2019 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 – Picks 17-32

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:

2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 5/2): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/2)
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New York Giants: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
It doesn’t sound like the Giants will select a quarterback at No. 6 overall, as they want to acquire one of the many great pass rushers in this class. The 17th pick is fair game, however. New York will definitely consider one of the three first-round quarterbacks not named Kyler Murray with this choice, as it obviously needs a successor for the decrepit Eli Manning.

Daniel Jones has positive arm strength and athleticism, and he could be a top-15 pick because of his upside. In fact, Charlie Campbell reported that three NFL general managers believd he’d be the first quarterback taken in the 2019 NFL Draft when polled during the Senior Bowl (obviously, second now in the wake of Murray’s surge.) Some are comparing him to Carson Wentz.

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Pick change; previously Jonah Williams, OT
Minnesota Vikings: Cody Ford, G/OT, Oklahoma
The Vikings overpaid for Kirk Cousins, so now they have to transition from a defensive team to an offensive one. An improved offensive line will allow Cousins to survive until Week 17, when he can once again choke with a playoff bid on the line.

Cody Ford didn’t test well athletically at the combine, but he’s a powerful guard who will block well for Cousins and also open big running lanes for Dalvin Cook.
Tennessee Titans: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
The Titans need to bolster their front seven, as they don’t put enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks. I’ve had them choosing Clelin Ferrell for quite some time, and he’s still a strong possibility with this pick. However, Tennessee could go after another Clemson product. Christian Wilkins is the superior prospect, and it’s worth noting that Mike Vrabel attempted to recruit Wilkins when he was coaching Ohio State. Vrabel lost out on Wilkins to Clemson, but he’ll finally be able to obtain the talented defensive lineman in this scenario.

Christian Wilkins has superior speed and athleticism as an interior disruptor. He was unstoppable in the national championship.

Pick change; previously Clelin Ferrell, DE/OLB

Pittsburgh Steelers: Devin Bush, LB, Michigan
Pittsburgh’s defense has taken a big step backward ever since it lost Ryan Shazier to his unfortunate injury. I have to believe that the Steelers will be interested in a highly athletic linebacker like Devin Bush to take Shazier’s place.

Bush is an explosive linebacker who could be the second player at the position off the board in the first round, following Devin White.
Seattle Seahawks: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
I don’t believe the Seahawks will be drafting at No. 21. They’ll likely trade down once or twice into the 30-40 range and select a prospect who should be taken in that area. Perhaps that prospect will be Noah Fant, as he’ll fill the huge hole Seattle has had at tight end since Jimmy Graham regressed.

Fant is an athletic marvel, proving so at the combine. He needs to improve his blocking, but his receiving ability could allow him to be a first-round pick. However, some off-the-field concerns could push him into Day 2.

Baltimore Ravens: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
The Ravens lost John Brown and Michael Crabtree in free agency. They have a huge void at receiver, which they could fill with Parris Campbell. I imagine that Baltimore will be looking for a receiver with electrifying speed to pair with Lamar Jackson’s arm.

Parris Campbell has big-play ability, but didn’t live up to it statistically in the past because of some poor passing. That changed late in 2018, as Campbell dominated Michigan in the regular-season finale. There’s a decent chance he’s the third receiver drafted.
Houston Texans: Clelin Ferrell, DE/OLB, Clemson
Edge rusher is not one of Houston’s top needs, but Clelin Ferrell is the best player available. I imagine the Texans would be interested in Ferrell if he falls to No. 23, as Whitney Mercilus has been on the decline in recent years. Mercilus is also entering his contract season, and he turns 30 soon, so Houston may view Ferrell as the successor for Mercilus across from Jadeveon Clowney.

Clelin Ferrell could’ve been a top-15, or even a top-10 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft had he declared (perhaps No. 6 overall to the Colts.) Charlie Campbell has reported in the NFL Hot Press that teams aren’t as high on Ferrell this year, but he should still be taken in the 12-20 range.

Pick change; previously Andre Dillard, OT

Oakland Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Jon Gruden loves to run the ball, but the problem is that he currently doesn’t have a viable back on his roster. With all of the defensive positions of need unable to be filled at No. 24, save for cornerback, the Raiders could pursue the top running back in this class at this juncture.

Josh Jacobs is a power runner who can make athletic cuts. He has loads of potential, and sources Charlie Campbell has spoken to have ranted and raved about Jacobs.
Philadelphia Eagles: Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College
Doug Pederson learned from Andy Reid that bolstering the trenches is a major key to success. The Eagles may not have Brandon Brooks next year because of an injury he suffered in the playoffs, which is problematic because they already had a need at guard.

Chris Lindstrom is solid in all aspects and showed more athleticism than many anticipated at the combine.

Indianapolis Colts: A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
The Colts dropped 19 passes in the three games T.Y. Hilton missed in 2018. They need to make sure their offense can function if Hilton suffers an injury this upcoming season. They signed Devin Funchess to help the receiving corps, but Funchess has never accomplished anything in the NFL, and he won’t preclude Indianapolis from adding a talented wideout.

A.J. Brown was a great weapon for Ole Miss the past couple of years despite their turmoil. Unlike his more-athletic teammate, D.K. Metcalf, Brown was actually productive while in school.
Oakland Raiders: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington
I mentioned the Raiders being able to fill their cornerback need several selections ago. I imagine they’ll wait until No. 27 to do that because of the number of decent cornerback prospects likely to be available at the end of the opening round.

Byron Murphy is a very instinctive, ball-hawking cornerback. I’ve had him high in my 2020 NFL Mock Draft, but he declared despite being a redshirt sophomore. Murphy received second-round grades from the draft committee, but there aren’t 32 first-round-caliber prospects in this class, so Murphy could sneak into the end of Day 1.
Los Angeles Chargers: Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
The Patriots ran over the Chargers in the divisional round of the playoffs. The Chargers need to get stronger in the defensive interior.

Dre’Mont Jones has a first-round skill set, according to sources Charlie Campbell reached out to. He struggled a bit at the combine, but his Ohio State tape should keep him in top-25 contention.
Kansas City Chiefs: Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
The Chiefs need secondary and linebacker help, but they’re getting the best player available with this selection. Andy Reid loves to take second chances on players, so I think this makes sense.

Dexter Lawrence is a monster of a defensive tackle (6-5, 340) and is exceptional at both stuffing the run and pressuring the quarterback. He has fallen in mock drafts because of his positive drug test.
Green Bay Packers: Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
I never would’ve imagined the Packers using both of their first-round picks on offense a month ago, but free agency has changed a lot. I don’t think they necessarily have to target two offensive players, but that’s how this mock draft has played out. With Bryan Bulaga heading for free agency next spring, Green Bay could use this selection on a replacement for 2020 and beyond.

Greg “Mr. Reliable” Little was a five-star recruit coming out of high school. He’s an athletic left tackle who could be a top-20 pick.
Los Angeles Rams: Garrett Bradbury, C/G, N.C. State
The Rams lost two key offensive linemen this offseason – Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan – and a third, Andrew Whitworth, doesn’t have much time remaining in the NFL. The Rams have boasted one of the top offensive lines in the NFL over the past couple of years, which was a huge factor in their success. That’s no longer the case, so Los Angeles needs to rebuild its blocking unit.

Garrett Bradberry is an athletic interior lineman who used to be a former tight end.

Pick change; previously Greedy Williams, CB

New England Patriots: Jeffery Simmons, DE/DT, Mississippi State
The Patriots once selected Dominique Easley in the first round even though it was clear that he was a major injury risk. Given that, I think it’s certainly possible that New England will use their first pick on Jeffery Simmons, who, according to Charlie Campbell’s reports, still has a chance to be chosen late in the opening round. Simmons, of course, tore his ACL, but he’s a top-10 talent and should be viewed as a steal at No. 32 overall.