy corner to help hold down the Kansas City secondary.
#27: Seahawks select DE K’Lavon Chaisson
In a continued attempt to replace Frank Clark, Seattle will go after the LSU alumni K’Lavon Chaisson.
#28: Packers select TE Brycen Hopkins
The 2019 season for the Packers have involved strictly DaVante Adams in the passing game, however, with the addition of Brycen Hopkins (an excellent route runner), Aaron Rodgers adds another reliable weapon.
#29: Patriots select WR KJ Hamler
While undersized severely at 5’9, KJ Hamler has Tyreek Hill potential with his blazing speed and can return punts and kicks as a worst-case scenario. The Patriots have struggled all year long in finding consistent deep threats.
#30: Saints select CB Paulson Adebo
With Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple both hitting free agency next year, the Saints will likely look to young corners to step up and contribute to their depleted secondary. Adebo is relatively new to CB, but he has shown great flashes of being a future lockdown corner.
#31: 49ers select S Xavier Mckinney
With Jimmie Ward coming up on FA and the 49ers having little needs, Mckinney is one of the best prospects left on the board and can help out the 49ers secondary with his diverse skill set that includes edge blitzing and man coverage.
#32: Ravens select DE Curtis Weaver
The Ravens have been fantastic all year and Curtis Weaver adds to their superb pass rush with his aggressive fast-twitch movements and quick, powerful hands.
