Early 2019 NFL Mock Draft

Although the NFL and College Football season isn’t over, there is a lot we’ve learned about these teams. There has been a team in the NFL that has clinched a spot into the playoffs nor has a team been eliminated from contention. There are, though, teams that are likely to clinch soon as well as teams that will be eliminated soon. Week 12 of the NFL comes Thanksgiving and a further evaluation of all teams. There are ten teams in the league that has shown severe weaknesses on their teams. These teams have already evaluated the best players of the College Football nation to see how they fit their needs on the team. Although this is an early 2019 NFL Mock Draft, this is an evaluation and sneak peek into life in the NFL offseason.

Top Ten of the 2019 NFL Mock Draft

1. San Francisco 49ers (2-8) – CB Greedy Williams (LSU)

The addition of cornerback Richard Sherman has been good for the 49ers but it’s also highlighted some big red flags. San Francisco’s defense ranks 15^th in passing defense (242 passing yards allowed per game) but they’ve also allowed 24 passing touchdowns and only accounted for 2 interceptions (second lowest in the league). Sherman needs more help and consistency on the opposite side of the defense. It is surprising to not have defensive end Nick Bosa from Ohio State not in the top overall selection. The 49ers have three former first rounders at defensive line but none in the secondary.

2. Oakland Raiders (2-8) – DE Nick Bosa (Ohio State)

The absence of pass rusher Khalil Mack is highly noticeable this season so far. Regardless of who was right or wrong on Mack, the Raiders have the worst pass rush in the league. They have only accounted for 9 sacks (lowest in the league) and only one was from a defensive end. Adding the best pass rusher in the draft will help the defense and create more aggressiveness in the pass rush.

3. Arizona Cardinals (2-8) – OT Jonah Williams (Alabama)

Despite having a healthy running back David Johnson and a potential franchise quarterback in Josh Rosen, their offense is still inconsistent. They are last in the league in total yards per game (240.8). The Cardinals need more efficient blocking in the run game and in the passing game. Although Ed Oliver is available, Arizona is fourth in the league in sacks accounted for with 33 total sacks. Williams is the most complete offensive lineman in this NFL Draft.

4. New York Jets (3-7) – DT Ed Oliver (Houston)

So far this season, the Jets have accounted for 22 sacks and 32 tackles for loss. Most of those are coming from the linebackers or secondary blitzes. The Jets need a playmaker on the defensive line along with defensive end Leonard Williams. Ed Oliver is the most dominant defensive line in this draft in terms of stopping the run and getting to the quarterback.

5. New York Giants (3-7) – QB Justin Hebert (Oregon)

Last year, the Giants made the right decision to draft running back Saquon Barkley over a new quarterback. This season, much of the blame continues to be on Eli Manning despite the offensive line allowing the most sacks in the league (36). The Giants are 15^th in passing offense (258) with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. contributing. The Giants have already released some of their inconsistent O-Line but they are determined that Eli’s time has come to a close.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7) – WR N’Keal Harry (Arizona State)

This season has been a disastrous collapse so far for the Jacksonville Jaguars. There are many areas where the blame could be brought upon. So many chances have been given to QB Blake Bortles, but he continues to be underwhelming. The Jaguars are 16^th in passing yards per game (245) and 26^th in completion percentage (61.8%). The loss of Allen Robinson after 2016 and Marquise Lee and Allen Hurns after 2017 has been hard for Jacksonville to deal with.

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-7) – QB Will Grier (West Virginia)

The passing game is a huge part of the offensive philosophy for Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are first in the league in passing yards per game (361) but they have the lowest rating in the top-11 (92.2). They also have accounted for 23 interceptions (tied for most in the league) and they can’t decide who is the quarterback. Jameis Winston is too inconsistent and turns the ball over too much and Ryan Fitzpatrick is showing age. A new franchise quarterback is the answer to this tired Buccaneers team and fans.

8. Buffalo Bills (3-7) – OT Greg Little (Ole Miss)

The Buffalo Bills haven’t been the same after trading OT Cordy Glenn to the Cincinnati Bengals for a first round pick. Despite getting a star defensive player and a franchise quarterback in the first round this past draft, the Bills didn’t address their O-Line concerns. The Bills are tied for third in the league in most sacks allowed this season (34). They are also 31^st in total yards accounted for (268.8). The Bills need an efficient pass protector to keep quarterback Josh Allen from getting injured again.

9. Cleveland Browns (3-6-1) – DT Quinnen Williams (Alabama)

This is the first time in a while that the Cleveland Browns are trending upward. This needs more explosive and dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball. Adding a dominant defensive lineman like Quinnen Williams (15 tackles for loss and 6 sacks so far this season) will make the defense much more difficult to face. Williams can play across the defensive line and could become the face of the defense, outside of defensive end Myles Garrett.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (4-6) – OT Trey Adams (Washington)

The NFC East has been tough on all the teams in the division including the defending Super Bowl champs. Last season, the lack of solid protection was the reason that QB Carson Wentz tore his ACL. Last season was also the season that OT Jason Peters tore his ACL and MCL, he will be 38 in January. The Eagles have allowed the 10^th most sacks allowed this season with 31 sacks. A younger, efficient offensive tackle will need to be brought in to protect the Eagles franchise quarterback and bring them to their winning ways.

Picks 11-32 in the 2019 NFL Mock Draft

11. Detroit Lions (4-6) – S Deionte Thompson (Alabama)
12. Atlanta Falcons (4-6) – DE/OLB Josh Allen (Kentucky)
13. Denver Broncos (4-6) – WR A.J. Brown (Ole Miss)
14. Green Bay Packers (4-5-1) – DT/DE Rashan Gary (Michigan)
15. Indianapolis Colts (5-5) – CB De’Andre Baker (Georgia)
16. Oakland Raiders (5-5) via Dallas – S Jaquan Johnson (Miami)
17. Miami Dolphins (5-5) – DT/DE Jeffery Simmons (Mississippi State)
18. Tennessee Titans (5-5) – DE Clelin Ferrell (Clemson)
19. Seattle Seahawks (5-5) – CB Julian Love (Notre Dame)
20. Cincinnati Bengals (5-5) – LB Devin White (LSU)
21. Baltimore Ravens (5-5) – DE Brian Burks (Florida State)
22. Minnesota Vikings (5-4-1) – ILB Te’Von Coney (Notre Dame)
23. Carolina Panthers (6-4) – OT Dalton Risner (Kansas State)
24. Washington Redskins (6-4) – WR Anthony Johnson (Buffalo)
25. Oakland Raiders (5-5) via Chicago – TE Noah Fant (Iowa)
26. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) – DT/DE Raekwon Davis (Alabama)
27. Houston Texans (7-3)  – OT David Edwards (Wisconsin)
28. New England Patriots (7-3) – S Taylor Rapp (Washington)
29. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-2-1) – LB T.J. Edwards (Wisconsin)
30. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2) – CB Bryon Murphy (Washington)
31. Green Bay Packers (4-5-1) via New Orleans – RB Damien Harris (Alabama)
32. Los Angeles Rams (10-1) – DT Dexter Lawrence (Clemson)

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