2019 Fans in the Front Office: NFL Mock Draft

April 21, 2019 /

One of the most exciting parts of the NFL year is almost here: The NFL Draft. Teams have all but finalized their big boards and most have a draft plan in place.

Once again, we had fans put on their GM caps for their favorite teams and draft their coveted first round pick.

Here is how the first round ended up:

1. Arizona Cardinals

GM: Kevin Gardner

Selection: Kyler Murray – QB – Oklahoma

Kingsbury simply can’t pass up the opportunity to grab “his guy”. He needs to win now to silence the speculation around his hiring. I really expect Murray to be the pick here, as his dynamic play-style fits Kingsbury’s system. Expect Rosen to be moved on draft day.

2. San Francisco 49ers

GM: Cameron Manchester

Selection: Nick Bosa – EDGE – Ohio State

In 29 games over 3 years Bosa was able to amass 29 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks proving that he is the best rusher in the draft. Nick will prove early on that he can be just as great as his big brother has been for the Chargers.

3. New York Jets

GM: Mark Brooks

Selection: Josh Allen – EDGE – Kentucky

What could be more fun or confusing than AFC East defender Josh Allen sacking Josh Allen or Josh Allen avoiding Josh Allen for a winning TD pass? Thank you Buffalo and New York for making this possible. 

Quinnen Williams is of course an attractive option here, but edge defender has been an issue that can no longer be ignored.

4. Oakland Raiders

GM: Tyler Sessamen

Selection: Quinnen Williams – IDL – Alabama

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

GM: Kyle Kruszewski

Selection: Devin White – LB – LSU

Devin White solidified himself as a top end prospect with elite combine testing in Indianapolis and the Buccaneers allowed to let Kwon Alexander to walk in free agency. The Bucs decide to replace one LSU LB with another and get their guy with Devin White who not only can replace Kwon in the field but as a voice in the locker room.

6. New York Giants

GM: Casey O’Neill

Selection: Dwayne Haskins – QB – Ohio State

After grabbing a top tier RB in Barkley during last years draft, it delayed the decision to find their future franchise QB. That changes this year with Haskins. A young QB with a powerful arm could benefit with a year sitting behind Eli.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

GM: Travis Dye

Selection: Jawaan Taylor – OT – Florida

For a line that struggled with injury and lack of depth the Jaguars are looking to protect thier investment into Nick Foles.

8. Detroit Lions

GM: Kyle Kruszewski

Selection: Montez Sweat – EDGE – Mississippi State

Matt Patricia looks to build on the signing of Trey Flowers this offseason by drafting Montez Sweat. Like Flowers, Sweat is a safe edge defender that also contributes in run defense. Unlike Flowers, Montez posted some freaky testing numbers, making him a high upside and a high floor guy that is tailor made for a Matt Patricia defense.

9. Buffalo Bills

GM: Trevar Parson

Selection: Jonah Williams – OT – Alabama

The Buffalo Bills love players with the last name Williams and they continue that love affair with Jonah Williams. The Bills look to continue to improve the league’s worst offensive line of 2018. Williams is a versatile OL starting at RT his freshman season, and then switching to LT his sophomore and the remainder of his time at Bama. Though Williams played OT at Bama, he has the measurables to be a solid Guard or even Center in the NFL. 

Williams will look to take over the RT position from newly signed Ty Nsekhe.

10. Denver Broncos

GM: Corey Wolff

Selection: Drew Lock – QB – Missouri

The Broncos had plans of trading up to secure Lock, but when rumors arose of Haskins going to the Giants – Denver knew they were able to get their guy at 10. Flacco will start the season for the Broncos, but it is known to all that he is not the starter for the 2019 season. Lock will be brought along and debut sometime after Week 7.

11. Cincinnati Bengals

GM: Drew Goss

Selection: Devin Bush – LB – Michigan

12. Green Bay Packers

GM: Dane Staaf

Selection: D.K. Metcalf – WR – Ole Miss

Rodgers has been forced to work with late round draft picks. Metcalf and his ridiculous combine numbers will replace Randall Cobb and help take the Packers back to the playoffs.

13. Miami Dolphins

GM: Daniel Parson

Selection: Rashan Gary – EDGE – Michigan

QB is a major need for the Dolphins but the top 3 are already off the board and no other 1st round QB talent available. The roster is full of holes at almost every position and ideally the Dolphins will trade back to acquire an additional 1st or 2nd round pick in this deep draft. With no trade partners, it was necessary to go with the best available player. Gary is one of the most talented defensive players in this draft. However, it will be up to this coaching stuff to keep him motivated and focused so he doesn’t take plays off.

14. Atlanta Falcons

GM: Shawn Meehl

Selection: Cody Ford – OT – Oklahoma

The Falcons are currently seeking to bolster their offensive front and picking Ford will give them a chance at that. The team sees a potential that Ford could be versatile enough to switch between guard and tackle per the team’s needs, which could make for a crucial addition

15. Washington Redskins

GM: Brian Englert

Selection: Brian Burns – EDGE – Florida State

Burns arguably is the best EDGE in the draft, and the Redskins seamlessly transition from Preston Smith.

16. Carolina Panthers

GM: Eric Horstman

Selection: Clelin Ferrell – EDGE – Clemson

The panthers were looking to go with Brian Burns but they’re gladly selecting Ferrell here.

Ferrell was one of the best defensive players on the defense of the National Champion Clemson Tigers. He’ll have a lot of weight on his shoulders as he helps fill the pass rush void that was created when the legendary Julius Peppers retired earlier this year.

17. New York Giants

GM: Casey O’Neill

Selection: Ed Oliver – IDL – Houston

Ed provides elite pass rushing skills that the Giants are in desperate need of. Luckily this is a heavily loaded draft with pass rushers. He’ll add a presence on defense that the Giants will gladly welcome.

18. Minnesota Vikings

GM: Jacob Linkerhof

Selection: Andre Dillard – OL – Washington State

The Vikes pick up versatile Tackle who can also slot in at Guard to help reboot their line to protect their investment with Cousins

19. Tennessee Titans

GM: Tyler Yost

Selection: T.J. Hockenson – TE – Iowa

After adding depth at several key positions this offseason the Titans now look to add depth behind Pro-Bowler, but aging, Delanie Walker. Hockenson will provide a solid blocking option for the run heavy offense but also give Mariota a big target down the middle.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers

GM: Kevin Gardner

Selection: Noah Fant – TE – Iowa

After a rare busy free agency, the Steelers fall back on their roots and select the best player available. Fant will immediately contribute and fill a spot left by Jesse James in free agency. Fant’s athleticism and size give Roethlisberger another weapon, and he wont have to change jerseys.

21. Seattle Seahawks

GM: Mark Brooks

Selection: Greedy Williams – CB – LSU

In a division featuring Jared Goff, Jimmy G, and quite possibly Kyler Murray the Hawks will look to rebuild their secondary after the recent departure of Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman last season. Tight end was a major consideration as was Hakeem Butler, but secondary takes precedent in Seattle.

22. Baltimore Ravens

GM: Rodney Ensor

Selection: Jachai Polite – EDGE – Florida

Polite fills a desperate need at EDGE with the loss of Suggs and Smith.

23. Houston Texans

GM: Randy Morrison

Selection: Greg Little – OT– Ole Miss

Little will be brought in to solidify Deshaun Watson’s blindside. The Texans offensive line allowed Watson to be sacked an NFL worst 62 times in 2018. Little should be the first of 2-3 offensive lineman taken by the Texans in the 2019 draft.

24. Oakland Raiders

GM: Tyler Sessamen

Selection: Deandre Baker – CB – Georgia

25. Philadelphia Eagles

GM: Brenden Parsons

Selection: Nasir Adderley – S– Delaware

While needing corner and safety help, the eagles go out and get their guy. Adderley has some cornerback experience which is huge for a team who had a hard time stopping the passing game. Adderley does have an eye for the ball despite very few targets last year. Can be an instant impact starter for a team in need like the Eagles.

26. Indianapolis Colts

GM: Brenden Parsons

Selection: Christian Wilkins – IDL – Clemson

With a need for not only a run stopper, but a guy who can cause chaos in the pocket Wilkins just makes sense. He is more than capable of clogging holes, but also quick enough that by nature he is able to slip through as well. He is a very good leader as shown by his Clemson career and should help a young defense with other studs be able to feast behind him.

27. Oakland Raiders

GM: Tyler Sessamen

Selection: Zach Allen – EDGE – Boston College

This is the Khalil Mack pick and its no secret Mike Mayock loves Boston College. The Raiders finally get good value on a defensive end. They finish the first round with Quinnen Willams (some think he’s the best player in the draft) Deandre Baker who might be the best cover corner, and Zach Allen who’s an all-around player.

28. Los Angeles Chargers

GM: Daniel Parson

Selection: Dalton Risner – OT – Kansas State

Risner is a plug and play player that would fit the Bolts’ scheme at OT or C. He has good technique and strong leadership skills.

29. Kansas City Chiefs

GM: Kevin Gardner

Selection: Byron Murphy – CB – Washington

The Chiefs arguably grab the most polished corner in the draft in Murphy. While he doesn’t ideally fit the press man coverage the Chiefs like to run, he is a natural ball hawk and will step in day one as a starter replacing Steven Nelson.

30. Green Bay Packers

GM: Dane Staaf

Selection: Garrett Bradbury – OL – NC State

31. Los Angeles Rams

GM: Kyle Kruszewski

Selection: Erik McCoy – OL – Texas A&M

The Rams lost 2 starters on the interior offensive line this offseason with John Sullivan and Roger Saffold departing. In steps McCoy, who has a bit of a mean streak in him. Paired with last year’s 4th round pick in Brian Allen, the Rams will be moving forward with some new blood to create running lanes for Todd Gurley.

32. New England Patriots

GM: Alex Fichthorn

Selection: Irv Smith Jr – TE – Alabama

With the retirement of Gronk earlier this month, the Patriots look to fill a huge hole at TE. Smith Jr. will help begin the rebuild of that tremendously empty position up in Foxboro with the hopes of taking advantage of these last few Twilight Brady years.