Todd Mcshay’s first Mock since the Comine...
——————————————
We saw lots of speed, strength and power at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis as prospects for the 2019 NFL draft jockey for first-round status. And with it, there's some more movement in projecting the opening 32 picks.
Players now have one more shot to show what they've got on the field at their schools' pro days, taking place over the next few weeks. Then teams will have to figure out how they grade each player and how those players fit within their systems as we race toward April 25, when names will be called in Nashville, Tennessee.
Let's take another turn through all 32 first-round picks for 2019. And for a deeper look into each selection, tune into ESPN and the ESPN App at 5 p.m. ET Wednesday for a SportsCenter special going through my picks.
1) Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
We can't deny the rumblings here, and we know new coach Kliff Kingsbury recruited Murray in college. I'm not all-in on Arizona taking him just yet, though -- the Cards could be trying generate trade interest among the QB-needy teams. Still, the just-tall-enough Murray is a perfect fit to help Kingsbury transition the Air Raid offense to the NFL, and this pick makes sense from a scheme standpoint with all Murray's athleticism. Now, what could the Cardinals get for Josh Rosen?
2. San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The Niners will be hunting for pass-rushers this offseason, and getting the best overall player in the class at No. 2 would be a fantastic start. Bosa has length, speed and power from the edge, and it's fathomable that the Buckeye paces San Francisco's defensive line in sacks as a rookie. He's that good.
3) New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
The Jets need defensive linemen as new coordinator Gregg Williams transitions to a 4-3 scheme, and the Alabama tackle fits perfectly as an interior pass-rusher who can also stop the run. Williams was incredible at the combine, and his quick first step would be a force on the inside for Gang Green.
4) Oakland Raiders: Josh Allen, OLB, Kentucky
When you manage just 13 sacks -- a league low, and 17 fewer than the next-worse team -- you'd best be looking for pass-rushers. Allen himself out-sacked the Raiders in 2018, recording 17 coming off the edge for Kentucky. If the Jets don't take him at No. 3, he fits a big need here.
5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State
If you set a combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash for a defensive lineman (4.41 seconds at 260 pounds), you're going to make some money. Sweat has a ton of upside, and Tampa Bay badly needs difference-makers on defense. But there's also a very real possibility that the Bucs trade back with a team looking for a quarterback, and taking the best available offensive lineman -- perhaps Jawaan Taylor -- makes sense in that scenario.
6) New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
Another mock, another Haskins-to-the-Giants projection. It just makes sense. New York needs to secure its future at the position while it has this high pick, and Haskins has some great anticipation and feel in the pocket. Give him a year of learning from Eli Manning, not unlike what Kansas City did with Patrick Mahomes and Alex Smith, and then let him start unleashing deep balls to Odell Beckham Jr.
7) Jacksonville Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
With Nick Foles expected to come to Florida, the Jags need to beef up the offensive line to protect their new quarterback and create some holes for Leonard Fournette. Taylor's mobility, power and quickness would be welcomed in the trenches. He is a starting right tackle on Day 1.
8) Detroit Lions: Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
The Lions need edge rushers with Ezekiel Ansah entering free agency. Gary had a good week at the combine, showing his athleticism and explosiveness. A lack of production in college might cause him to fall out of the top five, but if he is coached properly, the talent and skill set are there to be a stellar disruptor.
9) Buffalo Bills: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
He's an absolute monster at 6-foot-3 with ridiculous strength and 4.33 40 speed. Metcalf specializes in running the 9 route, and Josh Allen has the big arm to get him the ball. It's been a while since Buffalo had a real receiving talent like Metcalf, but don't sleep on the offensive line here, either. A good chunk of that unit will enter free agency.
10) Denver Broncos: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
Denver has to upgrade the offensive line, and Williams is an experienced starter who would immediately provide an improvement at right tackle. New starter Joe Flacco is going to need protection, and Williams can handle speed off the edge with his quick feet.
11) Cincinnati Bengals: Devin White, ILB, LSU
There are a lot of needs here, but White is a three-down 'backer who can play sideline to sideline. He's one of my top prospects in the class and really impressed at the combine. The Bengals need a quarterback of the defense, and the value for White is tremendous outside of the top 10.
12) Green Bay Packers: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
Yes, the Packers re-signed Jimmy Graham, but he is 32 years old and his production has declined. Hockenson combines size, speed and strength at the position, and he would give Aaron Rodgers a real weapon in the passing game.
13) Miami Dolphins: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
If the Ryan Tannehill era is indeed coming to a close, Lock would give new offensive coordinator Chad O'Shea a quarterback to develop. Lock has great mobility and arm strength, even though he needs some work with mechanics and ball placement.
14) Atlanta Falcons: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Putting Wilkins right next to Grady Jarrett, who was franchise-tagged by the Falcons, would help fix a run defense that allowed nearly 5 yards per carry last season. Wilkins is an explosive interior player who was a four-year starter for the defending national champs.
15) Washington Redskins: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma
No change from my previous mock, as the speedy Brown heads to the nation's capital. Washington will be looking for improvements in multiple areas, but adding a burner would open up this offense. Brown has good hands and can outrun just about anyone.
16) Carolina Panthers: Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson
Carolina dropped opposing quarterbacks for a sack only 35 times in 2018. Free agency is one way to handle that, but Ferrell has very good physicality and quick hands at the point of contact. He'd be a presence on the edge for the Panthers after running up 11.5 sacks with Clemson last season.
