2019 NFL Mock Draft: Jags Take a Surprise Pick at 7, Where Does Dwayne Haskins Go?

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 19, 2019)

As always, picks can be subject to change since, you know, it’s my mock draft after all. As always, this is barring any stupid trades that take place. Please enjoy. Can’t wait to see this a week and a half from now. Yikes.

1. Arizona Cardinals – QB Kyler Murray (Oklahoma)

If all of the rumors are true about Kingsbury wanting a fresh start in Arizona and at the quarterback position, this is a slam dunk pick. Murray wowed at the combine, and the Cardinals have needed a franchise QB since Kurt Warner left in 2010. Should be interesting to see what happens with Josh Rosen, however.

2. San Francisco 49ers – DT Quinnen Williams (Alabama)

I just can’t picture a scenario where Kyle Shanahan and crew pass up on Williams. With the defensive ends in Solomon Thomas and Dee Ford all set and ready to go, another D tackle alongside DeForest Buckner would work out perfectly.

3. New York Jets – DE Nick Bosa (Ohio St.)

The Jets should be jumping for joy if they can snag Bosa at 3. The player that was most likely to go 1st overall was sidelined with an injury in November. A defensive end to go alongside Leonard Williams would make the Jets defensive line one of the strongest in the league.

4. Oakland Raiders – DE Josh Allen (Kentucky)

Easy choice here for Mike Mayock in his first draft with the Silver and Black. Allen is an elite edge rusher and he should land right in Oakland’s lap at 4. Oakland’s best DE right now is Arden Key, and Allen should help out that thin defense before their move to Vegas.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – CB Greedy Williams (LSU)

There is no bigger need for Tampa then at their secondary. Although I was tempted to put a defensive end or a linebacker here, Greedy just makes the most sense. Another player who shined at the combine, he is easily the best defensive back available in this draft, and the Bucs need to capitalize on that, Also, this would be an interesting trade up point for a team that needs to.

6. New York Giants – DE Rashan Gary (Michigan)

Everybody is saying the Giants should go QB at 6, but I think that the defense need to be locked up first. Gary is the last of the elite defensive ends in this draft, and it seems like Big Blue would be a prime landing spot after they traded away Olivier Vernon and that only 5 defensive linemen are on their roster at the moment.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – TE T.J. Hockenson (Iowa)

Ah yes, the first big surprise of my mock goes to Jacksonville at 7. Between the 2 Iowa tight ends, I always thought Noah Fant had more upside, but TJ fits right into Jacksonville’s scheme. With Geoff Swaim currently at TE1, that spot should quickly go to Hockenson

8. Detroit Lions – DT Ed Oliver (Houston)

Not many expect Ed Oliver to fall all the way down to Detroit, but if it does happen, Matt Patricia is getting a special talent. Oliver (said in Richard Hammond’s voice) is that sort of playmaker that can go alongside Snacks. Detroit’s defense could easily go from one of the worst in the league to one of the best when you combine this with the signing of Trey Flowers.

9. Buffalo Bills – OT Jonah Williams (Alabama)

Josh Allen looked like a scared little puppy multiple times last season. Although I could see the Bills reaching high for Josh Jacobs, that offensive line problem will not go away on its own, and Williams is the best one available here. Should not be a hard choice either, as multiple talented linemen will be around

10. Denver Broncos – QB Dwayne Haskins (Ohio St.)

I am well aware of the fact that Joe Flacco was picked up by the Broncos early in the offseason, but John Elway can’t possibly see him as the franchise QB for 10+ years, right? He grabs Haskins, who dazzled many with his strength and throwing ability. This pick should make up for the Paxton Lynch blunder several years ago.

11. Cincinnati Bengals – G Cody Ford (Oklahoma)

Cincinnati is another team that needs several positions upgraded, but the biggest is their offensive line. Ford should provide ample protection for Dalton to throw the ball to AJ Green and he should be able to give Joe Mixon enough running room to shine.

12. Green Bay Packers – LB Devin White (LSU)

Green Bay needs to shore up that defensive unit big time, and it starts with getting you Clay Matthews’ replacement in White. He’s a big time playmaker who can be anywhere on the field at any given time. The linebacker corps in the NFC North is deep, and Green Bay wants to be right up there with the best.

13.Miami Dolphins – OT Jawaan Taylor (Florida)

Miami is not looking towards contention this season, and are clearly looking towards next year’s draft class. They need a little of every position. With a franchise QB coming most likely in two years, why not give him some protection with a homegrown offensive lineman? Taylor has shown he can block and protect really well, so when that QB arrives, he’ll have protection ready

14. Atlanta Falcons – LB Devin Bush (Michigan)

Atlanta is one of those teams that is surprising to see them where they are. One of the biggest needs for them, however, lies in the position of linebacker. Both Devins are amazing players, but Bush will find himself in Atlanta, who could easily be back in contention next year with such a loaded roster.

15. Washington Redskins – QB Drew Lock (Missouri)

Ever since the Alex Smith injury, Washington has had a massive hole at the quarterback position. Colt McCoy will not be the answer, so Bruce Allen will be handcuffed to taking an available QB. Lock, my personal favorite and the best option left, will find home in Landover with a lack of a mentor.

16. Carolina Panthers – DL Jeffery Simmons (Mississippi State)

Up until the Chris Hogan signing just last week, D.K. Metcalf would have been a perfect fit in Carolina. However, with that need addressed, they will do what most teams have done and use their 1st round pick on their defense. They get a mid round steal in Simmons, who will help the aging defensive line get a little bit younger

17. New York Giants (from Cleveland) – QB Daniel Jones (Duke)

And here it is Giants fans, you get your franchise QB and you do not have to tank in order to get him. Jones has roots to some Giants coaches and it would not surprise me if Gettleman used the Browns pick to get that QB. Jones is one of the more well rounded quarterbacks in the draft and he should be a great successor to Eli.

18. Minnesota Vikings – OT Andre Dillard (Washington State)

All this time we have heard about how Minnesota’s offensive line is why Kirk Cousins was not as advertised his first year in the purple and gold. Hence why Dillard is taken by the Vikings at 18. He is an instant upgrade to the rotating Vikes front 5 last year.

19. Tennessee Titans – DE Montez Sweat (Mississippi State)

I guarantee you that when this gets published, many will say when looking at the top 10 “Where is Montez Sweat?” or “Did he forget about Montez Sweat?”. My belief is that the heart condition will cause him to fall more than some may think. Tennessee, who needs a good solid defensive end to go with Casey and Woodyard on the line, pick up arguably the steal of the draft at 19, although a wide receiver here would not surprise me. Speaking of which…

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – WR D.K. Metcalf

Oh, Pittsburgh. You lost one of your franchise stars of the decade and now you have to find your AB replacement at wide receiver. Luckily for them, Metcalf has slid through the ranks all the way down to 20, where Big Ben can find his newest toy in the offense. He’s an instant upgrade over Eli Rogers at WR2

21. Seattle Seahawks – CB Byron Murphy (Washington)

A surprising playoff run has Seattle in an interesting position. They could go Josh Jacobs here, but it seems like they are still going with the running back by committee approach. With this pick they take a cornerback from nearby Washington U. Murphy should slide right into Seattle’s secondary as they are still looking for their replacement to Richard Sherman.

22. Baltimore Ravens – DE Clelin Ferrell (Clemson)

Imagine Baltimore’s defense if they manage to add Ferrell at 22. A strong defense that somehow lacks defensive linemen, Clelin Ferrell is exactly the type of player that the Ravens are looking for, and if they want to repeat in a stronger AFC North, that defense has to be on their game once again.

23. Houston Texans – WR A.J. Brown (Ole Miss)

DK’s Ole Miss counterpart at wide receiver goes to another AFC powerhouse in Houston. The Texans have always wanted a second receiver to go with Hopkins, so Brown will be their man. This gives them more options for Deshaun Watson to go to, and less coverage on Hopkins with this pick.

24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago) – TE Noah Fant (Iowa)

Derek Carr could use a couple of option besides Antonio Brown., and Fant should be perfect for him. A tight end position that has been a hole since Jared Cook left for New Orleans, Fant should be able to block and give Derek Carr a new weapon.

25. Philadelphia Eagles – RB Josh Jacobs (Alabama)

It was between Jacobs and Rock Ya-Sin for the Eagles spot, but that space at running back is something that Howie Roseman and Doug Pederson should have to fill quickly. They pick up the best RB available in this draft, and Jacobs will have no issues in the City of Brotherly Love behind that elite offensive line.

26. Indianapolis Colts – DE Brian Burns (Florida State)

The Colts, who did not think they’d be picking at 26 in October, are stuck in a weird position. The offensive weapons are there, albeit not perfect, but they seem to be in viable contention for the playoffs. Their defense needs help, so they take a sleeper pick in Burns. A combination of him and Sheard bolsters that defensive line that has plagued Indy for a while now

27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas) – S Taylor Rapp (Washington)

Kudos to the Raiders for being able to get a first round pick from Dallas when no one else was willing to pay that price. It has not paid off for them so far, but they are able to pick up a player they need in Taylor Rapp. Oakland’s secondary can’t go forward with just Gareon Conley, so a quality safety is a major need.

29. Los Angeles Chargers – S Johnathan Abram (Mississippi State)

The Chargers are pretty much set, don’t kid yourself. The main needs that they will have to work with is a safety and a solid linebacker. With the Devins off the table, they slide in and take a safety with Abram. LA has been waiting for a premier safety since Addae, and he can form a deadly duo with Derwin James.

29. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Rock Ya-Sin (Temple)

The Chiefs got their secondary issues resolved with the signing of Tyrann Mathieu, but cornerback will remain an issue. Breeland and Fuller are solid players, but Temple’s Rock Ya-Sin helps big time. The Chiefs are expected to draft defensively, and their secondary last year was a big flaw for them.

30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans) – WR N’Keal Harry (Arizona State)

You know what would make Aaron Rodgers very happy? Mike McCarthy not being a head coach ever again. You know what else would make Aaron Rodgers happy? A new toy to throw to. Davante will still clearly be WR1, but N’Keal Harry can easily become your next Randall Cobb if he is used correctly.

31. Los Angeles Rams – C Garrett Bradbury (NC State)

It appears that John Sullivan will not be back under center for the defending NFC Champions, so they need some bolstering at the center position. Bradbury should work out just fine with the Rams, as he is not only the top center option, but will add to that premier offensive line that protects Jared Goff.

32.New England Patriots – WR Hollywood Brown (Oklahoma)

The loss of Chris Hogan will hurt Tom Brady and company. Partner that with the loss of your Hall of Fame tight end, and your offense looks, dare I say, depleted. New England needs a wide receiver and Brown fits them really well. He can go deep and be a Chris Hogan like player. Plus, he’ll enjoy balls getting tossed to him by the best of our generation.

Thank you all if you have made it this far for reading all 32 picks. I worked so hard on this and I thank you so much for your time! Now let’s see all of these picks cause me to flat on my face.