2019 NFL Draft: Mock 1.0, picks 1-10

Is there anything better than a mock draft? Of course not. Which is somewhat surprising, since no one has ever actually read a mock draft that they like or agree with. Generally, the common response upon reading a mock is disgust and vehement disagreement while shaking your head at the inane stupidity of the writer, and then wondering how in the world that guy (or gal) gets paid to write about football.

Yet, we can't get enough of mock drafts, because they can't help but spin the wheels of wonder, pondering each scenario and running through your mind how X-team would look if they actually got X-player. So lighten up a bit, remember it's for fun and soak it all in!

Of note: for brevity's sake, I'm breaking this up into a 3-part series. Also of note: I'm not accepting for trade's in this scenario, because then I'll be opening up pandora's box. There will be at least a dozen or so trades in the first two days of the draft, and trying to predict who does what with who and for what is ridiculous. Alas...

1. Arizona Cardinals – Quinnen Williams, IDL, Alabama

Honestly, I think the Raiders, with their considerable draft capital, are going to trade up to the first pick to select Kyler Murray. In this instance, I’m not considering potential trades, and I think the Cards recent disinterest in last year’s top pick, QB Josh Rosen, is a smokescreen to try and trade down. Considering the coaching staff and personnel Rosen was working with last year, it’s far too early to wave the white flag on a guy many believe would be the top QB prospect in this year’s draft class. I think they really want Williams (scouting report here), who is arguably the best player in the draft class and a guy who would instantly boost the interior of their defensive line.

2. San Francisco 49ers – Nick Bosa, Edge, Ohio State

The potential marriage between the Niners and Bosa has been so rampant over the past few months that I almost want to put someone else here just because rarely is a match so hyped that actually comes to fruition. The Niners have invested an enormous amount of draft capital in recent years to defensive line, and have recently traded for and re-signed Dee Ford, meaning they could go in another direction here (do they dare give Jimmy G a weapon like D.K. Metcalf?), but it's never a bad move to add arguably the safest and most talented player in the draft when you have the opportunity.

3. New York Jets – Josh Allen, Edge, Kentucky

Had Anthony Barr followed through with his verbal commitment to sign with the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS, I’d have them looking elsewhere with this pick. However, he chose to stay in Minnesota, thus leaving the Jets still searching for an impact edge rusher. I’m not quite as high as everyone else is on Allen (scouting report here), but there’s no denying he’s one of the more polished, proven and productive players in this year’s draft.

4. Oakland Raiders – Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

I think they get Murray, but not at 4, as I indicated above. The complete lack of chemistry between Derek Carr and Jon Gruden was painfully obvious last year and the team would clearly love to jumpstart their move to Las Vegas with an exciting young star like Murray as the face of the franchise. Is there concern about his size? Of course you'd prefer him to be 6-4/220 to 5-10/200, but you can't deny his obvious arm talent and electrifying playmaking ability. You just have to hope he masters the ability of knowing how and when to slide.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Devin White, LB, LSU

Losing Kwon Alexander in free agency was an unexpected blow and while guys like Deone Bucannon and Shaq Barrett were brought in to help mitigate the loss, they’re obviously not long-term building blocks. With White (scouting report here), the Bucs will get a new QB of the defense and give new DC Todd Bowles a very talented ball of clay to mold, helping to revitalize a once proud defense.

6. New York Giants – Jawaan Taylor, OT, Florida

After notoriously passing on all but one of the first round QB’s last year, the Giants obviously go with QB here, right? Just go ahead and carve Dwayne Haskins' name in stone here, right? I’m at the point right now where I’ll believe the Giants invest a first round pick in Eli Manning's replacement when I see it. Should they take a QB here? Yes. Do I really think they will? No. Instead, they’ll look to add the final piece to the puzzle on their offensive line with Taylor, a road grader who will be a great fit on the right side for the G-Men, who are obviously trying to build a run-first offense centered around RB Saquon Barkley.

7. Jacksonville Jaguars – T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

The Jags can go in a number of directions here, but after investing all that money in QB Nick Foles, the best thing they can do is to give him more weapons to work with, and adding a reliable safety valve like Hockenson makes sense. Does Noah Fant have more upside? Yes, but Hockenson is by far the better blocker, and there’s no way that doesn’t weigh heavily in Tom Coughlin’s mind.

8. Detroit Lions – Jonah Williams, T/G, Alabama

The Lions could also go defensive line here, but considering the depth in this class, they can address that in the next round. HC Matt Patricia obviously wants a tough and physical offensive line that can not only protect prized QB Matt Stafford, but open up holes to develop a ground control rushing attack. Williams has the chops to be an average starting OT, but he projects as a Pro Bowl caliber OG in my opinion. Adding him their current group would give the Lions one of the best lines in all of football.

9. Buffalo Bills – Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan

GM Brandon Beane is obviously a big fan of athletic upside, even if a prospect is still a bit raw, and few players in this year’s draft are as toolsy as Gary. The former No. 1 overall recruit only racked up 9.5 sacks over 3 years in Ann Arbor, but the athletic upside – 6-4/277, 4.58 40, 38” vert, 7.26 3 cone – leaves you salivating over what he can become with more seasoning. HC Sean McDermott can be creative with the number of ways to use Gary, who can rush both inside and outside.

10. Denver Broncos – Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

It’s intriguing to think about a QB like Haskins or Lock here, but it’s pretty clear GM John Elway is in win-now mode by trading for Joe Flacco, and he wants to surround him with some weapons. Flacco has always found his best success when he has a reliable safety valve at TE who can stretch the seams and take advantage of the short and intermediate routes with safeties playing back, respecting his obvious arm strength. Fant is easily the most athletic TE in this class and blew people away at the Combine in Indy with his explosiveness and burst. DT and LB could also be in play here.

Rick Stavig is the owner and founder of SE Scouting. Email questions, comments and outrage to rgstavig@sescouting.com and follow him on the twitter machine @rickstavig.