There is a ton of uncertainty about which NFL draft prospect will be selected at the top of the 2019 NFL Draft this year.
The big picture: With no consensus No. 1 quarterback and no consensus best overall player, a number of things could take place when the first pick is announced.
If the Arizona Cardinals keep the pick: It’s best player available … unless it’s not.
- Nick Bosa out of Ohio State is the most obvious choice at No. 1 overall to start the 2019 NFL Draft if the Cardinals do keep their pick. He’s considered by some to be the most polished, most pro-ready player in the draft.
- Alabama’s Quinnen Williams could also be selected. He is a dominant defender who routinely used his quickness and power to penetrate opposing offensive lines on both running and passing plays.
- Josh Allen would be a surprising selection atop the NFL draft. But this edge rusher out of Kentucky has incredible quickness and is adept at stripping the ball from quarterbacks’ hands.
- Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray is the wild card. Despite Kliff Kingsbury saying Josh Rosen “is our guy” in Arizona, many still believe Murray is the best fit in Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense. And many do not buy what Kingsbury was selling about Rosen.
Trade up for a quarterback: It wouldn’t be shocking whatsoever to see a quarterback-needy team (there are a lot of them) give up the farm for a quarterback.
- Kyler Murray is hardly a sure thing. Yet, despite his recent seeming wishy-washy approach to the draft, he is the player scouts are reportedly “most excited about.” And based on what he did last year it’s easy to understand why.
- Dwayne Haskins out of Ohio State is inexperienced but has some enticing physical tools. He’s not much of a runner, despite what Stephen A. Smith may tell you, but he can make every throw in the book and just had a record-breaking season for the Buckeyes.
- Drew Lock out of Missouri brings a ton of experience and a live arm to the table. He competed against SEC competition for four seasons and had a truly prolific 2017 campaign.
- Daniel Jones out of Duke sure looks the part. He’s an athletic 6-foot-4 and is beloved by NFL writers who study the draft due to his overall skill set.
The bottom line: If I were a betting man, I’d stay the heck away from wagering any money on who will be selected No. 1 overall this year. There are too many possibilities, which also makes it very fun for those of us who like intrigue heading into the annual event.