2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Eric Galko

In the past, I’ve done upwards of 20 mock drafts in a draft cycle. But this year, after doing a quick one on February 11^th, I decided to wait, as other obligations for myself and with Optimum Scouting have pushed our media work away from the forefront. Plus, OptimumScouting.com isn't an NFL Draft website, so Mocks aren't needed.

However, with NFL Draft month here, it felt time for a Mock Draft. Below is my current projection on how the first round will shake out. 

1. Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Still the pick from all I've heard since February.

2. San Francisco 49ers – Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Even though the team traded for Dee Ford, most around the league still believe he’ll be the pick. They’d love to trade down, and a team looking for Bosa might move up.

3. New York Jets – Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky

Josh Allen fits their need for a pass rusher, and they seem to like the edge rusher. Bosa and Williams appear to be on the table too.

4. Oakland Raiders – Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama

I believe you can probably rule out a quarterback or Ed Oliver here. Williams, Bosa and Allen should be the pick, and Williams may make the most sense. Jaguars, Dolphins could be trade up candidates for Haskins.

5. Tampa Bay Bucs – Devin White, LB, LSU

After getting Bruce Arians, team is likely to look defense early. I’ve got White in dark pencil from what I’ve heard, unless one of the edge players is still here.

6. New York Giants – Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State

Defense is where the Giants want to go with this pick. Sweat and Devin White two I’ve heard most linked.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Even with Foles signing, I believe the team is still strongly considering Haskins. If they don’t take him, he might be Bengal or really start to slip.

8. Detroit Lions – Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan

No idea who the Lions want to pick, but Gary makes a lot of sense to replace Ezekiel Ansah, Oddly, would be the first Big Ten player they’ve drafted since 2016’s Taylor Decker. Could be a Drew Lock trade up spot.

9. Buffalo Bills – Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Bills would like to trade back, and Dolphins/Redskins could consider if they want Drew Lock. But they want to bolster their defensive line. Ed Oliver would be a great fit.

10. Denver Broncos – Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

Broncos are one of the few teams I know for sure has a high grade on Drew Lock, and they need a quarterback of the future. Defensive tackle and linebacker could be options here if Vic Fangio wins out.

11. Cincinnati Bengals – TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa

Hockenson is going to go someplace in the top-20 picks. Bengals like Cody Ford, but Hockenson is in play and could give Zac Taylor what he needs. Michigan’s Devin Bush could be an option too.

12. Green Bay Packers – Cody Ford, OG, Oklahoma

Packers need to start planning for their next wave of offensive linemen, and Ford fits perfectly. He can play guard in year one, tackle if need be for the future.

13. Miami Dolphins – Jonah Williams, OG, Alabama

Dolphins like Williams a lot. They could look to move up for Ed Oliver or even a quarterback like Drew Lock, but I’d imagine they look to bolster their offensive and defensive line early and often.

14. Atlanta Falcons – Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

Run on offensive linemen likely happens in the teens. Falcons need to get one to play right tackle this year.

15. Washington Redskins – DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss

Redskins could be players for Drew Lock, but odds are they sit back and try to find a true number one receiver that Josh Doctson isn’t.

16. Carolina Panthers – Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State

Panthers need a left tackle for the future. Dillard is that plug and play option. Metcalf and Brian Burns also could be options, as they appear to like both.

17. New York Giants – Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson 

Think there’s a great chance the Giants go back to back defensive linemen. Like earlier, linebacker could be in play too in Devin Bush.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

Kyle Rudolph is in his contract year, and tight end is a big part of their offense. Even with Rudolph, they can double up with Fant and further support Cousins and the offense. Surprise could be safety Johnathan Abram.

19. Tennessee Titans – Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State

Burns is a perfect fit and they have shown significant interest. If he’s here, I think he’s the pick as of now.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers – Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

They’d love Devin White, but Bush will have to do. They’ve done lots of homework on edge and inside linebackers. I’d expect one of those to be the pick.

21. Seattle Seahawks – Byron Murphy, CB, Washington

Often linked to Murphy by league people, he fits what they need now. Potential surprises would be Delware’s Nasir Adderley or Maryland’s Darnell Savage. They have interest in both.

22. Baltimore Ravens – Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss

This pick seems like it could be an edge rusher, with Jaylon Ferguson fitting what they want, but Little to be their swing tackle and potential guard makes a lot  of sense. Potential surprises: Boston College DE Zach Allen and Iowa State WR Hakeem Butler.

23. Houston Texans – Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

This seems highly likely to be a defensive back with Williams, De’Andre Baker, and Darnell Savage in the mix. I’ll say it’s Greedy because I think he’s the best out of the bunch. If they made a move up for offensive linemen Andre Dillard or down for Alabama State’s Tytus Howard, I wouldn’t be surprised.

24. Oakland Raiders – Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson

If they pass on an edge rusher at 4 or in a trade down, Ferrell seems like a good bet to be a Raider in the 20s.

25. Philadelphia Eagles – Chris Lindstrom, OG, Boston College

Eagles are one of three teams to work out Lindstrom extensively at his Pro Day. The others were Baltimore (could take him at 22) and the Packers (could take him at 30). Eagles could have him (or Dalton Risner) play either guard spots this year, and be in the mix for the right tackle spot once Jason Peters retires and move Lane Johnson to the left side.

26. Indianapolis Colts – Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

Colts need a nose tackle after focusing on the offensive line last year. Tillery is viewed highly by teams in the 20s because of his experience, versatility and maturity.

27. Oakland Raiders – Johnathan Abram, SAF, Mississippi State 

Abram fits what they like and need at safety with Karl Joseph likely gone after this year. Receiver AJ Brown is someone they like and could be a good fit but they want to stay defense in the first two days of the draft. I tried to find a Senior Bowl guy they coached here but none fit.

28. Los Angeles Chargers – Kaleb McGary, OT, Washington

Chargers need a right tackle in the worst way. McGary has played it well, and fits what they need. They could move up for he or Jerry Tillery.

29. Kansas City Chiefs – Jaylon Ferguson, EDGE, Louisiana Tech

Trading away Dee Ford and letting Justin Houston walk was bold. It may be too obvious, but an edge rusher is almost needed in the first or second round. Ferguson has the experience to be a plug and play starter.

30. Green Bay Packers – AJ Brown, WR, Ole Miss

Packers seem to like Brown a lot, and he fits exactly what they need to complement Davante Adams. I’ll be surprised if Brown doesn’t go first round at this point. I don’t believe the Packers will take both a TE AND a WR in the first round. OL here would be Risner or Tytus Howard.

31. Los Angeles Rams – Garrett Bradbury, OC, NC State

Rams need to stay as inexpensive as possible on the offensive line to make up for the rest of their offensive salaries. Bradbury can play center or right guard right away. Another offensive linemen likely comes in Day 2.

32. New England Patriots – Irv Smith, TE, Alabama

Too obvious? Probably. I think they’ll double up at tight end, and Irv Smith plus Jace Sternberger in the 3^rd makes too much sense.