Kyle Bazin’s Final 2019 Mock Draft
I’m not going to do trades this year because they are so impossible to predict. I am trying to make the prediction of what I think the team will take based on personal research, 30 visits, and gut feeling.
Before I get into the draft, I do want to preface it with some POSSIBLE TRADE SCENARIOS:
a. The Giants or Broncos trade up to 3 to grab Drew Lock or Dwayne Haskins. Teams may be afraid of what the Raiders might do with their “surprise” pick and may want to make sure they get their guy. Jets want to trade back as well. The same scenario for the Broncos or Bengals or Redskins to jump up to 5 to jump in front of the Giants possibly picking a QB. And again, same scenario for the 9th pick to jump ahead of the Broncos. We saw this last year with the Bills and Cardinals jumping in front of Miami to get the Josh QBs.
b. The Dolphins and Falcons trade back to accumulate picks and still get a solid defensive player like DL Clelin Ferrell (Miami might prefer) or CB Greedy Williams (ATL needs corners). Teams that make sense to move up the most is Houston (they NEED OL help so Dillard here would make sense) or possibly the Giants to jump the Redskins to get Daniel Jones or Drew Lock.
c. The Seahawks just sent away Frank Clark for a haul, but they still only have 6 picks this year. I can see them trading back to the 2nd round with one of those picks to pick up some additional picks. Look for a team to jump up for a WR like Marquise Brown or Metcalf to jump the Packers and Patriots who are likely in the market. Someone also could be looking to make the move for Simmons who will redshirt next year thus getting the 5-year max rookie option vs the 4 year on a 2nd rounder deal.
d. Other teams that I could see making a move up: Raiders (because they have the capital to get whoever they want), Chargers (looking at corners that may be gone from PIT/SEA/ATL), Panthers (they need OL help and Edge both positions that you want to make sure you get your guy).
e. Other teams that I could see making a move down: Giants (what if we are all wrong and they are on the Sashi plan all along?), Chargers, Rams, Patriots (all these teams are really solid and could always move back a few picks), Jaguars (for no reason that I think they can get Hockenson or Taylor at pick 11 if Cincy or Denver wanted a QB).
Let’s get into it! As I stated above, I won’t be projecting trades I just want to highlight some things I think could happen on draft night. I’ve had a ton of fun doing these as always. If you enjoyed this, it did take some time to make, so even if you just like my tweet or text me that you read it, that would be greatly appreciated!
1. Arizona Cardinals - QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma: There has been some weird some smoke screens recently, but this is going to be the pick. I feel bad for Rosen, but he will land on his feet with the team that doesn’t get a QB. I think he will be traded Friday prior to Day 2 starting up. Kyler is the kid that Kliff was hired for. There is some hope in Arizona.
2. San Francisco 49ers – Edge Nick Bosa, Ohio State: I don’t know if he is going to be better than his brother Joey. But I do know that he will be better than anything the 49ers currently have as an edge rusher. They will have a great DL with 1st round talent in Buckener, Armstead, Bosa.
3. New York Jets – DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama: The best player in the draft in my opinion. I think the Jets want Bosa or Q and if they don’t get it, they will move out. Oliver and Allen are interesting, but I think they would trade back to 6 and risk getting one of them. Jets get a great draft prize to pair with big Leonard Williams.
4. Oakland Raiders –– DT Ed Oliver, Houston: Mayock loves his edge rushers but I think Gruden will win this pick because Gruden loves freaks. If Oliver can get that push to not take plays off, he will be an instant playmaker.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Edge Josh Allen, Kentucky: A lot of people have Devin White here. I had him here as well in one of my mocks. But I didn’t have a guy that had 17 sacks last year on the board still at their pick. He would fit perfectly in Bowles system and to pair with JPP. If this isn’t the pick, it will surely be White or a trade down.
6. New York Giants – QB Dwayne Haskins, Ohio St: Everyone seems to be saying this isn’t a QB. But the way the board falls… who is it? It could be Jawaan Taylor or Jonah Williams, but you aren’t getting a QB at 17. You just aren’t getting past Denver, Cincy, Washington and the Raiders through a possibly trade up. So, if they are taking one, it is happening here, and I think that they fooled everyone into thinking they are the team that ranks Daniel Jones highest. I think this is Haskins. Gettleman about to screw up my whole draft, isn’t he?
7. Jacksonville Jaguars – TE TJ Hockenson, Iowa: This is either Jawaan Taylor or Hockenson. At the end of the day, my heart says Jawaan, but my head says they just got “their franchise QB” and they have zero weapons for him. Hockenson could also be like a 6th tackle… just one that runs crispy routes and has great hands.
8. Detroit Lions – LB Devin White, Louisiana St: I think this is likely situation for the Lions but not one they would like. This pick makes sense to be a defensive player with Patricia being a defensive coach… but there are also some solid OL prospects available. Devin White is the best player available and so that is where GM Bazin goes. Also, I think this is where Montez Sweat could go. Sweat’s heart question marks will make him fall possibly out of the 1st round even but his talent and production make him a top 10 player.
9. Buffalo Bills – OT Jonah Williams, Alabama: The Bills have met with tackles more than any other position besides WR in the pre-draft process. There is no top 10 WR, but there is a versatile, incredibly smart OL that can play right or left tackle. They traded away Cordy Glenn last year to get ammo to go get Josh Allen. Now they replace him to protect their franchise QB.
10. Denver Broncos – QB Drew Lock, Missouri: Last year Chubb was their pick with Josh Allen and Rosen both available. This year they replaced Keenum with Flacco. I don’t see how they think Flacco is their franchise QB. To me? He is Alex Smith two years ago in KC. Flacco will play this year and let Elway and Flacco teach some fundamentals to Lock. He needs some help with footwork among other things, but he has the natural ability. Don’t believe the Mahomes comps, but the idea with those is that Lock is raw like Mahomes. He needs some time to grow and he can in Denver.
11. Cincinnati Bengals – LB Devin Bush, Michigan: This is the pick that I’m completely lost on. The Bengals didn’t have very many visits that were publicized, but they did cut ties with a very big name on their defense. Vontaze is out of Cincy and Bush won’t bring the same thud but LB is all the sudden a position of curiosity. I can see Montez Sweat going here as they brought both in for private visits, but again I just don’t know. I also keep hearing he won’t fall out of the top 12 picks.
12. Green Bay Packers – OT Jawaan Taylor, Florida: I have changed the Packers pick in every mock. I have literally no idea about this pick. If Hockenson is there, I think it is him, but I don’t think he will be. Burns is going to be a good pro, so I’m not surprised if that is the pick or if they go Fant for that matter. But they go with anything to help Aaron Rodgers and keep him upright for the rest of his playing days. Their Super Bowl window is almost closed. Without Rodgers though, there isn’t even a doggy Super Bowl door. Taylor is a true RT and Bulaga is 30+ right now and has been injured quite a few times.
13. Miami Dolphins – DL Christian Wilkins, Clemson: With Jawaan Taylor on the board, I think the Dolphins think longer about this one. But in the end, IF THEY STAY at this pick, I think they will go Wilkins. At the end of the day, I think they will accept any trade down offer and will either go corner or one of the other Clemson DL. Wilkins is the ultimate pro and will be a great pick. Only issue is he is already 23 so you may not get him for 10 years.
14. Atlanta Falcons – CB Deandre Baker, Georgia: They lost 2 corners this offseason and it is vital they target one early in the draft. I think they can trade back to get one though. Regardless, Baker is in their backyard and they should know him the best. He is also the only CB that they have “publicly officially” met with that is regarded as a top 5 corner (Greedy, Ya-Sin, Murphy, Layne).
15. Washington Redskins – QB Daniel Jones, Duke: Washington will not get him at 15, but I think their QB is Jones. It’s either him or Haskins. I think they feel that if they don’t get a QB in the 1st round it will have been a failure, so I think they do whatever is necessary to get to a position to draft one. Jones is a smart guy, but he gets the Eli comparison too much. And to be honest, he feels more like Ryan Tannehill than anyone else. Let me tell you why that concerns me…
16. Carolina Panthers – OT Andre Dillard, Washington St: This is the reason I feel the Texans will need to move up to get their OL. I think they want Taylor, Dillard or Jonah and they are willing to move to get their guy. Carolina could really use some OL help but if they are all gone… I have a good feeling this is either Sweat, Gary or Burns. Regardless, Matt Khalil and Peppers are both gone and there is a need and plenty of prospects.
17. New York Giants – DE Rashan Gary, Michigan: I think there is where the fall ends. Everyone talks about Gary’s potential but no true production. I have all the confidence in the world for the Giants to screw everything up in this draft so this feels like a perfect pick that might be a bust. Gary could be an all-pro too, but they just shipped their entire team including Oliver Vernon to the Browns, so they have a serious need on the edge. He is also one of the better players available at this point, so while I am messing with the Giants this also is a good value.
18. Minnesota Vikings – OG/C Garrett Bradbury, North Carolina St: Minnesota had the worst center in the NFL last year and could use the interior help at guard as well. This pick will be perfect for the Vikings. He will be a solid if not great starter for years and will protect their 84-million-dollar man as well as set up their run first team well.
19. Tennessee Titans – Edge Clelin Ferrell, Clemson: I feel like this just makes all the sense. Whether it is Wilkins or Clelin or even Dexter, I think any of these Clemson DL are what they want. A few years back they also picked Kevin Dodd who was a DL stand out on Clemson, and he was a complete bust, so we will see but the need is there. Clelin is from a military family and lost his dad when he was in high school. He said that he used his dad’s life to understand patience while perfecting and learning his craft. I don’t think he will be a Kevin Dodd.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Byron Murphy, Washington: I think they would like to get Devin Bush possibly, but there is no way that is happening at 20. Therefore, the next best thing would be the best corner on their board. I prefer Greedy here as he is more of a press man corner, but I don’t know if the Steelers go there because I don’t think they play a press man as their base. Byron will be a solid corner regardless but will succeed in a zone scheme.
21. Seattle Seahawks – Edge Montez Sweat, Mississippi St: Frank Clark is gone you say? Let’s just fill that void real quick. Insiders are saying that the medical staff will need to be a little more progressive because no one in the NFL has ever played long term with his heart condition, but records are meant to be broken. Montez is a beast on the field, and this didn’t stop him in college. Pairing him with Jarran Reed will give him a similar partner to Simmons at school where he should be able to dominate assuming he is cleared to play.
22. Baltimore Ravens – WR DK Metcalf, Ole Miss: I really don’t like DK Metcalf… but then I looked at the WRs on Baltimore right now. Anyone reading this has only heard of two of them… Willie Snead and Seth Roberts. Neither of them is awe-inspiring, and while they do need to get some help at center… I know I can find a center in round 3-5, but you’re not going to get a prototype WR in the 3rd round or further. Oh, and by the way, they don’t have a 2nd round pick. So, a trade back here also makes a ton of sense too.
23. Houston Texans – OT/OG Cody Ford, Oklahoma: The Texans are trading up… it’s just how far up do they go and for who. If they somehow did stay put… the only guy left on the board is really Cody Ford who could go anywhere from 22 to 40. Ford has protected the likes of Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray so protecting another quarterback that can be mobile in Watson shouldn’t be much of an issue.
24. Oakland Raiders – RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama: Like the Seahawks, goodbye incumbent (Marshawn Lynch) and hello rookie! This is totally going to be Jacobs if he is here. The Eagles and Colts are both teams that could jump up to Baltimore to make sure they get him if they want him that bad. But I don’t see jumping in the first round for a running back to be completely honest. Jacobs split the backfield in college but that doesn’t mean he won’t be able to carve out the Kamara role for the Raiders.
25. Philadelphia Eagles – Edge Brian Burns, Florida St: I don’t like Burns falling this far… but the Eagles sure do! Truthfully though, Burns is a guy that could be in the 12-32 range, but he is a 1st rounder for sure to me. The Eagles realize that edge rushers are always good to have and with Bennett in New England… there is a little opening. Eagles could go Lindstrom from Boston College at Guard or even Abraham at Safety, but Burns is too good of a value to pass up here.
26. Indianapolis Colts – DT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi St: The Colts have so few needs that they can afford to redshirt Simmons who tore his ACL in the offseason and had a spell of domestic violence before he was enrolled in school. It sounds like since that day he has not only been a model citizen but has gone above and beyond in his community. The Colts also realize that building through the draft is the way to go and “getting 2 first round picks” next year will be huge for this team’s super bowl window.
27. Oakland Raiders – TE Noah Fant, Iowa: The Raiders would’ve taken him at 24 but realize that neither the Eagles nor Colts are needing a TE so unless a team trades up to get him (i.e. Patriots or Packers) the Raiders can get their new running back and tight end for Carr. Plenty of new toys for Chucky this offseason. Fant is a pass catching tight end but there have been concerns in circles about him and there is clearly a reason he isn’t in the same conversation as Hockenson as a top 12 pick when there are other tight end needy teams up there.
28. Los Angeles Chargers – CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple: This feels like the Chargers are in the perfect range for a corner and with the departure of Jason Verrett, they are back in the market. Greedy Williams is still on the board but as you can see, I am going with Rock here. Though I won’t be surprised if he goes here either. It seems like Rock has flown up draft boards and is going to be a great addition to Derwin at safety, Hayward at corner and King in the slot. That’s a great secondary and overall defense.
29. Seattle Seahawks – CB Greedy Williams, Louisiana St: I don’t have Greedy falling farther than Seattle’s second pick. Rams and Patriots will always value a corner even if they don’t have an immediate need. But Seattle does! Their defense has always been their identity even with Russell getting his monster deal. Greedy is a get in your face press man slap your booty type of press man corner. I love him and he is going to crush it out in the pacific northwest.
30. Green Bay Packers – WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma: The Sooners will tie Clemson, Mississippi St, and Alabama with the most 1st rounders in this year’s draft (total of 3 each) once he is taken in the late 1st round. The Packers first round was about protecting Rodgers so he can stay upright and finish his contract. This pick is so he has another target because Marquez-Valdez Scantling ain’t doing it. Brown is going to crush it in the slot in Green Bay and fill the void the Cobb leaves. LOVE this guy to the Pack.
31. Los Angeles Rams – S Johnathan Abraham, Mississippi St: The Rams just lost Lamarcus Joyner to the Raiders this offseason and can replace him with this thumper. The safeties are all about the same range and there is no consensus number one guy, but Abraham is mine. The Rams could also go with Dexter Lawrence from Clemson here because they lost Suh or virtually any edge rusher (maybe they climb up to get Burns if he falls). But in this case, I have the immediate loss of Joyner as more pressing.
32. New England Patriots – DL Dexter Lawrence, Clemson: Of course, the Patriots land with this baller. And yeah I could’ve put Lawrence above like I mentioned and given the Patriots someone worse, but honestly when do I ever get what I want? Dexter is a big bellied beast and will dominate with Lawrence Guy along the interior. Totally a Patriots type pick and I’m not happy about it.
That is all I’ve got. I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for reading this far! If you did read, send me a message saying “Papaya’s in the morning” so I know you’ve read this far. I love you.
Sources: WalterFootball.com, Matt Miller Bleacher Report Big Board, my brain
