What if everything you thought you knew about the 2019 NFL Draft turns out to be nothing more than the vapid fantasies of analysts and pundits?
What if the top of the draft offers a potpourri of unexpected developments, instead?
That’s the premise we’re working with here. This is how things might play out if everything we thought we knew is nothing more than hot air.
1. Arizona Cardinals: Josh Allen, EDGE
What if all the Kyler Murray talk was nothing more than an elaborate smokescreen? What if the Cardinals really do love Josh Rosen and are convinced he’s their guy? What if the Cardinals also have a crush on Allen, rather than Nick Bosa, who many believe is the best player in the draft? Arizona would certainly stir the pot atop the draft if Allen was the choice, which leads us to our next potential domino.
2. Oakland Raiders (trade with SF): Kyler Murray, quarterback
Raiders head coach Jon Gruden hasn’t been shy about heaping praise on Murray this offseason, and the team did host the quarterback for a private workout. Going back to his days as an ESPN analyst, Gruden has been eyeing the right opportunity to bring the college game to the NFL. In Murray, he’d have the perfect young prospect to mold and lead that charge.
3. New York Jets: Nick Bosa, EDGE
What a gift this would be. Much like last year when the Jets had Sam Darnold fall right into their laps due to their New York counterpart taking Saquon Barkley instead of a quarterback, they’d be in the money landing Bosa at No. 3. Especially after the way the Jets were burned by Anthony Barr in free agency, this would be so sweet. General manager Mike Maccagnan would do backflips in New York’s draft war room if this scenario played out.
4: Washington Redskins (trade with SF): Dwayne Haskins, quarterback
Washington president Bruce Allen has said some pretty perplexing things about the quarterback position recently. He’s tried to make people believe the Redskins don’t need to draft one. Yet that could be just a smokescreen from a team that clearly, most desperately does need an injection of life here. In this scenario, Washington is nervous about its NFC East rival Giants landing Hasksins, making San Francisco all the richer in the process.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quinnen Williams, defensive tackle
Due to Tampa Bay’s need at the linebacker position, having lost Kwon Alexander in free agency, it wouldn’t shock anyone to see LSU product Devin White land with the Bucs. Yet in this mini mock draft, we see Alabama’s Quinnen Williams still sitting atop the board. And with Gerald McCoy clearly a shell of his former self, Williams would be a cheaper, more effective option in the middle of Tampa Bay’s defense.
6. New York Giants: Montez Sweat, EDGE
Everyone but the Giants knows this team needs a quarterback. And heck, maybe the Giants do, too. Yet there have been enough reports recently to lead one to believe a defensive player is the pick here, provided Haskins is gone by the time New York picks at No. 6 overall. Sweat could be a risky pick, yet his raw athleticism and speed will get him drafted early.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars: Daniel Jones, quarterback
The Jags just poured a ton of money into Nick Foles. So why would they bring in a first-round rookie quarterback? Well, we did say things were going to get bonkers, you know. Also, it’s worth pointing out that rookie contracts at this point in the draft are fairly manageable. And even if Foles does work out (we doubt it), having a ready-to-go young passer waiting in the wings has worked out well for some franchises in the past.
8. Detroit Lions: Greedy Williams, cornerback
Ed Oliver, who is seriously underrated, would be the smart choice here. Yet Detroit being in a division that features high-powered offenses and plenty of outstanding receivers, the Lions might panic and go with the top corner in this year’s draft. We’d say this is reaching a bit for Williams, yet the Lions wouldn’t be the first team to reach for an elite athlete who might be able to cover at an elite level in the NFL.
9. Miami Dolphins (trade with BUF): Drew Lock, quarterback
The Dolphins keep saying they’re absolutely not going to tank this coming season in order to land Tua Tagovailoa, or any other top quarterback next year. So, maybe they’re telling the truth. Maybe they really do want to win now and are willing to make a bold pick at quarterback. In the process of picking up the big-armed quarterback out of Missouri, the Dolphins could stick it to John Elway, who has a bad record at quarterback and supposedly loves Lock’s game.
10. Denver Broncos: Devin White, linebacker, LSU
If the Broncos didn’t need offensive help so much, this pick actually makes perfect sense. It might, even with the Broncos needing a quarterback. White is an incredible linebacker whose speed would give Denver an unreal front seven on defense. He’d play next to Josey Jewell and be an absolute nightmare playing behind Bradley Chubb and Von Miller. Then again, adding Ed Oliver might be the smart pick if quarterback wasn’t in play.