Only seven days remain until this year's draft, which means this will be my final mock of the year. And so, we've arrived at the end of mock draft season. If I've learned anything over the past few months, it's this: Much like Jon Snow, we know nothing.
Exactly one week remains and according to general manager Steve Keim, the Cardinals still don't know how they're going to use the top-overall pick. The lack of clarity at the top of the table has made mock drafting a more difficult exercise than usual this draft season, for obvious reasons. In year's past, we at least knew the position of the first-selected player ahead of time.
Last year we knew the Browns would take a quarterback, we just weren't sure if it'd be Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold. The year prior, we knew the Browns would almost assuredly take Myles Garrett. Three years ago, after the Rams and Eagles traded up to No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, we knew the top two picks would be Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, we just didn't know the order in which they'd be taken.
As for the actual draft, you'll be able to stream our live coverage right here on CBS Sports HQ (or download the CBS Sports app for free on any mobile or connected TV device) breaking down all the picks and everything you need to know during draft weekend.
The mystery surrounding the Cardinals and the top pick might not make mock drafting easy, but it has made it that much more interesting. When I wrote my first mock back in February, this wasn't really even a point of discussion seeing that Murray still hadn't committed to a career in football. I had him falling all the way to No. 9, something that seems outside the realm of possibility today. But ever since Murray picked football over baseball and ever since the Cardinals didn't really deny their interest in him, I've almost always had him going to the Cardinals at No. 1.
There's no way to know for sure it'll happen, but it should come as no real surprise to hear that once again, with my final mock draft, I have the Cardinals taking Murray after trading Rosen to the Redskins for the No. 46 pick. I might not know anything, but at least I'm consistent. To me, Washington continues to make the most sense. They're in desperate need of a new quarterback after the Alex Smith injury that will likely prevent him from playing in 2019. Even if Smith somehow does return to play at some point this season, he'll be a 35-year-old quarterback. The Redskins never should've traded for Smith and given him that extension -- even before he suffered the injury -- but they might just get bailed out by the Cardinals' desire for Murray, which could allow the Redskins to obtain Rosen for a relatively cheap price one year after Rosen cost the Cardinals a trade up to the No. 10 pick.
Other notable aspects of my last mock include:
- Four quarterbacks going in the first round.
- The Patriots getting a speedy receiver they so desperately need.
- The Bengals trading up for a quarterback.
- The Giants getting their quarterback with their second first-round pick.
- The Raiders waiting until the 20s to take their quarterback.
Finally, remember to keep an eye out for Ryan Wilson's seven-round mock draft on Thursday. And be sure to check out the Pick-Six Podcast, a daily NFL podcast where we'll continue to discuss the draft in addition to Wednesday's schedule release. OK, let's get to all the picks.
Round 1 - Pick 1
The Cardinals claimed on Tuesday they still don't know who they'll take with the top pick. I could see them sticking with Josh Rosen if they don't get an attractive offer, but I still think the Redskins, who are in need of a short- and long-term quarterback, will get desperate enough to trade for him. That means the Cardinals are free to take the quarterback Kliff Kingsbury appears to want: Kyler Murray.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
The 49ers take arguably the best player in the draft to fill an important need. This one's a no-brainer.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
The Jets pass on Quinnen Williams to fill a bigger need on the edge. After missing out on Anthony Barr in free agency, the Jets address their pass rush by taking the second best edge rusher in the draft.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
The edge is a bigger need for the Raiders, who finished last season with the fewest sacks in football after trading away Khalil Mack. But Williams could be the best player in the draft. And the top two edge rushers just went ahead of them. That makes Williams the obvious pick.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
The Buccaneers just lost Kwon Alexander in free agency, making linebacker a huge need. And White's the best linebacker in the draft. He'll help fix what ended up being one of the worst defenses in football a year ago.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
The Giants pass on both Drew Lock and Dwayne Haskins to upgrade their pass rush. In their defense, their pass rush does need addressing, and they still have another first-round pick they can use on a quarterback. And if they can't get a quarterback later in the first round, they could always just wait one more year for what might be a better quarterback class.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Time to protect Nick Foles with the best tackle in the draft. The Jaguars bolster their offensive line a season after allowing 53 sacks -- tied for the third most in the league.
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Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 8
Seeing Dwayne Haskins falling, the Bengals seize the chance to grab their quarterback of the future, who can sit behind Andy Dalton for a season (or less). Meanwhile, the Lions have said they're open to trading down. So, they're more than happy to slide back a few spots so the Bengals can get ahead of the Broncos, who also might be in the market for Haskins.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
The Bills add on to the strength of their team by giving their already great defense another strong player up front. With Kyle Williams now retired, the Bills have an opening on the defensive line. Enter: Ed Oliver.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
I've said it over and over again: Vic Fangio's defenses usually rely on two good inside linebackers. The Broncos do not have two good inside linebackers right now. They just parted ways with Brandon Marshall. I think John Elway won't force a quarterback here knowing that he might only get one more crack at drafting a new franchise quarterback and instead, he'll play to Fangio's strengths.
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Mock Trade from
Cincinnati Bengals
Round 1 - Pick 11
The Lions add to a secondary that already includes Darius Slay and Justin Coleman. They could just as easily add to their defensive front with someone like Rashan Gary, but after seeing no cornerbacks go in the top 10, the Lions get good value in Williams.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
I've pretty much spent all draft season mocking Hockenson to the Packers. Why would I stop now? He's the best tight end in the draft, and he'd be a great fit in Matt LaFleur's offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
The Dolphins need to acquire their future franchise quarterback at some point over the next two drafts, but they don't need to force one at No. 13, even if Drew Lock is still sitting there. Here, they decide to bolster their offensive line so that when they do acquire their future franchise quarterback, he won't be forced to operate behind a shoddy offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
The Falcons need to address their defense in the draft. In Gary, they'd be getting a versatile defensive lineman who can attack the quarterback and set the edge against the run. He seems like a player defensive-minded coach Dan Quinn would love -- especially considering Quinn has spent much of his coaching career as a defensive line coach.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
After landing Josh Rosen for the cost of a second-round pick, the Redskins go to work supplying Rosen with better weapons. As it stands, the team's receiving room is led by Paul Richardson and Josh Doctson. Metcalf isn't a perfect prospect, but he might have the highest ceiling in this year's WR class.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
After losing Julius Peppers (and with Mario Addison aging), the Panthers try to get younger and better on the edge. Ferrell had 21 sacks over his final two college seasons.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 17
This works out well for the Giants, who get their franchise quarterback in Lock. Lock can sit behind Manning for at least a portion of the upcoming season before taking over.
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Mock Trade from
Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 - Pick 18
The Steelers have watched the cornerback they've wanted get picked one spot ahead of them before when the Bengals took William Jackson in 2016, which forced the Steelers to settle for Artie Burns. They won't let that happen again. They trade up ahead of the Titans, who could be in the market for a cornerback, to grab their guy in Murphy.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
The Titans happily strengthen their pass rush with Burns, who could be a top-10 pick, but falls in this scenario. With Burns and Jurrell Casey up front, the Titans' defensive front could be dangerous in 2019.
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Mock Trade from
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 1 - Pick 20
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The Seahawks love long cornerbacks, and Layne features good length and size. They also lost Justin Coleman in free agency, making cornerback a need. If Burns were to fall, though, I think they'd rather take him.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
The Ravens have talked about getting better up front. So they find their future center to pair with Lamar Jackson for the wars to come. They can wait to take a receiver in the middle rounds, but they can't get a center of Bradbury's caliber after the first round.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
The Texans know they need to protect Deshaun Watson after nearly getting him killed last season. Dillard's expertise in pass protection should come in handy.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 24
With Burns off the board, there's not really a pass rusher worth taking here. But the Raiders still have other needs, and a pass-catching tight end is one of them after losing Jared Cook in free agency.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
The Eagles' most urgent need is their secondary, and Baker is worthy of a first-round pick. I initially had them taking Josh Jacobs, but I'm hoping teams have finally realized using a first-round pick on a running back isn't the wisest of moves.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
The Colts get tougher in the trenches by obtaining Wilkins, who recorded 14 tackles for a loss last season at Clemson.
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From
Dallas Cowboys
Round 1 - Pick 27
And there it is: The fourth quarterback comes off the board. There's been buzz building recently that Jones will be a first-round pick even if he's more of a developmental prospect. Gruden himself said at the Senior Bowl that he thinks Jones is a first rounder. And the Raiders need a quarterback to bring with them to Vegas after they likely dump Derek Carr at some point in the near future.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Love this outcome for the Chargers, who add Tillery to an already dynamic defensive front that already features Melvin Ingram, Joey Bosa, and Brandon Mebane. Mebane's nearing the end of his career, so Tillery is a pick that makes sense for the short- and long-term.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
It's no secret the Chiefs need to improve defensively after a dreadful performance last season that cost them a spot in the Super Bowl, and after parting ways with Dee Ford and Justin Houston this offseason. Lawrence paired with Chris Jones could be a scary good combination.
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From
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 30
The Packers got their box safety in Adrian Amos. Now they get their rangy, single-high safety in Adderley.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The only reason Simmons would be available this late in the draft is because of the torn ACL he suffered in February. That, of course, matters. But the Rams might not be able to pass up this kind of value if it emerges. Simmons could be the Ndamukong Suh replacement the Rams desperately need.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Even after signing Demaryius Thomas on Tuesday, the Patriots still need to get faster and younger at receiver. Brown's a burner and could be their new version of Brandin Cooks.
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