Justin Melo’s Final 2019 NFL Mock Draft

We did it, y’all. The 2019 NFL Draft is officially here. Is there a better way to kick off the festivities than with my final attempt at a first round mock draft? I think not!

Let’s go.

1. Arizona Cardinals | Quinnen Williams | DT | Alabama

I still don’t believe the Cardinals are taking Kyler Murray here. If Murray does go in the No. 1 spot, I believe it will be through a trade with another team. Instead, I have the Cardinals taking the most dominant player in the draft. Williams is a blue chip talent the Cardinals can build around for years to come.

2. San Francisco 49ers | Nick Bosa | EDGE | Ohio State

The 49ers would be thrilled to land Bosa’s combination of length, size and athleticism. He’s exactly what they need at the EDGE position.

3. New York Jets | Ed Oliver | DT | Houston

There’s been plenty of talk linking the Jets to Oliver as of late. It’s easy to see why the Jets would consider him with this pick. Oliver possesses incredible movement skills for his size. His snap anticipation and suddenness will give opposing quarterbacks fits at the next level.

4. Oakland Raiders | Devin White | LB | LSU

White has all the makings of an early pick. A physical tackler that arrives with great force, White would make a lot of sense for a Raiders defense that desperately needs more talent.

5. Washington Redskins | Kyler Murray | QB | Oklahoma

TRADE! The Redskins move up to land their quarterback of the future. Murray may be small in stature, but he’s an easy thrower of the football and has arm strength to spare. His composure under pressure is incredibly impressive, and he has the tools to be a franchise signal caller at the next level.

6. New York Giants | Josh Allen | EDGE | Kentucky

We’ll get to the quarterback situation a little later on. I have them adding a blue chip pass rusher here in the form of Allen. Allen was one of the most fun pass rushers to watch throughout the 2018 season.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars | Jonah Williams | OT | Alabama

With the quarterback of their future already in the fold, the Jags make sure they improve the protection around him here. Williams is a polished prospect who plays with great leverage and heavy hands. He immediately makes the Jaguars a better team on offense.

8. Detroit Lions | Andre Dillard | OT | Washington State

Dillard has been a riser throughout this process, and I believe we’re about to see him land in the top 10. He’s pretty clean from a mechanics standpoint, and he strikes me as the type of prospect who’s best football is yet to come.

9. Cincinnati Bengals | Devin Bush Jr. | LB | Michigan

TRADE! I believe the Bengals will be willing to move in front of the Broncos to ensure they land Bush. Bush possesses the lateral mobility and range to be an exciting play maker at the next level.

10. Denver Broncos | Drew Lock | QB | Missouri

Despite trading for Joe Flacco, I still believe that John Elway will take Lock here. Lock has the physical tools and intangibles that will make him an early pick. Lock will have to do a better job of going through his progressions in the NFL, and I have some questions about his accuracy, but his gunslinger mentality and personality impressed throughout this process.

11. Buffalo Bills | Christian Wilkins | DT | Clemson

The Bills still land their man despite a trade down with the Bengals. Wilkins would be a great fit here with his advanced hand usage that allowed him get after the quarterback on a consistent basis throughout his time as a Tiger.

12. Green Bay Packers | T.J. Hockenson | TE | Iowa

With an aging Aaron Rodgers under center, the Packers should continue to surround him with as many weapons as possible as they chase another Super Bowl title. Hockenson is the most versatile tight end prospect I’ve scouted in years. He has all the tools to be a big time pass catching weapon at the next level. He’ll also block you into the sun.

13. Miami Dolphins | Brian Burns | EDGE | Florida State

Burns is a lengthy and speedy pass rusher who possesses the bend that general managers look for in a sack artist. His ability to play standing up or with his hand in the dirt is something that will serve him well at the next level.

14. Atlanta Falcons | Clelin Ferrell | EDGE | Clemson

Ferrell has been dominating college football since 2016, and his combination of strength and athleticism projects well to the next level. Ferrell is a proven winner and was a staple on the Tigers defensive line for the past three seasons. I think he’d be a great fit in Atlanta.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Greedy Williams | CB | LSU

I have the Buccaneers taking the first cornerback off the board here after trading down from No. 5 overall. Williams possesses the length, size, athleticism and ball skills to be a difference maker at the next level.

16. Carolina Panthers | Jawaan Taylor | OT | Florida

The Panthers could sure use some offensive line help here. Taylor has the size and frame to become an immediate starter at the next level.

17, New York Giants (from Cleveland Browns) | Daniel Jones | QB | Duke

Could it be?

Jones is a big man and he throws the football with good touch and accuracy. His ability to put the necessary zip on the ball at the next level is very concerning to me, but I believe he’ll be drafted in the first round. The need for a quarterback always wins out.

18. Minnesota Vikings | Garrett Bradbury | C | NC State

Bradbury is incredibly advanced for a player his age. A true technician, Bradbury’s play in 2018 was as solid as any offensive linemen in this class. He immediately makes the Vikings offense better in 2019.

19. Tennessee Titans | Montez Sweat | EDGE | Mississippi State

The Titans would be thrilled to land Sweat here. He seemed destined for the top 10 after an incredible combine, but reports of a heart condition seem to have him slipping down the board a little. Sweat is a lengthy pass rusher with an excellent first step. He’s also incredibly powerful, and may be the best run stopper of any edge player in this class. His strength and ability to set the edge on a consistent basis would make him an excellent piece opposite the speedy and bendy Landry.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers | Rock Ya-Sin | CB | Temple

Ya-Sin has great length for the position and it lead to a lot of ball production at Temple. He’s physical down the field. It’s a press-man league and Ya-Sin excelled in that area throughout his time in college.

21. Seattle Seahawks | Juan Thornhill | SAF | Virginia

Thornhill is the prototypical Seahawks defensive back. He’s a big, physical player with the ability to cover tight ends and bigger slot receivers at the next level. I think we’ll see him come off the board tonight and the Seahawks are the best fit.

22. Baltimore Ravens | Marquise “Hollywood” Brown | WR | Oklahoma

The most explosive play maker in the draft, Brown would add some excitement to a Ravens receiving room that’s severely lacking in that area.

23. Houston Texans | Cody Ford | OT | Oklahoma

Priority number one for the Texans this off season is to ensure that DeShaun Watson gets hit less in 2019 than he did in 2018. The Texans allowed an astounding 62 sacks in 2018. Ford can be the long term answer they’re looking for with his combination of size and toughness.

24. Oakland Raiders | D.K. Metcalf | WR | Ole Miss

The Raiders add yet another exciting play maker to the fold after grabbing Devin White earlier. Metcalf possesses the footwork and acceleration to be a tough cover for defensive backs at the next level.

25. Philadelphia Eagles | Byron Murphy | CB | Washington

The Eagles secondary was absolutely decimated with injury throughout the 2018 campaign. They simply needed bodies down the stretch just to get through the season. Turnovers are king in today’s NFL, and Murphy has the ball skills to quickly make an impact at the next level.

26. Indianapolis Colts | Darnell Savage | SAF | Maryland

The Colts could use another safety to pair with Malik Hooker. Savage has plenty of burst and he loves to lay the wood. He’s an explosive safety prospect with the ability to match up with slot receivers and tight ends alike.

27. Oakland Raiders | Josh Jacobs | RB | Alabama

The Raiders now find themselves in the market for a running back after Marshawn Lynch announced his retirement just yesterday. Jacobs is the best all-around running back in this draft.

28. Los Angeles Chargers | Johnathan Abram | SAF | Mississippi State

Abram would make a fantastic compliment to Derwin James. Abram is one of the most physical defensive backs I’ve ever scouted and he plays fast.

29. Seattle Seahawks (from Kansas City Chiefs) | Rashan Gary | DL | Michigan

Fresh off acquiring this pick in a trade with the Chiefs that saw pass rusher Frank Clark going the other way, I have the Seahawks using this selection to replace Clark long-term. Gary is a powerful prospect with a lot of quickness for a man his size.

30. Green Bay Packers | Mack Wilson | LB | Alabama

Wilson is tough, mean and doesn’t back down from a fight. His processing skills need improving, but he plays the game with a ton of aggression and his motor is always running hot.

31. Los Angeles Rams | Dexter Lawrence | DT | Clemson

The Rams have shown a ton of interest in Lawrence throughout this process. I believe he’ll be the selection if he’s on the board. If not, the Rams could try to trade down and accumulate more picks. Lawrence is a load when moving forward.

32. New England Patriots | Dwyane Haskins | QB | Ohio State

Could it be? Belichick is enamored with finding the Patriots quarterback of the future and would be thrilled to land Haskins here. Haskins is a well developed prospect who did a good job of operating Ryan Day’s offense in 2018. He would give the Patriots a chance to rebuild quickly should Tom Brady ever decide to retire.