CHDraftScouting Chase Hammes: 2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
We are a quarter of the way through the NFL season, and it’s mock draft time! I’ll be analyzing each team and which one of my favorite prospects helps that team out the most, let’s get started! Here is my first 2019 NFL mock draft. Also, if you like this mock or want to give feedback follow me on Twitter @CHDraftScouting.
1. New York Giants – Justin Herbert – (QB, Oregon)
This should be the least obvious pick in this mock, Eli hasn’t been the same since the Super Bowl years, and they desperately need a new face of the franchise. Dave Gettleman is probably regretting not taking Josh Rosen or Sam Darnold, but I like Herbert more than both of them as prospects. Herbert has the size, athleticism, arm talent, and accuracy that can make him a franchise quarterback at the next level.
2. Indianapolis Colts – Ed Oliver – (DT, Houston)
Simply put the Colts need more talent pretty much everywhere on this team besides quarterback. This roster is still a work in progress under Chris Ballard but he seems to be the guy who can turn it around. Oliver is a freak who has had 45 tackles for a loss in his 3 years at Houston. Oliver has insane strength, unique agility, and is still making plays while being triple teamed by his opponents.
3. San Francisco 49ers – Nick Bosa – (EDGE, Ohio State)
The Niners, unfortunately, lost Jimmy Garoppolo to a season-ending ACL tear. He should be able to go by the beginning of next season, but it’s going to be tough for the Niners to win games without him. Thankfully in this mock Nick Bosa is still on the board.
Nick, in my opinion, is a better prospect than his brother Joey. Nick has the full package as an edge rusher and will be a day one superstar in the league. He suffered an injury this season, but he will be back later in the year.
4. Arizona Cardinals – Jonah Williams – (OT, Alabama)
Arizona had to throw Josh Rosen into the fire in the third game of the season against the Bears after Sam Bradford was struggling to say the least. The bad thing is Arizona has one of the worst offensive lines in football, and Rosen has had durability issues coming out of UCLA. Jonah Williams is a future franchise tackle for whatever team he lands on. He’s been a starter since arriving to Alabama as a freshman, many scouts think he’s a guard, but he’s an outstanding left tackle.
5. Atlanta Falcons – Quinnen Williams – (DL, Alabama)
The Falcons have had to overcome two injuries to arguably the two best players on their defense, Keanu Neal and Deion Jones. The Falcons defense has struggled with the absence of both of them and that’s why I think Quinnen Williams is the pick here. Williams has really come onto the scene as the next heralded defensive line prospect out of Alabama. He has a very unique power/speed combination that is very rare to find in someone his size. He’s only a sophomore, but I think he could come out with the way he’s been playing.
6. Oakland Raiders – Greedy Williams – (CB, LSU)
Oakland is undergoing major turmoil with Jon Gruden getting rid of Khalil Mack before the start of the season, and rumors that Amari Cooper and Derek Carr could also be moved. It looks like he’s trying to stock up picks for the move to Las Vegas, but the Raiders are very much in a rebuilding stage. Gareon Conley was their first-round pick two years ago, and he also was talked about being moved. If Conley is moved Greedy Williams could step in from day one and be a number one corner for the Raiders.
7. Dallas Cowboys – DK Metcalf – (WR, Ole Miss)
Dak has looked more comfortable the last two weeks, but the supporting cast around him just isn’t enough to take the Cowboys anywhere. They don’t have a true number one X receiver and that’s exactly what DK Metcalf can be. Metcalf is a 6’4 230 freak of nature that may draw some Julio Jones comparisons, I wouldn’t go there yet but he can be an elite receiver in a few years for Dak Prescott to throw to.
8. Houston Texans – Dalton Risner – (OT, Kansas State)
It’s been a bit surprising how underwhelming the Texans have looked this year, that main problem is their offensive line. Dalton Risner has played everywhere at Kansas State and would be able to fill a need anywhere on that struggling offensive line. He isn’t the biggest tackle and may be asked to move to guard, but he’s a very talented tackle. He had a very good game against another early round prospect, Montez Sweat.
9. Philadelphia Eagles – Raekwon Davis – (DL, Alabama)
Philadelphia is still meshing as a team and looks like they’re having a bit of a Super Bowl hangover. They could go many different ways like offensive line since its struggled, but I also believe going best player available. Raekwon Davis is a very high ceiling player in the mold of DeForest Buckner. He could help out immediately as a rotational piece on that aging Eagles defensive line.
10. New York Jets – Jachai Polite – (EDGE, Florida)
How long has it been since the Jets had a real pass rusher? The Jets have struggled to get after the quarterback for years, and a very good pass rusher is very hard to find these days. Jachai Polite has been one of the biggest risers for me this year. He shed 20 or so pounds after playing 3 technique at 260 pounds, and finally looks like the player Florida fans expected since arriving on campus. Polite could very well be in the top 5 by the seasons end.
11. Seattle Seahawks – Deionte Thompson – (DB, Alabama)
Let’s face facts Seahawks fans, Earl Thomas is going to force his way out of Seattle one way or another this off-season. Seattle has a good safety in Bradley McDougald, but Deionte Thompson is one of the best players in this draft and shouldn’t be passed up at this spot. Thompson has insane range and cover skills, and could help potentially ease the loss of Earl Thomas.
12. Buffalo Bills – Kelvin Harmon – (WR, NC State)
Buffalo has so many needs that this was one of the tougher selections I had to make. There isn’t an offensive tackle worth at this spot, but the Bills need to surround Josh Allen with the most weapons possible. Kelvin Harmon is a very talented receiver who wins in a variety of ways. He’s at his best in contested situations, and shows some good route running skills for a receiver his size.
13. Detroit Lions – Brian Burns – (EDGE, Florida State)
Ziggy Ansah hasn’t been the same player he was in his first few seasons and Detroit has lacked a strong pass rush for sometimes. Brian Burns is a true speed rusher that shows bend that you don’t see out of a lot of pass rushers in college. He’s a little small at this moment and needs to pack on weight, but his elite athletic traits will get him a look this early in the draft.
14. Denver Broncos – Jeffery Simmons – (DT, Mississippi State)
Denver looks like a mess right now and changes have to be made by John Elway to get this team going in the right direction. They had a very good 2018 draft class, and they have to keep building young talent. Jeffery Simmons was one of my favorite players coming into the season. He shows the ability to get after the quarterback, and also plug running lanes against SEC offensive lines. Pairing Simmons with Bradley Chubb and Von Miller could be a lethal front seven.
15. Green Bay Packers – Clelin Ferrell – (EDGE, Clemson)
Green Bay has two first rounders after the trade with the Saints for Marcus Davenport last year, and they have to build more talent while Aaron Rodgers is in his prime. Green Bay has to go defense and Clelin Ferell is one of the better pass rushers in the country. He isn’t an elite athlete, but much like Bradley Chubb he has great counter moves to get to the quarterback.
16. Minnesota Vikings – Chris Lindstrom – (OL, Boston College)
It’s insane how good the Vikings offense has looked without Dalvin Cook and with their offensive line being banged up most of the season. Minnesota has lacked offensive line depth for some time and Chris Lindstrom could provide the Vikings with exactly what they need. Lindstrom is a powerful blocker, clearing lanes for one of the better rushing attacks in college football.
17. Cleveland Browns – J.J Arcega-Whiteside – (WR, Stanford)
Cleveland has looked completely different than in years past with the overhaul of the roster, and I must say Baker Mayfield has looked like the real deal so far for the franchise. The receiving corps has been plagued by drops, and they need to bring in more weapons to give Baker more options to throw to. JJ Arcega-Whiteside is a very unique player who almost plays like a basketball player on the field. He won’t wow you with speed, but he will bully smaller corners in contested situations and in the red zone.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mack Wilson – (LB, Alabama)
Pittsburgh is starting to find their groove over the last few weeks, but the defense is still very much a work in progress. They could go pretty much anywhere on the defense and it would make sense, but the linebacker group is one of the least talented in the league. Mack Wilson isn’t the most dynamic athlete at the position, but he has a nose for the ball and has impressive instincts as an inside linebacker.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dwayne Haskins – (QB, Ohio State)
Jacksonville is one quarterback away from being an annual contender in the AFC, because Blake Bortles severely hurts their offense. Dwayne Haskins has been one of the better players in college football this season, and would be an instant upgrade over Blake Bortles. He isn’t a lock to declare this year, but if he does he could easily end up going higher than this. He has a powerful arm and throws with great anticipation, if he comes out he’s a first rounder this spring.
20. Miami Dolphins – N’Keal Harry – (WR, Arizona State)
Miami has been a lot better than I expected this season, but the lack of a true number one receiver is something they need to address for whoever the future quarterback is. N’Keal Harry was a favorite of mine this summer, but the NFL doesn’t seem to be as high on him. He’s a bigger receiver in the AJ Green mold, but I want to see what he runs in order to determine his ceiling as an NFL player.
21. Washington Redskins – Byron Murphy – (CB, Washington)
Washington is another team that has exceeded the expectations I had for them this season, but they need a corner upgrade from Quinton Dunbar. They traded away Kendall Fuller to the Chiefs to get Alex Smith, and that secondary has struggled in his absence. Byron Murphy is a smaller corner like Denzel Ward, but he has great man to man skills and is a very good athlete. He could come in from day one and start inside or outside at corner.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Amani Oruwariye – (CB, Penn State)
Man, oh man has this Buccaneers defense looked bad so far this season, and it starts with the lack of talent in the secondary. They have been shredded through the air every single week, and a change has to be made. Amani Oruwariye fits what the Buccaneers want in a long, athletic press corner. He looked impressive going up against the speed that Ohio State has, and would be a plug and play starter for that unit.
23. Tennessee Titans – Montez Sweat – (EDGE, Mississippi State)
Tennessee has been the most aggravating team I’ve watched in quite some time. The offensive line has struggled, and the lack of receiving talent besides Corey Davis is alarming. They have to go best player available, which just so happens to be a need for them. Montez Sweat doesn’t fit the mold as a super athletic pass rusher, but he uses power and instinct to get after the quarterback every week in the SEC.
24. New England Patriots – Kris Boyd – (CB, Texas)
New England has seemed to find their groove again as a team, but their defense is still weak and the loss of Malcolm Butler has been very apparent so far this season. Kris Boyd goes up against heavy passing attacks every week in the Big 12, and shows the ability to be a very good zone corner. He’s not super long or athletic, but he is very physical coming up against the run and tackling in space.
25. Los Angeles Chargers – Devin White – (LB, LSU)
LA has been a very impressive team so far this season even without star pass rusher Joey Bosa. I’d argue the Chargers have a top 5 roster in the NFL, but they need to address the linebacker position. Their first rounder from a year ago Derwin James has played linebacker a little bit, but they need an every-down linebacker to move him back to his natural spot. Devin White is one of my favorite players in this draft, he plays with insane sideline to sideline ability, and plays like his hair is on fire.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Marquise Brown – (WR, Oklahoma)
Baltimore has one of the best defenses in the league and is pretty much the only reason they’re winning games. They don’t have a great receiver group and don’t have a true vertical threat for Joe Flacco or Lamar Jackson. Marquise Brown is one of the fastest players in college football and could have a Tyreek Hill or TY Hilton type of impact for this offense.
27. Oakland Raiders – Rashan Gary – (DL, Michigan)
This pick comes from the Chicago Bears in the Khalil Mack trade. Oakland has so many places they could upgrade and going best player available should be the move the speed up the rebuild. I once had Rashan Gary as a top 5 player, but his lack of a true position has him falling down the board for me. He should put some more weight on to play 3 technique, that’s what I think would help him reach his potential.
28. Carolina Panthers – Noah Fant – (TE, Iowa)
Carolina’s offense has looked a lot better even without a great offensive line, and the emergence of Donte Jackson has been huge for the secondary. Greg Olsen is getting older and hasn’t been healthy for a couple years, and Noah Fant shows the potential to be a potential top 10 tight end at some point. Fant has been a red zone machine for Iowa the past two years, and will blow away the combine with his insane athletic traits.
29. Green Bay Packers – Jaquan Johnson – (DB, Miami)
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has regressed big time this year and an upgrade is needed to help out that young secondary. Jaquan Johnson has been the leader of that Miami defense the past two years and was even the leader in takeaways last year. He is very good coming up in the run game and making plays, but he also has the speed to match with quicker slot receivers.
30. Cincinnati Bengals – Yodny Cajuste – (OT, West Virginia)
Bengals have had a below average offensive line for some time and in order to reach their potential as an offense they have to protect Andy Dalton. Bobby Hart has been terrible at right tackle and Yodny Cajuste could step in immediately and be the starter for Cincinnati. He doesn’t have the foot speed in my opinion to play left tackle, but his power in pass pro should make him a good right tackle in the league.
31. Los Angeles Rams – Anfernee Jennings – (EDGE, Alabama)
The Rams have arguably been the best team in the league this year, and they have very few holes on their roster. The only weakness I see with the Rams is their outside linebackers, and Anfernee Jennings is a stud who would make the Rams defense even better than it is right now. Jennings is built like an inside linebacker, but he is great against the run and shows the ability to collapse the pocket.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Jabari Zuniga – (EDGE, Florida)
Kansas City has been amazing to watch this year, and their defense has been good even without Justin Houston and Eric Berry. Jabari Zuniga is a freak athlete who’s stock has risen from the success of Florida this year. Zuniga could potentially replace Dee Ford if he decides to walk in free agency.
