2019 NFL Draft Big Board

1.

Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama. Previously: 1 Avg. 1.3 per 27
04/17/19: Williams had an excellent combine, showing rare speed and athleticism. His workout was reminiscent of Aaron Donald’s combine workout in 2014, except Williams is 20 pounds heavier at 6-foot-3, 303 pounds.

WalterFootball.com was the first in the media to report and project that Williams could be a high first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Sources from multiple teams, including two general managers, were raving about Williams to me before the other media members caught on to him. Williams broke out for Alabama in 2018. Raekwon Davis and Isaiah Buggs garnered more preseason hype, but Williams was the most consistent play-maker and disruptor on the Crimson Tide’s defensive line.

There is no doubt that Williams is a freak athlete. He is extremely fast off the snap with the ability to fire his gap and close on the quarterback in a hurry. Williams has functional strength to bull rush through blockers, or grab them and toss them aside. On top of his great skill set, Williams shows impressive technique with his hand placement and has a variety in pass-rushing moves. With his sawed-off body, Williams has natural pad level and leverage.

In speaking with NFL sources, Williams graded out higher than defensive tackles like Houston’s Ed Oliver, Auburn’s Derrick Brown, Mississippi State’s Jeff Simmons and either member of the Clemson duo of Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence. None of those players has tape as impressive as Williams.

Williams was utterly dominant against LSU. He used devastating speed, power and technique to beat the interior of the Tigers’ line. Williams beat double teams from the guard and center for sacks, plus stuffed runs at the point of attack. For the day, he totaled 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 10 tackles. Williams’ outing against LSU was one of the most impressive performances I have seen by a defensive lineman in years. It was probably the best since Myles Garrett (2015) or Jadeveon Clowney (2012) during their amazing sophomore seasons.

In 2018, Williams totaled 71 tackles with 19.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks and one pass batted. He caused more disruption than the numbers indicate, including routinely wrecking offensive game plans. He could be a good fit as a three-technique in a 4-3 defense or play as a five-technique in a 3-4 who moves inside to rush in passing situations.

2.

Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State. Previously: 2 Avg. 1.8 per 32
04/17/19: At the combine, Bosa had a good workout and solidified his status at the top of the first round. Bosa withdrew from Ohio State in October to prepare for the 2019 NFL Draft, but was already out recovering from core-muscle surgery. He totaled four sacks, 14 tackles with six for a loss and one forced fumble over his roughly two games of playing time in 2018.

For the NFL, Bosa looks like a No. 1 pass-rusher who could be a consistent double-digit sack producer with Pro Bowl potential early in his career. He has an excellent get-off that sees him fire off the snap. He is fast off the edge with the ability to quickly get leverage by using his speed to get an angle to the quarterback. Aside from his speed and athleticism, Bosa has excellent hands with functional strength to fight off blocks, a burst to close, and puts quarterbacks down hard. Bosa has developed technique and obviously has been working at his craft for years with his older brother. Bosa has really developed strength to maximize his body. However, Bosa is shorter and lighter than many edge rushers, including his brother. Thus, Bosa might be better off in a 3-4 defense playing outside linebacker rather than being a base end in a 4-3.



08/30/18: Like his older brother Joey, Nick Bosa (6-3, 265) looks like an elite edge defender. He is fast off the edge with the ability fire by tackles to get upfield. Bosa has excellent hands, functional strength to fight off blocks, a burst to close, and puts quarterbacks down hard. In the ground game, Bosa is solid, but it is his pass-rush potential that excites.

Bosa had 34 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two passes batted and one forced fumble in 2017. He was the Buckeyes’ best defensive end even though he rotated with Sam Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis and Jalyn Holmes. Bosa could explode as a junior now that those other three have left for the NFL, which should leave Bosa playing every down in 2018. As a freshman, Bosa played well for Ohio State, recording 29 tackles with seven tackles for a loss and five sacks.

3.

Devin White, LB, LSU. Previously: 3 Avg. 4.9 per 32
04/17/19: Team sources believe that White will be selected in the No. 7-12 range of the first round during the 2019 NFL Draft. White had an excellent combine with a fast 40 time and great field work. He totaled 123 tackles with 12 for a loss, six passes broken up, three sacks and three forced fumbles in 2018. The junior played well, but teams schemed for him more and tried to limit him with extra blocking attention and by trying to move plays away from him.

As a linebacker, White is the complete package. He has excellent instincts and is very fast to read his keys to get in position to make plays. For a big and thick defender, White has shocking speed to get to the perimeter, and he eats up space in a hurry. White is a good tackler who wraps up ball-carriers and puts them into the turf with force. White has the size and mentality to take on blocks, hold his ground, shed the block, and get in on tackles. He is superb against the run.

In pass coverage, White is a skilled defender. He is very fast as a blitzer, showing excellent diagnosis skills. White reads plays quickly and covers a lot of ground in zone. He also has the speed to run down the middle seam. On dump-off passes to the flat, White explodes into the ball-carrier and is very good at making tackles in space. His size and athleticism allows him to have the potential to play some man coverage on tight ends and backs out of the backfield.



08/30/18: White had an excellent 2017 season, totaling 133 tackles with 14 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes broken up and one interception. White didn’t get the attention of other SEC linebackers like Roquan Smith and Rashaan Evans, who became first-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, but White was every bit as good as they were if not better in 2017.

As a linebacker, White is the complete package. He has excellent instincts and is very fast to read his keys to get in position to make plays. For a big and thick linebacker, White has shocking speed to get to the perimeter, and he eats up space in a hurry. White is a good tackler who wraps up ball-carriers and puts them into the turf with force. White has the size and mentality to take on blocks, hold his ground, shed the block, and get in on tackles. He is a superb run defender.

In pass coverage, White is a dynamic defender. He is very fast as a blitzer with excellent diagnosis skills. White reads plays quickly and covers a lot of ground in zone. He has the speed to run down the middle seam. On dump-off passes to the, flat White explodes into the ball-carrier and is very good at making tackles in space. His size and athleticism allow him to have the potential to play some man coverage on tight ends and backs out of the backfield.

4.

Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky. Previously: 4 Avg. 7.7 per 32
04/17/19: Sources from some teams picking high in the first round like Josh Allen, but aren’t in love with him, and they don’t hold him in the same class as Quinnen Williams and Nick Bosa. Allen was okay at the combine, but also did not have a banner workout. For the NFL, he is a fast edge rusher with natural feel to go along with a dynamite first-step. Allen closes in an instant and uses his good athleticism to bend around the edge or dodge blockers. He has developed more functional strength to take on and shed blocks. The senior also showed an improved ability to drop into pass coverage during 2018, making some huge pass breakups to lead Kentucky to a win over Florida early in the season. Allen is a quality run defender as well. He would be a great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. In a 4-3, he could rush off the edge and play outside linebacker.

In 2018, Allen totaled 88 tackles with 21.5 tackles for a loss, 17 sacks, five forced fumbles and four passes batted. Prior to dominating Vanderbilt and South Carolina, the senior was phenomenal in leading Kentucky to upsets over Florida and Mississippi State.



08/30/18: In early October of 2017, WalterFootball.com was first to report that Allen was receiving early-round grades from NFL teams. One national scout compared Allen to Leonard Floyd coming out of Georgia with Allen’s ability to rush off the edge. Another director of college scouting said they had given Allen a high second-round grade, and thought Allen has similarities to current Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham in terms of his height, speed, length, and athleticism in the middle.

Allen was one of the top edge defenders in college football during the 2017 season. The junior had seven sacks along with 65 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and three passes batted on the year. He started the season fast but didn’t play as well late in 2017. Allen produced well as a sophomore in 2016 with 62 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks and four forced fumbles.

5.

Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State. Previously: 5 Avg. 14 per 32
04/17/19: It was revealed that Sweat has played with a minor heart condition. In surveying team sources, they thought Sweat could have slight slide in the top-16 picks because of that condition. Previously, Sweat made combine history by running a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, which set a record for a defensive lineman. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder is long and athletic, so he could fit as either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive end. Team sources have said that Sweat has some minor off-the-field issues, but off his combine workout, they don’t think he will get to the middle of the first round.

Sweat was the best player at the 2019 Senior Bowl and was superb in practice all week. Aside from performing well in the one-on-ones, he was very good in the team scrimmage. Sweat gave offensive tackles all they could handle with his speed, length and athleticism. Sweat had three good practices to solidify his standing for the opening night of the draft and improve his potential for going higher. He is fast off the edge with a good first-step, agility to bend, and length to fight off blocks.

Sweat totaled 1.5 sacks with six tackles in the Egg Bowl. Taking on Alabama, he had five tackles with some pressure off the edge. Mississippi State lost to LSU in a contest that saw Sweat collect seven tackles and one sack. Versus Auburn, Sweat was excellent following a quiet first half. He burned the Tigers’ tackles with speed rushes and had three sacks to help close out the win for the Bulldogs. While Mississippi State lost to Florida, Sweat got the better of Gators offensive tackles Jawaan Taylor and Martez Ivey. Taking on Kentucky, Sweat did well in the pass rush, but he needs to get better in run defense for the NFL. Sweat recorded seven tackles with 1.5 sacks against the Wildcats. Previously, he was very productive against Stephen F. Austin and Kansas State. Sweat totaled 53 tackles, 14 for a loss and 11.5 sacks in 2018.



08/30/18: Sweat debuted for the Bulldogs with an excellent 2017 season as a dynamic edge defender. He totaled an SEC-leading 10.5 sacks, with 15.5 tackles for a loss and 48 tackles for the year. To start out his collegiate career, Sweat played at Michigan State before some disciplinary issues led to him leaving for the junior college ranks at Co-Lin Community College. Sweat could add weight to become a defensive end, stay as an outside linebacker, or be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL.

Sweat is a dangerous pass-rusher who shows good instincts and natural feel off the edge. He has good play recognition and uses his instincts to get in the right position to affect the quarterback or disrupt plays. For a tall defender, Sweat possesses a nice ability to redirect, and he uses that to get after the quarterback or defend the perimeter. As a pure pass-rusher, Sweat is quick off the edge with the speed to turn the corner and run around offensive tackles. One of his most impressive traits is his active hands to fight off blocks while using his feet at the same time. Sweat has some functional strength that he uses to get off blocks and shows impressive hand placement to get under the pads of blockers or rip them away from him. Sweat’s excellent length helps him to do that and also makes it harder for offensive tackles to get into his chest. Once he gets free, Sweat has burst to close on the quarterback.

6.

Rashan Gary, DT, Michigan. Previously: 6 Avg. 8 per 32
04/17/19: Gary had an excellent combine, displaying serious speed and athleticism with ideal size. He ran the 40 in 4.58 seconds and looked very good in the field drills. Despite being hurt for a lot of 2018, Gary decided to skip Michigan’s bowl game against Florida after announcing his decision to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Gary notched five tackles with one for a loss versus Ohio State. After missing three games with a shoulder issue – specifically, an AC joint sprain -, Gary returned to the field against Penn State and made two tackles. Previously, he had one tackle for a loss against Maryland and played through an injury he suffered against Northwestern. All night against Notre Dame in the season opener, Gary burned the Fighting Irish offensive tackles and put steady hits on quarterback Brandon Wimbush. Gary totaled four tackles with .5 for a loss, but he played much better than the stat line indicates. In 2018, he totaled 43 tackles with 7.5 for a loss and 3.5 sacks.



08/30/18: Gary notched 65 tackles with six sacks, one forced fumble and 12 tackles for a loss in 2017. He is a rare athlete who could turn into a dominant defender. Scouting sources say Gary (6-5, 287) has high first-round potential if he puts everything together. That could definitely happen during his junior season. One scouting sources who has done advance work on the 2019 class said that Gary is a rare physical talent similar to some former top-of-the-draft prospects, but Michigan doesn’t turn him loose as a pass-rusher as much as other prospects were.

7.

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson. Previously: 7 Avg. 16.8 per 32
04/17/19: Wilkins is viewed as a safe pick by a lot of teams and is in contention to go in the top half of the first round. On top of his skill set, teams love his experience and versatility. He is a great fit for any defensive scheme and has plug-and-play starting potential. Wilkins did well at the combine, but that is not surprising because he is a very good athlete. In 2018, Wilkins totaled 50 tackles with 14 for a loss, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

In the pass rush, Wilkins is dangerous. He is a quick defender at the point of attack with the ability to fire his gap. He uses his strength to push through blocks and can close in an instant on the quarterback. Wilkins has a burst to fire by guards into the backfield and the strength to bull rush through linemen. He has good hand usage and shows some variety in pass-rushing moves to get after the quarterback. Wilkins displayed excellent versatility during college in terms of rush production from a variety of positions and techniques. While he played a lot of end in 2016, Wilkins really doesn’t have edge-rusher speed for the NFL. He will have to rush from the inside as a pro, but that is his natural position anyway and he presents a speed mismatch when rushing against guards.

Wilkins is a solid run defender, too. He has a strong, thick lower body to hold his ground at the point of attack. He fills his gap and can be tough to move at the line of scrimmage. Wilkins is able to eat up his block and prevent holes from opening up. Regularly, he can shed his block to stuff a run near the line of scrimmage or fire into the backfield to disrupt a run off the snap. He also will give an effort to make tackles in the ground game downfield. Wilkins has a quality motor and doesn’t put forth a poor effort.



08/30/18: In 2017, Wilkins totaled 60 tackles with 8.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. He played well all year, using his speed and athleticism to cause disruption at the point of attack. In speaking with sources at multiple teams, they see Wilkins as a future first-rounder. He is a fast interior pass-rusher who can collapse the pocket and provide an inside pass rush.

Wilkins (6-3, 312) played well for Clemson in 2016 as part of a tough defensive line that controlled the point of attack. The sophomore recorded 48 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and 10 passes batted. Wilkins made 33 tackles and two sacks as a freshman in 2015. He has a nice skill set with versatility to play a lot of techniques up front.

8.

Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State. Previously: 8 Avg. 6.3 per 32
04/17/19: Simmons’ draft stock was dealt a serious blow with a torn ACL in combine preparation. I only dropped Simmons a few spots because years from now, I think he will be one of the top players to come out of this draft class. Hence, I still have him high on my big board. Sources say he could go late in the first round, but teams won’t hesitate to take him early in the second round.

In the Egg Bowl, Simmons recorded four tackles with two for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and a pass batted. He previously had six tackles with two for a loss against Alabama. Taking on Texas A&M, Simmons collected three tackles. A week earlier, he turned in an excellent game against LSU, making plays in the ground game and getting pass pressure. Earlier in the year, Simmons recorded five tackles with one for a loss against Auburn. He totaled 59 tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and four passes batted on the season.

In a mid-September Hot Press post, WalterFootball.com reported how one team’s scout said they were going to fight for Simmons in pre-draft meetings after doing their research into the background of Simmons. They said that the staff at Mississippi State and contacts at his hometown town speak highly of Simmons. He will face a lot of scrutiny because of a tape of him in a street fight, but there is no doubt that Simmons is a top-20 talent for the NFL. If team evaluators are comfortable with Simmons off the field, that could send his stock soaring rather high.



08/30/18: Simmons (6-4, 301) is extremely talented athletically and possesses a ton of upside. In 2017, he totaled 60 tackles with 12 tackles for a loss, five sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass batted. As a freshman, he had 40 tackles with two forced fumbles. While Simmons is a great athlete with a superb skill set, he comes with off-the-field baggage, including a video of him striking a woman with multiple punches in a street fight. Similar to Joe Mixon, that video could cause Simmons to slide in his draft class.

9.

Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida. Previously: 9 Avg. 17 per 22
04/17/19: Taylor was okay at the combine, but in the interviews, he illustrated that he is raw and needs development. Multiple teams say they have him as the top offensive line prospect, but some teams prefer other offensive linemen. They feel that Taylor will be the first blocker drafted and could go high in the first round.

Entering the 2018 season, some advance scouts had mentioned being intrigued with Taylor and were hoping that he would be more consistent as a junior. That came true with Taylor performing as the Gators’ best offensive lineman, and multiple team contacts say they are much higher on Taylor than Greg Little. Team sources love Taylor’s combination of size, movement skills, and strength. Sources feel that 6-foot-5, 312-pounder has an excellent skill set with upside to be a top tackle in the NFL.

Even though he was a better player than Florida left tackle Martez Ivey, Taylor started at right tackle for the Gators the past two seasons, but that doesn’t bother team sources. With the way NFL teams move their edge rushers around, left or right side is borderline irrelevant. “The blind side isn’t what it used to be,” said one area scout. “Lane Johnson is a right tackle that’s paid like a left.” Thus, wherever Taylor lands, he could shut down one side and the team could send extra help to the other tackle. Teams also feel that Taylor has the ability to play left or right tackle.

10.

Cody Ford, OT, Oklahoma. Previously: 10 Avg. 17.1 per 18
04/17/19: Sources at some teams tell me that Ford is in real contention to be their first-round pick, and a number of teams picking in the top 20 have Ford in play. Teams feel that he is a better and more consistent player than Ole Miss’ Greg Little while having a better skill set than Alabama left tackle Jonah Williams.

Ford had a solid combine performance. While he started at right tackle for the Sooners, he projects to very being flexible in terms of his spot for the NFL, having the ability to move inside to guard or go to left tackle. Ford was phenomenal in 2018 and created a buzz with scouts going through Norman. The 6-foot-3, 329-pounder is a big blocker at the point of attack with excellent athleticism and quick feet. Ford broke into the starting lineup in 2016 before a broken leg ended his year early. In 2017, he was banged up, yet played in every game, making some starts. Ford took his game to another level as a senior and dominated on the field. He has a lot of upside with his elite athleticism.

11.

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston. Previously: 11 Avg. 9.5 per 32
04/17/19: At his pro day, Oliver made up for not running the 40 at the combine, putting up a stellar 4.73-second time in the 40-yard dash. His pro day was superb and bolsters him as a top-10 pick. Oliver did not run at the combine, but he checked in at 6-foot-1, 287 pounds and was six pounds heavier than at his pro day.

Previously, Oliver skipped Houston’s bowl game to avoid the risk of injury. His last action saw his return to the field against Memphis. He only played half of that game, totaling three tackles, one for a loss and one pass breakup. The game against Tulane was the fourth straight game Oliver had missed with a knee injury, but to add insult to injury, he had an altercation on the sideline with head coach Major Applewhite when Applewhite told Oliver to remove his cold-weather coat, which is only supposed to be worn by active players. Oliver had to be restrained due to going after Applewhite. After the game, Oliver released an apology and Applewhite downplayed the incident. Oliver totaled 54 tackles with 14.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, one forced fumble and two passes batted on the season.

In a mid-October Hot Press story, we wrote about how not all NFL teams view Oliver as a high first-round pick. Sources say that Houston had Oliver weighing at 275 pounds and had played him as heavy as 282. The Cougars staff said that 285-290 is too heavy for Oliver, and he weighed in at the combine within that range. Oliver also does not have great strength and can struggle with mass and double teams. Some sources say that they are grading Oliver as a late first-round pick and expect him to go in the middle of the first round. Others think he is special enough through his speed and explosion to be worthy of going as a top-10 choice.



08/30/18: Oliver (6-3, 290) is extremely fast at the point of attack. He explodes out of his stance and immediately gets penetration into the backfield. On top of his speed and tremendous pad level, Oliver possesses active hands with functional strength to slap away blockers hands. Oliver has a quality motor and doesn’t quit on plays that go downfield. While they have different body types, Oliver reminds me of Warren Sapp with his explosive speed off the ball and the way he lives in the backfield.

In 2017, Oliver had 73 tackles with 16.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three passes batted and two forced fumbles. He continued the strong play from his debut season despite seeing extra blocking attention all year. As a freshman, Oliver dominated at the point of attack, starting with his debut game against Oklahoma. From the beginning, Oliver overwhelmed offensive linemen with his quickness, athletic ability, and physicality. He totaled 66 tackles with 22.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles and nine passes batted that season.

12.

DeAndre Baker, CB, Georgia. Previously: 12 Avg. 11 per 32
04/17/19: Baker ran better at his pro day, but off-the-field issues are hurting him with teams. He was solid, but not special, at the combine. Team sources say that makeup and character concerns could cause Baker to slide somewhat in the 2019 NFL Draft.

In 2018, Baker totaled 40 tackles with nine breakups, two interceptions and one forced fumble. One of his interceptions was dropped in front of the end zone in a premature celebration on what should have been a 57-yard pick-six. That is a bad habit of Baker’s, as he did the same thing in the spring game. Otherwise, he played well for the Bulldogs before deciding to skip their meaningless bowl game to prepare for the 2019 NFL Draft.

Baker has a lot of skills that translate to the NFL and could turn him into a starter early in his career. Perhaps his best trait is his good instincts. He has good route recognition, reads receivers’ hands and eyes well, and times breakups well. While Baker is not the fastest of corners, he has speed and athleticism to run the route and prevent separation. Baker breaks on routes well and has good ball skills. He shows a nice ability to slap passes away or catch them. Baker is a very smooth defender who is adept to stay in his backpedal when other corners are unable to maintain it. Along with instincts and ball skills, Baker is a physical defender who will battle receivers.

Baker is one of the better players in this weak draft class, but he is not an elite corner prospect like a Patrick Peterson. Baker has speed issues, and his lack of elite speed could limit which receivers he is matching up against at the next level. He also can be too physical with his hands while running with receivers downfield. That contact could lead to pass interference and holding penalties in the NFL.



08/30/18: Baker (5-11, 183) was very impressive as the No. 1 cornerback for Georgia in 2017. He showed good speed and athleticism to run with receivers and prevent separation. As a corner, Baker has some similarities to former Ohio State corner Denzel Ward. Like Ward, weight could be an issue, so it would be good if Baker could add some muscle to his frame to battle NFL receivers. Baker totaled 44 tackles with nine passes broken up and three interceptions for 2017. As a sophomore, he notched two picks, five breakups and 31 tackles. Some team sources have compared Baker to Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White.

13.

Dre’Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State. Previously: 13 Avg. 18.2 per 32
04/17/19: Jones has ton of physical talent with speed at the point of attack. Sources believe that he possesses a first-round skill set. He is very fast with an excellent burst off the snap to fire his gap and cause disruption in the backfield. Jones totaled 8.5 sacks, 43 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, two passes batted, one forced fumble and a 28-yard pick-six in 2018.

Jones had four tackles and a sack against Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship. Even without Nick Bosa, Jones was consistent all year, producing on a weekly basis. Versus Maryland, he had six tackles with two for a loss and a sack. Against Michigan State, Jones recovered a fumble in the end zone for a critical touchdown. Taking on Nebraska, he totaled five tackles with a sack. Jones was awesome to start out the 2018 season, notching huge plays to help lead Ohio State to wins over Oregon State and TCU.

In 2017, Jones recorded 20 tackles with five for a loss, one sack and two passes broken up. The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder was very disruptive for Ohio State that season. He earned a starting job as a redshirt freshman in 2016 and totaled 52 tackles.

14.

Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson. Previously: 14 Avg. 12.9 per 32
04/17/19: Sources view Ferrell as a safe, well-rounded pick. They feel that for the NFL, he would fit best as a left end in a 4-3 defense. Ferrell could be a solid pass-rusher going against right tackles, but sources don’t expect him to produce huge sack numbers in the NFL. Ferrell could play in a 3-4 as a standup outside linebacker, although he would fit better in a 4-3.

Ferrell is a balanced pass-rusher. He has a nice first-step that helps him get upfield. Ferrell uses his functional upper body strength to fight off blocks and has an impressive left-arm rip move to shed left tackles and get underneath them. Once he’s free, Ferrell has the quickness to close on the quarterback.

Ferrell is a sound run defender as well. He has enough size and strength to hold his ground and not get blown off the ball. When runs come straight at him, Ferrell has shown some ability to holds his ground, shed the block, and get in on the tackles. He has nice recognition skills and flows to the ball when runs don’t come his direction. While Ferrell is not a dominant run defender, he is solid and contributes.

Ferrell totaled 55 tackles with 11.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for a loss, four passes batted and three forced fumbles in 2018.



08/30/18: In 2017, Clemson fielded a defensive line that was comprised of future first-round picks, and Ferrell was arguably the most consistent of the bunch. He created a lot of the big plays for the Tigers’ other defensive linemen with the instant pressure he caused off the snap. Fellow defensive end Austin Bryant spent 2017 playing himself into an early-rounder, but Bryant did well cleaning up a lot of scrambling quarterbacks running away from Ferrell.

Ferrell has superb speed with athleticism and the ability to bend around the corner. He is very fast off the snap to get upfield and put quick pressure on the quarterback. Ferrell is more disruptive than his stat line indicates. In 2017, he totaled 66 tackles with 18 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, one pass batted and two forced fumbles. In 2016, Ferrell had an impressive redshirt freshman season for the Tigers, totaling 44 tackles with 12.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks and two passes batted.

15.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama. Previously: 15 Avg. 16.1 per 14
04/17/19: At his pro day, Jacobs ran the 40 in the 4.6s, but he plays much faster. Jacobs is a very physically gifted running back, and I know some team sources who are super high on him. Of the talented Alabama running backs, some scouts feel Jacobs is the best NFL prospect in the group. The 5-foot-10, 216-pounder is fast with athleticism, running instincts, balance, power, and quick feet. He only carried the ball 120 times in 2018, but turned that into 640 yards – 5.3 average – with 11 touchdowns. He also had 20 receptions for 247 yards and three scores. After being a rotational back for three years, Jacobs will be entering the NFL with very little wear-and-tear. He could be a three-down starter who overwhelms defenses with his power and speed.

For the NFL, Jacobs is a power runner with a strong build and a burst to hit the hole. He is hard-charging downhill hill back who has a quick first-step to hit the hole before it closes. Jacobs displays another gear to get to the secondary and is tough for defensive backs to tackle as he typically delivers the blow with ferocity. Jacobs is an angry runner who has an intimidating style. With his size and speed, he could be a devastating one-cut downhill running back. Jacobs is not very elusive, as he is more of a downhill runner who will run through contact rather than try to juke defenders in the open field.

As a receiver, Jacobs is well suited for the current NFL. He runs good routes and has soft hands. Jacobs is a real threat in the passing game and can rip off yards in chunks. As a receiver, he shows a surprising ability to adjust to the ball. With his speed and power, Jacobs is a mismatch weapon in the passing game because linebackers will have a very difficult time running with him and defensive backs are going to be hard pressed to tackle him.

16.

Daniel Jones, QB, Duke. Previously: 16 Avg. 16.7 per 13
04/17/19: Jones had an impressive pro day to help solidify his standing as a first-round pick. He drew positive reviews for his arm strength, accuracy and athleticism. With good grooming for the NFL under David Cutfliffe, Jones could continue to rise during the pre-draft visits. There are multiple quarterback-needy teams picking in the top 16, so Jones should be in good shape to go in the top half of the first round during the 2019 NFL Draft.

Jones completed 61 percent of his passes in 2018 for 2,674 yards with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also missed two games with a collarbone injury. The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder has good size and pocket presence. Jones has a powerful arm that can really spin it and make every throw required. His strong arm was obvious at the Senior Bowl, where he really spun the ball in front of the NFL scouting community. On top of a quality skill set, Jones is an intelligent signal-caller who always knows where his receivers are going to be. Jones received excellent preparation for the NFL from head coach David Cutcliffe, and as a 3-year starter, Jones enters the NFL having played in 36 games. Some team evaluators tell me they think that Jones is the most NFL ready of any of the quarterback prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft.

In 2017, Jones completed 56 percent of his passes for 2,439 yards with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. As a freshman, he made 63 percent of his passes for 2,836 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

17.

Drew Lock, QB, Missouri. Previously: 17 Avg. 28.5 per 32
04/17/19: Lock had a solid pro day workout. He didn’t blow his competition away, but it was not a bad workout either. There is no doubt that Lock (6-3, 223) has a powerful arm and can pick apart a defense. He wisely returned to school for the 2018 season, because he needed to improve his accuracy and footwork before going pro. Lock showed some strides there, yet still has room for growth. Sources have told me that Lock has a quiet personality similar to Eli Manning and is not a vocal team leader, but he has swagger, and multiple sources said they like the confidence he carries himself with. Some scouts have said that Lock has the physical skill set of Jay Cutler with a cannon for an arm and underrated athleticism.

Lock completed 63 percent of his passes in 2018 for 3,498 yards with 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He set an SEC record with 44 touchdown passes as a junior while completing 58 percent of his passes for 3,964 yards and 13 touchdowns.

18.

Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State. Previously: 18 Avg. 18.9 per 15
04/17/19: Abram had a good workout at the combine, and team sources say he interviewed well there. Abram recorded 99 tackles with two interceptions, five passes broken up, three sacks and nine tackles for a loss in 2018. He totaled 71 tackles with five passes broken up and two forced fumbles in 2017. In speaking with multiple area scouts who cover the Southeast, Abram received some praise for helping himself in 2017. He was a physical defender and around the ball consistently for the Bulldogs. Team evaluators feel that Abram is a solid player with starting potential. They like his physical style of play and the presence he provides on the back end. Abram is a violent enforcer in the middle of the field. He also has cover skills with the ability to defend tight ends with versatility to play free or strong safety. Strong safety is his best fit for the next level, and he is a very good tackler and run defender.

19.

Erik McCoy, C/G, Texas A&M. Previously: 20 Avg. 37.2 per 11
04/17/19: Sources say that McCoy continues to rise in the pre-draft process because a lot of coaches really like him. McCoy was a steady blocker for the Aggies over the past few seasons. He started at center as a freshman, before getting starts at guard and center over the years to come. In his final season at Texas A&M, McCoy had a good year, and scouts who went through College Station said that McCoy was the best NFL prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft on the Aggies’ roster. He had some good tapes in 2018, including an impressive showing against Alabama when taking on future first-round picks Quinnen Williams and Raekwon Davis. McCoy also played well against Clemson, taking on the Tigers’ early-round talents at defensive tackle. At the combine and his pro day, McCoy showed an excellent skill set with athleticism, agility, and impressive speed, including a great 40 time at the combine.

In the ground game, McCoy is not a people-moving road-grader. He does not have the strength to move the pile and does not generate a ton of movement in the rushing attack. However, he is athletic in the open field, showing some quickness to the second level and being able to hit blocks in space. Off the snap, McCoy is agile on zone runs to get in position while also showing the ability to get a block at the line of scrimmage and peel off to the second level.

As a pass blocker, McCoy has some talent for the NFL. He is athletic with the ability to move his feet while maintaining his block. With strong hands at the point of attack, McCoy is able to control defenders when he latches onto them. He sustains blocks through the whistle and doesn’t lose on second efforts. He has good feel, awareness and intelligence. Against powerful tackles, McCoy shows some ability to anchor and stonewall some bull rushes.

20.

Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State. Previously: 35 Avg. 43.3 per 32
04/17/19: Dillard created some positive buzz in the scouting community during the 2017 season. Some scouts who hit the state said they liked Dillard more than the more heralded tackle from Washington, Trey Adams. Dillard was a good blocker in Mike Leach’s air raid offense and was very consistent at protecting his quarterbacks over the past few years.

As a pass blocker, there are a lot of natural strengths to Dillard. He has very quick feet with surprising athleticism that allows him to get depth in his drop and neutralize speed rushers. He should be an asset to take on the fast edge rushers because he can get off the corner and prevent defenders from running the loop around the edge. With his quick feet and ability to bend at the knee, Dillard doesn’t have to reach after rushers and is not a waist bender. He does a nice job of latching onto them and riding them around upfield to keep them from putting heat on the quarterback. Dillard could have issues in the NFL with powerful edge rushers due to his lack of anchor. Strong bull rushers could give him problems, and that is the major point of emphasis for his improvement at the pro level.

In the ground game, Dillard is neither a bull who will knock defensive linemen off the ball, nor a force at the point of attack who will ride a defensive end out of his gap. In part because of his college system, you never saw Dillard fire off the ball. He does not have strength to generate movement as a run blocker.

For the NFL, Dillard looks like a future starting left tackle, and he could develop into a Pro Bowler if he can get stronger. If Dillard adds strength to be able to anchor and get better as a run blocker, he could be a special player. Still, he is adept at blocking on the edge and matching up against speed rushers. Thus, Dillard should be an asset for protecting a franchise quarterback and would be a good fit in a passing offense that throws the ball a lot.

21.

Jachai Polite, DE, Florida. Previously: 21 Avg. 16.5 per 24
04/17/19: The pre-draft process has been an utter disaster for Polite. After the season, he was viewed as being a pick to go in the early teens, but now, he would be fortunate to be selected during the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft. WalterFootball.com was first to report that teams had significant off-the-field and make-up concerns about Polite, with some teams being close to drop him off their boards. Then at the NFL Scouting Combine, Polite bombed in the team meetings before taking himself out of the workout.

Polite then had an ugly pro day. Here is what one team source said about Polite at the Gators’ pro day, “Sluggish and heavy, running a 5.02 40, and tweaked his right hamstring. Lazy not to finish in the DE/LB drills too and wasn’t starring. It’s who he is, and the slide continues.” After this colossal failure in the pre-draft process, Polite would be lucky to get selected in the third round, while the first or second round seems like a tragic lost opportunity. Sources with the Gators said Polite was liked and was a good teammate, but he has had terrible interviews with NFL teams in response to character concerns, among other things.

Polite (6-2, 258) has natural feel as a pass-rusher. He is very fast and is a physical defender despite being undersized. Polite is a dangerous quarterback hunter with excellent instincts to go for the strip, a repertoire of moves, and dynamic speed off the edge. He is okay in the ground game, but his pass-rush ability is what makes him a top-16 talent. Polite was listed at 6-foot-2, 260 pounds, but team sources told me he was weighing 238 when they went through Florida in November. Thus, Polite faces some size concerns for the NFL and whether he can maintain good weight.

Polite was a force on the edge for Florida in 2018. The junior has an odd body type, but he could be a good rotational edge rusher in a 4-3 and would fit well as a 3-4 outside linebacker. On the year, Polite totaled 11 sacks with six forced fumbles, 45 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss and four passes batted.

22.

Greedy Williams, CB, LSU. Previously: 22 Avg. 20.1 per 32
04/17/19: Multiple team sources feel that Williams is overrated. Some of them think he is a nice player, but one who lacks elite speed and thus is not a high first-round talent. Some also say that Williams’ makeup is not ideal, and they have some concerns about his family and how they will react to his NFL contract. Many teams don’t hold Williams in as high of regard as the media hype suggests. Some teams even have him graded in the second round.

For the NFL, Williams would fit best in a press-man scheme. In that style, he could use his size and length to cover up receivers while running with them downfield. Williams has the straight-line speed to run in press man, and if he gets stronger, that would help him to be an excellent press-man corner.

Williams enters the pros with some limitations. He lacks instincts and awareness while not playing up to his timed speed. That was evident against Georgia and Alabama last year. He does not play well or have good feel in off-man coverage. He also is not a great fit as a zone corner. Thus, Williams is more of a second-round talent. He totaled two interceptions, 32 tackles and nine passes broken up in 2018.



08/30/18: Williams broke out in 2017 with six interceptions, 11 passes broken up and 38 tackles. For pass coverage, Williams is an impressive cornerback. The first thing that stands out is his ability to run the route and prevent separation. Williams possesses enough speed to carry verticals and the recoverability to close gaps from breaks. He has quick feet and agility to stay in the hip pocket of wideouts. On top of his ability to run, Williams has excellent height and length, which make it tough to get around him. On top of his physical skills, Williams has an impressive mental makeup as an instinctive player.

The biggest concern regarding Williams (6-2, 175) entering his redshirt sophomore season is his weight. He is extremely thin-framed, and that is an issue that could weigh down his draft grade if he is unable to pack on more pounds leading up to his draft. Being so skinny is going to cause a lot of teams to have durability concerns because a lot of thin-framed cornerbacks have a hard time avoiding injuries in professional football.

23.

Byron Murphy, CB, Washington. Previously: 23 Avg. 22.3 per 12
04/17/19: Murphy had a solid performance at the combine and showed that he has added some weight to his frame. Multiple team sources tell me that they like Murphy and have graded him in the second round. He has a lot of coverage skills, but teams are worried about him being thin framed, undersized, and not having top-end speed. Hence, many have him in Round 2.

Murphy (6-1, 185) played well as part of a loaded Washington secondary that was comprised of future NFL talent. His awareness and instincts are some of his top traits. He does an excellent job of reading the offense and getting himself in position to make plays. Murphy is instinctive in his route diagnosis, aware of what the offense is trying to do, and reacts quickly. With his instincts getting him in position, Murphy shows good ball skills to break up passes or pick them off. He is very calm and comfortable with the ball in the air, displaying a knack for timing his contact well to avoid penalties while breaking up passes. During his NFL career, Murphy could produce some good interception totals as he has good hands to snatch the ball out of the air and plays the ball extremely well. In 2018, Murphy totaled 58 tackles with 13 passes broken up and four interceptions. In his freshman season, he notched three interceptions with seven breakups and 16 tackles.

24.

Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss. Previously: 19 Avg. 26 per 32
04/17/19: Some teams have Little as their top offensive line prospect, while others have him lagging behind a few players. He is viewed as having a ton of upside, but the lack of consistency is hurting him. Little was okay at the combine interviews, although he illustrated that he needs development and has things he needs to learn. Little has a great set of physical tools, but his inconsistent play is not causing evaluators to fall in love. Because of his inconsistent play, Little is viewed as a potential pick in the back half of the first round, and it is possible he slips to the second round.

Over three years as a starter at Ole Miss, Little was clearly one of the most talented offensive tackles in college football. The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder has excellent size with athleticism and agility. Little could end up being a really good left tackle if he works hard and makes the most of his immense potential, but that hasn’t happened yet, so he could be a boom-or-bust prospect. Team sources are concerned with Little’s lack of consistency. If he had played up to his skill set in college, he would be a top-10 pick.

25.

T.J. Hockensen, TE, Iowa. Previously: 25 Avg. 26.7 per 12
04/17/19: Teammate Noah Fant was the Iowa player who entered the 2018 season with the most hype, but it was Hockenson who became the star tight end for the Hawkeyes. Despite splitting targets with Fant, Hockenson totaled 49 receptions for 760 yards with six touchdowns. Both then entered the 2019 NFL Draft, and both have early-round potential, but Hockenson’s excellent 2018 season vaulted him to being the top tight end prospect for the 2019 NFL Draft.

As a blocker, Hockenson is special. He is like an extra offensive lineman with his ability to tie up and handle defenders. Hockenson has size and strength with the ability to win his blocks at the next level as well. He gives a relentless effort and has excellent technique.

Hockenson has mismatch potential for the passing game. With his quickness and athleticism, he will be tough for linebackers to cover, and his size is problematic for safeties. Hockenson does a nice job of using his frame to shield defenders from the ball and win on contested catches. He also has reliable hands and is dangerous after the catch. Hockenson runs through tackles and gets yards after contact downfield. In the open field, he will hurdle defensive backs, but he may want to be careful about doing that in the NFL as it puts his body in a vulnerable state.

Hockenson is dangerous at working the middle seam and has quickness to get to the second level. Via good route-running and his feel, Hockenson can consistently get open. He tracks the ball well, adjusts to passes well, and is a real asset in the red zone. His NFL team is going to have Hockenson as a main stay in the red zone through his blocking and receiving ability. With his athletic upside, Hockenson’s best football is in front of him, and he should only improve as he gains experience.

Sources from a multiple teams say that Hockenson is the consensus top tight end for the 2019 NFL Draft, and they believe he will be a first-round pick. Hockenson did not grade out as high as O.J. Howard did coming out of Alabama in 2017, or Eric Ebron did coming out of North Carolina in 2014. Thus, they believe that Hockenson should go in the 20s, although it definitely is possible that a team reaches and makes him as a top-20 choice.

26.

Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State. Previously: 26 Avg. 27.2 per 17

27.

Darnell Savage, S, Maryland. Previously: 38 Avg. 63.8 per 11

28.

Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma. Previously: 28 Avg. 28 per 7

29.

Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama. Previously: 29 Avg. 34.8 per 32

30.

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss. Previously: 30 Avg. 38.5 per 17

31.

Devin Bush, LB, Michigan. Previously: 31 Avg. 31 per 12

32.

Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson. Previously: 24 Avg. 19.4 per 32

33.

Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia. Previously: 33 Avg. 33.4 per 14

34.

Deebo Samuel, WR, South Carolina. Previously: 34 Avg. 36.5 per 32

35.

Damien Harris, RB, Alabama. Previously: 32 Avg. 25 per 32

36.

Ryan Finley, QB, N.C. State. Previously: 36 Avg. 36.6 per 32

37.

Brian Burns, DE, Florida State. Previously: 37 Avg. 43.1 per 32

38.

Zach Allen, DE, Boston College. Previously: 27 Avg. 14.5 per 32

39.

Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma. Previously: 39 Avg. 35.9 per 32

40.

Amani Oruwariye, CB, Penn State. Previously: 40 Avg. 33.3 per 32

41.

Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama. Previously: 41 Avg. 39.1 per 21

42.

Clayton Thorson, QB, Northwestern. Previously: 42 Avg. 35.3 per 32

43.

Elgton Jenkins, C, Mississippi State. Previously: 43 Avg. 43.8 per 32

44.

Tre Lamar, LB, Clemson. Previously: 44 Avg. 36.3 per 32

45.

Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame. Previously: 45 Avg. 36.7 per 32

46.

Nasir Adderley, S, Delaware. Previously: 46 Avg. 36.6 per 14

47.

Noah Fant, TE, Iowa. Previously: 47 Avg. 47.4 per 32

48.

Chase Winovich, DE, Michigan. Previously: 48 Avg. 37.3 per 30

49.

Kelvin Harmon, WR, N.C. State. Previously: 49 Avg. 49.5 per 24

50.

Taylor Rapp, S, Washington. Previously: 50 Avg. 63.1 per 11

51.

Chris Lindstrom, G, Boston College. Previously: 51 Avg. 51 per 11

52.

Gerald Willis, DT, Miami. Previously: 52 Avg. 52 per 11

53.

A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss. Previously: 53 Avg. 25.5 per 32

54.

Irv Smith, TE, Alabama. Previously: 54 Avg. 54 per 11

55.

Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple. Previously: 55 Avg. 59.4 per 11

56.

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford. Previously: 56 Avg. 53.5 per 11

57.

Khalen Saunders, DT, Western Illinois. Previously: 57 Avg. 57 per 11

58.

Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame. Previously: 58 Avg. 58 per 11

59.

Garrett Bradbury, C/G, N.C. State. Previously: 59 Avg. 68 per 11

60.

Oshane Ximines, DE, Old Dominion. Previously: 60 Avg. 70.5 per 11

61.

Michael Jordan, C/G, Ohio State. Previously: 61 Avg. 61 per 11

62.

Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech. Previously: 62 Avg. 58.2 per 11

63.

Riley Ridley, WR, Georgia. Previously: 63 Avg. 63.5 per 11

64.

D’Andre Walker, LB, Georgia. Previously: 64 Avg. 64 per 11

65.

Mike Weber, RB, Ohio State. Previously: 65 Avg. 65 per 11

66.

Isaiah Buggs, DT, Alabama. Previously: 66 Avg. 49.5 per 32

67.

Terrill Hanks, LB, New Mexico State. Previously: 67 Avg. 67 per 11

68.

Trey Pipkins, OT, Sioux Falls. Previously: 68 Avg. 68 per 11

69.

Benny Snell, RB, Kentucky. Previously: 69 Avg. 41.3 per 32

70.

David Edwards, OT, Wisconsin. Previously: 70 Avg. 61 per 11

71.

Bryce Love, RB, Stanford. Previously: 71 Avg. 40.9 per 32

72.

Mike Bell, S, Fresno State. Previously: 72 Avg. 72 per 11

73.

Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas State. Previously: 73 Avg. 73 per 11

74.

Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio State. Previously: 74 Avg. 83.5 per 11

75.

K’Neal Harry, WR, Arizona State. Previously: 75 Avg. 75 per 11

76.

Deionte Thompson, S, Alabama. Previously: 76 Avg. 45 per 25

77.

Michael Deiter, G, Wisconsin. Previously: 77 Avg. 66 per 16

78.

Vosean Joseph, LB, Florida. Previously: 78 Avg. 66.3 per 12

79.

Chris Slayton, DT, Syracuse. Previously: 79 Avg. 78.7 per 11

80.

David Sills, WR, West Virginia. Previously: 80 Avg. 79.7 per 11

81.

Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State. Previously: 81 Avg. 80.7 per 11

82.

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, CB/S, Florida. Previously: 82 Avg. 61.2 per 23

83.

Austin Bryant, DE, Clemson. Previously: 83 Avg. 82.7 per 11

84.

Dennis Daley, OT, South Carolina. Previously: 84 Avg. 84 per 11

85.

Ben Banogu, DE, TCU. Previously: 85 Avg. 85 per 11

86.

Joe Jackson, DE, Miami. Previously: 86 Avg. 52.5 per 26

87.

Caleb Wilson, TE, UCLA. Previously: 87 Avg. 87 per 11

88.

Elijah Holyfield, RB, Georgia. Previously: 88 Avg. 88 per 11

89.

Jalen Jelks, DE, Oregon. Previously: 89 Avg. 48.6 per 26

90.

Will Grier, QB, West Virginia. Previously: 90 Avg. 90 per 11

91.

Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson. Previously: 91 Avg. 54.8 per 26

92.

Emanuel Hall, WR, Missouri. Previously: 92 Avg. 79.5 per 14

93.

Germaine Pratt, LB, N.C. State. Previously: 93 Avg. 93 per 11

94.

Carl Granderson, DE, Wyoming. Previously: 94 Avg. 80.2 per 11

95.

Yodney Cajuste, OT/G, West Virginia. Previously: 95 Avg. 95 per 11

96.

Joejuan Williams, CB, Vanderbilt. Previously: 96 Avg. 96 per 11

97.

Jaquan Johnson, S, Miami. Previously: 97 Avg. 97 per 11

98.

Lonnie Johnson, CB, Kentucky. Previously: 98 Avg. 98 per 11

99.

Myles Gasken, RB, Washington. Previously: 99 Avg. 99 per 11

100.

Isaiah Prince, OT, Ohio State. Previously: 100 Avg. 90.3 per 11