After months and months of mock drafts, the 2019 NFL Draft is finally near. Soon we'll finally be able to break down the actual picks that are made, rather than the theoretical examples we've been limited to over the last 360 days or so.
I've banged you over the head with my trade scenarios involving the Raiders jumping to No. 1 to take Kyler Murray, but since we're less than an hour from the draft and that hasn't happened, I'm going to go through one mock draft scenario where the Cardinals take Murray at No. 1 and look to trade Josh Rosen. Even so, I think the Raiders are looking for a quarterback, maybe even Dwayne Haskins, but someone beats them to the punch with a trade to No. 3 below.
That team was the Giants in the initial version of this post, but with news that Daniel Snyder is taking over the draft planning for Washington and that Dwayne Haskins could be his target, I'm making a late switch back to Washington moving to No. 3, a trade I had in my seven-round mock draft that originally came out a few weeks back.
As the 2019 NFL Draft develops, you can catch analysis and grades of all the picks by tuning into our live coverage right here on CBS Sports HQ. Download the CBS Sports app for free if you'd rather follow along on any mobile or connected TV device.
Also in this mock draft, Rashan Gary and D.K. Metcalf fall out of the first round. For the former, I think medical issues could combine with his lack of production to cause teams to shy away from him with their first pick. He could still be in play for a team with multiple first-rounders, but I think there's also a good chance he lasts until Day 2. As for Metcalf, the fact that he's not a complete receiver prospect coupled with an incredibly deep selection of potential starters at the position in this class means teams don't have to reach for him in Round 1. And now for the picks ...
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
I've done plenty of mocks with the Cardinals trading out of this pick instead of taking Murray, but since that hasn't happened, let's go ahead and explore a scenario where they do decide to punt on Josh Rosen. I don't think this pick is a lock, however.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
If the Cardinals take Bosa No. 1, the 49ers would likely jump on Quinnen Williams here or see if they can get a decent haul from a team looking to trade up for a QB. No reason to swerve away from this match at this point.
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Mock Trade from
New York Jets
Round 1 - Pick 3
The Redskins seem like the best bet to make a bold move up for a QB, and pulling this off will cost them a first-round pick next year plus multiple Day 2 picks. Will it be worth it? Only time will tell.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
I think the Raiders are in play for not only Murray, but Haskins as well. But with both off the board in the first three picks, they 'settle' for maybe the best overall player in the draft, one who fills a huge need.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Would the Bucs take White with Josh Allen still on the board? I think it's a definite possibility, as White appears to be a safer play even if he doesn't fill as large of a need. The lack of quality off-ball LBs in this class should get White into the top five.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
With Haskins off the board, the Giants fill their pass-rush need with Allen, a potential top-three pick who manages to get to New York here.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
The Jaguars prioritize defense above all, and their pass rush is on shaky ground after 2019. Though players like T.J. Hockenson or an offensive linemen also make sense, it'll be impossible to pass on Oliver if he slips here.
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Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 8
The Panthers make a big move up the board, giving up No. 16 and 47 for this pick, then selecting the top offensive lineman in the draft. He'll look to push Daryl Williams for a starting role immediately.
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Mock Trade from
Buffalo Bills
Round 1 - Pick 9
I'm adding one more trade into the top 10 in my final mock. The Vikings are positioned to miss out on the top linemen at No. 18, and with how critical that need is, I can see them offering No. 50 to the Bills to move down nine spots.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
This initially was Drew Lock, and while I expect them to still have interest in the Missouri QB, I think Vic Fangio wins out and gets his QB on the defensive side of the ball in Bush, addressing a major need.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The Bengals have shown some interest in Daniel Jones, but with two QBs still on the board, I think the approach is to angle for a trade up later and instead go with Ford, who is a big upgrade at right tackle or guard.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
With Bush unavailable for the Packers, the choice comes down to the top tight end or the fourth offensive linemen, and I think they like enough of the second-tier linemen for No. 30 that Hockenson makes the most sense.
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Mock Trade from
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 13
The Texans can't afford to wait on an offensive lineman once Taylor and Williams go in the top 10, so they hook up with a Dolphins team that needs as many assets as it can get, giving up No. 23 and 54 in order to select an excellent left-tackle prospect.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
I'm torn between Wilkins and Brian Burns here, but it seems like the consensus rates Wilkins slightly higher overall, and unless there's a Vic Beasley offer on the table the Falcons like, the defensive tackle probably makes more sense.
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Mock Trade from
Washington Redskins
Round 1 - Pick 15
The Jets land an impact edge rusher even after moving down from No. 3, which nets them a future first-rounder as well as multiple Day 2 picks. If the Redskins get aggressive on Haskins, the Jets could be the big winner of Day 1.
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Mock Trade from
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 - Pick 16
Yes, the Lions signed Jesse James in free agency, but he's not a true No. 1 tight end and doesn't bring nearly the same upside to the passing game as Fant, who becomes the go-to target in the middle of the field.
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From
Cleveland Browns
Round 1 - Pick 17
The Giants are able to sit back, let the draft come to them and still land the quarterback they reportedly covet with their second first-round pick. Giants fans would hate if the team took Jones at No. 6, but Josh Allen and Jones? That's a win.
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Mock Trade from
Minnesota Vikings
Round 1 - Pick 18
If someone like Ed Oliver doesn't slip to No. 9, the Bills should feel comfortable moving back to the late teens and still finding help on either line. Here they pick up an edge rusher whose stock has fallen due to medical concerns.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
The Titans could be a sleeper team for Drew Lock here, but instead they take the massive Lawrence to give their rush defense a boost and free up some attention from Jurrell Casey on the interior.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
The consensus is that the Steelers are looking corner here, and with the entire board open at that position, I'm going with the guy Mike Tomlin reportedly loves in Ya-Sin.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The Seahawks are always a candidate to move down, but they can do that from No. 29 after trading Frank Clark. With Ferrell slipping out of the top 20, I can't see them passing on the chance to draft Clark's replacement here.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
I think Brown will be the first receiver off the board after his medical rechecks went well, and he's the kind of versatile playmaker that could do a lot of damage in a run-first offense like Baltimore's.
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Mock Trade from
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 23
The Dolphins should basically be best player available with this pick considering all their needs after trading down. Here that's Simmons, a top-10 talent who will likely slip due to an ACL tear. That shouldn't matter to a rebuilding Dolphins team.
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From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 24
Can the Raiders let Jacobs fall any further if they want him? Considering the Eagles are sitting at No. 25 and could definitely use a running back with his talents, I think the answer is no. With the board wide open at CB, Oakland takes Jacobs now and eyes a corner in a few picks.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Bradbury could go 10 picks earlier and no one would blink, but here he slips down to the Eagles, where he would be a perfect fit for Doug Pederson's offense. He can compete to start at guard initially while serving as the heir apparent to Jason Kelce at the pivot.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
The Colts are unable to move up for Simmons, but Tillery is a fine player in his own right, someone who can win with strength,size or athleticism on any play. He's a first-round talent that isn't drawing much buzz.
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From
Dallas Cowboys
Round 1 - Pick 27
A corner finally comes off the board, with the Raiders closing up their first-round account with a man named Greedy. He's not the greatest tackler, but Williams has the ability to make game-changing plays anytime the ball is thrown his direction.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
The Chargers could go in a number of directions with this pick, and I like the value here with the excellent Murphy, who doesn't run fast but is fantastic at playing the position. His testing profile is similar to that of Casey Hayward, a player that has paid off for the Chargers.
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Mock Trade from
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 29
The Broncos stop Lock's fall by moving up from No. 40, sending their 2020 second-rounder and a late pick in this draft to snag the signal-caller that seems like a great fit for what John Elway wants at the position.
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From
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 - Pick 30
The Packers passed on offensive linemen to take Lock earlier, and instead they snap up a talented right tackle in McGary who can also compete to start inside in Year 1.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The Rams would love to trade out of the first round and pick up some extra selections, and maybe they're able to do so. If they stay put, Lindstrom is a great option to compete to replace Rodger Saffold on the interior.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Receiver is an option as well, but it's a deep class at the position and the Patriots can find starters there on Day 2. There's a big drop-off at tight end after Smith, so I think he's the preferred option if he makes it to their pick.
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