The arduous, seemingly never-ending buildup to the 2019 NFL draft is nearly over: The big event kicks off Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET. I’ve built out a top 100 big board and after sifting through as many draft rumors, reports, and lists of player visits as I could find, it’s time to push my chips in and put together my final mock draft. Here’s Version 6.0—my best guess for how the first two rounds will play out.
1. Arizona Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
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Fortune favors the bold. It’s a risk for the Cardinals to take a quarterback with their first-round pick for the second straight year, but Murray has the talent to be a franchise-changing player who can elevate the play of everyone around him. The former Sooner has the skill set to thrive in new head coach and play-caller Kliff Kingsbury’s offense—and could help lift Arizona out of the cellar. Arizona can worry about what to do with Josh Rosen later.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Edge Nick Bosa, Ohio State
This pick is a no-brainer. Bosa fits the Niners’ 4-3 defense like a glove; with a combination of first-step explosiveness, power, good hand use, and a refined pass-rush repertoire, the Buckeye has Pro Bowl potential right out of the gate.
3. New York Jets: Edge Josh Allen, Kentucky
The Jets have been looking for a game-changing edge rusher for, what, decades now? After missing out on Anthony Barr in free agency, New York will add a similarly versatile player in Allen. The former Kentucky star and Bronko Nagurski award winner is athletic and fluid enough to drop back into coverage, but he’ll make his mark for the Jets by getting after the quarterback off the edge.
4. Oakland Raiders: DL Quinnen Williams, Alabama
The Raiders need to add talent to their edge rush, but it’s going to be tough for them to pass on Williams, who brings the potential to become an All-Pro early in his career. Williams is a dominant interior penetrator who can line up at multiple spots. Drop him into the Raiders’ defensive front next to Maurice Hurst and Oakland’s going to be collapsing a lot of pockets in 2019.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Devin White, LSU
It’s rare for off-ball linebackers to go this high but White has the skill set to become an exception. He brings the potential to be an early impact playmaker for Tampa Bay on all three downs, stopping the run, getting after the passer as a blitzer, and dropping back into coverage.
6. New York Giants: QB Drew Lock, Missouri
Lock has the traits necessary to develop into a starting-caliber quarterback: He has a big arm, throws with accuracy deep, and has the mobility to escape pressure and make throws on the run. A chance to learn under Eli Manning for a season or two would likely be a boon for Lock, who still needs to clean up issues with his footwork. It’d also give the Giants some time to build a better offense around their future signal-caller.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida
Jacksonville keeps building through the trenches with this pick. Taylor is the perfect fit for the Jaguars’ smashmouth, run-first philosophy: He’s rough, rugged, and plays with just the right amount of nastiness. The Florida standout gives Jacksonville a long-term answer at right tackle and should be a difference-maker both in the run game and in pass protection.
8. Detroit Lions: Edge Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
Sweat has extraordinary length and athleticism, and is strong against both the run and the pass. His reported heart condition could cause him to fall out of the early part of the round, but assuming Detroit is comfortable with the medical evaluations, Sweat would be a great fit on Matt Patricia’s front seven.
9. Buffalo Bills: DL Ed Oliver, Houston
The Bills lost longtime defensive line stalwart Kyle Williams to retirement back in December, but waste no time in drafting his successor here. Oliver’s a rare athlete with incredible power, explosiveness, and short-area agility. The Houston star has the talent to be a three-down fixture on Buffalo’s defensive line from day one.
10. Denver Broncos: QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
Broncos GM John Elway has whiffed big at the quarterback position as of late, but that shouldn’t keep him from taking my no. 2-ranked QB at this spot. Haskins has a strong arm, can go through his reads, and knows how to distribute the football. He may need to sit for a year to learn the ins and outs of Denver’s scheme, but that’s why Elway traded for Joe Flacco in February.
11. Cincinnati Bengals: LB Devin Bush, Michigan
With Murray, Lock, and Haskins all off the board, the Bengals kick the quarterback succession can down the road and grab an instant-impact playmaker for the middle of their defense instead. Bush has elite sideline-to-sideline speed and is an excellent blitzer. He’ll be a tone setter in Cincy.
12. Green Bay Packers: TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
New Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was hired to fix the anemic Green Bay offense, and Hockenson helps him in that regard. The Iowa star projects as an early impact blocker in the run game and a seam-threatening receiver downfield. Hockenson is athletic, tough, and versatile–and comes with the potential to develop into an All-Pro-caliber player down the road.
13. Miami Dolphins: Edge Rashan Gary, Michigan
The Dolphins have needs across the board but decide to start rebuilding through the trenches with the selection of Gary here. The Wolverine is an elite athlete who can line up on the edge or on the inside for Miami, giving new head coach Brian Flores a moveable chess piece on the defensive front.
14. Atlanta Falcons: Edge Brian Burns, Florida State
The Falcons need help on their defensive line and Burns has the upside to become a star. The Seminole has rare flexibility as a pass rusher and boasts an electric first step. He’ll have to get stronger against the run but is a tantalizingly explosive edge rusher.
15. Washington Redskins: QB Daniel Jones, Duke
This isn’t what I’d do if I were Washington—Jones does have prototypical size, solid athleticism, and a strong arm, but he’s inaccurate down the field, throws late, and makes a few too many head-scratching decisions for me to like him this high. But with Alex Smith’s future in doubt and Case Keenum functioning as nothing more than a holdover, the Redskins invest in the future at the position.
16. Carolina Panthers: OT Jonah Williams, Alabama
Williams is a technician with positional versatility and gives Carolina myriad options to build its line. Plug him in wherever you want―whether that’s left tackle, right tackle, either guard spot, or at center―and he’s going to go to work. Carolina gets, in my opinion, a top-10 talent here at no. 16.
17. New York Giants (From Browns): Edge Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
After grabbing their eventual Eli Manning replacement at no. 6, the Giants grab an Olivier Vernon successor with this pick. Ferrell’s a high-floor rusher with long arms, a prototypical frame, and an excellent get-off. He’d contribute from day one.
18. Minnesota Vikings: OT Andre Dillard, Washington State
The Vikings desperately need help on the offensive line and Dillard might be the best pass-blocking tackle in this class. Minnesota could plug the former Washington State stalwart in at the left tackle spot and move last year’s starter at the position, Riley Reiff, to guard.
19. Tennessee Titans: DL Christian Wilkins, Clemson
The Titans could go in a lot of different directions at this spot but passing up on Wilkins proves too difficult. The Clemson lineman is highly versatile, capable of lining up all across the Tennessee front, and his high motor runs hot. With Wilkins lined up next to Jurrell Casey, the Titans would have a talented interior duo that could provide push from the inside and quickly disrupt quarterback pockets.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Andraez “Greedy” Williams, LSU
The Steelers have needs all over their defense, and they prioritize their secondary here and take the first cornerback off the board. Williams has all the traits necessary to become a shutdown corner: length, speed, instincts, and an aggressive, fearless demeanor.
21. Seattle Seahawks: DL Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
Simmons isn’t likely to play in 2019 after suffering a torn ACL in February, but he’s a top-10 talent in this class and gives the Seahawks another very good defensive lineman for the long term. Simmons is a powerful, explosive three-technique rusher who has the versatility to line up as the strongside end on base downs in Pete Carroll’s defense.
22. Baltimore Ravens: WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
The Ravens need to bolster their defensive line, but their receiver depth chart is absolutely barren. Fortunately, they get their pick of the litter at that position here and go with a game-changing talent in Brown. The Sooner has take-the-top-off-a-defense-type speed that will give opposing coordinators pause about dropping eight men in the box to stop Baltimore’s fearsome run game. Brown gives Lamar Jackson a much-needed playmaker on deep throws, screens, and quick slants over the middle, and may even help the run game because of the way he tilts the defense in his direction.
23. Houston Texans: OC Garrett Bradbury, NC State
The Texans absolutely have to invest in their offensive line at this spot, and grab a talented interior lineman in Bradbury. The NC State standout is athletic, versatile, and dependable, and can start at center for Houston from day one, bumping incumbent starter Nick Martin to guard.
24. Oakland Raiders (From Bears): CB Byron Murphy, Washington
After adding a dynamic edge rusher with its first pick in the round, Oakland looks to its coverage unit here with its second. Murphy is an instinctive ball hawk who can play on the outside or in the slot while bringing a much-needed talent for creating turnovers.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: OT Cody Ford, Oklahoma
The Eagles have a balanced roster with few major holes, but GM Howie Roseman looks to the future of the offensive line by grabbing Ford at this spot. The Sooner could line up at either guard or tackle and brings a mauling, physical persona to the Philly line.
26. Indianapolis Colts: DL Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
After adding Justin Houston in free agency, GM Chris Ballard looks to the interior defensive with his first pick. Tillery is an explosive pass-rushing talent with length, strength, and a lighting-quick first step. He can line up all over Indy’s front and disrupt the pocket.
27. Oakland Raiders (From Cowboys): RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
The Raiders have retooled their offensive arsenal over the offseason with the additions of receivers Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, and J.J. Nelson, and tight end Luke Willson. They keep adding to that ascending skill-position group by replacing the retiring Marshawn Lynch here. The former Tide running back is a physical, elusive runner who brings pass-catching chops to the air attack.
28. Los Angeles Chargers: OT Dalton Risner, Kansas State
Los Angeles bolsters its offensive line group by grabbing the big, physical Risner at this spot. The Kansas State product brings positional versatility―he could line up at either guard spot, right tackle, or center―and adds a glass-eating mentality to the Chargers line.
29. Seattle Seahawks (from Chiefs): S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
Seattle’s former free safety stalwart, Earl Thomas, is now a Raven. Its primary nickel corner from last year, Justin Coleman, is now in Detroit. So, with their second of two first-round picks, the Seahawks grab a player who can help replace both. Gardner-Johnson, who frequently manned the deep middle for Florida in 2017 and was featured as a nickelback for most of 2018, is a dynamic, physical, and fast defensive back with the aggressive, cocky playing demeanor that’s well suited to lead the next generation of the Legion of Boom.
30. Green Bay Packers (from Saints): WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
The Packers double up on first-round offensive weapons by grabbing Brown. The former Mississippi star is a wide receiver with a running back’s body who could fill in nicely for the recently departed Randall Cobb. Brown is big, physical, and dangerous after the catch. He gives Rodgers yet another playmaking weapon, both on the outside and in the slot.
31. Los Angeles Rams: OC Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
The Rams move quickly to replace John Sullivan, grabbing McCoy to be their day-one starter at center. The former Aggie is tough, physical, and athletic―plus, he offers the ability to play at guard if need be.
32. New England Patriots: TE Noah Fant, Iowa
With Rob Gronkowski riding off into retirement (at least until, say, Week 10), the Patriots need another big-play target for Tom Brady and get one with Fant. The former Iowa standout is an extraordinary athlete with the speed to threaten defenses up the seam. Brady would have little trouble putting Fant in favorable mismatch scenarios by sending him out to line up all over the formation.
33. Arizona Cardinals: OT Greg Little, Ole Miss
After grabbing a new franchise quarterback with the top overall pick, Arizona grabs its long-term left tackle here.
34. Indianapolis Colts (From Jets): WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
Dropping Metcalf onto the field opposite T.Y. Hilton gives the Colts a deadly downfield duo and allows the recently signed Devin Funchess to run routes over the middle as the team’s big slot.
35. Oakland Raiders: Edge L.J. Collier, TCU
After grabbing Quinnen Williams at no. 4, Oakland adds another defensive lineman at no. 35. Collier is a beast on the strong side of the defense and has the potential to bump inside to rush in nickel situations.
36. San Francisco 49ers: WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
Butler gives San Francisco another dangerous downfield deep threat and comes with the versatility to run routes out of the slot.
37. New York Giants: CB Deandre Baker, Georgia
New York adds another talented player to its defense. Baker brings day-one starter potential and could be the long-term replacement for Janoris Jenkins.
38. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR N’Keal Harry, Arizona State
The Jags need to give Nick Foles a few more weapons in the passing game, and they get a big, physical Alshon Jeffery–esque target in Harry. As a bonus, he’s a very good run blocker too.
39. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: S Darnell Savage Jr., Maryland
Tampa Bay adds a foundational piece to its secondary. I love to picture a defense that features Lavonte David, Devin White, and Savage—who flies around the field like a berserker—all roaming the second level.
40. Buffalo Bills: Edge Chase Winovich, Michigan
After grabbing Ed Oliver with its first pick, Buffalo adds a tenacious edge player here. Winovich has an explosive first step and knows how to use his hands to beat blocks.
41. Denver Broncos: OG Chris Lindstrom, Boston College
Denver signed right tackle Ja’Wuan James over the offseason but needs to beef up the interior line. Lindstrom is a highly athletic guard with the versatility to fill in at tackle or center.
42. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Kaleb McGary, Washington
Cincy needs to continue to add talent to its offensive line. McGary, who’s tough, physical, and athletic, can play on the inside early in his career—but his upside is as the long-term answer at right tackle.
43. Detroit Lions: CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Ya-Sin’s arguably a first-round talent so Detroit’s grabbing him here is a steal. The Lions get an aggressive, athletic counterpart to Darius Slay.
44. Green Bay Packers: Edge Jachai Polite, Florida
Polite had a disastrous postseason, testing so poorly at both the combine and his pro day that his stock apparently dropped from that of a potential top-15 pick to somewhere on Day 2. But I still love his tape—he shows burst and a variety of pass-rush moves to get into the pocket, and he’ll be a great fit on the edge in Green Bay.
45. Atlanta Falcons: OT Tytus Howard, Alabama State
Howard is raw and may need a little bit of time to acclimate to the pro level, but he offers tremendous upside and brings the potential to play at multiple positions on the aging Atlanta line.
46. Washington Redskins: WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
The Redskins got their quarterback in the first round and add a dynamic playmaker in the second. Samuel can play outside, offers tremendous run after the catch ability in the slot, and is a beast in the red zone.
47. Carolina Panthers: Edge Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
Ferguson isn’t a top-tier athlete, but he beats up on offensive tackles with lower body power, strong hands, and variety of pass-rush moves. The Panthers add youth to their defensive front.
48. Miami Dolphins: OT Max Scharping, Northern Illinois
After losing Ja’Wuan James in free agency, the Dolphins have a vacancy at their right tackle spot. Scharping is a very good option to fill that role, and he brings the versatility to play inside.
49. Cleveland Browns: S Juan Thornhill, Virginia
Thornhill is a wildly athletic, versatile safety who could line up in multiple roles for the Browns. He’s the long-term successor to veteran addition Morgan Burnett.
50. Minnesota Vikings: WR Parris Campbell, Ohio State
The Vikings need an upgrade at their no. 3 receiver spot and Campbell’s the perfect complementary weapon to route-running geniuses Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. He has the speed and explosiveness to stress defenses horizontally early in his career on screens and sweep-type plays, and the upside to eventually develop into a dangerous deep threat.
51. Tennessee Titans: Edge Anthony Nelson, Iowa
After losing Derrick Morgan to free agency, Tennessee needs to bolster its edge-rusher group. Nelson is long, athletic, and physical, and would pair nicely with Harold Landry in the long term.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Miles Boykin, Notre Dame
The Steelers need to add talent to their pass-catching corps after trading away Antonio Brown, and Boykin brings as much upside as any receiver in this class. He’s an elite athlete with the skill set to develop into a prototype outside X—the perfect complement to slot receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
53. Philadelphia Eagles (From Ravens): S Nasir Adderley, Delaware
With Rodney McLeod heading into the final year of his contract, Philly adds a rangy successor at this spot. Adderley is highly athletic, instinctive, and has the versatility to line up deep or come down and play in the box.
54. Houston Texans (From Seahawks): CB Julian Love, Notre Dame
After strengthening their offensive line in Round 1, the Texans add to their secondary. Love is a ball hawk with excellent instincts and the versatility to play on the outside or in the slot.
55. Houston Texans: OT Chuma Edoga, USC
And then Houston smartly goes right back to the offensive line here: Edoga played right tackle at USC and showed out well on the blind side at the Senior Bowl, winning honors as the event’s top overall practice player. He’s got light feet and long arms, and plays with an aggressive style.
56. New England Patriots (From Bears): DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
The Patriots need to add some beef to their defensive front and do just that by grabbing Lawrence here. The big 342 pound nose tackle has the ability to eat up blocks and set a strong anchor in the middle of the line, and also adds some upside as an interior rusher. He’s a rare athlete for his size.
57. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Emanuel Hall, Missouri
After addressing the offensive line and defensive secondary with its first two picks, Philly adds some speed to its pass-catching corps with the explosive Hall. The former Tiger is an extraordinary athlete with take-the-top-off-a-defense speed. He’ll pair nicely with newly signed DeSean Jackson to give the Eagles a pair of elite downfield threats (plus figures to be Jackson’s successor), and with rumors swirling that Nelson Agholor is on the trade block, he’ll give the team a dangerous no. 3 option in the passing offense.
58. Dallas Cowboys: S Taylor Rapp, Washington
Rapp got plenty of first-round buzz in the predraft phase, but the Cowboys stop his fall into the late second here. The former Husky is a physical, fundamental tackler with top-tier instincts and a nose for the ball.
59. Indianapolis Colts: S Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
Abram was one of the most fun players watch on tape last year. He flies downhill, takes on blocks and tackles with an infectious fury. He would be a perfect complement to free safety Malik Hooker in Indy’s secondary.
60. Los Angeles Chargers: QB Will Grier, West Virginia
The Chargers take an understudy to 37-year-old Philip Rivers here. Grier is a deep-passing phenom with the upside to develop into a starter down the road. He lands in a perfect situation, where he can sit behind the longtime veteran and work on his game.
61. Kansas City Chiefs: CB David Long, Michigan
The Chiefs need all the help they can get in the defensive secondary and grab the feisty Long at this spot. Long is a press-coverage specialist who plays with an aggressive style at the line of scrimmage, disrupting routes and timing. He can play on the outside or in the slot.
62. New Orleans Saints: WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford
Arcega-Whiteside is the master of the end zone box-out and gives Drew Brees the type of big, jump-ball-adept red zone target he’s been missing since New Orleans traded away Jimmy Graham.
63. Kansas City Chiefs (From Rams): CB Justin Layne, Michigan State
Kansas City doubles up at the cornerback position and takes another aggressive, über-athletic defensive back with this pick. Layne is a former receiver with very good anticipation and ball skills, giving the Chiefs the type of disruptor on the outside that they badly need.
64. New England Patriots: WR Andy Isabella, UMass
It almost seems like Isabella was created in a lab to play in the Patriots offense. He’s über-fast, agile, and can line up everywhere in the formation.
