NFL: Mock Draft 1.0
1. Arizona Cardinals (3-13): Nick Bosa (Ohio State, DE): Nick Bosa only played in three games during his junior season with Ohio State after going down with an injury against TCU, but he made his mark with the Buckeyes in just a few years. After coming onto campus as a five-star recruit, Bosa compiled 29 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and five sacks during his freshman campaign, in which Ohio State went 11-2 and reached the College Football Playoff. The next year? He was even better. Bosa was arguably the best player in the country during his sophomore season, totaling 34 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. Arizona needs a lot of defensive help and Bosa is a good start. His name will be called no later than the 3rd pick, but he's certainly the favorite for the top spot right now.
2. San Francisco 49ers (4-12): Quinnen Williams (Alabama, DT): Quinnen Williams only started one year at Alabama, but he really made a name for himself. Williams redshirted his freshman year, and then played in just nine games during his first year on the field. He was good, but 2nd overall pick? No. In 2017, he finished with 20 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. And then 2018 hit. Williams was a monster for the Crimson Tide and for a stretch, his name was in the Heisman Trophy conversation which is more than rare for a defensive player. He played in all 15 games, helping Alabama go 14-1 and finish as the national runner-up, totaling 71 (!) tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. The 49ers have their franchise QB so they're looking at a defender. It'll be Bosa, Williams, or Ed Oliver.
3. New York Jets (4-12): Ed Oliver (Houston, DT): Ed Oliver was widely regarded as one of the top recruits during the 2016 class, and he chose Houston. We all knew he'd be there for just three years and then would be off to the NFL. And that's exactly what happened. Oliver was really good in his freshman season, compiling 65 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks. He also proved just how versatile he was with two forced fumbles and six pass deflections. He's just an athlete. The next season, Oliver was even more dominant, finishing with 73 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, as well as two more forced fumbles. If he was eligible to come out after his freshman season, he would have been in discussion for the top pick. A couple of years later and he's locked in for a top-10 pick. We'll say the Jets get him.
4. Oakland Raiders (4-12): Josh Allen (Kentucky, LB): Josh Allen, the linebacker out of Kentucky, was definitely one of the best players in school history, and along with Benny Snell, helped turn the Wildcats program into a winner. He only played three games during his freshman year, but then played all 13 games in the next three years. In those 39 outings, he averaged 5.5 tackles and 1.0 tackles for loss per game. Compare those numbers to Quinnen Williams' 2018 campaign, he averaged 4.7 tackles and 1.3 tackles for loss. Allen is one of those linebackers that can read the play before it happens and get sideline to sideline in a flash. He will be the first LB taken in the draft, and deservedly so. The Raiders need a defensive player to fill Khalil Mack's absence and Allen will try to grow into that.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11): Rashan Gary (Michigan, DL): The Buccaneers could be looking at drafting a QB, but that all depends on what they decide to do with 2015 No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston. He hasn't been very good the last few years after having a promising beginning to his career, but we don't think the Bucs are ready to get rid of him jet yet. So we'll say they take former five-star recruit Rashan Gary out of Michigan. The Wolverines' former defensive lineman burst onto the scene in 2016, but his freshman year wasn't that impressive. His sophomore season was by far his best, finishing with 58 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. He also added a forced fumble. Tampa Bay could reach for Dwayne Haskins or Kyler Murray here, but we say they talk themselves out of it and grab Gary.
6. New York Giants (5-11): Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State, QB): Dwayne Haskins, speaking of the top quarterback in the draft, is almost guaranteed to go no later than the 7th spot. The Giants and Jaguars need to move on from their current QBs of Eli Manning and Blake Bortles, respectively, and they're likely to do so after both missing the playoffs this season and combining for a 10-22 record. The first of the two with a selection is the Giants and we think they'll make Haskins the first quarterback taken off the board. Haskins only played two years at Ohio State, but he was incredible in his only year as the starter. Haskins finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, totaling 4,831 yards, 50 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. New York should definitely pair Haskins with Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11): Kyler Murray (Oklahoma, QB): The Jaguars need a quarterback too. We think they're going to take one here no matter what. If it's Haskins, he'll certainly be snatched up. But if he's already taken, then it becomes a wide open spot. The next best quarterbacks are Drew Lock (Missouri), Daniel Jones (Duke), and Will Grier (West Virginia). Oh, and Heisman winner Kyler Murray from Oklahoma. According to ESPN, Murray has announced his intent to enter the NFL Draft, despite being the 9th overall pick in the MLB Draft to the Oakland Athletics last year. It's up in the air whether or not he's going to play baseball or football, but there's going to be suitors in both leagues. The Jags should think about picking him up after he went for 4,361 yards and 54 total touchdowns with the Sooners.
8. Detroit Lions (6-10): Devin Bush (Michigan, LB): Devin Bush quickly rose up the draft boards over the last two years after an underwhelming freshman year in which he didn't see much on-field action. But then in his sophomore year, he exploded. In 13 games, Bush totaled a remarkable 95 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, as well as seven pass deflections and one interception. He sat out the Peach Bowl following his junior year with the Wolverines to protect his draft stock and he looks headed for a top-10 selection. The Lions need help all over the field, on offense and defense, except the quarterback and running back positions. So that leaves a lot of spots to fill. They are probably going to draft a defensive player, but it could be on all three levels. It's likely down to Bush, Greedy Williams, or Clelin Ferrell.
9. Buffalo Bills (6-10): Greedy Williams (LSU, CB): The Bills took QB Josh Allen in the first round last year and after an average rookie campaign, it seems like they believe he's their franchise going forward. So where does that leave the organization heading into the 2019 NFL Draft? Still with a ton of holes. The offense isn't good by any means, but they don't seem interested in drafting a skill position player. They could go with an offensive lineman, but it's more realistic they decided to sure up the back end of the defense. The top cornerback prospect is LSU's Andraez "Greedy" Williams, who was top notch in his two years as a starter with the Tigers. In 24 games, Williams totaled 71 tackles, 19 pass break ups, and eight interceptions, including six in his freshman year. Expect Greedy to go early in the first round.
10. Denver Broncos (6-10): Clelin Ferrell (Clemson, DE): Clelin Ferrell, who won two national titles in four years with the Clemson Tigers, is likely going to be the first Clemson player taken in the 2019 NFL Draft. Although, Christian Wilkins, his teammate on the defensive line, could be in line for this spot too. Ferrell was a menace for opponents and he will have an opportunity to do the same in the league. He stands at 6'5" and 260 pounds, and if the Broncos decide to take a chance on him, they'd automatically have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. They already have a pair of studs: Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, and adding Ferrell to the mix would make them even more dominant. Although, it's quite possible that they pick up a QB (Drew Lock or Daniel Jones) or RB (Bryce Love or Josh Jacobs) here.
Photo Credit: Fox Sports.
