CHDraftScouting Chase Hammes: A way-too-early 2019 NFL mock draft!
Mock drafts this early – before the 2018 season has even begun – are about making sure you know the collegiate players to watch this upcoming season and understanding NFL team needs (all 32 of them) heading into the 2019 NFL Draft. It is difficult to predict what will happen with these kids’ development this collegiate season, but they are players that should be at the top of everyone’s watch list. Here is my way too early 2019 NFL mock draft. Also, if you like this mock or want to give feedback follow me on Twitter @CHDraftScouting.
1. Miami Dolphins – Justin Herbert (QB, Oregon)
The Dolphins may be in full-on tank mode this season. In other words, they look like they may barely scrape by in 2018. Ryan Tannehill will be 31 years old and Herbert is an amazing prospect that could be Miami’s best pickup for 2019. Herbert has the arm, size, and mobility to be a franchise quarterback at the next level. He broke his collarbone in 2017, but he probably would’ve been my first or second quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft had he declared. Herbert has wowed me many times on film and he should be highly coveted this next draft season. He needs to work on speeding up his progressions and staying healthy for the whole year. He reminds me a lot of Carson Wentz.
https://twitter.com/CHDraftScouting/status/993479706912714755
2. Oakland Raiders – Ed Oliver (DT, Houston)
The Raiders have had the worst offseason in the league this year thanks to terrible decision making by Jon Gruden. Oliver, the 2017 Outland Trophy winner, would’ve been a Top-5 pick this in the 2018 Draft but wasn’t eligible. Oliver and Khalil Mack would absolutely dominate opposing teams and by adding Oliver, the Raiders would add another elite player to that defense. Oliver has insane strength and power and has the crazy agility and get off. He commands doubles every game and still makes plays. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he was an all-pro his first few years in the league. His power-speed combo will remind people of Aaron Donald.
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3. Buffalo Bills – Nick Bosa (EDGE, Ohio State)
The Bills need offensive weapons to complement their future franchise quarterback, Josh Allen, selected in the 2018 Draft. I wouldn’t take a receiver this high, though. Buffalo is lacking a star pass-rusher and that’s exactly what Bosa is. I honestly think Nick is a better player than his brother Joey who has been a star in his first few years in the NFL. Bosa would give Buffalo some excitement and a star defensive player that they need. Nick needs to keep gaining strength and improve his motor, other than that he’s a blue-chip prospect. Bosa was the 2017 Big Ten Conference Smith-Brown defensive lineman of the year and looks to be one of the very best defensive players in all of college football this upcoming season.
4. Seattle Seahawks – Jonah Williams (OT, Alabama)
The Seahawks are in rebuild mode and it didn’t help that they reached on their first-round pick in the 2018 Draft in running back Rashaad Penny. Seattle still needs help at offensive line and Duane Brown is set to be a free agent after the season. Williams is a big, athletic tackle with plenty of experience starting since he stepped foot on the Alabama campus. He has franchise left tackle wrote all over him and that’s exactly what Russell Wilson needs. This move would possibly get the Seahawks rebuild back on track.
5. Cincinnati Bengals – Jarrett Stidham (QB, Auburn)
The Bengals need an upgrade over below-average Andy Dalton. Stidham was a former 4-star recruit out of Texas and transferred from Baylor to Auburn after sexual assault allegations. Stidham has very high potential, a very impressive arm that can make all the throws, and he’s mobile in and out of the pocket. He needs to improve his pocket awareness to avoid sacks, as well as speeding up his progressions. If he takes the next step in his development he could be the franchise QB of the Bengals in 2019. My player comparison for him is a higher ceiling Derek Carr.
6. Arizona Cardinals – Trey Adams (OT, Washington)
The Cardinals got what I think could be their franchise quarterback in Josh Rosen in the 2018 Draft. The problem is, they’re going to have trouble protecting him and need an offensive line upgrade. Adams is a big guy (6’8″, 327 pounds) and is pretty agile for his size. He could help the Cardinals protect the very talented but injury-prone Rosen. Adams missed time at left tackle in 2017 due to injury but was 2016 First-Team All-Pac-12 the year before. Adams needs to prove he can stay healthy over the next year to prove injuries aren’t an issue. He has the athletic ability to play Left Tackle to protect Rosen in the future.
7. Indianapolis Colts- Rashan Gary (DE, Michigan)
Who knows what will happen with the Colts in 2018? If Andrew Luck is healthy, they could be better than this spot in the 2019 Draft, but there is no consensus that he’ll be under center this upcoming NFL season. Either way, the Colts still have some positions to address and one of them is defensive line. Gary is a big, athletic freak of nature that can play inside or outside. He has a very unique pass rush ability at his size, and also makes plays in the run game with his strength. Gary would be a perfect 3 technique in the Colts new 4-3 defense and would bring a franchise centerpiece on their defense. Gary’s potential is one of the highest in the 2019 class.
8. Washington Redskins – AJ Brown (WR, Ole Miss)
The Redskins recently acquired Alex Smith in a trade in wake of Kirk Cousins becoming a free agent. The Redskins still need help at wide receiver, as Josh Doctson hasn’t had a break out season yet. Brown has played mostly slot at Ole Miss but he has the size and separation ability to play outside. He does have a limited route tree at Ole Miss and needs to overcome some drop issues, but he has WR1 potential written all over him. His speed and ability to play slot or X remind me of Keenan Allen.
9. Baltimore Ravens – N’Keal Harry (WR, Arizona State)
The Ravens got their quarterback of the future in Lamar Jackson during the 2018 Draft, but they need to give him some weapons. The Ravens have one of the worst receiving corps in the league and will need to address that moving forward. Harry has produced since arriving at Arizona State as one of the top wide receivers in the country. Harry is 6’4 230 with good speed for his size, and very good hands. He has elite athleticism and has an even crazier catch radius with his size and leaping ability. He needs to keep on working on his route running and ability to gain separation from corners. Harry will immediately be the WR1 for the Ravens and has the potential to be an elite receiver. He reminds me of AJ Green.
10. New York Giants – Andraez “Greedy” Williams (CB, LSU)
What a great name and a great player. The Giants had a good offseason but still need to fill some spots, including corner and quarterback in 2019. Eli Apple has been a nut case and Janoris Jenkins had a disappointing 2017 season. With bizarre news coming out that Janoris Jenkins had a dead person in his basement it’s hard to predict what will happen with him in the future. “Greedy” is a blue-chip prospect that has the size and speed to be a very good man to man corner in the league. I would like to see him add some more mass to be able to jam at the line of scrimmage, but that’s nitpicking at this point.
11. Cleveland Browns – Devin White (LB, LSU)
The Browns had one of my favorite offseasons in the league this past year. They signed Mychal Kendricks to a one-year deal, and they don’t seem to be confident in Joe Schobert. Devin White is one of my personal favorites in this class, and he’s super entertaining to watch. He absolutely flies all over the field and has elite sideline to sideline ability. He’s a unique physical specimen at 6’1 240 and will run a 4.5 40 at least. He needs to be able to shed blocks better at the next level, but that’s his only major weakness. I like him more than any linebacker that has come out in a few years. He reminds me of Patrick Willis.
12. Denver Broncos – Dexter Lawrence (DT, Clemson)
The Broncos went with Bradley Chubb in the 2018 draft to provide a solid edge rusher across from Von Miller. However, they still need help on the inside and Lawrence is a huge, athletic run stuffer. He’s listed at 6’4 340 and he moves better than you would think at his size. Lawrence uses pure strength to get off blocks and has the agility to swallow up a ball carrier in the backfield. He won’t offer much as a pass rusher at this moment, but he’s still young and raw enough to get better in that category. His upside and run stuffing abilities are worth a look at this point or even higher. He would give the Broncos defense a high ceiling run stuffer in the middle of their 3-4 defense.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Greg Little (OT, Ole Miss)
The Buccaneers didn’t address the offensive tackle position outside of adding Alex Cappa, who will most likely move inside in 2018. Donovan Smith had a very poor season last year and the Bucs need an upgrade. Little was a prized prep recruit and has lived up to the hype so far at Ole Miss. He could fix the left or right tackle position for the Buccaneers in 2019 and help protect Jameis Winston‘s longevity in the NFL. Little was named the 31st-best player in college football by NFL.com (2017) and listed as the No. 1 left tackle in 2017. Little is a powerful run blocker. but he leaves a lot to be desired as a pass protector. At this moment I see Little as a right tackle at the next level, but if he can clean up his pass pro technique he could potentially be a very good left tackle.
14. New York Jets – David Edwards (OT, Wisconsin)
The Jets need help at offensive tackle to protect recently-drafted quarterback Sam Darnold. Edwards is a big, athletic tackle who is still pretty raw after converting from a quarterback in high school. Edwards is very solid in pass protection and has the quickness to take care of the quick edge rushers in today’s league. He is a work in progress run blocking wise and doesn’t play with enough leverage. His play strength needs to improve, but he’s still growing into his body. If he gets stronger and works on technique issues he could be a solid left tackle in a league desperate for help at that spot.
15. Detroit Lions – Clelin Ferrell (EDGE, Clemson)
The Lions took Jarrad Davis in the first round of the NFL Draft a few years ago but he hasn’t been what people thought he would be. White is an absolute animal. He flies around all over the field and can make plays in the run defense or drop back in coverage against tight ends. He is more talented than Roquan Smith, who was highly-coveted this past draft season.
16. Chicago Bears- Raekwon Davis (DE, Alabama)
The Bears have gone with two linebackers in the past three drafts but Ferrell is too good to pass up at this spot. On the edge, Ferrell is a fantastic pass-rusher and is a very good athlete. Pairing him with Roquan Smith and Leonard Floyd would build a great defense for Chicago’s future. It will be interesting to see how Ferrell does this season with the rest of the amazing Clemson defensive line. Last season, Ferrell was one of five finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award.
17. Kansas City Chiefs – Deandre Baker (CB, Georgia)
The Chiefs traded away Marcus Peters this offseason and need to build up their defensive backfield. Baker is a baller and was a big piece to the Bulldogs’ success in 2017. Baker and Kendall Fuller, who the Chiefs picked up in free agency, would give Kansas City a young corner duo for the future.
18. Atlanta Falcons – Jeffery Simmons (DT, Mississippi State)
The Falcons drafted Deadrin Senat this year, but they could still use some help on the defensive line moving ahead. Davis is 6’7″, 306, and is a very powerful athlete. He hasn’t been super productive but he’s destined to have a big 2018 season if he puts it all together. His frame and play style will without a doubt draw comparisons to DeForest Buckner.
19. Houston Texans – Noah Fant (TE, Iowa)
The Texans need help in the middle of their defensive line or on the other side opposite J.J. Watt. Beckner was a beast in 2017 and will help the interior pass rush and be a good run-stuffer for Missouri in 2018. Beckner could rise higher than 19th if he has another great season. Pairing him with Watt would be a dangerous defensive line combo.
20. San Francisco 49ers- Ahmmon Richards (WR, Miami)
The 49ers got their franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garopollo via trade last season, but they need to get him more weapons to throw to. Brown is an animal and will be a number one receiver in the league after he’s drafted in 2019. Brown has a big frame (6’2″, 220) but moves and runs like a slot receiver. The “Jimmy G-to-Brown” combo would be deadly for opposing teams and a threat in the NFC.
21. Carolina Panthers – Joe Jackson (EDGE, Miami FL)
The Panthers have really tried to get weapons this offseason for Cam Newton by acquiring D.J. Moore, Torrey Smith and C.J. Anderson. The Panthers still need offensive line help and need an upgrade over Matt Khalil for 2019. Sometimes football necessitates change, and Edwards – a former quarterback and tight end who converted to the offensive line – could be a very good left tackle for Carolina and give Newton the extra protection he needs in the pocket.
22. Green Bay Packers – Austin Bryant (EDGE, Clemson)
The Packers need an upgrade over Nick Perry and Bryant is their guy in 2019. Bryant can play defensive end or outside linebacker and would be a monster pass-rusher for them. Bryant isn’t the best player on that Clemson defensive line this upcoming collegiate season, but he can still be a really good player at the next level. Bryant has been in the two-deep rotation his entire career at Clemson, so watch for his stock to climb if he has a breakout 2018 season.
23. Dallas Cowboys – Collin Johnson (WR, Texas)
The Cowboys would be a legit Super Bowl contender if they had some better receivers for Dak Prescott. Who knows what is going to happen with the Dez Bryant situation. Johnson is 6’6″, 220, and runs a 4.5 40-yard dash. He would be a lethal red zone threat and would give Prescott a true number one receiver. Johnson could get the Cowboys back to their winning ways if they grab him in 2019. Johnson could be a carbon copy of Mike Evans.
24. Los Angeles Chargers – Shea Patterson (QB, Michigan)
Everyone knows the Chargers have to eventually replace Philip Rivers. Stidham has the potential to be a star quarterback in the NFL. Stidham struggled in the beginning of the 2017 season and got better towards the end of the year. I can’t wait to see Stidham in a new offense after he was limited by short passes and a run-heavy offense. Stidham has one of the best deep balls I’ve ever seen. He is Derek Carr 2.0. He missed some of the spring practices this year already due to healing from surgery on his non-throwing arm but looks to bounce back.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Josh Allen (LB, Kentucky)
Unfortunately, Ryan Shazier went down with a nasty injury during the 2017-18 NFL season and may never return to football again. The Steelers need to do their best to replace him as he was turning into a perennial pro bowler. Allen will draw comparisons to 2018 Draft selection Tremaine Edmunds with his size (6’5″, 240) and his versatility to play inside or outside. Allen would give the Steelers a young, athletic linebacker that they will miss minus Shazier.
26. Green Bay Packers (via trade with New Orleans Saints)- Devin Bush JR (LB, Michigan)
The Packers haven’t had a solid run game in a while and Montgomery would fix that if they select him in 2019. Under coach Matt Campbell, who has reiterated that Iowa State is pushing for a Big 12 title in 2018, he’ll use Montgomery – ranked third in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (88.2) in 2017 and only the 14th Cyclone rusher in school history to reach the 1,000 yard mark (1,146 yards) with six 100-yard rushing games last season – heavily in his offense. Montgomery is a great interior runner who also has speed to get to the outside. He caused 101 missed tackles last year (2017) according to PFF, which was a record for most in a season. He would take pressure off of Aaron Rodgers and give him the best running back he’s had while he’s been a starter in Green Bay.
27. Tennessee Titans – Zach Allen (DE, Boston College)
The Titans didn’t get a defensive lineman in this year’s (2018) class and need an upgrade over DaQuan Jones. Dre’Mont is a high-upside player with very good athleticism for his size (6’3″, 290). He was lost in the depth chart at times last year (2017) with all the talent on the Ohio State defensive line but I expect a big year from him in 2018.
28. Los Angeles Rams –
The Rams don’t have many needs in 2018, but if they needed help somewhere it would be the interior offensive line. Froholdt looks like the best guard in this 2019 class and would protect Jared Goff and clear running lanes for Todd Gurley. The Rams are going to be dangerous moving forward.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars – Bryan Edwards (WR, South Carolina)
Depending on how well Blake Bortles plays this year, the Jaguars could take a look at a quarterback in the 2019 Draft. The Jaguars have one of the most talented teams in the league but are limited by their quarterback play. Jackson is 6’7″, 245, and runs a 4.57, with one of the strongest arms I’ve ever seen. Jackson is pretty accurate; he should be getting more buzz this year. If he has a big season then he could be in Top-5 consideration for the 2019 Draft class.
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30. Minnesota Vikings – Beau Benzschawel (OG, Wisconsin)
The Vikings are so rich in talent that it’s hard to find a weakness in their roster, but I think they can replace Andrew Sendejo in 2019. Rapp has been a star since arriving at Washington and flies all over the field. He is a good athlete and will be fantastic coming up in the run game. He was an All-Pac-12 First Team selection in 2017.
31. New England Patriots – Will Grier (QB, West Virginia)
The Patriots didn’t have a great pass rush in 2017 and did little to improve that with the 2018 Draft. You can’t have too many pass-rushers on a defense, anyway. Jackson is raw but he’s a really good athlete with good size. If he develops more pass-rush moves this season (2018) at Miami and adds some weight to his frame, he will be very dangerous coming off of the edge in the NFL; especially if he can beef up New England’s defense.
32. Philadelphia Eagles – Rodney Anderson (RB, Oklahoma)
Philly could use a running back in 2019 because of the number of injuries to Darren Sproles (and Jay Ajayi‘s health is always in the air). Anderson would give Carson Wentz and company a good balance of agility and power. Anderson is also a great receiver out of the backfield. Anderson is splitting time with Trey Sermon on the Oklahoma roster this season, but I expect a big year from him in 2018, elevating his 2019 draft stock.
