Pretty Good Sports

2019 Mock Draft Albert 1.0

Albert Mattheis

Round 1

Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB Oklahoma
Heisman winner with over 1,000 rushing yards and 12 rushing TD's last year. He will play point guard in Kliff Kingsbury's offense while the front office tries to save face and get something in return for last years 1st Rounder Josh Rosen.
San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, EDGE Ohio State
Don't over think this one too much. The 49er's will take a defensive lineman in the top 10 every year until the NFL is disbanded.
New York Jets: Josh Allen, EDGE Kentucky
If they Jets don't trade down, which they should because good edge rushers can be gotten later in the top 50 picks, they have to take Josh Allen here. New defensive coordinator Gregggg Williams loves to bring the blitz and the Jets don't have a true edge rusher on the roster after (insert one of my favorite mock-draft-cliché info bytes of this draft cycle) missing out on LB Anthony Barr. Allen is a more athletic Barr on a rookie contract. Bonus: The Jets play the Bills twice a year, and there will be extra incentive to prove who the alpha Josh Allen is.
Oakland Raiders: Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama
The Raiders could swing on an edge prospect like Rashan Gary here to fill the Khalil Mack sized void in their pass rush, but new GM Mike Mayock can't pass on arguably the safest pick in the draft. Insert cliché about how the NFL is evolving to focus more importance on interior pass-rushers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Devin White, LB LSU
The Raiders were in a prime spot to pick White, as they haven't had a solid line backer in years. But after shoring up the position with free agents this offseason, they pass on him and slots in perfectly with the Bucs. New DC Todd Bowles has a unique scheme involving hybrid players and disguising coverages, and after losing LB Kwon Alexander in FA the Bucs could upgrade and get a stud LB to play next to Lavonte David in the middle of the defense.
New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State
Don't believe the smokescreen that the Giants are totally cool with Eli Manning playing this year. They are doing diligent research on QB's and after trading star WR Odell Beckham they are firmly in total-rebuild mode, which usually starts with grabbing your franchise cornerstone QB.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jonah Williams, OT Alabama
Most pundits have OT Jawaan Taylor locked into this spot as the first O-lineman off the board and a plug-and-play RT to protect Nick Foles. Jonah Williams is the better technician and with positional versatility, he can play next to former Alabama teammate Cam Robinson at guard but can step in at tackle in a pinch in the case of an injury.
Detroit Lions: Greedy Williams, CB LSU
This pick really could go in any direction. If the Lions don't trade out of it, they have to give HC Matt Patricia another puzzle piece for his defense. Edge rusher Rashaan Gary could stay in Michigan and put his hand in the dirt for the Lions, but with Matt Stafford aging and the team seeming committed to riding out his window (Dolphins allegedly offered a 1st for him last offseason and the Lions declined) I expect them to pick a polished player who can come in and contribute immediately. Williams is in the mold of former Patricia lockdown CB Stephon Gilmore, a long and fast elite athlete who can play man and zone. Paired with starter Darius Slay, the Lions could indirectly improve their pass-rush with a top back-end tandem.
Buffalo Bills: DT Ed Oliver
The Bills had a sneaky good defense last year, and with DT Kyle Williams retiring and leaving a massive hole at the position, a rare DT prospect falling to them at this spot makes too much sense not to pull the trigger. Offensive weapons can be had in the later rounds, but a player like Oliver doesn't come in every draft.
Denver Broncos: Devin Bush, LB MIchigan
Many analysts can't picture the Broncos passing on a QB here (Drew Lock is slated here in 95% of mock drafts), but given Elway's bad track record with swinging and missing on QB's I think he will stand pat with Flacco for a year and look to participate in the run on defenders and take a gifted LB prospect who can run new HC VIc Fangio's defense. Elway is on the hot seat more than people think, and Devin Bush can rush the passer or drop back and break up passes from Day 1.
Cincinnati Bengals: Jawaan Taylor, OT Florida
The Bengals took take an O-lineman in the first round last year, and look for them to double down here with a wide, powerful offensive lineman who can play tackle or move inside and dominate with his strength. New HC Zac Taylor would prefer to hand pick a QB, but until that happens he is in an arranged marriage with Andy Dalton and the front office should do whatever they can to protect him and open up holes for RB Joe Mixon.
Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, TE Iowa
Aaron Rodgers thrived early in his career when he was surrounded by elite blockers and pass catchers. Now, he leads a cast of late-round rookies and no-names and has understandably struggled when compared to his peak performance. The Packers can't pass on an elite blocker and pass catcher bundled into one: Hockenson will ragdoll defenders in the run game and also has the speed and hands to stretch the seam and be a red-zone target that Rodgers deserves at this point in his career. Brady needed a Gronk when the rest of the offense would breakdown, and Rodgers will benefit similarly from a mis-match presence who can high-point balls and change the way a defense game plans.
Miami Dolphins: QB Drew Lock, QB Missouri
Just like I don't believe that the Giants aren't interested in a QB, I certainly don't believe the oddly specific "leaked" reports that the Dolphins are taking an "organic tanking approach for a QB in 2020." Recent QB signee Ryan Fitzpatrick always shows flashes of brilliance even dating back to his Buffalo days, but his lack of consistency is the most consistent thing about him and he is a lock to self-destruct eventually. He's not the answer, even as a one-year stop gap. The Dolphins take a 4-year starter with a rare arm talent in Drew Lock and groom him behind a similarly aggressive vet for about 6-7 games in 2019 until they are forced to roll him out and see what he can do.
Atlanta Falcons: Rashan Gary, Athlete Michigan
The same coach who took uber-athletic but positionless defender Bruce Irvin and made him a star in Seattle, Dan Quinn will add to the Falcons underperforming embarrassment on the defensive line and groom freak Rashan Gary. Gary can play inside next to Grady Jarret, while waiting in the wings to see if Vic Beasley can recreate his 2016 magic on the edge.
Washington Redskins: Brian Burns, EDGE FSU
The Redskins super-need a QB but the thought is that this is Jay Gruden's last year in Washington if things don't improve and they can't afford to take a developmental prospect. A trade with the Cardinals for QB Josh Rosen in exchange for Case Keenum + a 2nd rounder is a very real possibility that would allow the Redskins to focus on impact players in round 1. Burns is the anti-thesis of every other pass-rusher on the Redskins roster, and that is a good thing. He is explosive and all-bend no power. A bulky defensive line and an experienced vet in Ryan Kerrigan on the other side should afford Burns a lot of 1-on-1 matchups early on to show his prowess.
Carolina Panthers: TE Noah Fant, Iowa
Cam Newton is a habitual over-thrower and the Panthers have drafted to address that in the past with Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess. With Greg Olson in his waning years, the Panthers could add another young athletic playmaker to finish up their core of recent draft picks (McCaffery, D.J. Moore) and serve as a reliable safety valve for Cam Newton in what will be a comeback-or-bust season for the former MVP. Noah Fant is a rare TE prospect with great athleticism and route running.
New York Giants: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson
A safe prospect to serve as a building block for DC James Bettcher, Wilkins will fill the hole at DT that Damon Harrison left after the trade to Detroit. The Giants need to add young core players for their rebuild and Wilkins is the best value at this spot. They could take a WR or an offensive lineman to pair with new QB Dwayne Haskins, but Wilkins would be a top-10 lock in any other draft as an elite DT prospect.
Minnesota Vikings: Cody Ford, OT Oklahoma
The Vikings severely underperformed expectations last year, and exposed something that I as a Redskins fan saw first hand many times: Kirk Cousins does not like pressure. After cutting starter Mike Remmers, there is a wide open spot at RT calling Ford's name. To draft any other position would be irresponsible.
Tennessee Titans: Jefferey Simmons, DT Missisippi State
The Titans could take the first WR off the board here, but GM Jon Robinson comes from the Patriot mold of taking top-talent at a discount. Simmons would be a top-5 pick if it wasn't for an ACL tear in February and an assault charge back in 2016. He will be able to come in and play sometime in November and make an immediate impact next to DT Jurrell Casey and eventually replace him if the team chooses not to re-sign him. 2nd year HC Mike Vrabel lead a scrappy squad that won a lot of close games despite a void of talent and injuries, and could use a few blue-chip defenders to set the team over threshold into a contender.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Byron Murphy, CB Washington
This one is obvious. The Steelers desperately need a CB, and with other needs (wr, lb) being addressable in later rounds, they will pick the quick CB with great instincts and ball skills. Their primarily zone defense will mask his deep-speed deficiency better than other schemes will.
Seattle Seahawks: C, Garrett Bradbury
Every year I think the Seahawks are going to take an O-lineman to protect Russel Wilson and every year they prove me wrong. If I'm Russ I would actually refuse to re-sign until GM Jon Schneider promises me he will stop taking D-lineman and ignoring an obvious need for protection up front. Wilson has had amazing luck avoiding injuries in his career with great scrambling and improvising ability, but don't take that for granted. Bradbury is strong, technicallt sound, and can play any of the three interior line spots.
Baltimore Ravens: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Clemson
After watching the majority of their front 7 leave in free agency without doing anything to address it, the Ravens will take a productive player with a relentless motor who fits their team perfect. Lamar Jackson needs WR's, but in a class where nobody really separates themselves from the pack (despite twitter blowing up over shirtless pictures) a pass-catcher can be had for good value in rounds 2 and 3. Ferrell was once viewed as a potential top pick and ends his fall here.
Houston Texans: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
This is a pretty popular spot for Dillard but I can't imagine the Texans deviating from taking a pass-protecting left tackle here. He has great bend in his knees and can mirror opponents with nimble feet, a gifted athlete for his frame. Could use more power in the run game but that's what NFL strength and conditioning programs are for.
Oakland Raiders: D.K. Metcalf, WR Ole Miss
Al Davis is excited somewhere in hell and the Raiders land a big speedy wide-out to compliment FA splash signing Antonio Brown. Using the pick acquired in the Amari Cooper trade, the Raiders take the top WR off the board and give QB Derek Carr no excuses in a year that could likely be his last in the silver and black.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jonathan Abram, S Missisippi State
A Malcom Jenkins - Jonathan Abram tandem in the back of the field will look a lot better than the practice squad level players the Eagles had playing defensive back last year. Standout rookie Avonte Maddox can switch to corner and play opposite Ronald Darby, and the Eagles defense should look more like it did in 2017 than in 2018.
Indianapolis Colts: Montez Sweat, EDGE Missippi State
After a heart-condition saw projected 1st round pick Maurice Hurst slide to the 5th round last year, Montez Sweat could expect to see a similar fall. However, his talent is too immense at too important of a position to fall all the way to the 5th. The Colts signed FA Justin Houston to rush the passer off the edge, and can bring in Sweat's game breaking speed and bend to play opposite and take Matt Eberflus's defense over the top in 2019.
Oakland Raiders: Deandre Baker, CB Georgia
Aside from Gareon Conley, the Raiders CB depth chart is barren from obvious starters. Baker played tough his last year in Athens, allowing only 10 first downs and 0 touchdowns all year. A battle-tested starter coming out of SEC, look for Baker to start right away for a Raiders team that will look very different in 2019.
Los Angeles Chargers: Dexter Lawrence, DT Clemson
The Chargers defense looked like a top unit at times last year, particularly the pass rush, and has the potential to be elite with an additional DT in the middle to keep blockers off of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Dexter Lawrence is a mountain of a man who should have gone higher, but in a stacked DT class and a failed drug test that kept him out of the college football championship, the Chargers get a steal on the defensive side of the ball 2 years in a row.
Kansas City Chiefs: Chauncey Gardner Johnson, S Florida
The Chiefs already had a thin depth chart at defensive back. After cutting Eric Berry and trading Eric Murray, the Chiefs need to address a glaring need that could keep them from winning games in 2019. Teams will likely be throwing a lot on the Chiefs to keep up with Pat Mahomes anyways, so why not add a tone-setter who can stretch the field and make big hits on receivers over the middle.
Green Bay Packers: Mack Wilson, LB Alabama
A recent report from Bleacher Report's Tyler Dunne describes the massive falling out between former HC Mike McCarthy and QB Aaron Rodgers. Lost in the facts was that for McCarthy's entire tenure the defense played "Soft", admitted by former players. The Packers could add a pass catcher or an O-lineman to help Rodgers out, but to help him the most would be to give him a defense that can win games. Wilson is a raw, athletic prospect coached by Nick Saban who can give the Packers a defensive leader to hold everyone accountable
Los Angeles Rams: Jerry Tillery, DT Notre Dame
After (probably) letting Ndomakong Suh walk in FA, there is an opening next to Aaron Donald that could be manned by incumbent Michael Brockers, but I expect them to take advantage of the depth in this draft and get a long framed interior pass rusher to wreck havock on all of the single-teams he will undoubtedly face playing next to Aaron Donald.
New England Patriots: Will Grier, QB West Virginia
NFL teams are apparently way higher on QB Grier than media is aware of. Whether the Pats stand pat and take him as an heir apparent to the GOAT, or they trade the pick, if he is still on the board at 32 a team will trade into the 1st round to take him. (Not to mansplain to anyone who already knows, but 1st round picks have a 5th year option on their rookie contract that makes this an attractive spot to trade in and grab a QB)