2019 NFL Mock Draft: Defensive trenches dominate first round
21. Minnesota Vikings: Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan
The Vikings usually find pretty great value in the NFL Draft and getting Rashan Gary here in the back end of the first round would be just that. Gary has proven himself to be a disruptive interior force capable of moving around the formation and the Vikings certainly value players on the defensive front. They’ve been a little thin at tackle this year so Gary would be a nice upgrade for them.
22. Washington Redskins: Lavert Hill, CB, Michigan
Just 20 years old, Lavert Hill is quickly proving himself to be one of the best shutdown cornerbacks in the Big Ten. He has battled some injuries but knows what to do when the ball is in the air and as proven by his two pick sixes since 2017, he knows what to do with the ball in his hands as well. The Redskins have a blossoming defense and adding a secondary piece like this could take them to the next level.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State
The former Michigan State transfer has been wildly productive off the edge since coming to Mississippi State, racking up almost 30 tackles for loss and 21.5 sacks in just two seasons. His length and size off the edge will be enticing for the Bengals, who love players with his body type and athletic makeup.
24. Houston Texans: David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin
The Texans’ main priority going forward has to be protecting DeShaun Watson. As long as Watson is taking hits, the Texans should be concerned about their ability to compete because when he’s not healthy, they are not going to be winning games. David Edwards has developed at the O-line factory that is Wisconsin into a fine tackle prospect and would be a great addition to Houston’s line.
25. Oakland Raiders (from Bears): J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
The Raiders traded a Amari Cooper for a first-round pick and while they are under no pressure to go after one to replace him in round one, the local product Arcega-Whiteside could be an interesting pickup. He’s a big play threat with 25 touchdown catches over the past three seasons.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
Byron Murphy is shooting up draft boards right now, and the Steelers might go against their typical order of operations which says to take the more experienced player over the risky upside pick. Murphy has just two seasons under his belt of college football but he’s proving to be a physical, pesky presence at cornerback for the Huskies.
27. Los Angeles Chargers: Yodney Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
The only part of the Chargers’ loaded roster that isn’t ‘elite’ is probably their tackle position. Yodney Cajuste has proven himself a very capable protector of Will Grier at West Virginia and looks poised to do very well at the next level handling pass rushers of all kinds in the pass-heavy league that is the NFL.
28. Carolina Panthers: Tyler Biadasz, OL, Wisconsin
The Panthers have developed a very physical identity offensively and adding a Wisconsin interior offensive lineman would not be the sexiest first-round pick, but it could very well help make everyone else in that offense better, including their star backfield of Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey.
29. New England Patriots: Dre’Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State
The Patriots take a shot at improving their defensive line here in the first-round of this mock draft with a very good pass rusher out of Ohio State who is scheme versatile. Jones would be a great chess piece for Bill Belichick’s defense.
30. Green Bay Packers (from Saints): David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State
The Packers have no clear solution at running back for the foreseeable future, and for David Montgomery to be sitting here late in the first round is a gift from the football gods. Montgomery breaks tackles at an incredibly high rate and can do everything well offensively. He would be Aaron Rodgers’ best friend.
31. Los Angeles Rams: Gerald Willis III, DL, Miami (FL)
With 45 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and three sacks in nine games for the Hurricanes, Willis has put himself on the map as a potential first-round selection. The Rams may not be able to afford Ndamukong Suh beyond this season, and even if they’re able to, they could get a stellar rotation going by bringing Willis in.
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32. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaquan Johnson, S, Miami (FL)
Pick a defender, any defender for the Chiefs. Jaquan Johnson is a four-year player from Miami who simply makes plays all over the field. If Eric Berry’s career is in any way in jeopardy, the Chiefs need to look at upgrading this position with a high draft choice Johnson has been part of Miami’s stellar defense and had a whale of a 2017 season when he forced three fumbles and picked off four passes.