Fansided
Fansided

2019 NFL mock draft: Battle for the top prospects

By Brooks Austin

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Missouri Tigers passes against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO – SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Drew Lock #3 of the Missouri Tigers passes against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

9. Buffalo Bills

Brooks’ Pick: Jonah Williams, OT, Alaama

Jonah Williams has spent the bulk of this draft process attempting to answer questions about whether or not he will be able to stay at tackle at the NFL level. Well, want to know what’s great about being drafted by Buffalo?

They could use offensive line help any and everywhere. So, if he can’t survive at tackle, it’s not like they have large sums of money invested in an interior offensive lineman.

So all in all, Jonah Williams makes the most sense for the Bills in this mock draft situation despite all of the tight ends and wide receivers still being available.

10. Denver Broncos

Brooks’ Pick: Drew Lock, QB, Mizzou

Is Drew Lock an inch or two short of fitting John Elway’s franken-quarterback mold? Yes.

Did John Elway go out and trade for Joe Flacco, the ultimate franken-quarterback? Yes.

But does that mean John Elway will be able to contain himself with Drew Lock still on the board at #10? I say no because that right arm of Drew Lock’s is just far too strong for Elway to pass up, and Joe Flacco of all people ain’t keeping a GM from drafting over him.

11. Cincinnati Bengals

Mello’s Pick: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

Is Devin Bush the 11th best player in this year’s draft? Probably not, but is he far and away the second best linebacker available? Absolutely, and Mack Wilson from Alabama might be a good pro, but after that it’s a ghost town.

So for that reason, the Bengals should just cut their losses and take the only 1st round caliber linebacker left available.

We all know what kind of player they lost in Vontaze Burfict this offseason, but Devin Bush is by no means a softer option at that position.

12. Green Bay Packers

Mello’s Pick: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

If you were to create the perfect tight end to pair with the grossly overpaid Jimmy Graham, it would be T.J. Hockenson. He is everything Jimmy Graham is not.

Hockenson is the best combination of playmaking ability and end-of-line blocking ability the draft has seen since Rob Gronkowski back in 2010. The only difference is, Hockenson isn’t coming off major back surgery following his junior season.

If he going to be Gronk? The odds say no. But nonetheless, he pairs perfectly with Jimmy Graham.

13. Miami Dolphins

Brooks’ Pick: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington St.

With the Dolphins sitting all the way down here at pick #13, it’s reasonable to think the top-3 QBs available will be off the board, as they are in this mock draft.

For that reason, one could assume they need to protect their future quarterback, whoever that may be.

Andre Dillard is the best pass blocking tackle available in this draft and the Dolphins are going to be playing from behind in a lot of games in the near future.

So, take the best tackle available and hope to protect whatever quarterback you draft next season.

14. Atlanta Falcons

Brooks’ Pick: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

If you would have told any draft expert last April that Ed Oliver would last all the way to pick #14 in this draft they would have just assumed he tore his knee up or something. Well here we are, just a few weeks away from the draft and it seems Ed Oliver to the Falcons is very possible.

So, what happened? Did he tear up his knee? No. Hell, did he get in trouble with the law? No. Then he must have tested poorly? No.

Needless to say, the Falcons may scoop up a top-5 talent all because he’s a biscuit short of 290 pounds and he yelled at his clown of a college coach.

15. Washington Redskins

Mello’s Pick: Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan

Every year in the draft there are players like Rashan Gary. Guys who, when you look simply at their body type, strength and speed, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be the best prospect available.

Well, in high school Rashan Gary was the best prospect available and he went to Michigan. There, in 24 career games he managed to rack up just 9.5 sacks. So, the enigma that is Rashan Gary will get drafted high.

Though how high will depend on which coach feels that they can finally unleash the beast.

As for the Redskins, they have needs everywhere especially the QB position, but they aren’t solving that all the way down here at pick #15. (cough cough Josh Rosen cough cough)

16. Carolina Panthers

Mello’s Pick: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson

Mello keeps the Clemson kid in the Carolinas with this pick. Fascinated by the first step and get off from Ferrell, Mello believes the Panthers solidify a pass rushing position that has been lacking since the departure of the original Julius Peppers, not the 39-year old veteran.

Want a day-one professional on your roster that you know will give tremendous work ethic and energy? Well, look no further than the 2018 ACC Defensive Player of the year.

Oh, and ask Jonah Williams about him. I’m sure he has nice things to say.

Home/Mock Drafts