2019 NFL Mock Draft (Brandon)

1. ARI: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma

Josh Rosen struggled immensely in 2018 and while he didn’t have much talent around him, including an offensive line that struggled immensely, it’s hard to imagine new head coach Kliff Kingsbury passing on the uber-talented Kyler Murray out of Oklahoma. It’s no secret that the Cardinals’ front office is in love with the dynamic, playmaking quarterback and Rosen will likely be used as a trade chip. After measuring 5-foot-10 at the Combine, the Cardinals will get the franchise quarterback they have been searching for since Carson Palmer.

2. SF: EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State

Bosa is arguably the most athletic defensive player in this year’s draft class and will provide an immediate presence from the outside of Kyle Shanahan’s defense in San Francisco. Opposing offenses will have to game plan for Bosa, opening up holes for Solomon Thomas and DeForest Buckner.

3. NYJ: EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky

Outside of Bosa, Allen is arguably the second-best pass rusher of this year’s prospects. After the Jets addressed the offensive side of the ball by adding RB Le’Veon Bell and WR Jamison Crowder, it makes a lot of sense for them to grab the Combine standout from Kentucky. While he may be a bit undersized to play defensive end, he will dominate as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.

4. OAK: DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama

While the Raiders may be tempted to take Dwayne Haskins, Jon Gruden has always preferred veteran quarterbacks and will ultimately give Derek Carr a shot to work with Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams. After losing Khalil Mack last year to the Bears, Gruden will take the most talented player on the board in Crimson Tide defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. This kid will be an immediate playmaker due to the combination of his size and strength. Williams was dominant last season and beat double-teams as both a run stuffer and a pass rusher. This would be a huge upgrade for Oakland’s defense and quite frankly, a steal with the fourth pick of the draft.

5. TB: LB Devin White, LSU

White has pushed up the draft board after an absolutely outstanding performance at the NFL Combine. The linebacker-needy Buccaneers seem to love his talent and will select him with the fifth pick of the draft. White will provide immediate play-making ability for a defense that struggled in 2018.

6. NYG: QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State

It’s no secret that the New York Giants need a replacement for Eli Manning, who is likely entering his final year as an NFL quarterback. Although Manning’s talent has fell off pretty drastically, there aren’t many quarterbacks a rookie would rather learn from during his rookie season. While many scouts believe that the G-Men should wait until their seventeenth pick to snag a quarterback (potentially Daniel Jones out of Duke), there are simply too many teams with dire needs at quarterback for the Giants to risk losing out on a potential franchise signal caller. Dave Gettlemen finally makes his first good move in the offseason by drafting this incredible pocket passer.

7. JAX: EDGE Rashan Gary, Michigan

Gary may not be in the same tier as Bosa and Allen but his upside is just as great. After Jacksonville failed to live up to “Sacksonville” expectations in 2018 after having the best defense in 2017, the Jags will grab the next best defensive player on the board. It will be a tough decision between Gary and Montez Sweat, but ultimately, Tom Coughlin decides to take the product out of Michigan.

8. DET: CB Byron Murphy, Washington

Matt Patricia could decide to go with a pass rusher to address the Lions’ defenensive woes last season, however, in an AFC North with quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Mitch Trubisky, and Kirk Cousins, Detroit needs to beef up the secondary. There is no better way to do that than by adding Murphy, the most NFL-ready cornerback in the year’s draft class.

9. BUF: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida

If Taylor falls this far, the Bills will pounce on him without hesitation. While there is a chance that the G-Men take Taylor, I expect him to be available when Buffalo is on the clock. The former Florida Gator has the versatility to play the blindside or right tackle for an offensive line that needs to do a much better job at protecting QB Josh Allen. Considering his six-foot-five, 340-pound frame, Taylor has incredible quickness and will be the first offensive lineman off the board.

10. DEN: OT Jonah Williams, Alabama

John Elway could decide to take a shot on QB Drew Lock but I sense that the Broncos would like to improve their offensive line in order to create more holes for Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman. The Broncos will attempt to be a ground-and-pound offense in 2019 but they also need a big body to protect new acquisition QB Joe Flacco. Coming out of Nick Saban’s Alabama program, Williams should step into a starting role immediately.

11. CIN: TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa

The Cincinnati Bengals could go a lot of different ways with this pick. They have plenty of holes on both sides of the ball. That being said, Andy Dalton has always been his best when he has an elite tight end at his disposal. Despite the fact that Cincinnati re-signed Tyler Eifert to a one-year deal, Eifert is incredibly injury prone and well past his prime. Hockenson is one of the best tight ends to come out of the draft in recent memory due to his ability to block and catch contested passes all over the field.

12. GB: EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State

Montez Sweat is a physical freak and an absolute steal at the No. 12 pick. The Packers have had a horrendous defense for several years now, but after acquiring Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, this pass rush could be nasty in 2019 with Sweat coming from the outside. Although he has a slight heart condition, Sweat’s physical prowess is too good to pass on as the Packers look to build another championship team around Aaron Rodgers.