Sadly, the NFL season is over with the New England Patriots beating the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl on Sunday. But this just means that it is officially Draft season! Below is an updated first round Mock Draft with all 32 picks set in stone. The selections are based off what I would do, not what I believe the team will do. I also do not include trades, as I cannot truly predict any.
1) Arizona Cardinals
Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State
The Cardinals have a ton of needs, and while EDGE isn’t at the top of their list, Nick Bosa is too good to pass up. Bosa is the clear top prospect in this class. I would argue he’s better than his older brother, Joey Bosa of the Chargers. Bosa will immediately improve this defense. Having Bosa and Chandler Jones on each end is a scary sight for opposing quarterbacks. Make this happen, Cards.
2) San Francisco 49ers
Quinnen Williams, DL, Alabama
Williams is the second-best player in this class. With Bosa off the board, the 49ers won’t find a better selection at #2. The 49ers have spent a lot of first round picks on the defensive line since 2015, but Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead haven’t lived up to the hype. Pairing up Williams and Deforest Buckner will create a formidable force up front for this defense. Interior pressure proves to be just as important as EDGE rushers with the rise of players like Aaron Donald and Fletcher Cox.
3) New York Jets
Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
The Jets have a huge need at EDGE and Josh Allen happens to be my number 3 player. Allen made big improvements throughout this past season and saw his draft stock rise exponentially. Allen is still relatively raw and he has a ton of potential. A high floor and high ceiling guy is terrific value at the number 3 spot. The Jets have great building blocks from the last two drafts in Jamal Adams and Sam Darnold and they get another one here.
4) Oakland Raiders
Greedy Williams, CB, LSU
The Raiders have three picks in the first round and need to make sure they stockpile as much talent as possible. Williams was a lock-down corner in college and could be the same in the NFL. Williams has great instincts and athleticism and could provide the type of coverage the Raiders haven’t had in a long time. Going up against Patrick Mahomes twice a year for the next 15 plus years means you need a top secondary. This is the Raiders’ first step in that.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ed Oliver, DL, Houston
The Bucs need defensive players on any level and Oliver is the best defensive player left on the board. If I were the Bucs, I would sit with Jameis Winston for one more year and wait for the promising 2020 QB class. They took Vita Vea last year in the first round, and the secondary is probably more of a need right now, but the Bucs need to go BPA here.
6) New York Giants
Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
The Giants didn’t take a quarterback last year and they are rumors they’re waiting for next year’s class instead of grabbing one this year. They got the Offensive Rookie of the Year in Saquon Barkley, but this team needs a better quarterback to win games. Haskins came on strong this season and launched himself into the clear number one QB spot. Haskins and Saquon in the backfield together? That’s a recipe for success.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars
Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
The Jaguars feel like they are a quarterback away from a Super Bowl run. They have an excellent defense and enough weapons on offense if they can get a quarterback to glue everything together. Jones could turn out to be the best quarterback from this class. Plus VP Tom Coughlin has to like the similarities between Jones and Eli Manning.
8) Detroit Lions
Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson
Matt Patricia’s defense didn’t exactly live up to they hype last year as many assumed when the former long-time Patriots DC took over as head coach for the Lions. This team needs more talent on their defense and Ferrell is a great fit for them. He comes into the league ready to go and will be an immediate boost to any team as well as a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Getting after the quarterback in the NFC North is key, and the Lions will be happy to get Ferrell here.
9) Buffalo Bills
Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Josh Allen was a bit of a surprise at quarterback for the Bills as a rookie last year. Now, they need to get him some help. Their offensive line is a glaring need and Williams can be an instant starter at left tackle next season. While they also need a wide receiver, the receiver class is much better and deeper than the offensive line class after the first round.
10) Denver Broncos
Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
No, I would not take a quarterback if I’m the Broncos drafting at 10 with Haskins and Jones off the board. I don’t value any other quarterback in this class this high. I also don’t believe in reaching for a quarterback unless you are completely sold on them being the future of your franchise. The Broncos still need a quarterback, but they also just hired Vic Fangio as their new head coach, and they have a very weak secondary. This defense will already be improved with Fangio at the helm. Adding a great cornerback on the back end while unleashing Von Miller like Fangio did with Khalil Mack this year, is a pretty good recipe for success.
11) Cincinnati Bengals
Devin White, LB, LSU
The Bengals need help in the middle of their defense and Devin White is the perfect fit. White is the best linebacker in this class. He’s fast, athletic and rangy; reminiscent of Roquan Smith last year. White led a phenomenal defense at LSU and can do the same for a Bengals team searching for an identity under new Head Coach Zac Taylor.
12) Green Bay Packers
Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan
Before the season began, I had Gary as my third overall ranked player. Gary suffered an injury and missed some time, but that’s not why he’s slipped for me. Gary is a great player, but doesn’t have as high a ceiling as other players in this class. Still, a dominant edge rusher that can get to the quarterback, or an interior rusher that can be just as disruptive, Gary will be a key piece to restoring this defense.
13) Miami Dolphins
Montez Sweat, EDGE, Miss State
If you watched the Super Bowl (and I hope you did), you saw what the Patriots defense did to the electric Rams offense. Brian Flores was the leader of that defense and he is now the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Giving him a great edge rusher in Sweat will help him get this defense off to a fast start. Sweat in the face of quarterbacks and last year’s first-round pick Minkah Fitzpatrick on the back end intercepting those errant throws sounds like a pretty good game plan.
14) Atlanta Falcons
Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama
The Falcons had a surprising down year but they also suffered a lot of injuries on their defense. With a great secondary, the Falcons need to get better in their front seven. Mack Wilson can be the guy to turn this defense from good to great. Wilson is athletic enough to get sideline-to-sideline while being strong enough to fill inside gaps and stop the interior runs. Wilson is not that far behind Devin White in this LB class, and the Falcons should jump on Wilson here.
15) Washington
Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
I really like this fit. Pairing Murray with Jay Gruden sounds like a fun fit that can light up the scoreboard. This is the earliest I would feel comfortable taking Murray, but this is one of those fits I’d be comfortable trading up to get. Alex Smith is out for the 2019 season after that gruesome injury and he’s already 34 years old. Murray isn’t a sure thing, but scouts talk about him in an unprecedented manner. Someone will take Murray in the first round, and Washington is a great fit.
16) Carolina Panthers
N’Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
Cam Newton may miss a lot of the 2019 season due to injury, but the Panthers offense needs to surround the quarterback with talent. The offensive line and receiving core both need help, but there is more value here at the receiver position than offensive tackle. Harry is a dominant possessive receiver who will attack the ball and help out the Panthers passing game on day one. The Panthers hit with DJ Moore last year, but pairing Moore with Harry is a young duo that will be successful for the next 10 years.
17) Cleveland Browns
Yodny Cajuste, OT, West Virginia
The retiring of Joe Thomas came at an unfortunate time right when the Browns came back to relevancy and made a run at the playoffs. Greg Robinson filled in well for Thomas, but the Browns need a long-term solution at left tackle. Cajuste is an athletic left tackle with great footwork and the power and speed to handle any type of pass rusher. Browns get another piece closer to the playoffs.
18) Minnesota Vikings
Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma
The Vikings had a sharp decline this past season after a deep run in the playoffs last year and upgrading the QB position with Kirk Cousins. The Vikings biggest need is offensive line and Ford is diverse enough to play both tackle and guard. The Vikings offense could never get things rolling and a big cause of that was Cousins not having the necessary protection in the pocket. Ford protected the Heisman winner this past year and Cousins will be excited to have him to help protect.
19) Tennessee Titans
Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
Brown is an explosive receiver who can take the top off any defense and that’s exactly what the Titans need. The Titans have struggled recently to find receivers who can be productive and Mariota is hurting because of it. This defense made strides to get better, and it’s time for the offense to catch up. Mariota can still be a good and young quarterback in this league, the Titans just need to put more talent around him. Brown is the perfect fit to start building this offense up.
20) Pittsburgh Steelers
Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson
The Steelers secondary is still weak after a couple of questionable first round selections over the past few years. Mullen has been dominant at Clemson though and can instantly improve this secondary. Artie Burns looks to be a bust and the rest of the Steelers cornerbacks aren’t of a very high caliber. Mullen is a ballhawk with long arms and high athleticism and can start for the Steelers right away.
21) Seattle Seahawks
Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama
Earl Thomas seems set to leave Seattle this offseason and that will subsequently end the Legion of Boom. Seattle needs to get better in the secondary and Thompson will bring that improvement. Thompson doesn’t excel at any one thing but does a lot of things really well. He has great range, athleticism and can come up and lay a hit on a ball carrier. Seattle starts building the L.O.B. again with Thompson.
22) Baltimore Ravens
Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
The Ravens need help at wide receiver which is one of the most obvious needs for any team in the league. The offense looks rejuvenated under Lamar Jackson, but he can’t do it on his own. Butler was one of my biggest risers this season and could immediately be the Ravens’ number one receiver in 2019.
23) Houston Texans
Dalton Risner, OL, Kansas State
The Texans have to get better on the offensive line and protect Deshaun Watson immediately. Risner was up and down during the season but had a great Senior Bowl and threw himself back on the map. Risner is a tough guy and can be put anywhere on the offensive line and instantly upgrade it. The Texans had the worst offensive line in the league this season and Watson was constantly pressured. Risner makes this offensive line competitive again.
24) Oakland Raiders (From Chicago)
Jachai Polite, EDGE, Florida
Polite falls towards the end of the first round in this draft simply because team needs pushed him here. After getting Greedy Williams with the fourth overall pick, the Raiders work towards replacing Khalil Mack with this pick. Polite had a great year at Florida this year but is still a raw player with a lot of potential. Polite has great arm length and is a quick and powerful pass rusher, which is exactly what the Raiders need.
25) Philadelphia Eagles
Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
The Eagles are another team with an obvious need. One of the biggest reasons the Eagles couldn’t repeat as Super Bowl Champs this year is because of their cornerbacks. Murphy will be a Day One starter in Philly if they take him and they will be instantly better. He is a little short, but Murphy is a fast and physical playmaker.
26) Indianapolis Colts
Raekwon Davis, DL, Alabama
The Colts are much improved from last year but can use a big man in the middle on defense. Davis is that guy as a powerful interior pass-rusher. Before the season, Davis was looked at as the top defensive lineman at Alabama and a potential top-15 pick. Quinnen Williams has overshadowed him this season, but Davis has also been overlooked. He is still the player this season that he was projected to be and he’ll be a great defensive centerpiece for the Colts for a long time.
27) Oakland Raiders (From Dallas)
Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Marshawn Lynch is a free agent this year and Jacobs is a huge upgrade over the aging Lynch. While they need a receiver, there isn’t one worth it here, but they can snag one in the second round at a better value. Jacobs falls to the end of the first round simply due to positional value, but the Raiders should grab him here. He will instantly improve this offense and take some of the weight off the passing game. Jacobs is a three-down back and does not have much wear and tear from an Alabama program that featured three running backs.
28) Los Angeles Chargers
Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
The Chargers are a few pieces away from a serious run at the Super Bowl. An athletic and rangy middle linebacker fills one of those pieces. The Chargers have a good defense led by Joey Bosa, Melvin Ingram and Derwin James, but Bush will complete a young building base. Bush is athletic and instinctive and can rush, cover and blitz.
29) Kansas City Chiefs
Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State
The Chiefs badly need a cornerback, but my next highest available cornerback shouldn’t come off the board for another 15 picks or so. Burns has a lean frame at 6’5” and 245 pounds, but he has elite speed and athleticism. The Chiefs need upgrades across their defense, and it isn’t a guarantee that Dee Ford will resign after a career season.
30) Green Bay Packers (From New Orleans)
Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
After getting Rashan Gary at number 12 overall, the Packers turn to address the secondary with this pick. The Packers still need upgrades on defense and Rapp will improve their secondary after they traded away HaHa Clinton-Dix last season. Rapp is a hard-hitting safety who loves to come downhill to make plays. He also has great feet and hips to be reliable in pass coverage against receivers or tight ends.
31) Los Angeles Rams
Oshane Ximines, EDGE, Old Dominion
The Rams will lose Dante Fowler Jr. and Ndamukong Suh this offseason without the money to resign them. Therefore, they need to get younger and cheaper on the defensive line. Ximines erupted this year at a small school showing elite traits that need some work. He’s a bit of a project, but the Rams get an athletic and fast edge rusher with a ton of potential.
32) New England Patriots
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Another year, another time the Patriots pick last as Super Bowl Champs. Rob Gronkowski is still mulling retirement, but the Patriots work better in two-TE sets. So whether Gronk retires or not, the Patriots should take Hockenson. He is similar to Gronk and can fill his role as a talented blocker and receiver. The Patriots need a quarterback of the future, but they can find one with two picks in the second round.