2019 NFL Mock Draft – WalterFootball

Last update: Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Major changes.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2019 NFL Mock Draft is based on the real 2019 NFL Draft Order.

NFL Draft Recent Links:

2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 11/13): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (11/15)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/26)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)

archived mock section

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Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray, QB/WR, Oklahoma
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that one of two things will happen with the first-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft:

1. The Cardinals will select Kyler Murray and trade Josh Rosen.

2. Arizona will trade this pick to a team – probably the Raiders – that will want to choose Murray.

Either way, Murray will be the top choice in the wake of his positive measurements at the combine. I’m going to lean toward the Cardinals taking him in the wake of Kliff Kingsbury telling everyone at the combine that his team picking Murray is a “done deal.” This could be a smoke screen, and if so, I think it’ll work because the Raiders love Murray and would love to obtain him.

Murray has vaulted into the top spot of the draft because of his positive measurement at the combine. Because Murray was listed at 5-foot-10 at Oklahoma, it seemed like there was a legitimate chance he would be something like 5-8 7/8, but 5-10 1/8 is a big deal, as it’s not much shorter than what Russell Wilson is.
San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
The 49ers are currently deciding between Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams. Charlie Campbell reported about a month ago that the 49ers were falling in love with Quinnen Williams, which is making this decision very difficult. However, I think that in the end, the 49ers will select the best player who fills the bigger need, and that would be Bosa.

Bosa has a tremendous skill set, and he was off to a great start in 2018 before injuring his knee. He’s a top-three lock unless some Laremy Tunsil-esque news breaks about him over the next 16 days.
New York Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama
The Jets are the team in the top five that is most likely to trade down, especially if Nick Bosa isn’t on the board. They don’t have a second-round pick because of the Sam Darnold trade last year, so they’ll want to acquire another selection. Plus, a team would like to move up for Williams, who is one of the top two players in this class. That said, if the Jets remain at No. 3, I could see them just taking Williams. He’s the best prospect available, and he’d give New York one of the top defensive lines in the NFL. It’s also worth noting that Leonard Williams’ contract will expire soon, so Quinnen Williams would give the front office a great insurance policy.

Williams had a breakout performance this season, and sources Charlie Campbell spoke to early in the year believed Williams would be a high first-round pick. Williams is now a likely top-five selection.

Oakland Raiders: Josh Allen, DE/LB, Kentucky
Charlie Campbell reported that the Raiders like Dwayne Haskins. They may not take him – with two-and-a-half weeks to go, they still have plenty of time to decide – but he’s at least a top option for them at No. 4. Jon Gruden spent the entire year yelling at Derek Carr and may want to bring in his own quarterback.

However, I’m going to have the Raiders go in a different direction in this mock draft. Gruden prefers veteran quarterbacks, so I imagine that they’ll lean toward fixing their horrible pass-rushing situation with the best player available.

Josh Allen can basically play anywhere you want him to on defense. He’s a terrific player, as he was the primary reason why Kentucky was in contention for the SEC East title so late into the season. He’s compared to as a hybrid of Leonard Floyd and Zach Cunningham, as he can play in coverage and also rush the quarterback effectively on the edge.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
The Buccaneers used last year’s first-round pick on a defensive tackle, which might make this selection seem strange at first glance. However, Tampa Bay has the least-available cap space in the NFL, which is why there’s talk that the front office is attempting to trade Gerald McCoy. Given that the Buccaneers are in a semi-rebuilding process under a new coaching regime, it makes sense to move on from McCoy, whose trade value will plummet with each succeeding year.

Ed Oliver was a highly productive defensive lineman for Houston, recording a ridiculous 22.5 TFLs as a freshman. He was a monster this past season before getting hurt. He once projected to be a top-five pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, but should still be a top-10 selection, especially in the wake of his excellent pro day.

Pick change; previously Montez Sweat, DE/OLB

New York Giants: Rashan Gary, DE/DT, Michigan
Reports have surfaced that the Giants don’t like Dwayne Haskins, so they won’t be projected to trade up in this mock draft. Perhaps they’ll take the top athlete available. Rashan Gary would fill a need at one of the defensive end spots on New York’s three-man front.

Gary is an athletic freak. He wasn’t extremely productive during his time at Michigan, but he has tremendous upside.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida
The Jaguars spent big money on Nick Foles. It would be foolish not to upgrade his offensive line. Left tackle Cam Robinson is a question mark, but the huge void up front is at right tackle. Jacksonville currently doesn’t have a viable player at this position. This pick could fill right tackle spot, with Jawaan Taylor sliding into that position. Taylor could also play the blind side, shifting Robinson to right tackle.

Jawaan Taylor has some great feet for his size (6-5, 340) and likely will be the first tackle off the board.

Detroit Lions: Devin White, LB, LSU
The Lions have one of the worst linebacking corps in the NFL. They can’t cover anyone over the middle of the field. They need to add a player who can become the leader of their defensive unit at the position. If they do so, perhaps they’ll finally be able to compete with some of the top teams in their division.

Devin White was extremely productive this past season, logging 133 tackles. A projected running back, White is still learning the position, which is crazy considering how great he was in 2017. White was a team captain at LSU, which should interest the Lions, who have drafted nothing but team captains in the early rounds under general manager Bob Quinn.
Buffalo Bills: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa
I’ve been mocking a defensive tackle to the Bills for quite some time, and that position would still be an option if Ed Oliver were still available. Oliver, however, was chosen at No. 5 overall. If he’s off the board, there’s a legitimate chance that Buffalo could choose T.J. Hockenson. This might be a bit high for Hockenson, but the Bills need to build around Josh Allen, and Hockenson would give him a tremendous intermediate target.

T.J. Hockenson is considered the top all-around tight end in the 2019 NFL Draft class. He’s a very talented receiver and a skilled blocker as well. He was great at the combine.

Pick change; previously Ed Oliver, DT

Denver Broncos: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri
Charlie Campbell was the first to report in the Senior Bowl Rumors page that the Broncos like Drew Lock more than any other quarterback, so it sounds like Lock could be the pick if available.

Drew Lock has a great arm and can make any throw, but he really needs to work on his field vision and accuracy. He should probably be taken in the second round, but we’ve seen teams reach for quarterbacks over the years. And besides, teams like Lock’s gritty attitude and work ethic. He loves football, so he’ll try hard to improve his flaws.
Cincinnati Bengals: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
If you’ve been following the site for a while, you know one of my favorite phrases pertaining to the NFL Draft: New regimes mean new quarterbacks. I’ve been saying that for so long because it’s true. When a new regime comes into a team, it tends to obtain a new quarterback unless a great player at the position is already in place.

Andy Dalton is not a great player. He’s as mediocre as it gets; he turns 32 during the upcoming season; and he’s due an average of about $17 million per season over the next two years before his contract expires. Unless this new Cincinnati regime loves Dalton, I believe it will move on from Dalton in the next year or so. If Dwayne Haskins falls to the Bengals, it’s very realistic that they’ll select the Ohio State product, much like the Ravens did with Lamar Jackson last year. Joe Flacco played one final season with his team, and Dalton would do the same in this scenario before Haskins takes over in 2020.

Haskins has a tremendous skill set, but is not a finished product at the moment. However, with Justin Herbert going back to school, he’s the top quarterback prospect in this class after Kyler Murray.
Green Bay Packers: Montez Sweat, DE/OLB, Mississippi State
The Packers acquired two high-paid edge rushers in Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith, but I don’t think that’ll preclude them from selecting Montez Sweat. The Packers could put one of the Smiths on the defensive line, which would give them so many talented players who can rush the passer successfully. The Packers have owned a horrendous defense for years, and adding Sweat would help transform their stop unit into a dominant one.

Besides, Sweat is a bargain at No. 12 overall. He was considered a top-six lock prior to being flagged for a heart condition, but it seems as though this isn’t nearly as serious as Maurice Hurst’s condition, so Sweat shouldn’t drop too far.

Pick change; previously T.J. Hockenson, TE
Miami Dolphins: Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
The Dolphins have so many holes and not enough resources to fill them. They have just five draft picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, excluding the seventh round, so I imagine that they’ll attempt to trade down. If, however, Miami stays put, Jonah Williams would be a strong option at No. 13. The Dolphins don’t have a viable right tackle – or a right guard, or a center, or a left guard – and they are rumored to be interested in the Alabama prospect.

Jonah Williams had a great freshman year as Alabama’s right tackle. He then took over on the blind side with Cam Robinson gone. Charlie Campbell spoke to sources who believe Williams will be taken in the second half of the opening round. Short arm length is a big concern for Williams.

Pick change; previously D.K. Metcalf, WR
Atlanta Falcons: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
The Falcons figure to address the trenches with this pick. I’ve had them selecting a defensive lineman for what seems like forever, but I think a blocker is a strong possibility as well. Atlanta attempted to bolster the offensive line in free agency with a pair of new guards, but that’s not enough. The Falcons need a new right tackle, and they should be able to obtain a good one at No. 14 overall.

Andre Dillard is a love-hate prospect. Some teams think he’s a Round 3-4 prospect, but others believe he could go late in the first frame. Perhaps there are more people will the latter belief after his stellar combine performance.

Pick change; previously Christian Wilkins, DT
Washington Redskins: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
I’ve been mocking a quarterback to the Redskins for what seems like an eternity. One of Dwayne Haskins, Daniel Jones or Drew Lock is still on the table at No. 15 overall. However, all reports indicate that the Redskins are the favorites to land Josh Rosen, so I wanted to explore this possibility. If Washington obtains Rosen, it’ll have to find a No. 1 receiver for him to throw to. Scratch that; it’ll have to find any sort of viable wideout for him. The top players at the position are currently Josh Doctson, Paul Richardson and Trey Quinn. Yuck.

D.K. Metcalf didn’t look like a No. 1 receiver at Ole Miss, as he was unproductive while running poor routes. However, he posted elite numbers at the combine, displaying a ridiculous amount of upside.

Pick change; previously Daniel Jones, QB

Carolina Panthers: Brian Burns, DE/OLB, Florida State
The Panthers are looking for an edge rusher, despite the signing of Bruce Irvin. The former Seahawk, Raider and Falcon should still be an effective player, but he turns 32 during the season. Carolina needs young blood at its new 3-4 outside linebacker position.

Brian Burns needs to bulk up quite a bit, but he has a long frame, so he has the potential to fill out. Some mock drafts had Burns as a top-10 pick, but sources Charlie Campbell has spoken to believe Burns is a second-round prospect (read more in the NFL Hot Press.) That said, there aren’t 32 first-round prospects in this class, so someone like Burns could sneak into the middle or end of the opening frame if a team likes him enough.

Go to 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.