**THIS MOCK DRAFT IS NOT PREDICTIVE**
For this mock, I'll make picks as if I were the GM of each team. The only character and injury concerns that I factored into this mock draft are those which may threaten a player's future availability on the football field. I did not project trades.
This may be my last "what would I do" mock of 2019, barring major trades or major shifts in my prospect rankings. Enjoy!
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**1) ARI: Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan (6043 - 277 - 4.58)**
The Cardinals have two main deficiencies in their front seven -- edge rusher and interior defensive linemen. Arizona could use both an edge rusher across from Chandler Jones and a defensive tackle to replace Robert Nkemdiche. Rashan Gary could do both. The number-one ranked high school recruit in 2015, Gary absolutely tore up the Combine, running a 4.5 forty and a 4.2 short shuttle at 277 pounds. Though his production at Michigan was limited -- largely due to his role as a 3-4 defensive end -- Gary clearly showed that he has all the requisite traits to be a dominant edge rusher in the NFL. Gary has strong hands, good length, freaky bend, and a brilliant first step. In free agency, Arizona added pass rusher Terrell Suggs, but as a 36 year old, he's unlikely to prevent the Cards from addressing the position with the first overall pick. In Arizona, Gary could switch between interior defensive line and defensive end, thereby helping to address both needs on the front seven.
**2) SFO: DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss (6033 - 228 - 4.33)**
The 49ers signed Jordan Matthews to a one-year deal this offseason to play x-receiver, but because his production has stagnated over the past two years, San Francisco could stand to upgrade the position once again in the draft. DK Metcalf's first-step quickness is a tier above the other receivers in the class, especially the ones that are Metcalf's size. Metcalf is a strong receiver who, though he is plenty raw, has shown an ability to come down with contested balls. Metcalf absolutely tore up the Combine, stunning the world by running a 4.3 forty at 228 pounds. 49ers fans may be clamoring for Nick Bosa if he's available in this situation, but with the addition of Dee Ford, coupled with Solomon Thomas' long-term upside, defensive end is no longer as big of a need for San Fran. Instead, with DK Metcalf, Kyle Shanahan can add a true number-one WR across from Marquise Goodwin to his offense, which finished 16th in the NFL last year despite Jimmy Garoppolo's week-3 injury.
**3) NYJ: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio St (6036 - 266 - 4.79)**
The last time the Jets had an edge rusher with double-digit sacks was in 2013, when Calvin Pace recorded ten sacks. The Jets have at least one hole on the edge, and Bosa could fill that hole. Nick Bosa is the most pro-ready edge rusher in the draft, he's probably capable of notching double-digit sacks in his rookie season, and he wins with burst, bend, and pass-rushing moves. Bosa is pretty twitchy, possessing an above-average first step. Bosa has good upper-body flexibility as well, but his pass rushing moves are his best trait, as he is absolutely lethal with the inside swim move and the chop, among others. While Nick Bosa ran a poor forty at the Combine, he posted a really good 10-yard split, short shuttle (4.14), and bench press (29), exhibiting his strengths nicely. Bosa is the surest thing in this class, and the Jets could use that certainty to bolster a defense that is otherwise very sound on paper.
**4) OAK: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky (6047 - 262 - 4.63)**
The Raiders were absolutely abysmal at generating pressure last year, finishing last in the league with a mere 13 total sacks on the season, which was 17 sacks less than the next worst team. Josh Allen can come in and hope to change that immediately. The way that Josh Allen separates himself from the other edge rushers in the class is his coverage skills -- in his sophomore and junior years, Allen played a substantial number of snaps as a coverage linebacker at a much lighter weight. Allen ran a nice forty and a quite nice 4.2 shuttle, showing off his abilities as a speed rusher. Further, Allen developed his first step and pass-rushing moves, including hand counters and inside moves, resulting in a whopping 17 sacks during his senior campaign. The Raiders drafted Arden Key and Maurice Hurst last year, and they each had promising moments in their rookie year. If Oakland drafts Brian Burns, they can set themselves up for long-term success at generating pressure on the quarterback.
**5) TAM: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri (6036 - 228 - 4.69)**
New Bucs head coach Bruce Arians has a successful track record of developing young quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck. Jameis Winston has had a relatively pedestrian career thus far, losing starts to Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2018, and his contract is up in 2019. Of all of the prospects, Drew Lock probably helped his case the most at the Senior Bowl. Though Daniel Jones won the MVP, Lock was better in drills and was more consistent overall, feeding his first-round hype. Drew Lock is a first-round caliber prospect because he has really good arm talent, he has an exceptionally-quick release, he has ideal size, and because he has a good pocket presence. Lock is the perfect fit for Arians' vertical offense, and Arians certainly has the track record to justify taking a quarterback early, so Drew Lock is the pick at this juncture.
**6) NYG: Ed Oliver, IDL, Houston (6017 - 287 - DNP)**
The Giants have an aging defense which ranked 24th in the NFL in 2018. With the free agency loss of Josh Mauro to Oakland, bolstering the defensive line would be a great way for the Giants to infuse youth into their defense. It just so happens that Ed Oliver is the best player available. Oliver has a legitimate claim as the best athlete in the entire draft class, as his linear flexibility, first step, and gap penetration are a tier above the rest of the interior defensive linemen in the class. Oliver has an absolutely violent punch, and he's incredibly explosive. Despite his decision not to run a forty at the Combine, Oliver still had a great performance. He came in at 287 pounds, greater than what was anticipated, and he still managed to jump a 10'-flat broad with 32 bench reps. The Giants would love to add a blue-chip player in this draft, and if Ed Oliver somehow falls to six, he certainly qualifies as such and would improve their defensive line on day one.
**7) JAC: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa (6041 - 249 - 4.50)**
Austin Seferian-Jenkins disappointed last year, combining for a mere 90 receiving yards before going down for the year in week five. As such, the Jaguars are, again, in need of a tight end to replace Mercedes Lewis. Noah Fant is an athletic monster who is all the Jaguars could've hoped for when they signed "ASJ" last offseason. Fant is truly a receiver playing in a tight end's body, running a diverse set of routes on the route tree. Fant's length is a major asset, both as a receiver and as a blocker. Fant's run blocking, which is negated by fans and analysts who want to push the "athletic freak who can't block" narrative, is actually rather impressive: he can usually find his target pretty quickly and stay on him with proper technique. Fant had a dominant showing at the Combine, finishing first amongst all tight ends with a 4.50-flat forty. Outside of Leonard Fournette, the Jags lack weapons on offense, so Jacksonville could look to add a tight end like Fant for Nick Foles to throw to.
**8) DET: Devin White, LB, LSU (6000 - 237 - 4.42)**
The Lions' personnel issues forbade them from finishing with a winning record last year. Detroit is in a good position to go BPA with this pick, and they can address a slight weakness by taking someone with extreme athletic upside. Devin White's range, instincts, and zone coverage abilities would allow him to play MIKE, but with Jarrad David already in that role for Detroit, White could play OLB in Matt Patricia's multiple front in year one. White has great speed and is a physical tackler. White ran a blistering 4.4 forty at the Combine, and his arms had more than enough length at 32.1 inches. White needs a bit of development in his tackling form and block shedding, but Matt Patricia could be the perfect coach to help unlock his full potential.
**9) BUF: Quinnen Williams, IDL, Alabama (6030 - 303 - 4.83)**
Kyle Williams, six-time Pro Bowler, retired from the NFL after his 2018 campaign, leaving a bit of a hole on the Buffalo defensive line. Though it isn't necessarily the biggest need, Buffalo could still go for an upgrade on their interior defensive line. Quinnen Williams is the most technically-refined interior defensive lineman in this class, as his hand usage is already at an NFL Pro Bowl level. His mental processing is very good, and his stack-shed is almost as good as Ed Oliver's. Quinnen is also a very good athlete, as his upper-body flexibility and first-step quickness give him a very nice upside. Williams did well at the Combine, carrying over 300 pounds nicely both in drills and on the forty. Williams would certainly qualify as the best player available in this scenario, and Buffalo should be looking to add blue-chip talent for a potential 2019 postseason run.
**10) DEN: Erik McCoy, IOL, Texas A&M (6037 - 303 - 4.89)**
The Broncos added Joe Flacco and Ja'Wuan James this offseason, which bodes well for their 19th-ranked 2018 offense, but their interior offensive line was weakened with the loss of Matt Paradis to Carolina. Erik McCoy, a three-year starter, has strong hands, and he generates frequent movement in the run game. McCoy's good core strength is amplified by his low center of mass, and he has good hand placement and technique. Erik McCoy had a fantastic Combine, running a sub-5 forty and recording a pretty-nice 29 reps on the bench. The Broncos lost Matt Paradis in free agency, and while Connor McGovern is assumed to be his replacement, Denver still needs to add to its interior offensive line. Erik McCoy would be a very nice pick, as he could immediately start at center to slide Connor McGovern back to his natural position of right guard while providing plenty of long-term upside.
**11) CIN: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio St (6033 - 231 - 5.04)**
Andy Dalton has had a respectable stretch starting for the Bengals as the second-best QB from the 2011 class, but his 2018 season was unspectacular, as his interception percentage was at its highest since 2014. The Bengals can cut Dalton next year with no dead money and $17.7 M of cap savings, so the Bengals may opt to take that route if the option presents itself. Dwane Haskins’ poise under pressure will grow over time, but he is otherwise quite pro ready. Haskins is a really good decision-maker when the pocket is clear, he makes anticipatory throws better and more frequently than anyone else in the class, and he places the ball really nicely on out-breaking routes. Haskins had a decent Combine, struggling mightily on the forty but placing the ball nicely in drills. Zac Taylor was the Rams' quarterbacks coach last season before landing the Bengals' HC job, so he could be the perfect coach to develop a young quarterback, and Haskins' intelligence, placement, and anticipation bodes really well for him in a West Coast Offense.
**12) GNB: Jeffery Simmons, IDL, Mississippi St (DNP - DNP - DNP)**
The Packers have one of the best defensive lines in football, but with Mike Daniels and Kenny Clark scheduled to be FAs in 2020, Green Bay could stand to address the unit in the draft. Jeffery Simmons is an athletic freak, his twitch and power jump off the screen, his leverage was improved in 2018, and his speed is elite for the interior defensive line. Simmons probably plays around 300 pounds, and he maneuvers his upper body quite well. Simmons didn't participate in the Combine due to his torn ACL and due to discipline for his checkered past, which was really a shame because he could have been expected to dominate in the bench press and the 10-yard split. Simmons is the best player available at this juncture, so the Packers should consider addressing a long-term need and taking the Mississippi State defensive lineman if he falls.
**13) MIA: Isaiah Prince, T, Ohio St (6064 - 300 - 5.09)**
Miami gave up the fifth-most sacks in football last year, and they neglected the unit in free agency. Isaiah Prince possesses a nice one-two punch of length and agility, measuring in with 35.5" arms and a 5.09 forty in Indianapolis. He’s a fluid blocker with nice play strength who absorbs contact pretty well. Isaiah Prince is already a very good run blocker, and if he learns to develop his hand technique such that he improves his balance on pass sets, his pass protection could vault him to Pro-Bowl status. The Dolphins lost Ja'Wuan James and didn't really manage to replace him, so the Fins will need to bolster their offensive line to help Ryan Fitzpatrick succeed this season.
**14) ATL: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi St (6056 - 260 - 4.41)**
The Falcons started Vic Beasley, Takk McKinely, and Bruce Irvin at edge last season, so needless to say, the unit must be improved. Montez Sweat is a long-armed edge rusher with an effective first step. Sweat also possesses a wide array of pass rushing moves, with the club and the rip being his current favorites. His massive wingspan serves him well in the run game. Montez Sweat dispelled some myths about his athleticism and bend at the Combine, running an incredible 4.41 forty at 260 lbs, and putting up really impressive times in the 3-cone and short shuttle as well. The Falcons failed to address their pass rush in free agency, so they will have to draft help on the edge. Only two years removed from their deep playoff run, the Falcons have failed to recapture their former glory due to poor defensive play. Sweat could be a plug-and-play guy at a position of need to help Atlanta compete for the NFC South once again, and as a former defensive line coach, Dan Quinn could be the perfect man to turn Sweat from an athlete into an edge rusher.
**15) WAS: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa St (6053 - 227 - 4.48)**
The Redskins had the 28th-ranked passing attack in 2018, and with Case Keenum slated to be the starting quarterback, Washington should look to give him some receivers to work with. Hakeem Butler is an aggressive route runner and great blocker who is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Butler also possesses really good speed for his size. Butler had a fantastic Combine, coming in at 6'5" but also running a 4.4 forty. Since they lost Jamison Crowder, the best receivers on the Redskins' roster are Josh Doctson, Darwin Kidsy, and Paul Richardson, which is just unacceptable. Longtime Redskins receivers coach Ike Hilliard, who likely has head coaching aspirations, could be the perfect coach to help Hakeem Butler make the big leap from Iowa State to the NFL.
**16) CAR: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU (6017 - 185 - 4.37)**
Donte Jackson impressed this season as a round-2 rook at outside corner, but James Bradberry disappointed, giving up huge games to AJ Green, Alston Jeffery, Kenny Golladay, and others. Greedy Williams is the freakiest corner to come out in years, as his length, fluidity, and press skills are really good. Straight up, there aren't many athletes Greedy's height that can run as fast as Greedy can, and moreover, Greedy gets to that top speed very quickly. Williams' hand quickness is the best in the class for defensive backs, and his good closing speed coupled with his length aides him greatly when playing the ball. Greedy had a mixed showing at the Combine, coming in at 6'2" and running a 4.3, but his on-field drills were cut short due to cramping. Greedy Williams projects to be a versatile corner, so he could mold his game into the Panthers' zone-heavy scheme in year one.
**17) NYG: Tytus Howard, T, Alabama St (6050 - 322 - 5.05)**
The Giants' offensive line went through a bit of a remodeling last year, with the mid-season departures of Ereck Flowers and Patrick Omameh, and they added Kevin Zeitler in a trade with the Browns. The final piece for the Giants' offensive line remodeling is a right tackle to replace Chad Wheeler. Tytus Howard is a former tight end who is known to be a very good pass blocker, and with an arm length of 34 4/8" at Mobile, he’s got the requisite measureables to be an early pick. Howard’s performance at the Senior Bowl, coupled with his game against Auburn, eases some concern that he only looks good against weaker competition. Howard played right tackle for the Alabama State Hornets, but he was the blind-side protector because quarterback Darryl Pearson Jr. is a lefty. All-in-all, Howard’s pass protection footwork is among the best in the class, but he can function as a run-blocking mauler as well. The Giants have an offensive core of Eli Manning, Saquon Barkley, Golden Tate, Nate Solder that may not all be together for very many more years, and they are limited as long as Chad Wheeler is starting. With Tytus Howard, the Giants get a piece that could shore up their offensive line to open up a short Super Bowl window.
**18) MIN: Garrett Bradbury, IOL, NC St (6027 - 306 - 4.92)**
The Vikings have a major deficiency at guard. Garrett Bradbury has strong hands, and he is a great athlete for his size. Bradbury wins a high percentage of his reps, because he mirrors and pass protects against inside rushers quite well. Bradbury had a brilliant Combine, posting a sub-5 forty and 34 reps on the bench. Bradbury also was excellent in field drills, showing off his very good footwork. Minnesota took a huge gamble when they made an investment in Kirk Cousins in the 2017 offseason, and if they are fully committed to this investment, they must use an early draft pick on protecting their franchise QB. Garrett Bradbury has the versatility to perhaps play any position along the interior offensive line, so he’d be a valued addition with the Vikings' o-line in such a state of flux.
**19) TEN: N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona St (6023 - 228 - 4.53)**
Corey Davis is beginning to look like a true number-1 receiver for Tennessee, but the Titans lack quality receivers across from him. N'Keal Harry's height, contested-catch ability, and hands project him as an XWR in the NFL. Though Harry is certainly tall, he also brings much more than that to the table. Harry has a really good start-stop ability and catch radius, and he can high point the ball very nicely as well. Harry had a nice Combine, running a 4.5 forty which is decent for his size, recording a 122" broad jump, and tallying a historic 27 reps on the bench press. Tennessee acquired Adam Humphries, but he's primarily a slot receiver. If the Titans wish to build around Marcus Mariota for the long term, upgrading at wide receiver is absolutely imperative, and adding a player like N'Keal Harry with athletic upside could have benefits for many years to come.
**20) PIT: Chase Winovich, EDGE, Michigan (6026 - 256 - 4.59)**
Bud Dupree will play next year on his fifth-year option, but the Steelers could look to bolster their pass rushing unit anyway. Chase Winovich is a defensive lineman with nice burst, quality short-area quickness, and good gap integrity in the run game. Winovich uses a wide variety of pass rush counters, and his hand placement is very good. Just like Rashan Gary, Winovich's sack production was relatively low at Michigan because he played a lot of 3-4 defensive end. Winovich had a dominant performance at the Combine, running a 4.5 forty, a 4.1 short shuttle, and cracking 7 on his three cone. The latter two events were really beneficial for Chase, because it had been hypothesized that he lacked in flexibility. Winovich is, perhaps, the best player available in this situation, and he would be a welcomed addition across from TJ Watt for a team that finished 2nd in the NFL in sacks in 2018.
**21) SEA: Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia (6004 - 205 - 4.40)**
Once feared as the "Legion of Boom," the Seahawks secondary has regressed in recent years by a lot, losing Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, and Earl Thomas. In the Seahawks scheme, if they wish to rebuild this unit, they must have a free safety capable of playing single-high and covering a lot of range. Juan Thornhill is a versatile defensive back, with the ability to play single-high, match up with tight ends and slot receivers, and even line up in the box. Thornhill reads routes pretty well, jumping routes fairly frequently with his good aggression. Thornhill was all over for the Cavaliers last season, tallying 6 picks and 7 passes defended. Juan Thornhill has a very good Combine performance, coming in at 6'0", over 200 pounds, and running a 4.4 flat in the forty. He followed up this performance with quality work in drills, showcasing some pretty good hips. Seattle didn't really address the secondary during free agency, so the draft is really the only remaining arena for them to do so. Pete Carroll was no-doubt disappointed with his team's 17th-ranked pass D. Juan Thornhill could be the piece that the Seahawks try to build their pass defense around for the 2020s.
**22) BAL: Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford (6013 - 239 - 4.58)**
With the loss of CJ Mosley in free agency to New York, the Ravens now have a hole at off-ball linebacker aside Patrick Onwuasor. Bobby Okereke is a well-rounded linebacker who fits into the modern game quite well with his range. Okereke plays like a Stanford grad with his good angles and gap integrity, and he's an above-average tackler as well. Moreover, Okereke is technically sound enough to play man in addition zone. Okereke proved his size-speed combo at the Combine, running an impressive 4.5 forty at 239 pounds, and he measured with really good 34.5" arms. The Ravens lost CJ Mosley because they were unwilling to pay top-dollar for a linebacker who struggles in zone, so adding Bobby Okereke, an athletic linebacker who succeeds in pass coverage, could be in the cards for Baltimore.
**23) HOU: Jawaan Taylor, T, Florida (6050 - 312 - DNP)**
Deshaun Watson tore his ACL in 2017 and was the most sacked quarterback in football in 2018. Most of this burden falls on the tackles, and specifically, right tackle Kendall Lamm. Jawaan Taylor is a long tackle who excels in run blocking. Taylor generates plenty of movement with his grip strength and apparent core strength, and he's got pass blocking upside as well. Taylor shuts down spins and speed rushes pretty well due to his length and fair athleticism. Taylor did not run a forty at the Combine, but he did measure very well, coming in at 6'5", 312 pounds, with huge 35 1/8" arms. The Texans absolutely cannot allow opponents to have the edge at will if they expect to develop Deshaun Watson, and Jawaan Taylor brings the physical skills needed to be a very good tackle.
**24) OAK: Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma (6003 - 224 - DNP)**
The Raiders had a terrible rushing attack in 2018, finishing 8th-worst in the NFL. Since Marshawn Lynch will be 33 on draft day and has only played 7 games per year for the last 4 years, Oakland could look to go elsewhere with the running-back position. Rodney Anderson is a true "do it all" back, in line with the likes of Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette of years past. Anderson is a fast runner with a physical but patient style. Rodney is an elusive back who can cut nicely, and he is a receiving threat with good hands. Rodney got an average of 6.4 yards per carry in his 200 total rushes at college, meaning that he is very productive but hasn't suffered very much wear and tear. Oakland made serious gains this offseason with the additions of Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, Trent Brown, Vontaze Burfict, and Lamarcus Joyner, so adding a mega-talent like Rodney Anderson could be the explanation point on the new-and-improved Raiders.
**25) PHI: Jonah Williams, IOL, Alabama (6044 - 302 - 5.12)**
Carson Wentz has sustained major injuries in back-to-back years now, so the Eagles would be justified in upgrading their offensive line early in the draft. Specifically, despite the cheap extension doled out to Isaac Seumalo, left guard is a weak link on the offensive line with the probable departure of Stefen Wisniewski. Jonah Williams played left tackle for Alabama, but his best fit in the NFL might be at guard. Williams is an athletic run blocker who gets to his blocks quickly, and his lower-body strength and leverage gives him All-Pro potential on the inside. Williams' athleticism makes him a good puller, and his hand placement is superb. Williams struggles against long-armed pass rushers as a tackle, but this will be mitigated on the inside, where angles aren't as wide. Jonah had a decent showing at the Combine, measuring with 33.6" arms, a 5.12 forty, and 23 bench press reps, all perfectly adequate to play inside at guard. With experience at tackle but the body to play guard, Jonah could make an immediate impact in Philly at left guard but possibly compete for a starting tackle spot when Jason Peters finally departs.
**26) IND: Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson (6014 - 199 - 4.46)**
The Colts' two starting outside cornerbacks last season were Kenny Moore and Pierre Desir, which was very poor. The team has an obvious need at the position, and they will certainly look to upgrade this offseason. Trayvon Mullen has an excellent skill set, having great range as a zone corner and good closing speed on the ball. Mullen also improved his hand usage on the line of scrimmage in 2018, and his flexibility and fluidity have always been positive characteristics. Mullen's Combine performance was unspectacular, but he got the job done, measuring at 6'1" and running a 4.4 forty. Matt Eberflus, one of the top defensive minds in football, could be the guy to make Mullen into a great defensive back for a team in desperate need. The Colts made a deep postseason push last year, but they fell to Kansas City in the divisional round because they gave up 31 points, so upgrading the defense could make Indy a true Super Bowl contender.
**27) OAK: Caleb Wilson, TE, UCLA (6042 - 240 - 4.56)**
The Raiders' top receiver, Jared Cook, departed this offseason for New Orleans, and given that Oakland failed to find a quality replacement in free agency, they must consider drafting a tight end in the early rounds. Enter Caleb Wilson, who is the epitome of being a "wide receiver in a tight end's body," in that he high-points the ball well, he has good hands, and he breaks pretty nicely to get separation downfield. Wilson has high-quality speed off the line of scrimmage, and he's shown an ability to get into the second level as a run blocker with power when he properly utilizes his leverage. Wilson was one of the main stories of the Combine, changing directions and running field drills well enough to force many to watch or rewatch UCLA tape. Raiders' tight ends coach Frank Smith actually has a pretty long history of coaching good tight ends, including Jared Cook, Zach Miller, Jimmy Graham, and Benjamin Watson, so maybe he can be the coach to get the most out of Caleb Wilson in the NFL.
**28) LAC: Elgton Jenkins, IOL, Mississippi St (6044 - 310 - DNP)**
The Chargers have question marks at all three positions on their interior offensive line -- LG Dan Feeney is pitiful in pass protection, C Mike Pouncey seems to have peaked and he only has one year left on his deal, and RG Michael Schofield is a below-average starter as well. Elgton Jenkins is an plus-sized interior offensive lineman with good athleticism and great length. Jenkins is the full package, as he has moments of really good power and, when things are about to go wrong, he can recover with his upper-body fluidity. Jenkins comes off as being really smart as well, as his offensive lines are not often fooled by stunts. Jenkins, importantly, held his own at the Senior Bowl. and while he did not run a forty at the Combine, he proved his fluidity with his 4.6 shuttle and 7.7 three-cone. Philip Rivers is 37 years old, and as a darkhorse MVP candidate in 2018, he has not shown any signs of regression. Elgton Jenkins probably has the size and athleticism to fill in for Dan Feeney at left guard this year before likely replacing Mike Pouncey at center in 2020. The Chargers are well-situated to make another Super Bowl run in 2019, so Elgton Jenkins would protect Rivers from interior pressure and address one of LA's biggest needs.
**29) KAN: Dexter Lawrence, IDL, Clemson (6044 - 342 - 5.05)**
The Chiefs have multiple holes on their D-Line, and even if Breeland Speaks, Dorian O'Daniel, and Armani Watts step up next year, Kansas City must continue to add young players to their defense. Dexter Lawrence is a huge human being, but he's also agile enough to line up outside of guards on occasion, and he pursues gaps really nicely. Lawrence closes the pocket really nicely as a nose tackle, and he is very disruptive in the run game, requiring double teams on almost every rushing down. "D-Law" had a very nice, albeit very short, Combine. Lawrence recorded 36 reps on the bench press, and he had a 5.05 forty at 342 pounds, suffering a quad injury in the process. The Chiefs hired Steve Spagnuolo after finishing 31st in the league in total defense in 2018, and they would be wise to add another interior defensive lineman next to Chris Jones for Spagnuolo's 4-3 base.
**30) GNB: Chris Lindstrom, IOL, Boston College (6036 - 308 - 4.91)**
The Packers have really good tackles in David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga, but their guards are among the worst in football. Chris Lindstrom can come in right away and play left guard in replacement of Lane Taylor. Lindstrom is an athletic pass protector with light feet who does well in space. Lindstrom sustains his run blocks really nicely as well. Lindstrom had a very nice Combine, showing off his speed-strength combination by running a 4.9 forty and recording 25 reps at the bench press. Green Bay added Billy Turner from Denver in free agency, but they still have a hole at guard. Lindstrom is a good fit for the zone blocking scheme that Matt LaFleur projects to run in Green Bay, so the Packers would benefit from taking him at this juncture.
**31) LAR: Charles Omenihu, IDL, Texas (6053 - 280 - 4.92)**
Wade Phillips' Rams D finished 19th in 2018, despite high-quality talents such as Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, and John Johnson, and a big reason for this was weak play on the edge. Charles Omenihu has the bulk and strength to play either defensive end or defensive tackle on the Rams' defensive front, but he'd likely primarily play inside for LA due to need at the position. He's got unusual upper-body flexibility for his size, which could theoretically enable him to play EDGE, and he's got a really nice first step. Omenihu's arms measured 36" at the Senior Bowl, which is particularly long, and he had 9.5 sacks in a productive senior season. Omenihu didn't run a fantastic forty, but his 4.36 short shuttle proved his quality bend. Ndamukong Suh's one-year deal expires this offseason, and the Rams had weak play on the edge in 2018, so Omenihu, at 280 pounds, could potentially contribute on both fronts.
**32) NWE: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi St (5113 - 205 - 4.45)**
The Patriots finished 22nd in pass defense last season, and they have an aging secondary, so they could look to add a young player to that unit. Johnathan Abram is a versatile safety with hard-hitting tendencies and high-quality range. Abram has a super aggressive coverage style, he plays pretty well in man and zone, but he can function as a strong-side safety as well. Johnathan Abram had a good Combine, showing off his athleticism by running a 4.4 forty, showing off his strength by recording 16 reps at the bench, and showing off his fluidity in field drills. With the recent success of Jamal Adams and Derwin James, teams may look towards versatile box safeties such as Johnathan Abram to help build up their defense. The Patriots, having won Super Bowl LIII, are in a position to go BPA in the first round. Johnathan Abram could come in and replace Duron Harmon in big nickel packages, and he could aspire to eventually replace the 31-year-old Patrick Chung.
2019 NFL Mock Draft (Post Combine)
For this mock, I'll make picks as if I were the GM of each team. The only character and injury concerns that I factored into this mock draft are those which may threaten a player's future availability on the football field. I did not project trades.
1) ARI: Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan (6043 - 277 - 4.58)
The Cardinals have two main deficiencies in their front seven -- edge rusher and interior defensive linemen. Arizona could use both an edge rusher across from Chandler Jones and a defensive tackle to replace Robert Nkemdiche. Rashan Gary could do both. The number-one ranked high school recruit in 2015, Gary absolutely tore up the Combine, running a 4.5 forty and a 4.2 short shuttle at 277 pounds. Though his production at Michigan was limited -- largely due to his role as a 3-4 defensive end -- Gary clearly showed that he has all the requisite traits to be a dominant edge rusher in the NFL. Gary has strong hands, good length, freaky bend, and a brilliant first step. In Arizona, Gary could play interior defensive line on base downs and defensive end on nickel downs, thereby helping to address both needs on the front seven.
2) SFO: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio St (6036 - 266 - 4.79)
Nick Bosa is an incredible talent, and if he falls, the 49ers aught to pounce. The Niners struggled to generate pressure off the edge last season, as Cassius Marsh isn't special and Solomon Thomas has failed to develop as a pass rusher thus far, so San Francisco needs someone to step up and generate pressure off the edge right away. Nick Bosa is the most pro-ready edge rusher who can come into the 49ers 4-3 front and likely notch double-digit sacks in his rookie season. Bosa's pass rushing moves are his best trait, as he is absolutely lethal with the inside swim move and the chop, among others. Moreover, Bosa displayed excellent bend at the Combine, coming in with a 4.14 short shuttle. The Niners are in desperate need of adding pass-rushing help, and Bosa's current refinement and polish make him a likely candidate to make an immediate impact.
3) NYJ: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky (6047 - 262 - 4.63)
The last time the Jets had an edge rusher with double-digit sacks was in 2013, when Calvin Pace recorded ten sacks. The Jets have at least one hole on the edge, and Allen could fill that hole. The way that Allen separates himself from the other edge rushers in the class is his coverage skills -- in his sophomore and junior years, Allen played a substantial number of snaps as a coverage linebacker at a much lighter weight. Allen ran a nice forty and a quite nice 4.2 shuttle, showing off his abilities as a speed rusher. Further, Allen developed his first step and pass-rushing moves, including hand counters and inside moves, resulting in a whopping 17 sacks during his senior campaign. The Jets are reportedly sticking with a 3-4 base front next season, so Allen would be a perfect fit with his coverage skills and quality speed.
4) OAK: DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss (6033 - 228 - 4.33)
The Raiders have lacked quality receiving help for Derek Carr ever since dealing away Amari Cooper this past October. Jordy Nelson is 33 years old, and Marcell Ateman isn't a starting caliber receiver, so Oakland must address the position this offseason. DK Metcalf's first-step quickness is a tier above the other receivers in the class, especially the ones that are Metcalf's size. Metcalf is a strong receiver who, though he is plenty raw, has shown an ability to come down with contested balls. Metcalf has more of a "route bush" than a route tree, as he's only really been asked to run curl-comeback routes and fly routes at Ole Miss. Metcalf absolutely tore up the Combine, stunning the world by running a 4.3 forty at 22 pounds. Jon Gruden failed to improve the Raiders' offense in 2018, largely due to deficiencies in personnel, so adding a freak like Metcalf outside would clearly be of benefit.
5) TAM: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri (6036 - 228 - 4.69)
New Bucs head coach Bruce Arians has a successful track record of developing young quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck. Jameis Winston has had a relatively pedestrian career thus far, losing starts to Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2018, and his contract is up in 2019. Of all of the prospects, Drew Lock probably helped his case the most at the Senior Bowl. Though Daniel Jones won the MVP, Lock was better in drills and was more consistent overall, feeding his first-round hype. Drew Lock is a first-round caliber prospect because he has really good arm talent, he has an exceptionally-quick release, he has ideal size, and because he has a good pocket presence. Lock is the perfect fit for Arians' vertical offense, and Arians certainly has the track record to justify taking a quarterback early, so Drew Lock is the pick at this juncture.
6) NYG: Ed Oliver, IDL, Houston (6017 - 287 - DNP)
The Giants have an aging defense which ranked 24th in the NFL in 2018. Because defensive end Josh Mauro is a free agent after this year, and because Mauro is mediocre at best, bolstering the defensive line would be a great way for the Giants to infuse youth into their defense. It just so happens that Ed Oliver is the best player available. Oliver has a legitimate claim as the best athlete in the entire draft class, as his linear flexibility, first step, and gap penetration are a tier above the rest of the interior defensive linemen in the class. Oliver has an absolutely violent punch, and he's incredibly explosive. Despite his decision not to run a forty at the Combine, Oliver still had a great performance. He came in at 287 pounds, greater than what was anticipated, and he still managed to jump a 10'-flat broad with 32 bench reps. The Giants would love to add a blue-chip player in this draft, and if Ed Oliver somehow falls to six, he certainly qualifies as such and would improve their defensive line on day one.
7) JAC: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa (6041 - 249 - 4.50)
Austin Seferian-Jenkins disappointed last year, combining for a mere 90 receiving yards before going down for the year in week five. As such, the Jaguars are, again, in need of a tight end to replace Mercedes Lewis. Noah Fant is an athletic monster who is all the Jaguars could've hoped for when they signed "ASJ" last offseason. Fant is truly a receiver playing in a tight end's body, running a diverse set of routes on the route tree. Fant's length is a major asset, both as a receiver and as a blocker. Fant's run blocking, which is negated by fans and analysts who want to push the "athletic freak who can't block" narrative, is actually rather impressive: he can usually find his target pretty quickly and stay on him with proper technique. Fant had a dominant showing at the Combine, finishing first amongst all tight ends with a 4.50-flat forty. Outside of Leonard Fournette, the Jags lack weapons on offense, so Jacksonville could look to add a tight end like Fant for Blake Bortles -- or whoever lines up under center in September -- to throw to.
8) DET: Devin White, LB, LSU (6000 - 237 - 4.42)
The Lions' personnel issues forbade them from finishing with a winning record last year. Detroit is in a good position to go BPA with this pick, and they can address a slight weakness by taking someone with extreme athletic upside. Devin White's range, instincts, and zone coverage abilities would allow him to play MIKE, but with Jarrad David already in that role for Detroit, White could play OLB in Matt Patricia's multiple front in year one. White has great speed and is a physical tackler. White ran a blistering 4.4 forty at the Combine, and his arms had more than enough length at 32.1 inches. White needs a bit of development in his tackling form and block shedding, but Matt Patricia could be the perfect coach to help unlock his full potential.
9) BUF: Quinnen Williams, IDL, Alabama (6030 - 303 - 4.83)
Kyle Williams, six-time Pro Bowler, retired from the NFL after his 2018 campaign, leaving a bit of a hole on the Buffalo defensive line. Though it isn't necessarily the biggest need, Buffalo could still go for an upgrade on their interior defensive line. Quinnen Williams is the most technically-refined interior defensive lineman in this class, as his hand usage is already at an NFL Pro Bowl level. His mental processing is very good, and his stack-shed is almost as good as Ed Oliver's. Quinnen is also a very good athlete, as his upper-body flexibility and first-step quickness give him a very nice upside. Williams did well at the Combine, carrying over 300 pounds nicely both in drills and on the forty. Williams would certainly qualify as the best player available in this scenario, and Buffalo should be looking to add blue-chip talent for a potential 2019 postseason run.
10) DEN: Tytus Howard, T, Alabama St (6050 - 322 - 5.05)
Rich Scangarello is coming from San Francisco to be Denver's offensive coordinator, and therefore, he is leaving some quality young talents in Mike McGlinchey and Laken Tomlinson behind. Tytus Howard would help to infuse some youth into Denver's offensive line. Howard is a former tight end who is known to be a very good pass blocker, and with an arm length of 34 4/8" at Mobile, he's got the requisite measureables to be an early pick. Howard's performance at the Senior Bowl, coupled with his game against Auburn, eases some concern that he only looks good against weaker competition. Howard played right tackle for the Alabama State Hornets, but he was the blind-side protector because quarterback Darryl Pearson Jr. is a lefty. All-in-all, Howard's pass protection footwork is among the best in the class, but he can function as a run-blocking mauler as well. Jared Veldheer is a free agent, and as a 31 year old with an injury history, it may be of interest to take Howard and get younger on the right side of their offensive line.
11) CIN: Isaiah Prince, T, Ohio St (6064 - 300 - 5.09)
Zac Taylor is taking over in Cincy, but the Bengals' offensive line is significantly worse than the one he left behind in LA. Prince possesses a nice one-two punch of length and agility, measuring in with 35.5" arms and a 5.09 forty in Indianapolis. He's a fluid blocker with nice play strength who absorbs contact pretty well. Isaiah Prince is already a very good run blocker, and if he learns to develop his hand technique such that he improves his balance on pass sets, his pass protection could vault him to Pro-Bowl status. Prince would be a good fit for the Bengals at right tackle in year one, and if Taylor desires, he will be perfectly capable of switching to the left side of the offensive line later in his career.
12) GNB: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi St (6056 - 260 - 4.41)
With Clay Matthews as a free agent and with Nick Perry's injury history, the Packers should look to address their pass rush this offseason. Montez Sweat is a long-armed edge rusher with an effective first step. Sweat also possesses a wide array of pass rushing moves, with the club and the rip being his current favorites. His massive wingspan serves him well in the run game. Montez Sweat dispelled some myths about his athleticism and bend at the Combine, running an incredible 4.41 forty at 260 lbs, and putting up really impressive times in the 3-cone and short shuttle as well. Though Sweat is more of a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB, Mike Pettine runs plenty of nickel with a 3-4/multiple base, which would provide for plenty of snaps for Sweat to dominate. Kyler Fackrell put up 10.5 sacks for Green Bay last year, and if the Packers pull the trigger at 12, a Fackrell-Sweat tandem would be a disruptive force for which other NFC teams must prepare.
13) MIA: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio St (6033 - 231 - 5.04)
Of late, Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has been unable to avoid injury, as he has missed significant time in each of the past three seasons. Tannehill is due over $26 million if Miami sticks with him next year, so the Dolphins may look to get younger at the position. Thus, Miami takes Haskins at the thirteenth pick. Haskins' poise under pressure will grow over time, but he is otherwise quite pro ready. Haskins is a really good decision-maker when the pocket is clear, he makes anticipatory throws better and more frequently than anyone else in the class, and he places the ball really nicely on out-breaking routes. Haskins had a decent Combine drill, struggling mightily on the forty but placing the ball nicely in drills. The Dolphins fired Adam Gase and have replaced him with former Pats linebackers coach Brian Flores, and they could look to get a new start at quarterback as well and take Dwayne Haskins, who is arguably the best player available at this slot.
14) ATL: Chase Winovich, EDGE, Michigan (6026 - 256 - 4.59)
The Falcons started Vic Beasley, Takk McKinely, and Bruce Irvin at edge last season, so needless to say, the unit must be improved. Chase Winovich is a defensive lineman with nice burst, quality short-area quickness, and good gap integrity in the run game. Winovich uses a wide variety of pass rush counters, and his hand placement is very good. Just like Rashan Gary, Winovich's sack production was relatively low at Michigan because he played a lot of 3-4 defensive end. Winovich had a dominant performance at the Combine, running a 4.5 forty, a 4.1 short shuttle, and cracking 7 on his three cone. The latter two events were really beneficial for Chase, because it had been hypothesized that he lacked in flexibility. Only two years removed from their deep playoff run, the Falcons have failed to recapture their former glory due to poor defensive play. Winovich could be a plug-and-play guy at a position of need to help Atlanta compete for the NFC South once again, and as a former defensive line coach, Dan Quinn could be the perfect man to turn Winovich from an athlete into an edge rusher.
15) WAS: Erik McCoy, IOL, Texas A&M (6037 - 303 - 4.89)
Center Chase Roullier has always lacked the strength and arm length to be a good center in the NFL, and star guard Brandon Scherff only has one year left on his deal, so Washington should address their interior offensive line this offseason. Erik McCoy is a big-bodied lineman with obvious fluidity. A three-year starter, McCoy has strong hands, and he generates frequent movement in the run game. Erik McCoy had a fantastic Combine, running a sub-5 forty and recording a pretty-nice 29 reps on the bench. The Redskins could have a variety of needs on their interior offensive line coming up in the next few seasons, so adding McCoy -- who could project as either a guard or a center in the NFL -- could be really beneficial.
16) CAR: Garrett Bradbury, IOL, NC St (6027 - 306 - 4.92)
Ryan Kalil, starting center for the Panthers, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he'll be 34 on draft day, so Carolina is well-situated to add a center early in the draft this year. Bradbury has strong hands, and he is a great athlete for his size. Bradbury wins a high percentage of his reps, because he mirrors and pass protects against inside rushers quite well. Bradbury had a brilliant Combine, posting a sub-5 forty and 34 reps on the bench. Bradbury also was excellent in field drills, showing off his very good footwork. The Panthers missed the playoffs last year because they failed to protect Cam Newton from injury, so Bradbury could be the type of pick that brings Carolina right back into the mix in the NFC.
17) CLE: Jeffery Simmons, IDL, Mississippi St (DNP - DNP - DNP)
The Browns opened a hole on their defense when they traded Danny Shelton to New England last offseason, and this hole has yet to be filled. Jeffery Simmons would be a great candidate to fill that hole and bring even more youth into a defense which has already drafted Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Denzel Ward, and Jabrill Peppers early in the last two years. Simmons is an athletic freak, his twitch and power jump off the screen, his leverage was improved in 2018, and his speed is elite for the interior defensive line. Browns fans have reason to be optimistic when considering Baker Mayfield's play in his rookie season and the hire of Freddie Kitchens, and adding a dominant defensive talent would surely help Cleveland's chances of making a run at the postseason in 2019.
18) MIN: Jonah Williams, IOL, Alabama (6044 - 302 - 5.12)
The Vikings have a major deficiency at guard. Tom Compton and Mike Remmers absolutely suck. The former is a UFA this coming year, whereas the Vikings have a $4.6 million incentive to move on from the latter. Jonah Williams played left tackle for Alabama, but his best fit in the NFL might be at guard. Williams is an athletic run blocker who gets to his blocks quickly, and his lower-body strength and leverage gives him All-Pro potential on the inside. Williams' athleticism makes him a good puller, and his hand placement is superb. Williams struggles against long-armed pass rushers as a tackle, but this will be mitigated on the inside, where angles aren't as wide. Jonah had a decent showing at the Combine, measuring with 33.6" arms, a 5.12 forty, and 23 bench press reps, all perfectly adequate to play inside at guard. Minnesota took a huge gamble when they made an investment in Kirk Cousins in the 2017 offseason, and if they are fully committed to this investment, they must use an early draft pick on protecting their franchise QB. Jonah Williams has the versatility to perhaps play any position along the offensive line, so he'd be a valued addition with the Vikings' o-line in such a state of flux.
19) TEN: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa St (6053 - 227 - 4.48)
Corey Davis is beginning to look like a true number-1 receiver for Tennessee, but the Titans lack quality receivers across from him. Hakeem Butler is a receiver with great size, length, high-point ability, and a wide catch radius. Butler is an aggressive route runner and great blocker who is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Butler also possesses really good speed for his size. Hakeem Butler had a fantastic Combine, coming in at 6'5" but also running a 4.4 forty. If the Titans wish to build around Marcus Mariota for the long term, upgrading at wide receiver is absolutely imperative, and adding a player like Hakeem Butler with extreme athletic upside could have benefits for many years to come.
20) PIT: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU (6017 - 185 - 4.37)
The Steelers barely missed out on the postseason in 2018, despite posting the 4th-ranked offense. As such, Pittsburgh could look to add to their defense to retool for a 2019 run. Greedy Williams is the freakiest corner to come out in years, as his length, fluidity, and press skills are really good. Straight up, there aren't many athletes Greedy's height that can run as fast as Greedy can, and moreover, Greedy gets to that top speed very quickly. Williams' hand quickness is the best in the class for defensive backs, and his good closing speed coupled with his length aides him greatly when playing the ball. Greedy had a mixed showing at the Combine, coming in at 6'2" and running a 4.3, but he did not participate in on-field drills due to cramping. Artie Burns and Joe Haden struggled in 2018, so Greedy could come in and make an impact for a needy Steelers' secondary.
21) SEA: Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia (6004 - 205 - 4.40)
Once feared as the "Legion of Boom," the Seahawks secondary has regressed in recent years by a lot, losing Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, and Earl Thomas. In the Seahawks scheme, if they wish to rebuild this unit, they must have a free safety capable of playing single-high and covering a lot of range. Juan Thornhill is a versatile defensive back, with the ability to play single-high, match up with tight ends and slot receivers, and even line up in the box. Thornhill reads routes pretty well, jumping routes fairly frequently with his good aggression. Thornhill was all over for the Cavaliers last season, tallying 6 picks and 7 passes defended. Juan Thornhill has a very good Combine performance, coming in at 6'0", over 200 pounds, and running a 4.4 flat in the forty. He followed up this performance with quality work in drills, showcasing some pretty good hips. Pete Carroll was no-doubt disappointed with his team's 17th-ranked pass D. Juan Thornhill could be the piece that the Seahawks try to build their pass defense around for the 2020s.
22) BAL: Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma (6003 - 224 - DNP)
Undrafted rookie Gus Edwards ran the ball nicely for Baltimore last season, but the Ravens should look to upgrade if they wish to give QB Lamar Jackson the best chance to succeed. Rodney Anderson is a true "do it all" back, in line with the likes of Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette of years past. Anderson is a fast runner with a physical but patient style. Rodney is an elusive back who can cut nicely, and he is a receiving threat with good hands. Rodney got an average of 6.4 yards per carry in his 200 total rushes at college, meaning that he is very productive but hasn't suffered very much wear and tear. Despite ranking 2nd in total rushing last year, the Ravens only were ranked 15th in yards per attempt, which means that they were running the ball fairly inefficiently. By drafting a stud athlete like Rodney Anderson, the Ravens can improve both their rushing and passing attacks and be feared offensively around the league.
23) HOU: Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson (6014 - 199 - 4.46)
Houston's D was a huge disappointment in 2018, only finishing twelfth despite the dynamic trio of Jadeveon Clowney, JJ Watt, and Whitney Mercilus in their front seven. A big reason for this disappointment was the poor play of cornerback Kevin Johnson and the decline of veteran corner Johnathan Joseph. Trayvon Mullen has an excellent skill set, having great range as a zone corner and good closing speed on the ball. Mullen also improved his hand usage on the line of scrimmage in 2018, and his flexibility and fluidity have always been positive characteristics. Mullen's Combine performance was unspectacular, but he got the job done, measuring at 6'1" and running a 4.4 forty. The Texans already have Clemson-alums Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins on the payroll, and they could take Mullen this year to address a dire needs in their secondary.
24) OAK: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida St (6046 - 249 - 4.53)
The Raiders were absolutely abysmal at generating pressure last year, finishing with a mere 13 total sacks on the season. Khalil Mack, who Oakland traded prior to the 2018 season, had 12.5 sacks on his own last year. Brian Burns is a long, quick pass rusher with some power. Burns has good flexibility, and he's got a very nice first step. Burns has a variety of counters in his arsenal, often using them to catch guys off-guard, and he's able to get into and stick in his gaps in the run game. Burns quelled concerns about his weight in Indianapolis, coming in at 249 pounds and still running a 4.5 forty with a 7.01 three cone. The Raiders drafted Arden Key and Maurice Hurst last year, and they each had promising moments in their rookie year. If Oakland drafts Brian Burns, they can set themselves up for long-term success at generating pressure on the quarterback.
25) PHI: Jawaan Taylor, T, Florida (6050 - 312 - DNP)
Long-time Eagles left tackle Jason Peters has a mutual option for the 2019 season with the Eagles, and at 37 years of age, it is time for Philly to begin to think about his eventual replacement. Jawaan Taylor is a long tackle who excels in run blocking. Taylor generates plenty of movement with his grip strength and apparent core strength, and he's got pass blocking upside as well. Taylor shuts down spins and speed rushes pretty well due to his length and fair athleticism. Taylor did not run a forty at the Combine, but he did measure very well, coming in at 6'5", 312 pounds, with huge 35 1/8" arms. The Eagles have had a great tackle tandem with Lane Johnson and Jason Peters for years, but if they wish to continue this tradition, they must prepare for Peters' eventual departure. If Jason Peters is retained for another year, Jawaan Taylor could potentially swing inside to guard in year one for the Eagles before eventually moving to Carson Wentz's blind side.
26) IND: Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston (6021 - 208 - 4.40)
The Colts' two starting outside cornerbacks last season were Kenny Moore and Pierre Desir, which is just atrocious. The team has an obvious need at the position, and they will certainly look to upgrade this offseason. Isaiah Johnson is a long corner with impressive max speed. As a former receiver, Johnson excels at high-pointing and reaching the football in the air. When he wants, Johnson can be physical at the line of scrimmage, but he also has really nice recovery speed. Johnson lit it up at the Combine, putting up a high-quality 4.40-flat time in the forty and looking fluid in drills, both made more impressive by the fact that he's over 6'2". Isaiah Johnson is a bit of a raw corner, but his physical gifts are stunning, and Matt Eberflus, one of the top defensive minds in football, could be the guy to make Johnson into a great defensive back for a team in desperate need. The Colts made a deep postseason push last year, but they fell to Kansas City in the divisional round because they gave up 31 points, so upgrading the defense could make Indy a true Super Bowl contender.
27) OAK: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn St (6015 - 205 - 4.47)
The Raiders' defense finished 7th-worst in 2018, due in part to the poor play of Rashaan Melvin and Nick Nelson, who were both thrust into critical roles across from Gareon Conley last year. Enter Amani Oruwariye, who has good length, play strength, and speed for his size. Oruwariye gets to his top-speed fairly quickly, and his mirroring skills in man check out. As a result of his stature, physical skills, and athletic abilities, Oruwariye is a versatile corner. The Penn State alum also had a good Combine, registering a 4.4 forty at 6'2" and looking fluid in drills. The Raiders had a poor secondary in 2018, so adding Oruwariye could have an immediate positive impact.
28) LAC: Dexter Lawrence, IDL, Clemson (6044 - 342 - 5.05)
Brandon Mebane has been a staple on the Chargers D since 2016, but as a 34-year-old free agent, LA may have to look elsewhere for their interior defensive line. Dexter Lawrence certainly has the potential to be a worthwhile replacement, and if he falls, he has to be seriously considered. Lawrence is a huge human being, but he's also agile enough to line up outside of guards on occasion, and he pursues gaps really nicely. Lawrence closes the pocket really nicely as a nose tackle, and he is very disruptive in the run game, requiring double teams on almost every rushing down. "D-Law" had a very nice, albeit very short, Combine. Lawrence recorded 36 reps on the bench press, and he had a 5.05 forty at 342 pounds, suffering a quad injury in the process. The Chargers are an intriguing team who will likely attempt one or two deep playoff runs before Philip Rivers regresses, and Dexter Lawrence, at his monsterful size, can make an immediate impact in patching up a hole on LA's overall good defense.
29) KAN: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi St (5113 - 205 - 4.45)
Eric Berry has only played three combined games in the last two seasons, he's 30 years old, and the Chiefs are otherwise weak at the position, so Kansas City would be wise to target safety during the offseason. This could mean drafting Johnathan Abram, a versatile safety with hard-hitting tendencies and high-quality range. Abrams' has a super aggressive coverage style, he plays pretty well in man and zone, but he can function as a strong-side safety as well. Johnathan Abram had a good Combine, showing off his athleticism by running a 4.4 forty, showing off his strength by recording 16 reps at the bench, and showing off his fluidity in field drills. With the recent success of Jamal Adams and Derwin James, teams may look towards versatile box safeties such as Johnathan Abram to help build up their defense. The Chiefs were the 31st-ranked defense in 2018, but adding a playmaker like Johnathan Abram to their secondary could help them to improve this ranking.
30) GNB: Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware (5116 - 206 - DNP)
The Packers traded away Haha Clinton-Dix mid-season last year, opening a bit of a hole on their secondary. Nasir Adderley is an athletic, instinctive safety with fluid hips. Adderley's range and closing speed are top-notch, and he is a dependable tackler as well with decent bulk. Adderly helped his case at the Senior Bowl, proving himself as a small-school prospect, and his Combine measurements were good as well, as he came in at only a shade under 6-foot, weighing over 200 pounds. With Aaron Rodgers at 35 years old, the time for them to win is now, and adding a good athlete to their secondary could be a way to maximize the rest of "A-Rod's" career in Green Bay.
31) LAR: Charles Omenihu, EDGE, Texas (6053 - 280 - 4.92)
Wade Phillips' Rams D finished 19th in 2018, despite high-quality talents such as Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, and John Johnson, and a big reason for this was weak play on the edge. Charles Omenihu has the bulk and strength to play either defensive end or defensive tackle on the Lions defensive front, but he'd likely primarily be an end for Detroit due to need at the position. He's got unusual upper-body flexibility for his size, which could theoretically enable him to play EDGE, and he's got a really nice first step. Omenihu's arms measured 36" at the Senior Bowl, which is particularly long, and he had 9.5 sacks in a productive senior season. Omenihu didn't run a fantastic forty, but his 4.36 short shuttle proved his quality bend. Ndamukong Suh's one-year deal expires this offseason, and the Rams had weak play on the edge in 2018, so Omenihu, at 280 pounds, could potentially contribute on both fronts.
32) NWE: Jerry Tillery, IDL, Notre Dame (6064 - 295 - 4.93)
Trey Flowers, Danny Shelton, and Malcom Brown are all free agents this offseason, so New England absolutely must address the defensive line multiple times during this offseason. Jerry Tillery, an athletic but strong interior defensive lineman, would be a nice pick to do so. Tillery has very nice explosion, and he anchors very well in the run game. Tillery also features unusual bend for his size, which is particularly useful on passing snaps. Jerry Tillery had a nice Combine, running a sub-5 forty and a very nice 4.33 short shuttle. In Tampa Bay, Greg Schiano had Gerald McCoy at his disposal. Now, in New England, if they draft the Notre Dame prospect, Schiano and Belichick would be very happy to utilize his athleticism at various spots within their defensive line.
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1) ARI: Rashan Gary, EDGE, Michigan (6043 - 277 - 4.58)
The Cardinals have two main deficiencies in their front seven -- edge rusher and interior defensive linemen. Arizona could use both an edge rusher across from Chandler Jones and a defensive tackle to replace Robert Nkemdiche. Rashan Gary could do both. The number-one ranked high school recruit in 2015, Gary absolutely tore up the Combine, running a 4.5 forty and a 4.2 short shuttle at 277 pounds. Though his production at Michigan was limited -- largely due to his role as a 3-4 defensive end -- Gary clearly showed that he has all the requisite traits to be a dominant edge rusher in the NFL. Gary has strong hands, good length, freaky bend, and a brilliant first step. In Arizona, Gary could play interior defensive line on base downs and defensive end on nickel downs, thereby helping to address both needs on the front seven.
2) SFO: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio St (6036 - 266 - 4.79)
Nick Bosa is an incredible talent, and if he falls, the 49ers aught to pounce. The Niners struggled to generate pressure off the edge last season, as Cassius Marsh isn't special and Solomon Thomas has failed to develop as a pass rusher thus far, so San Francisco needs someone to step up and generate pressure off the edge right away. Nick Bosa is the most pro-ready edge rusher who can come into the 49ers 4-3 front and likely notch double-digit sacks in his rookie season. Bosa's pass rushing moves are his best trait, as he is absolutely lethal with the inside swim move and the chop, among others. Moreover, Bosa displayed excellent bend at the Combine, coming in with a 4.14 short shuttle. The Niners are in desperate need of adding pass-rushing help, and Bosa's current refinement and polish make him a likely candidate to make an immediate impact.
3) NYJ: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky (6047 - 262 - 4.63)
The last time the Jets had an edge rusher with double-digit sacks was in 2013, when Calvin Pace recorded ten sacks. The Jets have at least one hole on the edge, and Allen could fill that hole. The way that Allen separates himself from the other edge rushers in the class is his coverage skills -- in his sophomore and junior years, Allen played a substantial number of snaps as a coverage linebacker at a much lighter weight. Allen ran a nice forty and a quite nice 4.2 shuttle, showing off his abilities as a speed rusher. Further, Allen developed his first step and pass-rushing moves, including hand counters and inside moves, resulting in a whopping 17 sacks during his senior campaign. The Jets are reportedly sticking with a 3-4 base front next season, so Allen would be a perfect fit with his coverage skills and quality speed.
4) OAK: DK Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss (6033 - 228 - 4.33)
The Raiders have lacked quality receiving help for Derek Carr ever since dealing away Amari Cooper this past October. Jordy Nelson is 33 years old, and Marcell Ateman isn't a starting caliber receiver, so Oakland must address the position this offseason. DK Metcalf's first-step quickness is a tier above the other receivers in the class, especially the ones that are Metcalf's size. Metcalf is a strong receiver who, though he is plenty raw, has shown an ability to come down with contested balls. Metcalf has more of a "route bush" than a route tree, as he's only really been asked to run curl-comeback routes and fly routes at Ole Miss. Metcalf absolutely tore up the Combine, stunning the world by running a 4.3 forty at 22 pounds. Jon Gruden failed to improve the Raiders' offense in 2018, largely due to deficiencies in personnel, so adding a freak like Metcalf outside would clearly be of benefit.
5) TAM: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri (6036 - 228 - 4.69)
New Bucs head coach Bruce Arians has a successful track record of developing young quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck. Jameis Winston has had a relatively pedestrian career thus far, losing starts to Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2018, and his contract is up in 2019. Of all of the prospects, Drew Lock probably helped his case the most at the Senior Bowl. Though Daniel Jones won the MVP, Lock was better in drills and was more consistent overall, feeding his first-round hype. Drew Lock is a first-round caliber prospect because he has really good arm talent, he has an exceptionally-quick release, he has ideal size, and because he has a good pocket presence. Lock is the perfect fit for Arians' vertical offense, and Arians certainly has the track record to justify taking a quarterback early, so Drew Lock is the pick at this juncture.
6) NYG: Ed Oliver, IDL, Houston (6017 - 287 - DNP)
The Giants have an aging defense which ranked 24th in the NFL in 2018. Because defensive end Josh Mauro is a free agent after this year, and because Mauro is mediocre at best, bolstering the defensive line would be a great way for the Giants to infuse youth into their defense. It just so happens that Ed Oliver is the best player available. Oliver has a legitimate claim as the best athlete in the entire draft class, as his linear flexibility, first step, and gap penetration are a tier above the rest of the interior defensive linemen in the class. Oliver has an absolutely violent punch, and he's incredibly explosive. Despite his decision not to run a forty at the Combine, Oliver still had a great performance. He came in at 287 pounds, greater than what was anticipated, and he still managed to jump a 10'-flat broad with 32 bench reps. The Giants would love to add a blue-chip player in this draft, and if Ed Oliver somehow falls to six, he certainly qualifies as such and would improve their defensive line on day one.
7) JAC: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa (6041 - 249 - 4.50)
Austin Seferian-Jenkins disappointed last year, combining for a mere 90 receiving yards before going down for the year in week five. As such, the Jaguars are, again, in need of a tight end to replace Mercedes Lewis. Noah Fant is an athletic monster who is all the Jaguars could've hoped for when they signed "ASJ" last offseason. Fant is truly a receiver playing in a tight end's body, running a diverse set of routes on the route tree. Fant's length is a major asset, both as a receiver and as a blocker. Fant's run blocking, which is negated by fans and analysts who want to push the "athletic freak who can't block" narrative, is actually rather impressive: he can usually find his target pretty quickly and stay on him with proper technique. Fant had a dominant showing at the Combine, finishing first amongst all tight ends with a 4.50-flat forty. Outside of Leonard Fournette, the Jags lack weapons on offense, so Jacksonville could look to add a tight end like Fant for Blake Bortles -- or whoever lines up under center in September -- to throw to.
8) DET: Devin White, LB, LSU (6000 - 237 - 4.42)
The Lions' personnel issues forbade them from finishing with a winning record last year. Detroit is in a good position to go BPA with this pick, and they can address a slight weakness by taking someone with extreme athletic upside. Devin White's range, instincts, and zone coverage abilities would allow him to play MIKE, but with Jarrad David already in that role for Detroit, White could play OLB in Matt Patricia's multiple front in year one. White has great speed and is a physical tackler. White ran a blistering 4.4 forty at the Combine, and his arms had more than enough length at 32.1 inches. White needs a bit of development in his tackling form and block shedding, but Matt Patricia could be the perfect coach to help unlock his full potential.
9) BUF: Quinnen Williams, IDL, Alabama (6030 - 303 - 4.83)
Kyle Williams, six-time Pro Bowler, retired from the NFL after his 2018 campaign, leaving a bit of a hole on the Buffalo defensive line. Though it isn't necessarily the biggest need, Buffalo could still go for an upgrade on their interior defensive line. Quinnen Williams is the most technically-refined interior defensive lineman in this class, as his hand usage is already at an NFL Pro Bowl level. His mental processing is very good, and his stack-shed is almost as good as Ed Oliver's. Quinnen is also a very good athlete, as his upper-body flexibility and first-step quickness give him a very nice upside. Williams did well at the Combine, carrying over 300 pounds nicely both in drills and on the forty. Williams would certainly qualify as the best player available in this scenario, and Buffalo should be looking to add blue-chip talent for a potential 2019 postseason run.
10) DEN: Tytus Howard, T, Alabama St (6050 - 322 - 5.05)
Rich Scangarello is coming from San Francisco to be Denver's offensive coordinator, and therefore, he is leaving some quality young talents in Mike McGlinchey and Laken Tomlinson behind. Tytus Howard would help to infuse some youth into Denver's offensive line. Howard is a former tight end who is known to be a very good pass blocker, and with an arm length of 34 4/8" at Mobile, he's got the requisite measureables to be an early pick. Howard's performance at the Senior Bowl, coupled with his game against Auburn, eases some concern that he only looks good against weaker competition. Howard played right tackle for the Alabama State Hornets, but he was the blind-side protector because quarterback Darryl Pearson Jr. is a lefty. All-in-all, Howard's pass protection footwork is among the best in the class, but he can function as a run-blocking mauler as well. Jared Veldheer is a free agent, and as a 31 year old with an injury history, it may be of interest to take Howard and get younger on the right side of their offensive line.
11) CIN: Isaiah Prince, T, Ohio St (6064 - 300 - 5.09)
Zac Taylor is taking over in Cincy, but the Bengals' offensive line is significantly worse than the one he left behind in LA. Prince possesses a nice one-two punch of length and agility, measuring in with 35.5" arms and a 5.09 forty in Indianapolis. He's a fluid blocker with nice play strength who absorbs contact pretty well. Isaiah Prince is already a very good run blocker, and if he learns to develop his hand technique such that he improves his balance on pass sets, his pass protection could vault him to Pro-Bowl status. Prince would be a good fit for the Bengals at right tackle in year one, and if Taylor desires, he will be perfectly capable of switching to the left side of the offensive line later in his career.
12) GNB: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi St (6056 - 260 - 4.41)
With Clay Matthews as a free agent and with Nick Perry's injury history, the Packers should look to address their pass rush this offseason. Montez Sweat is a long-armed edge rusher with an effective first step. Sweat also possesses a wide array of pass rushing moves, with the club and the rip being his current favorites. His massive wingspan serves him well in the run game. Montez Sweat dispelled some myths about his athleticism and bend at the Combine, running an incredible 4.41 forty at 260 lbs, and putting up really impressive times in the 3-cone and short shuttle as well. Though Sweat is more of a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB, Mike Pettine runs plenty of nickel with a 3-4/multiple base, which would provide for plenty of snaps for Sweat to dominate. Kyler Fackrell put up 10.5 sacks for Green Bay last year, and if the Packers pull the trigger at 12, a Fackrell-Sweat tandem would be a disruptive force for which other NFC teams must prepare.
13) MIA: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio St (6033 - 231 - 5.04)
Of late, Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has been unable to avoid injury, as he has missed significant time in each of the past three seasons. Tannehill is due over $26 million if Miami sticks with him next year, so the Dolphins may look to get younger at the position. Thus, Miami takes Haskins at the thirteenth pick. Haskins' poise under pressure will grow over time, but he is otherwise quite pro ready. Haskins is a really good decision-maker when the pocket is clear, he makes anticipatory throws better and more frequently than anyone else in the class, and he places the ball really nicely on out-breaking routes. Haskins had a decent Combine drill, struggling mightily on the forty but placing the ball nicely in drills. The Dolphins fired Adam Gase and have replaced him with former Pats linebackers coach Brian Flores, and they could look to get a new start at quarterback as well and take Dwayne Haskins, who is arguably the best player available at this slot.
14) ATL: Chase Winovich, EDGE, Michigan (6026 - 256 - 4.59)
The Falcons started Vic Beasley, Takk McKinely, and Bruce Irvin at edge last season, so needless to say, the unit must be improved. Chase Winovich is a defensive lineman with nice burst, quality short-area quickness, and good gap integrity in the run game. Winovich uses a wide variety of pass rush counters, and his hand placement is very good. Just like Rashan Gary, Winovich's sack production was relatively low at Michigan because he played a lot of 3-4 defensive end. Winovich had a dominant performance at the Combine, running a 4.5 forty, a 4.1 short shuttle, and cracking 7 on his three cone. The latter two events were really beneficial for Chase, because it had been hypothesized that he lacked in flexibility. Only two years removed from their deep playoff run, the Falcons have failed to recapture their former glory due to poor defensive play. Winovich could be a plug-and-play guy at a position of need to help Atlanta compete for the NFC South once again, and as a former defensive line coach, Dan Quinn could be the perfect man to turn Winovich from an athlete into an edge rusher.
15) WAS: Erik McCoy, IOL, Texas A&M (6037 - 303 - 4.89)
Center Chase Roullier has always lacked the strength and arm length to be a good center in the NFL, and star guard Brandon Scherff only has one year left on his deal, so Washington should address their interior offensive line this offseason. Erik McCoy is a big-bodied lineman with obvious fluidity. A three-year starter, McCoy has strong hands, and he generates frequent movement in the run game. Erik McCoy had a fantastic Combine, running a sub-5 forty and recording a pretty-nice 29 reps on the bench. The Redskins could have a variety of needs on their interior offensive line coming up in the next few seasons, so adding McCoy -- who could project as either a guard or a center in the NFL -- could be really beneficial.
16) CAR: Garrett Bradbury, IOL, NC St (6027 - 306 - 4.92)
Ryan Kalil, starting center for the Panthers, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and he'll be 34 on draft day, so Carolina is well-situated to add a center early in the draft this year. Bradbury has strong hands, and he is a great athlete for his size. Bradbury wins a high percentage of his reps, because he mirrors and pass protects against inside rushers quite well. Bradbury had a brilliant Combine, posting a sub-5 forty and 34 reps on the bench. Bradbury also was excellent in field drills, showing off his very good footwork. The Panthers missed the playoffs last year because they failed to protect Cam Newton from injury, so Bradbury could be the type of pick that brings Carolina right back into the mix in the NFC.
17) CLE: Jeffery Simmons, IDL, Mississippi St (DNP - DNP - DNP)
The Browns opened a hole on their defense when they traded Danny Shelton to New England last offseason, and this hole has yet to be filled. Jeffery Simmons would be a great candidate to fill that hole and bring even more youth into a defense which has already drafted Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi, Denzel Ward, and Jabrill Peppers early in the last two years. Simmons is an athletic freak, his twitch and power jump off the screen, his leverage was improved in 2018, and his speed is elite for the interior defensive line. Browns fans have reason to be optimistic when considering Baker Mayfield's play in his rookie season and the hire of Freddie Kitchens, and adding a dominant defensive talent would surely help Cleveland's chances of making a run at the postseason in 2019.
18) MIN: Jonah Williams, IOL, Alabama (6044 - 302 - 5.12)
The Vikings have a major deficiency at guard. Tom Compton and Mike Remmers absolutely suck. The former is a UFA this coming year, whereas the Vikings have a $4.6 million incentive to move on from the latter. Jonah Williams played left tackle for Alabama, but his best fit in the NFL might be at guard. Williams is an athletic run blocker who gets to his blocks quickly, and his lower-body strength and leverage gives him All-Pro potential on the inside. Williams' athleticism makes him a good puller, and his hand placement is superb. Williams struggles against long-armed pass rushers as a tackle, but this will be mitigated on the inside, where angles aren't as wide. Jonah had a decent showing at the Combine, measuring with 33.6" arms, a 5.12 forty, and 23 bench press reps, all perfectly adequate to play inside at guard. Minnesota took a huge gamble when they made an investment in Kirk Cousins in the 2017 offseason, and if they are fully committed to this investment, they must use an early draft pick on protecting their franchise QB. Jonah Williams has the versatility to perhaps play any position along the offensive line, so he'd be a valued addition with the Vikings' o-line in such a state of flux.
19) TEN: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa St (6053 - 227 - 4.48)
Corey Davis is beginning to look like a true number-1 receiver for Tennessee, but the Titans lack quality receivers across from him. Hakeem Butler is a receiver with great size, length, high-point ability, and a wide catch radius. Butler is an aggressive route runner and great blocker who is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Butler also possesses really good speed for his size. Hakeem Butler had a fantastic Combine, coming in at 6'5" but also running a 4.4 forty. If the Titans wish to build around Marcus Mariota for the long term, upgrading at wide receiver is absolutely imperative, and adding a player like Hakeem Butler with extreme athletic upside could have benefits for many years to come.
20) PIT: Greedy Williams, CB, LSU (6017 - 185 - 4.37)
The Steelers barely missed out on the postseason in 2018, despite posting the 4th-ranked offense. As such, Pittsburgh could look to add to their defense to retool for a 2019 run. Greedy Williams is the freakiest corner to come out in years, as his length, fluidity, and press skills are really good. Straight up, there aren't many athletes Greedy's height that can run as fast as Greedy can, and moreover, Greedy gets to that top speed very quickly. Williams' hand quickness is the best in the class for defensive backs, and his good closing speed coupled with his length aides him greatly when playing the ball. Greedy had a mixed showing at the Combine, coming in at 6'2" and running a 4.3, but he did not participate in on-field drills due to cramping. Artie Burns and Joe Haden struggled in 2018, so Greedy could come in and make an impact for a needy Steelers' secondary.
21) SEA: Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia (6004 - 205 - 4.40)
Once feared as the "Legion of Boom," the Seahawks secondary has regressed in recent years by a lot, losing Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, and Earl Thomas. In the Seahawks scheme, if they wish to rebuild this unit, they must have a free safety capable of playing single-high and covering a lot of range. Juan Thornhill is a versatile defensive back, with the ability to play single-high, match up with tight ends and slot receivers, and even line up in the box. Thornhill reads routes pretty well, jumping routes fairly frequently with his good aggression. Thornhill was all over for the Cavaliers last season, tallying 6 picks and 7 passes defended. Juan Thornhill has a very good Combine performance, coming in at 6'0", over 200 pounds, and running a 4.4 flat in the forty. He followed up this performance with quality work in drills, showcasing some pretty good hips. Pete Carroll was no-doubt disappointed with his team's 17th-ranked pass D. Juan Thornhill could be the piece that the Seahawks try to build their pass defense around for the 2020s.
22) BAL: Rodney Anderson, RB, Oklahoma (6003 - 224 - DNP)
Undrafted rookie Gus Edwards ran the ball nicely for Baltimore last season, but the Ravens should look to upgrade if they wish to give QB Lamar Jackson the best chance to succeed. Rodney Anderson is a true "do it all" back, in line with the likes of Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Leonard Fournette of years past. Anderson is a fast runner with a physical but patient style. Rodney is an elusive back who can cut nicely, and he is a receiving threat with good hands. Rodney got an average of 6.4 yards per carry in his 200 total rushes at college, meaning that he is very productive but hasn't suffered very much wear and tear. Despite ranking 2nd in total rushing last year, the Ravens only were ranked 15th in yards per attempt, which means that they were running the ball fairly inefficiently. By drafting a stud athlete like Rodney Anderson, the Ravens can improve both their rushing and passing attacks and be feared offensively around the league.
23) HOU: Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson (6014 - 199 - 4.46)
Houston's D was a huge disappointment in 2018, only finishing twelfth despite the dynamic trio of Jadeveon Clowney, JJ Watt, and Whitney Mercilus in their front seven. A big reason for this disappointment was the poor play of cornerback Kevin Johnson and the decline of veteran corner Johnathan Joseph. Trayvon Mullen has an excellent skill set, having great range as a zone corner and good closing speed on the ball. Mullen also improved his hand usage on the line of scrimmage in 2018, and his flexibility and fluidity have always been positive characteristics. Mullen's Combine performance was unspectacular, but he got the job done, measuring at 6'1" and running a 4.4 forty. The Texans already have Clemson-alums Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins on the payroll, and they could take Mullen this year to address a dire needs in their secondary.
24) OAK: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida St (6046 - 249 - 4.53)
The Raiders were absolutely abysmal at generating pressure last year, finishing with a mere 13 total sacks on the season. Khalil Mack, who Oakland traded prior to the 2018 season, had 12.5 sacks on his own last year. Brian Burns is a long, quick pass rusher with some power. Burns has good flexibility, and he's got a very nice first step. Burns has a variety of counters in his arsenal, often using them to catch guys off-guard, and he's able to get into and stick in his gaps in the run game. Burns quelled concerns about his weight in Indianapolis, coming in at 249 pounds and still running a 4.5 forty with a 7.01 three cone. The Raiders drafted Arden Key and Maurice Hurst last year, and they each had promising moments in their rookie year. If Oakland drafts Brian Burns, they can set themselves up for long-term success at generating pressure on the quarterback.
25) PHI: Jawaan Taylor, T, Florida (6050 - 312 - DNP)
Long-time Eagles left tackle Jason Peters has a mutual option for the 2019 season with the Eagles, and at 37 years of age, it is time for Philly to begin to think about his eventual replacement. Jawaan Taylor is a long tackle who excels in run blocking. Taylor generates plenty of movement with his grip strength and apparent core strength, and he's got pass blocking upside as well. Taylor shuts down spins and speed rushes pretty well due to his length and fair athleticism. Taylor did not run a forty at the Combine, but he did measure very well, coming in at 6'5", 312 pounds, with huge 35 1/8" arms. The Eagles have had a great tackle tandem with Lane Johnson and Jason Peters for years, but if they wish to continue this tradition, they must prepare for Peters' eventual departure. If Jason Peters is retained for another year, Jawaan Taylor could potentially swing inside to guard in year one for the Eagles before eventually moving to Carson Wentz's blind side.
26) IND: Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston (6021 - 208 - 4.40)
The Colts' two starting outside cornerbacks last season were Kenny Moore and Pierre Desir, which is just atrocious. The team has an obvious need at the position, and they will certainly look to upgrade this offseason. Isaiah Johnson is a long corner with impressive max speed. As a former receiver, Johnson excels at high-pointing and reaching the football in the air. When he wants, Johnson can be physical at the line of scrimmage, but he also has really nice recovery speed. Johnson lit it up at the Combine, putting up a high-quality 4.40-flat time in the forty and looking fluid in drills, both made more impressive by the fact that he's over 6'2". Isaiah Johnson is a bit of a raw corner, but his physical gifts are stunning, and Matt Eberflus, one of the top defensive minds in football, could be the guy to make Johnson into a great defensive back for a team in desperate need. The Colts made a deep postseason push last year, but they fell to Kansas City in the divisional round because they gave up 31 points, so upgrading the defense could make Indy a true Super Bowl contender.
27) OAK: Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn St (6015 - 205 - 4.47)
The Raiders' defense finished 7th-worst in 2018, due in part to the poor play of Rashaan Melvin and Nick Nelson, who were both thrust into critical roles across from Gareon Conley last year. Enter Amani Oruwariye, who has good length, play strength, and speed for his size. Oruwariye gets to his top-speed fairly quickly, and his mirroring skills in man check out. As a result of his stature, physical skills, and athletic abilities, Oruwariye is a versatile corner. The Penn State alum also had a good Combine, registering a 4.4 forty at 6'2" and looking fluid in drills. The Raiders had a poor secondary in 2018, so adding Oruwariye could have an immediate positive impact.
28) LAC: Dexter Lawrence, IDL, Clemson (6044 - 342 - 5.05)
Brandon Mebane has been a staple on the Chargers D since 2016, but as a 34-year-old free agent, LA may have to look elsewhere for their interior defensive line. Dexter Lawrence certainly has the potential to be a worthwhile replacement, and if he falls, he has to be seriously considered. Lawrence is a huge human being, but he's also agile enough to line up outside of guards on occasion, and he pursues gaps really nicely. Lawrence closes the pocket really nicely as a nose tackle, and he is very disruptive in the run game, requiring double teams on almost every rushing down. "D-Law" had a very nice, albeit very short, Combine. Lawrence recorded 36 reps on the bench press, and he had a 5.05 forty at 342 pounds, suffering a quad injury in the process. The Chargers are an intriguing team who will likely attempt one or two deep playoff runs before Philip Rivers regresses, and Dexter Lawrence, at his monsterful size, can make an immediate impact in patching up a hole on LA's overall good defense.
29) KAN: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi St (5113 - 205 - 4.45)
Eric Berry has only played three combined games in the last two seasons, he's 30 years old, and the Chiefs are otherwise weak at the position, so Kansas City would be wise to target safety during the offseason. This could mean drafting Johnathan Abram, a versatile safety with hard-hitting tendencies and high-quality range. Abrams' has a super aggressive coverage style, he plays pretty well in man and zone, but he can function as a strong-side safety as well. Johnathan Abram had a good Combine, showing off his athleticism by running a 4.4 forty, showing off his strength by recording 16 reps at the bench, and showing off his fluidity in field drills. With the recent success of Jamal Adams and Derwin James, teams may look towards versatile box safeties such as Johnathan Abram to help build up their defense. The Chiefs were the 31st-ranked defense in 2018, but adding a playmaker like Johnathan Abram to their secondary could help them to improve this ranking.
30) GNB: Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware (5116 - 206 - DNP)
The Packers traded away Haha Clinton-Dix mid-season last year, opening a bit of a hole on their secondary. Nasir Adderley is an athletic, instinctive safety with fluid hips. Adderley's range and closing speed are top-notch, and he is a dependable tackler as well with decent bulk. Adderly helped his case at the Senior Bowl, proving himself as a small-school prospect, and his Combine measurements were good as well, as he came in at only a shade under 6-foot, weighing over 200 pounds. With Aaron Rodgers at 35 years old, the time for them to win is now, and adding a good athlete to their secondary could be a way to maximize the rest of "A-Rod's" career in Green Bay.
31) LAR: Charles Omenihu, EDGE, Texas (6053 - 280 - 4.92)
Wade Phillips' Rams D finished 19th in 2018, despite high-quality talents such as Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, Aqib Talib, and John Johnson, and a big reason for this was weak play on the edge. Charles Omenihu has the bulk and strength to play either defensive end or defensive tackle on the Lions defensive front, but he'd likely primarily be an end for Detroit due to need at the position. He's got unusual upper-body flexibility for his size, which could theoretically enable him to play EDGE, and he's got a really nice first step. Omenihu's arms measured 36" at the Senior Bowl, which is particularly long, and he had 9.5 sacks in a productive senior season. Omenihu didn't run a fantastic forty, but his 4.36 short shuttle proved his quality bend. Ndamukong Suh's one-year deal expires this offseason, and the Rams had weak play on the edge in 2018, so Omenihu, at 280 pounds, could potentially contribute on both fronts.
32) NWE: Jerry Tillery, IDL, Notre Dame (6064 - 295 - 4.93)
Trey Flowers, Danny Shelton, and Malcom Brown are all free agents this offseason, so New England absolutely must address the defensive line multiple times during this offseason. Jerry Tillery, an athletic but strong interior defensive lineman, would be a nice pick to do so. Tillery has very nice explosion, and he anchors very well in the run game. Tillery also features unusual bend for his size, which is particularly useful on passing snaps. Jerry Tillery had a nice Combine, running a sub-5 forty and a very nice 4.33 short shuttle. In Tampa Bay, Greg Schiano had Gerald McCoy at his disposal. Now, in New England, if they draft the Notre Dame prospect, Schiano and Belichick would be very happy to utilize his athleticism at various spots within their defensive line.
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