As the free agency frenzy winds down in the NFL, teams are elbow deep in preparations for the 2019 NFL Draft. What do the experts think will happen in the first round of the always-surprising and hard-to-predict rookie selections in just a few short weeks?
1. Arizona Cardinals
The pick:Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Then-Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury recruited Murray to be his quarterback out of high school, as he’s the perfect fit for what Kingsbury wants to do offensively. If the Arizona Cardinals are brave enough to hire a head coach whose college alma mater fired him for failing to win games, they have to give him the right pieces to run his offense.”
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2. San Francisco 49ers
The pick: Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
“The 49ers would love to get an elite edge player to add to their defense. Bosa would be that.”
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3. New York Jets
The pick: Josh Allen, EDGE, University of Kentucky — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Jets are in the prime position to trade back with a QB-needy team. But if New York stays at No. 3, the J-E-T-S will gladly take the next-best pass rusher available.”
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4. Oakland Raiders
The pick: Rashan Gary, EDGE, University of Michigan — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“The Raiders‘ only chance to get a premiere edge rusher is here, not in the 20s.”
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5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The pick: Devin White, LB, LSU — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
“They are said to love this kid, but it’s really high for an off-the-ball linebacker. Even so, he’s a heck of a player.”
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6. New York Giants
The pick: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“The New York Giants need a quarterback of the future, and by all accounts, they want someone to learn behind Eli Manning for a short time much like Patrick Mahomes did with Alex Smith. Drafting a smart, talented quarterback who could benefit from some acclimation time in the NFL after only starting one year at Ohio State would help the Giants transition into their post-Manning era.”
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7. Jacksonville Jaguars
The pick: D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Jaguars need to upgrade their offense this offseason. Jacksonville elects to add a receiver with unlimited upside.”
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8. Detroit Lions
The pick: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Mississippi State — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“With the class’s hottest name on the board available to fill the Lions’ biggest need, general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia would likely jump at the chance to make him a building block on the outside of the defense.”
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9. Buffalo Bills
The pick: Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“If I were the Bills, I’d move Dion Dawkinsto right tackle and slide Dillard — the best pass blocker in the draft — in at left tackle.”
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10. Denver Broncos
The pick: Drew Lock, QB, Missouri — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
“The Broncos have Joe Flacco, but he’s not the long-term answer. Lock would be.”
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11. Cincinnati Bengals
The pick: Ed Oliver, DL, Houston — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“The Cincinnati Bengals desperately need to add speed on defense, whether at edge-rusher, linebacker, defensive tackle or in the secondary. That means the front office can select the best defensive player available, which would be Oliver.”
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12. Green Bay Packers
The pick: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Packers filled a ton of needs in free agency. They fill a big hole on offense with the best tight end in the draft.”
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13. Miami Dolphins
The pick: Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Since Miami’s biggest need is at edge-rusher, betting on one of the most productive and impactful defenders in college football over the last two seasons is a win at No. 13.”
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14. Atlanta Falcons
The pick: Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
“They have a problem next to Grady Jarrett, so why not take a player from the same school to fill it?”
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15. Washington Redskins
The pick: Daniel Jones, QB, Duke — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Redskins have to do something at QB. If Washington doesn’t acquire Rosen, the Redskins might be forced to take a QB higher than expected.”
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16. Carolina Panthers
The pick: Jonah Williams, OL, Alabama — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“It’s imperative for the Carolina Panthers to bolster their offensive line this offseason. If Cam Newtonis healthy enough to play in 2019, the front office must protect him better up front.”
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17. New York Giants (from Cleveland)
The pick:A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“While he often played as a slot receiver in college, that was more a product of the system at Ole Miss. He also has the ability to win on the outside of the formation. Brown has excellent route-running skills, impressive speed (4.49 seconds) and great physicality at 226 pounds on his 6’0″ frame.”
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18. Minnesota Vikings
The pick: Cody Ford, OL, Oklahoma — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
“The 49ers would love to get an elite edge player to add to their defense. Bosa would be that.”
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19. Tennessee Titans
The pick: Noah Fant, TE, Iowa — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Titans need to find out if Marcus Mariota is the long-term answer in Tennessee. Picking up a weapon for the middle of the field should help.”
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20. Pittsburgh Steelers
The pick: Byron Murphy, CB, Washington — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“Murphy is an excellent technician at the position, helping to bolster the Steelers‘ secondary.”
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21. Seattle Seahawks
The pick: Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“The Seahawksadd a pass rusher opposite Frank Clark, who’s currently set to play the 2019 season on the franchise tag.”
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22. Baltimore Ravens
The pick: Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Alabama’s Josh Jacobs is a power back with moves and soft hands. He’s a flawless receiver out of the backfield, and he has the patience, vision and agility to be a featured back in the Ravens’ scheme.”
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23. Houston Texans
The pick: Garrett Bradbury, OL, NC State — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Texans’ biggest priority of the offseason is to make sure quarterback Deshaun Watson is better protected in 2019.”
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24. Oakland Raiders (from Chicago)
The pick: Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williamsand Irv Smithwith Derek Carr! The Raidershave made a lot of moves this offseason to become a better football team.”
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25. Philadelphia Eagles
The pick: Marquise Brown, WR, Oklahoma — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Offensive line depth could be a need, but the Eagles are signing many of their free agents there to keep the group together. With Brandon Graham back at defensive end and the offensive line intact, receiver becomes the biggest need. Brown is the best player left on the board to fill it.”
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26. Indianapolis Colts
The pick: Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
“The Colts need a dominant player inside and Simmons has the tools to do that. Only a torn ACL in January is keeping him out of the top 10. “
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27. Oakland Raiders (from Dallas)
The pick: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Johnathan Abram is like Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal all over again. He’s powerful, fast, smart and has the right tools to dominate the middle in coverage and take away the run.”
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28. Los Angeles Chargers
The pick: Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“The Chargers are extremely talented, but the Bolts could use some help in the middle of their defense.”
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29. Kansas City Chiefs
The pick: Deandre Baker, DB, Georgia — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Baker might not have elite speed, which is why he’s on the board at No. 29, but he is good enough to win against the best in the SEC. He could be a No. 1 cornerback for the Chiefs.”
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30. Green Bay Packers (from New Orleans)
The pick: Taylor Rapp, S, Washington — Charlie Casserly, NFL.com
“Safety was a major problem for the Packerslast year, but Rapp and free-agent pickup Adrian Amosare the solution.”
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31. Los Angeles Rams
The pick: Dalton Risner, OL, Northwestern — Lance Cartelli, 24/7 Sports
“Coming off a Super Bowl loss, the Rams must improve their aging offensive line.”
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32. New England Patriots
The pick: Trayvon Mullen, DB, Clemson — Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
“Trayvon Mullen didn’t see a ton of targets in college since ACC quarterbacks avoided him, but when he was challenged, he made plays like the interception and sack that helped clinch a national title for the Tigers against Alabama. Mullen’s size (6’1″, 199 pounds) and speed (4.46-second 40) are intriguing enough without his playmaking skills.”