2019 NFL Mock Draft: First Look at the Top 10 Picks: Another NFL regular season is in the books, and while the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots prepare for the Super Bowl(check the latest Super Bowl odds), the rest of the league switches its attention to offseason activities, including the 2019 NFL Draft.
In a salary cap league, securing young, affordable talent makes an enormous difference, and every front office knows that one great draft can turn around the fortunes of a franchise. Free agency, pro days and the combine will no doubt change things up, but in the meantime, here is a first look at my top 10 picks with NSAwins.com’s first edition of the 2019 NFL Mock Draft.
2019 NFL Mock Draft: First Look at the Top 10 Picks
- Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
With Josh Rosen in house, I’ll be shocked if Arizona doesn’t shop this pick. If they stay put, Bosa figures to be the pick. He’s the most complete pass-rusher in this class and could transform a defense.
- San Francisco 49ers: Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
The 49ers have some versatile player on the defensive line, but they don’t have a dominant edge rusher. Allen was unstoppable off the edge this season, and he could be an X-factor in the mold of a Von Miller.
- New York Jets: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
Every team could use a shutdown corner, and Williams has the rare combination of length, size and speedy to be left on an island. The Jets could use some more weapons for Sam Darnold, but with none worthy of the No. 3 pick, they will go with the best player available.
- Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
The Raiders finished 2018 with a league-low 13 sacks, so needless to say, finding playmakers on defense is a must. Williams eats up space in the run game and has the explosiveness to make plays in the backfield.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Tampa Bay’s top needs will become clearer after free agency begins, but Williams is a safe pick no matter how things play out. New coach Bruce Arians has already called out the offensive line, and he knows the Buccaneers have to be better in the trenches on the offensive side of the ball.
- New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
I expect there will be trams out there who want to jump ahead of the Giants to draft Haskins, but if the top picks all hold steady, this pick is a no-brainer. The Giants have to secure their quarterback of the future.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
There is a chance that Jacksonville could address the quarterback position in free agency, but for now, I’ll slot Murray here. With their stout defense and power running game, the Jaguars could use a dual-threat option like Murray to copy what Baltimore did with Lamar Jackson this season.
- Detroit Lions: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Oliver is the victim of preseason hype and the microscope of scrutiny that follows, but after the combine, I expect his stock to rebound in a big way. He is still the same disruptive force that had him in the Heisman conversation to start 2018, and he has an Aaron Donald-type ceiling. Detroit needs playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, and Oliver could be one of the best in this draft.
- Buffalo Bills: Rashan Gary, DE/DT, Michigan
His motor has been called into question, but at his best, Gary is a top-five prospect and can be a one-man wrecking crew on the interior of the defensive line. Buffalo has upgraded its linebacking corps the last couple of drafts, and Gary should create some more space for Tremaine Edmunds and company to operate.
- Denver Broncos: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
An injury to Chris Harris Jr. late in the year only added to the question marks facing the Denver secondary heading into 2019. Grabbing a player like Baker, who has the potential to be a shutdown, No. 1 corner, is the perfect way to address arguably the biggest need on either side of the ball.
