2019 NFL Draft: Mock 1.0, picks 21-32
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 accounting 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...
21. Seattle Seahawks – Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
The days of the Legion of Boom are now long past and there’s a serious need at CB for the Seahawks. Ya-Sin is still very raw (having only played one full season at the FBS level after transferring from Presbyterian), but is exactly what the Seahawks love in their corners: long, physical, athletic and tenacious. He has the natural skill set to be an ideal fit in the Seahawks press-heavy cover schemes and give them a nice building block in the secondary.
22. Baltimore Ravens – Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State
This is simply a value pick, because it’s honestly hard to see Burns slipping this far. If he does, however, the Ravens are known to pounce and scoop up on top shelf talent that has slipped through the cracks. But this is also somewhat of a need pick, too, especially after losing both Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith in free agency. Matthew Judon is entering the last year of his rookie deal and neither Tim Williams or Tyus Bowser have done much to inspire confidence, and Burns has the talent to be a double-digit sack guy at the next level.
23. Houston Texans – Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State
Another great example of value meeting need in the draft (man, it’s a beautiful thing). The Texans have one of the league’s bright young stars with QB Deshaun Watson, but after seeing him get sacked a cringe-inducing 62-times last year (and remember, he’s a mobile guy), they simply have to do a better job of protecting him. Dillard looks like the most fluid and athletic pass protector in this year’s class who should be able to lock down the blindside for years to come.
24. Oakland Raiders (via CHI) – Clelin Ferrell, Edge, Clemson
The Raiders traded away arguably the best pass rusher in the NFL last year, and the hole Khalil Mack left was utterly enormous. If we’re being fair, the Raiders have virtually no pass rush coming from the edge right now, at least in terms of returning production. I’m a big fan of Arden Key’s talent level, but he’s still a wildcard at this point. Ferrell will instill some bite in the dormant pass rush while also providing help against the run as well.
25. Philadelphia Eagles – Jeffery Simmons, IDL, Mississippi State
The Eagles are one of the most intelligently run teams in the league, and this has their name all over it. Simmons (scouting report here), considered a top-5 prospect overall in this draft before tearing his ACL in pre-draft workouts, has seen his stock tumble due to the fact he’ll miss much of his rookie season, but the Eagles see a potential All-Pro who can take a redshirt before wreaking havoc next to fellow Mississippi State alum Fletcher Cox in 2020 and beyond.
26. Indianapolis Colts – A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss
Terry McLaurin has become a trendy pick here after impressive showings at both the Combine and his Pro Day, and it’s hard to argue against that, because it’s easy to see him as a Day-1 pick. However, the Colts have their speed guy in T.Y. Hilton and their long possession receiver in Devin Funchess (riding out a 1-year deal), so a physical slot receiver who can make plays across the middle and after the catch could round out their receiving corps very well.
27. Oakland Raiders (via DAL) – Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama
Personally, I don’t think any RB should be picked in the first round unless it’s a generational talent like Saquon Barkley or Adrian Peterson, but it’s easy to see Gruden reaching up into the late first to secure the one guy being mentioned as a first round talent in this year’s crop of RB’s. The Raiders have a big need here, too, as Marshawn Lynch’s future is uncertain (and he’ll be 33 in a few weeks) and Doug Martin likely won’t return. Jacobs is a big back with burst, vision and big-time playmaking ability who can run inside and outside the tackles. Plus, he was never the feature back at Alabama, so there’s plenty of tread left on the tires.
28. Los Angeles Chargers – Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
The Chargers could also look to their defensive line here, but this year’s crop is so deep they can address that later on. Somewhat quietly, the entire offensive line (outside of Russell Okung) is a mess. Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp were picked in the 2ndand 3rdround of 2017 and each have failed to deliver, while high priced free agent addition Mike Pouncey took a big step back last year and was abysmal down the stretch. Bradbury is one of the safest prospects in the entire draft (regardless of position), and should be a plug and play guy who locks down the pivot for the next decade.
29. Kansas City Chiefs – Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
The Chiefs have been rebuilding their defense this offseason, bidding adieu to stalwarts like Eric Berry, Justin Houston and Dee Ford. Well, taking away your pass rush doesn’t help your already thin and fragile secondary, and while Tyrann Mathieu was a fantastic signing in free agency, they need more help in coverage. Baker isn’t the biggest or fastest guy but he’s very physical and tough in press coverage and strong against the run.
30. Green Bay Packers (via NO) – Chris Lindstrom, IOL, Boston College
The quest to provide more help to Rodgers continues here, with the Pack now boosting the interior of the offensive line, which hasn’t been great aside from Corey Linsley. Billy Turner was signed in free agency and is entrenched at RG (in theory), but Lane Taylor is very much a replacement-level player at LG. Lindstrom is an exceptional athlete for an interior blocker, possessing quick feet and flexible hips. Don’t be surprised to see the Packers go for a TE here, either.
31. Los Angeles Rams – Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Guys that are 6-4/342 simply aren’t supposed to move the way Lawrence does. He’s an absolute freak, if we’re being honest, who reminds many of Haloti Ngata. He has the natural strength to be an ideal two-gap plugger spearheading a 3-4 front, but could be special in the one-gap scheme Wade Phillips prefers. The only reason he falls this far is because of inconsistencies as a pass rusher, but in this kind of scheme he should really be able to blossom.
32. New England Patriots – Dawson Knox, TE, Ole Miss
Should the Pats take Drew Lock here, if he’s still available? Of course. Do I think they will? No. Similarly to the Giants, I’ll believe the Pats will use a first round pick on Tom Brady’s replacement when I see it. Until then, they’re going to continue trying to give him pieces to help win right now. It’s a bit of a reach for Knox at this point, but with the big 3 TE’s already off the board, they’re comfortable reaching for an athletic playmaker like Knox, who may still be a bit raw at this point, but has enormous upside. Will he truly be able to replace Gronk? No, of course not, you can’t actually replace a guy who is arguably the best of all time, but he has Pro Bowl potential.
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.
